People Are Just Now Finding Out What A Code Grandma Is At Disney World

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If you’re someone who frequently visits Disneyland or Walt Disney World, or if you enjoy learning about these parks and their background, you might have come across tales about individuals attempting to hide human remains within the park grounds. Some people desire to leave a personal memento in their beloved spot. Given how frequent this occurrence is, the Disney Parks have developed several nicknames for it, with some being more official than others.

A discussion on the Today I Learned subreddit brings up an interesting finding about the term “white powder alert,” allegedly employed at Disney Parks to signal when someone has scattered ashes on a ride. However, multiple present and past Disney employees have joined the conversation to state that a different expression was actually used. As one individual noted…

Former Disney Parks Staff Member here. In my department, we humorously referred to this as a ‘code grandmother.’ It essentially meant calling for our supervisors when we thought a situation needed assistance that was beyond our capabilities, such as possibly invoking the Ghostbusters.

To clarify, the term “Ghostbusters” in this context is symbolic for the extensive cleanup needed when scattering ashes, which involves using heavy-duty vacuum cleaners equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to remove all minute particles from the area.

Numerous reports show that the nickname “Code Grandma” has been utilized at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. However, it’s important to note that this term is not an official designation and Disney Parks’ administration prefers not to use it. Still, people continue to employ it in their own conversations.

Although the name might seem ominous, given the eerie circumstances where people leave human remains in amusement parks – particularly at the Haunted Mansion, which is fittingly haunting and already filled with ghosts – it’s not surprising that this location is popular. However, it seems like such acts have occurred in various parks, even extending to Rise of the Resistance at one time.

Among the many issues with this situation, the most significant one is that when it occurs, it results in an immediate halt of the ride for cleaning purposes. A previous Disney World custodian, speaking in a related discussion, remarked, “Disney World is not where ‘Grandma’ chooses to be laid to rest.

As ashes are dispersed, the ride temporarily ceases operation due to it being classified as a biohazard. This necessitates an evacuation of the ride. Following this, custodial staff in hazmat gear arrive with a portable vacuum cleaner. We would use the vacuum to collect the ashes and then sanitize the area. Afterward, we’d discard the ashes in the trash bin and offer our apologies for such an unfortunate turn of events to “grandma”.

It’s important to note that engaging in such practices is strongly discouraged at Disney World. There’s a high chance you could face a ban from the park if you attempt these actions. Regardless of whether you manage to leave a memento of your loved one, there’s a possibility you may not be allowed to return.

It doesn’t make sense to justify scattering ashes on Disney World rides because it’s not effective, as they will eventually be cleaned up. While I can see why someone might want to feel connected to their cherished place forever, if the action doesn’t truly achieve its purpose, then it simply isn’t worth doing. Could someone please pass this message along to Ariana Grande’s mother?

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2025-08-25 22:04