Guests sprinkle ashes from family members in Disney theme parks

From weddings to proposals to birthdays, Disney theme parks are normally a party venue. But it turns out that many people also use them to mourn.

According to a report from the Wall Street newspaper, guests often visit Disney World in Orlando Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California with the intention of spreading the ashes of a loved one in the park. In fact, it happens so often – about once a month, that custodians have a special code name to handle it.

This is what is called a "HEPA cleaning" which, according to sources close to the branch, refers to the ultrafine vacuum cleaner needed to suck the ashes.

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It is technically a crime to spread cremated remains anywhere without permission. "This type of behavior is strictly prohibited and illegal. Guests attempting to do so will be escorted out of the property, "said a Disney representative at Newspaper – but those who did it say it's actually pretty easy.

A woman, Jodie Jackson Wells, remembered putting her mother's ashes in a bottle of pills. Others have used makeup compacts and hid a Ziploc at the bottom of their bag.

"Everyone who knew my mother knew that Disney was her happy place," Wells said of his decision. Newspaper. "I had two handfuls of ashes and literally jumped as if I were a dancer."

Flower beds and shrubs, Magic Kingdom lawns, park gates, Pirates of the Caribbean carousel, moats under the flying elephants of the Dumbo arena, and especially the haunted mansion, are the most popular resting places in the parks. according to the point of sale.

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"The haunted mansion probably contains so much human ashes that it's not even funny," said a guard at Newspaper.

When ashes are discovered, the attraction must be closed due to "technical difficulties," the point of sale said. Someone must then cross it alone and sweep up all the ashes. The good news? Guests who are forced to give up their seats in the queue are often talented Fast Passes.

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There are other substances around the park that are often confused with an informal burial, such as funnel cake residue, and much of the ashes that are sprayed are not likely to be cleaned, at least not all of them. after. None of the people Newspaper spoke to believe that the guards saw them scattering the ashes.

The Walt Disney World representatives did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.