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!
There are so many great smells throughout the WDW resort! The one’s that tend to stay with me after we leave are always the rome burning scene and, similar to Pirates and UofE, the first part of Living with the Land where you travel through the amazon and desert scenes. I also agree with the comments of Peter and Matt below about the early morning air and that distinct vegetation smell We seem to be missing that here in the Northeast!
When I was a kid, we would visit WDW every other year (after visiting my grandparents in Winterhaven). I’ve got to say the most memorable scent for me would be the musty air conditioning in MK’s Haunted Mansion – stuck with me since those early visits. In fact, the air conditioning at my childhood home had a similar smell, and I would just lay there in front of the vent remembering those great trips.
Horizon’s orange farm was a close second.
Today’s favorite would be SE’s burning Rome.
The Beach Club is actually my favorite lobby scent. And there is another WDW-scent candle company out there (Walter & Rosie Candle Co) that sells a Beach Club candle! I love to burn it 🙂
Awesome, thanks for the heads up. Maybe one of these Disney candle companies will make an old Journey into Imagination candle!
Another favorite scent is Disney shopping! The smell of Disney bags, tee shirts, etc just send me into orbit. Have you ever ordered something from the Disney store or gone into one offsite? It’s the same smell. Nothing like getting that smell in the mail! And for some reason, I love the smell of the buses, both interior and exterior. Maybe because they’re my favorite thrill ride. And the smell of Animal Kingdom in the morning. I could go on and on. Much as I love your blog, Tom, it makes me homesick for that second home and I want to hit the road as soon as I see it pop up in my email.
To me, the defining smell of Disney World is the scent of early morning there. It’s a moist, humid odour, influenced by the lush vegetation and perhaps mulch. I have smelled it at the parks, as well as Pop Century resort. It may have something to do with groundskeepers hosing everything down around dawn. And the smell seems to evaporate by 9:30 a.m. Once in awhile I get a whiff of that same kind of scent back at home, and my whole family can now identify it as “The Smell of Disney.”
Definitely agree with this one – early morning Florida air is one-of-a-kind.
I know what you’re talking about, and I also like that! I think you’ll probably find something similar in many areas of Florida that have maintained grounds.
YES to this smell. When I’m walking in to work in the early morning, if it’s kind of humid and there is a light mist in the air, that is exactly Disney to me. Glad I’m not the only one. 🙂
I remember learning in my undergrad psychology course years ago that scents are tied to memories because the part of your brain that processes smells is so close to the part of the brain that deals with memories and emotions (#science). I totally agree that Disney smells are the best smells and can instantly make you feel like you are there! Some of my favorites are from ‘Soarin. I am excited about the new film, but a bit nervous that I am going to miss the old smells!
Whoa whoa whoa. This is a family-friendly blog. Let’s keep science out of here! 😉
Sorry Tom. It’s psychology, so it’s like pseudo-science anyway!
Hi Jess! We don’t have any plans to change our Soaring Over candle at this time so even if the Soarin’ Over the World doesn’t have them, you can always have the orange grove scent you know and love with our candle! 🙂
I love the smell of the Floridian at Christmas time when you walk in and smell the gingerbread house! Also, not really a smell, but the cold dead breeze you get in the haunted mansion in the first section. Love the smell of the fireworks smoke when it wafts over too.
I love this post so much. We recorded a podcast on “The Smells of WDW” last month and it received the most feedback of any of our episodes to date. Clearly Disney fans are passionate about their WDW scents!
Regarding the skunk smell in Journey to Imagination, it’s incredible how similar it is to the smell you encounter when you walk into any Starbucks on Disney property. I know that sounds crazy, but pay attention next time you ride. The two smells (coffee and manufactured skunk spray) are almost indecipherable.
I’ll think about that the next time I’m on the attraction. Right now, I can’t really connect the two, but I also haven’t smelled that skunk stench in a while.
I read that the “skunk smell” was burned popcorn (and Starbucks burns their coffee, so it’s probably similar). that has helped me get through the Figment part.
Tangential to that thought – we didn’t ride Imagination for several trips when my daughter was younger simply because she refused to go on “the ride withe the skunk smell”. Why on earth couldn’t the playful, joyful figment sprayed vanilla or flower scent instead of being a jerk and using skunk (or even burned popcorn).
I loved the smell of the bathrooms at Fort Wilderness 🙂
Just a quick comment on Epcot’s Universe of Energy; I was there the first year it opened and aside from the fact that I loved the ride, the “realistic, prehistoric” smell made it so much more amazing. It really is a fantastic experience! I would never, to this day, dream of going to Epcot and not going to the Universe of Energy. The changes are good but…..I loved the original!
I love way too many of the smells of Disney. The smell of oranges and salt spray in Soarin, the smell of burning books in Spaceship Earth (my own personal favorite nostalgia ride). The smells are everywhere in Disney.
Having said that, the smell that triggers the most nostalgia for me are those little soaps (vs the shampoos) that they give you at the hotels. Don’t ask me why, but using those little soaps take me right back to Disney. It’s probably why I ration them and only use them in our guest bathroom, where they last the longest. 🙂
I TOTALLY know what scent in the original Journey into Imagination you are talking about!!! I only ever smelled it in there. Also, the scent of the dinosaur ride… yes! I am also convinced that Disney had a very unique smell right after it rained. 🙂
I really can’t tell you how many times me and my family have said,
‘mmmm smell’s like Disney’, since 1989. Then had long long conversations about all the good times.
And the popcorn… I don’t eat it, but if half the taste in the smell – that stuff is GOOD.
Popcorn is definitely one of those things I’d prefer to smell than eat. (Bonus at Tokyo Disneyland: every land smells like a different flavor of popcorn!)
I am obsessed with the orange grove smell in Soarin’ at Disneyland. My father passed away and this was his favourite ride so I would love to find a product that emulates it. Any ideas as to what is the closest match?
Hi Michelle! Our Soaring Over is a replication of the orange groves – such an awesomely distinct and nostalgic scent!
My wife and I still, to this day, can evoke the smell of the mesquite fire burning at the Fort Wilderness Lodge 20 years ago.
Every trip we take we end up in the Contemporary for a break. This past time I really became aware of how much I love the smell there! It will always be my favorite.
Took a quick weekend trip to WDW a few years back and decided to surprise my best friend back home with one of those Color Fusion Mickey Mouse cups stuffed to the brim with Disney soaps and lotions from our stay. Needless to say, she loved it! Turned out to be a unique and inexpensive souvenir idea 🙂
We think that Bath & Body Works “Sparkling Icicles” smells like Soarin’! It takes us back to Disney!
Yes, I was hoping someone else would say that! I am obsessed with “Sparkling Icicles’! The first time I smelled it, I said to my mom, “this candle smells like ‘Soarin” and she thought I was crazy. I took it home and asked my husband what it smelled like and he immediately said “Soarin”!! Now we always try to have a “Soarin” candle on hand at home!!
Another one to add to my list of things to buy. Thanks for the heads up!
Just FYI – Sparking Icicles is a winter scent, but there is a spring scent that smells identical. I think it’s called Paris Daydream, or something similar. I am convinced they are the same scent just packaged differently.
Great list! One of my favorite smells of WDW is that great smell of hydraulic fluid in the load area of Dinosaur! I’m obssessed with that smell. I also like the smell of gasoline and bleach, so I’m probably not the best judge……
Hi Tom. Interesting article. I’m currently using grapefruit scented shower gel (at least, until I run out) that is from my 2015 stay at the Yacht Club. And, yes, I too enjoy the Yacht Club lobby scent. I find it comforting.
Just returned from a stay at PO Riverside, but didn’t bring home any toiletries. I have so many that I doubt I’ll ever run out. Especially soap. Instead, my friend brought them home for her daughter, who finds them perfect for showering at her gym.
I think this is one of those articles that addresses the question from well meaning friends about why we keep going back to Disney. My answer will now include the phrase, “because of the smells”.