News | Entertainment
2 Jan 2026 5:34
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
     01 Jan: If you get lost in the bush, can you really survive by drinking your own pee?
     31 Dec: Miley Cyrus pitches her songwriting skills to legendary filmmakers and Hollywood stars at events to get involved in movies
     31 Dec: Jamie Lee Curtis is glad she narrowly dodged fame as a child thanks to her late mom Janet Leigh
     31 Dec: Olivia Culpo is saving all her clothes for her daughter
     31 Dec: Billie Lourd has paid tribute to her grandmother Debbie Reynolds on the ninth anniversary of her death
     31 Dec: Toni Collette has praised Kate Winslet for bringing an "incredible sense of trust and freedom" to the set of Goodbye June
     31 Dec: Ashley Park dec lares crocheting as her personal Roman Empire
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Wellington Blaze coach Jonny Bassett-Graham is certain Georgia Plimmer can maintain her great form...even without opening partner Amelia Kerr More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Health Minister says the breach of patient data at Manage My Health won't have a clinical impact on care More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC have slumped to their second loss of the men's A-League season - and once again it's at the hands of the lowly Newcastle Jets 21:57

    Motoring:
    State Highway 57 near Levin in the Horowhenua District is closed after a two vehicle crash 21:17

    International:
    Zohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayor with midnight subway oath 19:57

    International:
    Scepticism as Russia claims video proves Ukrainian drone attack on Putin residence 19:07

    Cricket:
    The Wellington Blaze aren't fearful about life without star all-rounder Melie Kerr 18:57

    Business:
    The Health Minister says the breach of patient data at Manage My Health won't have a clinical impact on care 18:37

    Cricket:
    Wellington Blaze coach Jonny Bassett-Graham is certain Georgia Plimmer can maintain her great form...even without opening partner Amelia Kerr 18:37

    Soccer:
    10-man Newcastle lead Auckland FC after a chaotic start to their A-League match at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium 18:07

    Cricket:
    Sadness Kiwi cricket's startling new opening partnership has been broken after just three matches 17:27

    Soccer:
    Play's just underway at Mount Smart Stadium between men's A-League leaders Auckland FC and Newcastle 16:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd