Top 10 Disney World Scents
What makes me hum Soarin’s score when peeling an orange? Why does a peculiar smell of ‘burning wood’ put a smile on my face? What makes the scent of shampoo remind me of Walt Disney World? Does anyone else find alien mushroom caves oddly alluring? Am I just a lunatic with a weird obsession?! Probably, but there are dozens of us…dozens! (Updated August 7, 2023.)
It turns out that something else might be at play. “Scent-evoked nostalgia,” is a hot topic among scholars and might explain why certain Walt Disney World scents trigger emotional reactions and memories. For Disney fans, this might seem like old news. Disney perfected the art of triggering emotions via scent years ago.
In fact, there’s probably no better case study of scent-evoked nostalgia than exists in Disney fans. That’s in large part due to the concerted efforts of WDI’s division of Smellagineers. (I don’t think that’s an actual type of Imagineer, but it totally should be.)
Nostalgia is something I contemplate regularly when it comes to Disney. How it keeps pulling me back, causes me to view the parks from a certain perspective, and ultimately, gives me certain biases. From a sensory perspective, nostalgia is undoubtedly strong, too. We covered how the sounds of the parks have this impact a while ago, and virtually every other post covers the visual and culinary feast the parks are for our nostalgia.
While scents are probably less obvious, their role is no less vital–and they are just as compelling. Heck, there are multiple brands of candles and other products that exist to evoke memories of scents from the parks and resorts! So I can’t possibly be alone…and there are probably more than dozens of scent-obsessed Walt Disney World fans.
Here are the 10 most memorable scents of Walt Disney World for me…
10. Pirates of Caribbean Water
Try explaining to a non-Disney fans that one of the scents that puts a smile on your face is, essentially, dirty water that boats float around in all day. Seriously, try it. If your friends and family didn’t already think you’re crazy, this could be what pushes them over the top.
Yet, despite the reality of what this water is, many of you were probably nodding in agreement as you read this entry on the list. I’m guessing/hoping that it’s some cleansing agent treating the stagnant, slightly musty water that gives it that “special” smell I love. Regardless, I have no shame in admitting that the smell of dirty boat water puts a smile on my face.
9. Main Street, USA
If you’ve ever read one of the myriad “37 Unbelievable Disney Secrets!” sorts of lists on the various clickbait sites, you’ve undoubtedly read about the “piped in” scents outside the Confectionary and Main Street Bakery that lure guests into those shops.
It’s not just that Disney pioneered the use of “Smellitzers” in attractions (some of which are discussed below)–the parks also savvily use artificial scents to enhance real smells and entice guests. Even the Starbucks signature scent of burnt coffee plus sweets is largely artificial (both at Walt Disney World and the real world). Regardless, these shops evoke strong memories of wandering Main Street at night.
8. PhilharMagic Pie
PhilharMagic makes me nostalgic for the “Disney Renaissance” animated classics with which I grew up, and the smell of apple pie makes me nostalgic for PhilharMagic, and for Magic Kingdom.
This Glade apple pie spray–a dead ringer for the PhilharMagic smell–in turn makes me nostalgic for college, because Sarah and I used to spray it heavily in our dumpy apartment back in the day. Phew, that’s a lot of nostalgia!
7. Soarin’ Around the World
Soarin’ Around the World had a tough act to follow. From the orange groves of Camarillo to the pines of Lake Tahoe to the ocean mist of Malibu, Soarin’ proved once and for all that California is the best-smelling state in the U.S.
Personally, I don’t think Soarin’ Around the World manages to hit these same high notes on the olfactory scale. (But it’s already grown on me, so maybe I’ll feel differently in another few years once scent nostalgia takes hold.) Sure, there’s the wonderful fragrance of the Taj Mahal, and some other great scents, but others leave something to be desired. Overall, though, it’s still one of the best attractions at Walt Disney World from a scent perspective.
6. H2O Soaps
I’ll be honest with you: I can’t remember the last time I bought shampoo. Every time we travel to Walt Disney World (or any Disney destination), I stock up on shampoo from our room. The exact scents vary (from resort tier to tier, and they’ve also changed over time), but each of the scents is a distinct reminder of Disney.
It’s probably because that’s how I remember smelling from particular trips (much the way that certain sunscreen still reminds me of childhood visits to Typhoon Lagoon), and I love the memories the soaps can trigger. There are certain bottles of shampoo that are more treasured that others that I only use on special occasions, such as my Hotel MiraCosta shampoos that I’ve been rationing for the last 2 years.
While my collection might seem large in the photo above, this is only a small sample of what our drawers look like. With that said, our H2O+ stockpile is slowly shrinking, and will probably only get worse from here. Not only are most shampoo and conditioner dispensers wall-mounted, but Disney’s Bath Brand is Ending (or rather, has ended). It’s likely that Walt Disney World and Disneyland will run out of their current supply of soaps sometime between the end of summer and early fall. Expect a new bath brand partnership to be announced for 2024 and beyond any day now.
5. Norway, World Showcase
My fatal flaw when I tried to convince Sarah that she should buy the perfume Laila was saying that it reminded me of my grandma’s house. Apparently, wives do not want to smell like grandmas. (Who knew?) That was an unfortunate choice of words on my part, as Laila is probably my all-time favorite perfume, and not just for its inextricable association with Norway and Maelstrom it has for me.
Basically, Laila is the smell of freshly-bathed angels prancing around Norwegian mountain lily fields while playing the sjøfløyte. That’s about the best way to describe its divine smell, but I suppose you could also call it a fusion of natural oil with the delicate scent of Norwegian wild flowers and a refreshing touch of lavender that is subtle but distinct, light yet long-lasting and incredibly clean and crisp.
4. Pandorian Mushroom Cave
Along the same lines of Soarin, Avatar Flight of Passage has a variety of scents to help immerse you in the experience. From the crisp scent of intergalactic ocean water to the alien savannah, these immerse you into the world of Pandora.
There’s one scene, however, that surpasses them all. When your banshee stops for a rest in a Pandorian mushroom cave (I’m aware that this is probably not what it is at all), you experience the most serene and enchanting moment of the attraction, and that’s in large part because of the scent that wafts through the air as the scene completely envelopes you.
I cannot put my finger on why this scent resonates with me so much. It’s like a mix between a sweet perfume and freshly cut flowers–the best way to describe it might be as the ocean in Soarin’ meets the Norway pavilion. Perhaps this is the actual fragrance of alien mushroom-flowers!
3. Burning Rome, Spaceship Earth
Nature enthusiasts love the smell of burning timber because it reminds them of fun times spent camping; Disney enthusiasts love the smell of burning books because it reminds them of fun times spent dark ridin’. Ever since I became an active member of the Disney fan community, I’ve been hearing about efforts to re-create this scent and different methods of replicating it.
It’s another one that would be odd to the uninitiated, but for Disney fans, this is arguably the most distinct and memorable scent in all of Walt Disney World. If I weren’t a married man, this is another one I’d wear in cologne form; I fear such a cologne would contain a dangerous number of seductive pheromones, making it a wear at your own risk kinda thing.
2. Deluxe Resort Lobbies
As I’m writing this, I am seeing this slowly devolve into “Tom’s Disney Scent Fetishes,” but whatever. In addition to dirty water, shampoo, and the smell of burning, the smell of cleaning products–or whatever makes the resort lobbies smell as nicely as they do–also make me nostalgic. The two resorts with the most memorable smells for me are Yacht Club and Grand Floridian. Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary follow close behind those, with the rest of the Deluxes also represented.
I can’t pinpoint what, exactly any of these smells are, but I know Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge have a sharp, masculine edge, while Grand Floridian smells floral and elegant, and Contemporary’s smell reminds me of “modern” (somehow). I’m not saying I’d hang out in the lobby of any of these hotels for hours just to smell them, but I’m not not saying that, either.
1. Journey Into Imagination
I know what you might be thinking, and to quash that: no, the skunk scene is about as far from this list as possible. I’m talking about the original Journey into Imagination. Every once in a while, I catch a whiff of something (to this day I can’t figure out what…I’m thinking a specific cleaning product or perfume), and I am swept back to the Art Room in Journey into Imagination, where a flowery scent is sprayed into the air.
This happens about once a year, and is always a fleeting moment. I get goosebumps as I try to savor and inhale as much of the smell as possible, holding onto the moment back in time. This #1 is a very personal one, and I doubt anyone(?) else will remember it, but it’s my far and away top scent ever at Walt Disney World. (Update: the name of the perfume that was sprayed into the air was “Morning Mist.” Not sure if that’s the actual name of the fragrance, but if anyone knows, please let me know!)
As a bit of an aside, the skunk stench versus the perfume fragrance is a perfectly succinct summation of the new attraction as compared to the original. While the entries on this list demonstrate just how powerful scent is as a nostalgic tool that can be harnessed to tug at our emotional heartstrings, some uses (that skunk smell, Stitch’s burp, etc.) demonstrate its potential for misuse in creating a negative experience, too.
Fortunately, examples of this are few and far between. Most of the scents of Walt Disney World trigger happy memories…even if those scents are a bit weird to non-fans. But, you know what’s even more weird? Not being a Disney fan. 😉
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Which Disney scents are most nostalgia-evoking for you? Any aromas that instantly transport you back to a certain moment from past visits to Walt Disney World? Any favorites you recreate around your house? Any that you don’t like? Do you agree or disagree with our picks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
My husband says Figment’s skunk smells like Disney coffee tastes.
That’s a brilliant line. Kudos to your husband.
Absolutely agree with #10 and #5! Do I spy the Disney Cruise Line products in the back row of your H2O picture? The scent of the DCL toiletries always bring me back to our time out at sea. I took my sis-in-law on her first Disney cruise a year ago and a couple of months after I put on the body lotion and she exclaimed ‘I smell the cruise!’ I’ve found that the H2O products have quite a fan base among DCL travelers.
Yeah, those are DCL toiletries. The only ones we have left now. I guess it’s time for another cruise…? 🙂
Yes, it’s time! You two need to relax after all that globe hopping you’ve been doing 😀
This is an interesting list. Probably from working in a chemical lab/pilot plant, my sense of smell has been deadened over time. I can smell a little bit of the scents on Soarin’ and definitely the Burning Rome smell. The rest of them I haven’t really noticed (is there really a pie smell in Philharmagic?).
This is such a great list! The water for me is a huge one and I learned last time I was there that it’s actually Bromine in the water that makes it smell that way. Chlorine is too harsh so they use that instead to keep it clean. so it’s actually clean water not dirty water that has that smell!
We stayed at Beach Club last fall and became OBSESSED with the sent in the lobby! Like people above we researched what they use and it was so expensive!! However we found this!!
http://columbiafragrance.com
We bought the room spray and candles in green clover and aloe and it instantly takes us back! Family members did think we were crazy! They just don’t get it! Try it, you won’t be disappointed!
Awesome, thanks for the heads up!
Tom,
great post. I’d mention the smell of the monorail interior also – a very unique smell, reminds me of 1970’s era airplane interiors I guess it has to be the fabric or original adhesives/plastics or something.
also, there’s a company called Xyrena that actually manufactured a scent called “Dark Ride”, and one of its selling points is the smell evokes memories of the water in rides like Pirates. they even made a movie trailer for it, which is awesome in and of itself. and their use of the term “hint of atmospheric mildew” is a masterpiece of advertising copy. Ironically, I get paid to help building owners rid themselves of this smell, and here’s a company that’ll make more money than me in 10 lifetimes selling moldy smelling water to customers who might otherwise sue if they had this smell at their home or office.
Hey, it’s Disney. Pretty much everything is magical – even a potential indoor air quality problem.
I agree about the monorail, but I’ve heard of so many people complaining about how it stinks. I think that “stink” is probably more a complaint about other people on the monorail, not the monorail itself.
If there’s someone making a fragrance with a “hint of atmospheric mildew,” I really need to get my hands on that. Thanks for the info!
I could see how someone would hate the monorail smell. kind of like new car smell. most people love the smell of new cars. ironically, the smell is from off gassing organic compounds that aren’t good for us. just goes to show that if you associate smells with something good (or bad), that’ll stick with you more than the power of suggestion.
The lobby of the Polynesian has a distinct smell (mustiness?). I was fortunate enough to go there a bunch of times as a child. Three years ago my wife and I began going back to Disney at the age of 32. After having not been there since being in my teenage years, I immediately recognized the smell of the lobby bring the same as it had been. Great article…
I absolutely agree about the Pirates smell. I first experienced it in 1988, and when I moved to Sanford for school in 2004 that same smell came out of the tap! Never drank it, but it was a good memory!!
I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one who saves and sniffs my H2O shampoos! Takes me right back to wonderful vacation memories.
I thought it was just me Tom!! Traveling to Disney since I was a toddler in the late 70’s and nothing comes close to the indoor water attraction smell..nothing! It’s that musty, bleachy sent that only Disney can come up with. It hasn’t changed in decades!!
Ahhh, if only I could smell some musty Pirates right about now! 🙂 Another one I love is the Big Top tent in Fantasyland! Sometimes I walk in there just to get a good whiff! Best lost ever!
I meant best LIST ever! Autocorrect fail!
Hi Tom! Great topic, and a great list– but I have to clarify your #2! I inquired last year and learned a lot about the hotel lobby fragrances– I also love the Beach Club and Grand Floridian for that amazing relaxing, something special fragrance. It just instantly relaxes you and makes you feel at home after a busy park day. Turns out, Coronado Springs uses the same fragrance. It’s not cleaners, but a specialized fragrance product that is built into the air system. It’s called Scent Air http://www.scentair.com/ . Pretty pricey for home use, but possible! The one specific to the Beach Club and Grand (and recently Coronado, but the atmosphere doesn’t have the same vibe to me- scent or not)… is Green Clover and Aloe! Amazing. http://www.scentair.com/why-scentair/scents/index.html
I don’t know why I assumed the scents were cleaning products. I guess the times when I’ve noticed the most pronounced smells have been late at night when I’ve been lounging in the lobby by myself, and the cleaning crews are working. Mentally, I must’ve assumed they were the cause of the scent. Thanks for the info!
Just realized I didn’t give you the link…
https://www.amazon.ca/Pre-Provence-Milk-Soap-Bar/dp/B000IQVV72/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1463705233&sr=1-2&keywords=pre+de+provence+milk+soap
Alright, I’m going to order this! If it turns out that you’re correct, you learn a place in the “DTB Commenter Hall of Fame.” If you are wrong, you owe me $6.56. That’s some serious pressure. Do you think you can handle it?!
Haha probably not! $6.95 in American dollaers is probably about $135 Canadian these days…
But I hope it works out for you as well as for me. Every time I was my hands I’m sent back to that room…
I’m so curious!! Did you get the soap yet? Does it smell like the room?
Well? Did you get the soap? I’m dying to know!
The soap just arrived today. Either my perception of the scent has changed over time, or that’s not quite it. A bit too ‘soapy’ to me–maybe I just need to give it more time?
Thanks, regardless! 🙂
I feel like the Disney food courts have a specific scent that I occasionally experience in real world eateries.
I finally broke down and bought the Laila perfume on Amazon a few years back. Best decision ever. My husband loves it (has never mentioned it reminds him of grandma…) and I love the lingering reminder of the old Norway when I wear it.
Wonderful post. Fine pre-Friday fun!
Lapsang souchong tea smells EXACTLY like the Alexandria/Kali River fire.
Wow. This is at once the weirdest Disney post I’ve ever read and yet the most inspired!! All these are so true and it’s great to see that, if I’m insane, at least I’m in company.
I’d say most of the smells aren’t nice because of what they are, and just because they conjure up good memories. With that in mind, here are a few more:
• Space Mountain – there’s a certain quality of “air conditioned grime” (for the want of a better word) here that really takes me back – and it’s unique to the WDW variant.
• Rock n Roller Coaster Boarding Area – this is more prominent in Paris but I’ve noticed it at WDW as well – it’s the smell of burning rubber. I am pretty sure it’s intentional as there’s no rubber involved – either way, it’s a critical part of the theming of that ride for me!
• The restaurant you pass on Pirates is a double whammy for the other parks (it’s great how the scents rise and fall as you pass… And the style of cooking fits with the ride) – but WDW doesn’t have this. Instead, it has the equally good equivalent on the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride as you savour the smells of Mexican cuisine as you pass Mt. Popcatapetl. You might argue the smell of a restaurant is a cheat, but it plays into the ride so you can be sure WDI considered it.
• Dinosaur Time Travel Smoke. I’m almost certain this is unintentional, but the fog used to create the time travel illusion has a very memorable aroma to it!
• Sunset Boulevard – Hollywood Studios flagship (and, err, currently only) street – this has a really wide variety of vendors and scents and is arguably the true “Main Street” of the park, at least as far as the nose knows!
• Swan and Dolphin Hotels – not to be outdone by the “real” Disney hotels, the SwOlphin have their own distinct scents and they’re very identifiable.
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one that brings home shampoo! The soap, too. We probably haven’t had to buy bar soap in about 5 years because I always bring home the extras from our trip.
You know you’re a diehard Disney fan when…. we recently found this candle that reminds us of the Norway pavilion. Gives me goosebumps every time we burn it!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HAAR7Q/ref=ox_sc_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A47ERS2ITL6G1
I always know I’m at Disney when I smell the bathroom soap. My husband thought I was insane when we stopped at a roadside restaurant in rural Wisconsin and I came out of the bathroom ecstatic because they used “Disney parks bathroom soap”!!! I would buy it if I could.
Hahaha!! So happy I’m not alone!! I love the smell of the bathroom soap!!
Oh Tom, I remember the Journey smell very well,one of my favorite rides, together with Horizons and World of motion, when these three went or changed I will not go back to Epcot.
Have you (or has anyone else reading this) found a product that contains that same smell? I know there is something out there that’s a dead-ringer for it, and I’d love to figure out what…
A lot of the Scents used on the various rides and in the resorts, including the Yacht Club, are created by a company called Scent Air. http://www.scentair.com The scent is usually delivered through the HVAC system in a hotel, but the cool thing is the make a smaller unit called a Scent Wave that can be used in your home or office. I got one for our office a few years ago and I love it. You can keep the same scent all the time, or change it each month. I like to change the scent with the season so the scent varies from month to month at my office. This month is Black Cherry then we switch to Mango for June. The office smells like Pumpkin in November and Cinnamon Spice in December. In March my office smells exactly like the Orange Blossom smell you get on Soaring over California.
Tom, I remember that smell and art room very well. I have been on a quest for it for years, and like you, catching a faint lingering here and there and never being able to quite track it down. Until recently!! I was pretty young the last time I smelled the original Journey…so my memory may have distorted it, but it smells exactly how I remember it! It’s in a hand soap I received as a gift. So of course I looked it up, and it looks like you can buy the soap on Amazon (hope it’s the right one!! I received a mini guest set, so this is the larger version, I think). Here’s the link. I’d love to know if you agree… my family couldn’t remember well enough, despite me pushing it on them like a crazed addict of Disney smells…. but I swear it’s what I remember.