One thing about Disney that separates it from any amusement park is making sure all 5 of your senses are overwhelmed. The sights and sounds of the parks are out-of-this-world but when they go the extra mile to satisfy your nasal passage, we have to take the time to discuss it in a blog post.
Welcome to Believe Vacation’s Top Ten where today, we’ll look at the Top 10 Smells at Disney Parks. For this list, we will rank food, attraction enhancements and other general scents that may tickle the nose hairs on an average day in the parks. However, I must warn you: I never said all smells ranked would be pleasant.
10) Flame Tree Barbecue – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As an Alabama boy, I love some good barbecue. And it was until I went a little more North in my life, I was unaware that there was a vinegar-based barbecue. I refuse to acknowledge that as real barbecue. So I was pleasantly surprised to smell the wonderful aroma of smoked chicken, ribs, beans and cole slaw in the Discovery Island Section of Animal Kingdom. Take your Tusker House Character Meal and your Yak and Yeti but give me a full slab every time please. And a bib!
9) Tomorrowland Speedway – Magic Kingdom
While maybe not the drag race atmosphere the Beach Boys and John Travolta sing about, Tomorrowland Speedway is the first chance many kids get to be behind the wheel and floor it to a whopping 7 mph! The humming of the go-kart-like motors going round the track will put smiles on your face but the overwhelming smell of the gasoline is what really makes this one of the most authentic attractions at Disney World. While not overwhelming, the fumes of octane certainly fill the Tomorrowland air which means only smiles for 2,000 feet.
8) Foul Smells – Stitch, Figment, A Bug’ Life
And now we come to the smells that may not be pleasant at all. I’ll cheat and group these 3 together because there is no real separation between them. All happen during the middle of their respective attractions and to be honest, they are funny at first. What juvenile adult does not chuckle at a good passing of gas? But, through the magic of Disney Innovations, we get a flavored whiff that has been known to make a few unexpected guests lose their Dining Plan.
7) Funnel cakes – Parks and Resorts
Thankfully, we return to a savory scent that will make you salivate at any state fair in the country. Let’s get this out of the way – funnel cakes are unhealthy, messy and make you full quickly. But that smell is glorious. There is something about fried dough in a vat of grease that just has you running over to see why people will wait at least 20 minutes for one. Luckily for fans, you are never too far from a funnel cake stand at the parks and some resorts as well!
6) Rome Burning – Epcot
No, I do not promote arson of any type and I was not alive in 64 AD. But I have been on Spaceship Earth (ie, the big golf ball) in Epcot and I have smelled Rome burning. As you pass through the different scenes, you are treated with amazing visuals and animatronics personifying communication during that particular time. Ask any Spaceship Earth fan and they will tell you that the favorite scene involves the sight of the flames and the scent of the burning wood that accompanies it. Burn, baby burn indeed!
5) Ice Cream – Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Baskin-Robbins, TCBY and Cold Stone Creamery have nothing on the aroma pouring into Main Street USA from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. Already a fan favorite due to the cool temperature as a natural retreat on a hot Florida day, this quick-service restaurant uses dairy and waffle batter to welcome you in. Just don’t forget the hot fudge.
4) Popcorn – Parks and Resorts
While I am very thankful that Disney has decided to bag it’s traditional and flavored popcorn and sell it in the numerous gift shops at the resorts, I am talking about the fresh smell that hits you as soon as you enter many of the resorts and theme parks. You may know that Disney has a trash can every 30 feet on its properties and I would guess they have a popcorn stand every 60-90 feet! They are everywhere, especially in the parks. There is no avoiding the buttery, intoxicating scent that permeates Disney World. So grab a bucket, find a seat and enjoy a snack that makes most “Favorite Snack at Disney” lists.
3) Water – Theme Parks
I know what you are saying – Brian, water has no smell. Baloney! Ask any Disney fanatic and we will all tell you there is a certain smell in the water at Disney. For some, it is not a good smell. We pray for you people daily. The smell of the water fall on the Jungle Cruise, the track of Splash Mountain and the white water of Kali River Rapids is one of those scents that instantly transport you back to your happy place. Now drinking that water? Let’s just say there is a reason bottled water may not be the worst purchase at Disney.
2) Dole Whip – Adventureland and Disney’s Polynesian Resort
Now we are talking! Processed and perfected in Hawaii, this perfect blend of pineapple and soft-serve brings grown men and women to tears with how delicious it is. In fact, people will “go left” to start their day at the Magic Kingdom to start their day with this nectar of deliciousness. But it all starts with the intoxicating scent that you follow to Aloha Isle or Pineapple Lanai!
Honorable Mention
Pre-Show (Fantasmic) – Nothing more salivating that the BO of a few thousand tourists raising their arms and doing the wave after a few hours in the hot Florida sun.
Food Courts (Resorts) – Sometimes the basic smell of pizza, chicken fingers, burgers and desserts are enough for me.
Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop (Disney Springs) – Sundaes and Chocolate ice cream without the admission to theme parks? Sign me up!
1) Turkey legs – Various locations
Gigantic, cavemanesque smoked turkey legs sold from hot carts throughout Disney World. There is no better smell. Is it messy? Absolutely. Is it barbaric? Of Course! Is it the best combination of smell and taste at Disney? Oooooh, now that would be a fun list.
EXTRA MAGIC ENTRY!!
Before I publish every list, I share with my amazing team so that we can reminisce on our own personal thoughts on that list.
No list of “Best WDW Smells” would be complete without taking a moment to remember and appreciate (and, ultimately, lament the demise of) the Granddaddy of them all : the distinctive orange grove scent featured in Horizons. Horizons was a favorite attraction for many of reasons – the delightful theme song, the homage to “Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress,” the robot butler, the choose-your-own-adventure-style feature as the attraction ended (to name a few) were all highlights that made this ride a beloved one. But perhaps the biggest reason was how Horizons immersed you entirely in an illusion, with the help of piped-in scent. For those who experienced this classic EPCOT attraction, which ran from the early 1980s to the late 1990s, there is no forgetting the moment your ride vehicle brought you past the orange groves of the future and you were treated to a citrus-scented fantasy that made you imagine you had really been transported somewhere special. (Are we over-selling it? We say “no.”)
Did we miss anything? What smells hits you and you immediately know you’re at Disney? Leave your comments below and as always, there’s a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
