Have you ever heard the phrase, “You eat with your eyes first?” I disagree with the notion. I believe that your nose guides you the most. Whenever you sniff something intoxicating, you can’t help but approach. Imagineers have mastered the art of manipulating you via smells, and that’s actually a good thing! Here are 11 of the best scents at Walt Disney World.
Canada pavilion popcorn stands
Who doesn’t love the scent of popcorn? For nearly a century, movie theaters have used the fragrance to drive concession sales. Epcot employs a similar technique at the Canada pavilion. Since it’s one of the first places guests visit at the World Showcase, the wafting smells lure them out of Future World. Anyone who visits the Canada Popcorn Cart gets rewarded with some of the tastiest treats anywhere.
Champagne bottles popping during PhilharMagic
I’m shamelessly obsessive about Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the Magic Kingdom show that celebrates the brilliance of Disney animated movies. Films like The Little Mermaid, Fantasia, Aladdin receive a deluxe 270-degree movie theater treatment with some 4-D effects splashed in for good measure.
One of the most memorable moments occurs during a zealous rendition of Be Our Guest. Champagne bottles pop during the uncorking, and a warm blast of air shoots at the crowd. As part of the effect, a fruity champagne smell explodes in the air, immersing guests in the illusion. It’s intoxicating.
Contemporary Resort monorail station
Okay, you may have turned your nose up at the thought of monorail aromas. I accept that some of the trams smell like, well, soiled diapers. But I’m not referring to the monorail ride itself. I’m talking about that spot on the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort where you see the security checkpoint for the monorails.
You’re still walking through the invisible mist that blankets the hotel in pleasant aromas, but Disney mixes it up just a bit by the monorails. Maybe that’s just the smell of the system operating. Whatever the explanation, it’s delicious.
Germany pavilion caramels
Packages of Werther’s Originals will put a smile on the faces of children and the elderly alike. These caramel hard candies combine the joy of sucking on a mint with the sublime taste of toffee. Karamell-Kuche functions like a magnet for guests, as the scent of these caramels permeates across World Showcase pavilions. I’ve grown pretty good at resisting temptation when I smell the caramels, but it’s only because I’ve built up a tolerance. There for a few years, I always came home with several bags of Werther’s Originals.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
This one works a bit differently than the others on the list. On its own, Gran Fiesta Tour doesn’t feature any distinguishing characteristics. However, early in the ride, you float by San Angel Inn Restaurante. And the Mexican cuisine will drive you wild. It’s funny. Whenever I dine at this restaurant, I want to jump on Gran Fiesta Tour. Conversely, whenever I take the boat ride, I covet a meal at San Angel. But the restaurant’s aroma mesmerizes me anytime I’m at the Mexico pavilion.
Haunted Mansion
Ordinarily, people describe the scent of death to paint a picture of something horrible. Somehow, Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride goes the other way entirely. This attraction’s unique fragrance is smooth and vaguely floral in nature. Then again, it’s not the only scent that the ride employs, at least at Disneyland. For the holiday overlay, the ballroom scene includes gingerbread to bring it parallel with the accompanying house that cast members build every year.
Main Street, U.S.A. Bakery
The next two selections would earn a spot on anybody’s list. Everyone knows that entering Magic Kingdom or Disneyland comes with an excellent perk. The moment that you walk into the park, you get a whiff of delicious-smelling baked goods. These are pastries you can buy, presuming that you can’t resist temptation. In my experience, I can be strong enough to walk past the sweets shops two or three times. If I have to cross this path any more, I’m gonna drop a few bucks on something calorific.
Polynesian lobby
If I earn a spot in The Good Place, I can assure you of one thing. Everything there will smell like the lobby of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The official name for this fragrance is Hibiscus Passion, and it’s the greatest scent in existence. Period.
Soarin’
I’ll always hold a soft spot in my heart for Soarin’ Over California. Still, I immediately warmed to Soarin’ Around the World, which features several locales with unforgettable scents. No, there’s not an orange grove anymore, which sucks. But the Taj Majal fragrance soothes my soul. I also adore the beach and have grown to enjoy the dissonance of the grass scent. Of course, what I love about it is Disney’s dirty secret. The same two smells play a part in similar scenes on Avatar Flight of Passage! Yes, what works on Pandora also does on Earth!
Spaceship Earth
Poor Rome. Once upon a time, the city embodied the upper crust of civilization. All roads led to Rome, according to the maxim. Then, a crazy ruler ran the place into the ground, and the city fell. One of the most significant moments from this age happened in 64 A.D., when the chariot stadium burned for nearly 10 days.
The current version of Spaceship Earth tells the story of the Fall of Rome. This scene shows the city ablaze, and Disney has piped in the smell of burning embers to accentuate the effect. I love this fragrance so much that I buy candles that recreate it. And I’m going to be heartbroken if Disney removes this scene from the renovated Spaceship Earth coming in a couple of years.
Splash Mountain
Really, I could mention any of Disney’s water rides for this one. The company does something unusual to clean its water. Rather than employing Chlorine to eliminate the germs, cast members use Bromine. It’s a more efficient means of purifying water. You won’t find it at your local pool because it costs more.
Disney spends the extra money to ensure the safety of guests. The Bromine comes with a distinctive chemical aroma that’s somehow refreshing thanks to deft Imagineering tricks. Pirates of the Caribbean probably has the best smelling water, but I prefer Splash Mountain since I have the fondest memories riding it. Everything about Splash Mountain makes me happy, especially the perfumed water.
