Whoopi Goldberg recently shared a unique story about her mother’s ashes in an interview with Seth Meyers. Goldberg recalled spreading her mother’s ashes over Disneyland’s “It’s A Small World” ride. “No one should do this. Don’t do it,” she advised, emphasizing the unusual yet heartfelt nature of the act.
Whoopi Goldberg’s Sentimental Act
Goldberg’s mother passed away in 2010, and she decided to honor her mother’s love for the iconic ride. She said, “She loved ‘Small World.’ So, in the ‘Small World’ ride, periodically, I’d scoop some of her up and I’d do this poof.” She continued, “My God, this cold is getting worse and worse!” She also scattered ashes on the flowers where it says, “Disneyland.”
Afterward, Goldberg informed Disneyland officials about her actions. She explained, “I told them I did it. I wanted to make sure I hadn’t done something dangerous.” She learned that spreading ashes in the park is not allowed for health and safety reasons. “But there’s a reason they don’t want ashes just floating around,” she added.
Her Mother’s Legacy
In her 2024 memoir “Bits and Pieces,” Goldberg wrote about her family’s influence and her mother’s deep affection for the “Small World” ride. She described her mother’s vision: “It was her vision of what human beings should be, these children of the world: all colors, religions, and cultures together.”
Goldberg revealed that the day she and her brother Clyde took their mother’s ashes to Disneyland, a lot of the ashes ended up in the “Small World” ride. “We were subtle about it, kind of sneezing Ma out here and there when no one was looking,” she said. Although they didn’t get caught, she later confessed to a park employee. “They weren’t surprised, and they certainly were not happy about it.”
Dumping a loved one’s ashes in a place that meant a lot to them can seem heartwarming. However, Disneyland views it as a cleanup issue and a criminal act. According to the Southern California Defense Blog, Disneyland is private property, and spreading ashes requires permission from the park’s parent company. If caught, violators can face up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine. Staff will “escort” violators off the premises and remove the ashes from the park.