News | Entertainment
21 Feb 2026 10:48
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Whoopi Goldberg scattered her mother's ashes at Disneyland

    The 'View' co-host's mom, Emma Harris, passed away in 2010 and the 68-year-old actress decided to honour her by spreading her remains while on her parent's favourite ride at the theme park, It's a Small World.


    However, because the practice isn't allowed, Whoopi resorted to faking sneezing fits as cover while she randomly "scooped some of her up" to spread the ashes around the ride.

    Speaking on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers', she said: "No one should do this. Don't do it.

    "My mother loved Disneyland, we took her to Disneyland.

    "When I was a kid, the World's Fair was (in New York) and it was the introduction of Small World, she loved Small World.

    "So in the Small World ride... Periodically I'd scoop some of her up and do this [giant sneeze] and I'd say, 'My god this cold is getting worse and worse.'

    Whoopi then used her sneeze technique by the park entrance.

    She added: "And then we got over to the flowers that say Disneyland and I said, 'Oh look at this' and [sneezed]."

    Despite trying to conceal her actions, the 'Color Purple' star confessed to Disneyland bosses afterwards.

    She said: "I told them I did it. I wanted to make sure, actually, that I hadn't done something that was dangerous, 'cause it hadn't occurred to me. But there's a reason they don't want ashes just floatin' around."

    Theme park staff have previously admitted they have to clean up ashes around once a month, with rides being shut down due to "technical difficulties" when they are actually being deep cleaned.

    And one ride is chosen far more frequently than others for scattering ashes.

    An unnamed custodian told the Wall Street Journal in 2018: "The Haunted Mansion probably has so much human ashes in it that it's not even funny."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     21 Feb: Gina Carano is set to face Ronda Rousey in a mixed martial arts fight
     21 Feb: Miley Cyrus feels "very proud" of Hannah Montana
     21 Feb: Khloe Kardashian is "not involved in strategy or operations for Good American"
     21 Feb: Margaret Qualley has made Jack Antonoff less "cynical"
     21 Feb: Paris Hilton and Carter Reum have renewed their wedding vows
     21 Feb: Shia LaBeouf has been arrested in New Orleans following an alleged altercation during Mardi Gras celebrations
     21 Feb: James and Kimberly Van Der Beek renewed their wedding vows days before the actor died
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A positive update after a scary moment for skier Fin Melville Ives at the Winter Olympics More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A economist says New Zealanders appear to have gotten a spending hangover More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    A economist says New Zealanders appear to have gotten a spending hangover 10:26

    Entertainment:
    Gina Carano is set to face Ronda Rousey in a mixed martial arts fight 10:17

    Golf:
    To the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles and golf's PGA Tour 10:16

    Business:
    Work by dozens of artists is being showcased on Auckland's waterfront today 10:16

    Soccer:
    Phoenix coach Bev Priestman's singing the praises of import striker Makayla Woods after they salvaged a point from their latest match in football's women's A-League 10:16

    International:
    Why Pacific Islands are rapidly de-flagging Russia's fleet of 'shadow tankers' 10:06

    Entertainment:
    Miley Cyrus feels "very proud" of Hannah Montana 9:47

    Law and Order:
    Armed Police were called to a street in Te Puke overnight, after a person was injured in an assault 9:26

    Entertainment:
    Khloe Kardashian is "not involved in strategy or operations for Good American" 9:17

    Entertainment:
    Margaret Qualley has made Jack Antonoff less "cynical" 8:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd