If you hear the phrase ‘white powder alert’ when visiting a Disney park, you might want to duck for cover.
Otherwise you run the risk of being caught up in what is classified as a bio hazard.
Former Disney World employees took to Reddit this month to share the secret codes that are often used to indicate a sensitive or potentially hazardous situation involving guests at the park.
The discussion was prompted in the subreddit, r/todayilearned, after one contributor shared the eerie meaning behind a code word used to describe when someone has scattered their loved one’s ashes.
The Redditor, known as u/rezikiel, wrote in a post: ‘Today I learned Disney has a code word for when guests attempt to scatter ashes at one of their theme parks: A “white powder alert.”‘
Over 2000 comments poured in, with many bemused Redditors reacting to the post and Disney World employees sharing numeral codes and phrases they had picked up on during their time at the park.
One person commented: ‘”White powder alert” is not very subtle at all.’
Another said: ‘Scattering ashes at any place with a sanitation and cleaning crew is a guaranteed way to make sure your “loved one” ends up in a garbage sack tossed in a compactor, crushed, and sent to a landfill.’
Former Disney World employees took to Reddit this month to share the secret codes that are often used to indicate a sensitive or potentially hazardous situation involving guests at the park
Another grotesque phrase shared by an employee is ‘Protein Spill,’ a common term used to describe when someone who has vomited
Other employees weighed in on the secret codes they themselves have used, while Disney visitors shared the phrases they’ve overheard during particular events.
One former member of staff, who claimed to have worked at the Orlando site, said that the code “82” – which essentially stands for “Ate (8) Too (2) Much” is used to indicate a rider is too large for the seat.
They added that the code is used to flag assistance when an overweight ride is stuck or ’causes a scene.’
A fellow worker shared: ‘Internally they call difficult people “customers” because customers/visitors of the park should be referred to as “guests.” If you’re called a customer then you’re being a real pain in the a**.’
Another grotesque phrase shared by an employee is ‘Protein Spill,’ a common term used to describe when someone who has vomited.
One Redditor, who claimed to have been a custodial in Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom in 2016, took the time to break down a series of lettered codes they’d picked up over the years.
According to the former employee, “V” would be used to indicate someone has vomited, “H” signalled signs of a bowel movement, “U” would mean someone has urinated and “BBP” would indicate the presence of blood.
However, they noted that ‘in their time,’ the phrase “White Powder” was not used to stipulate ashes had been scattered – instead, they used a simple “Grandma” code, though they noted this was perhaps ‘too dark’ for the children’s attraction.
Describing what happens when ashes are spread at the park, they added: ‘So ashes are spread, first the ride shuts down. It’s a bio hazard so the ride must be evacuated.
‘Then custodial comes down in hazmat suits with a little vacuum. We would vacuum up the ashes and disinfect the area.
‘Then we’d take the ashes, dump them in the trash, and apologize to “grandma” for ending up in a trash can.’
One person, reflecting on the common act of visitors wanting to scatter loved ones’ ashes at the park, noted: ‘I’m a little surprised Disney hasn’t capitalised on this yet. A LOT of people want their ashes scattered at Disney.
‘The families who attempt are just the most fanatical, but way more want it and Disney knows that. They could charge $10k+ for a spot in a communal urn on property and people would pay it without blinking an eye.
‘They could probably charge $100k for a Haunted Mansion scatter. I’m guessing there are laws prohibiting it or something, the profit potential is just too obvious for it to not already be a thing.’
Earlier this week, the Daily Mail shared that a former Disney World worker revealed exactly what happens when someone dies at the resort – and it might not be what you expect.
Tom Cruz used to work at the magical resort and shared his experience in a TikTok video.
One former member of staff, who claimed to have worked at the Orlando site, said that the code “82” – which essentially stands for “Ate (8) Too (2) Much”
‘No one has ever or will ever die inside of a Disney park, or property. It is the happiest place on Earth and you can’t have your guests dying there,’ he opens the video with.
The content creator shared a photograph of him during a shift at Magic Kingdom in Orlando.
‘I distinctly remember this day, we were helping people into the go kart ride and there was a family, they had an older gentleman with them,’ Tom continues.
He goes on to explain how a customer at the park collapsed and CPR was attempted on him.
