Magical Blogorail: What's that Smell? WDW Scents We Love and Loathe

Welcome to the first stop aboard Magical Blogorail Red.  Enjoy the ride as we discuss the Disney scents that have ingrained themselves in our memories, either for good or bad.

At Walt Disney World, the Imagineers try to engage as many senses as possible.  You are encouraged to see, hear, and touch the attractions to really take in the story.  Some parts of the World also include scents, intentional or otherwise, that are an important part of the experience.

When I started training as a Cast Member in Disney College Program, we took a walking tour of the Magic Kingdom as a part of a course known as Traditions.  I thought it was so cool (and just a little sneaky) that the aroma of freshly baked cookies from the Main Street Bakery as you walk down the sidewalk really comes from cinnamon and vanilla oils.  Think giant air freshener.

My family spends most of our vacations at Walt Disney World and we adore Disney transportation.  No, it's not super fast but we love letting someone else do the driving, getting dropped off at the front, riding the monorail and boats, and just generally relaxing.  As such, diesel bus fumes smell like vacation to me.  Doesn't matter where I am, if a bus goes by, instead of hating the stench, I'm wishing I was getting on a Disney bus to anywhere.  Along those lines, that kind of musty smell in the monorail welcomes me home as I say "por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas."

I hope my Oklahoma friends aren't offended by this one because I say it with love.  Prior to marrying my husband and moving near Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his new job, I can't say that I had ever smelled a skunk other than when Figment causes trouble at the Imagination pavilion.  Our house in Oklahoma was in an area where growing suburb meets pasture land and the smell of skunk was frequently in the air.  (Tip for life: if you ever accidentally hit a skunk with your car, go straight to the nearest car wash.) So now when Figment is being a little stinker, I get a little homesick for my Oklahomies.

Disney isn't known for their coffee but on our trip when I was expecting Minnie, I could not tolerate the smell of coffee at all, despite normally being a coffee junkie.  I remember having to literally run past a coffee cart in Animal Kingdom because the aroma was so strong.

I asked DisneyDad what scents would make his list and he answered with the following:
Spaceship Earth - Rome burning
The Land boat ride- citrus
Pirates- water
Main Street - popcorn
It's Tough to Be a Bug- Clair de Roome
I'd add the pie fragrance in Mickey's Philharmagic to this list as well as the citrus scent in Soarin'.  Also the roasted nuts carts anywhere.


A dear friend answered the same question for me.  She said:
"I love the smell when you first walk onto Main Street.  The smell of sweets and innocence!"
"Animal Kingdom used to have this really 'wild' smell like you were really in Africa."
"The smell walking into the Polynesian lobby is like walking into paradise. Smells flowery and relaxing."


The idea for this month's topic came from Disney's recent announcement of air fresheners for your car based on favorite Disney Parks snacks.  These include turkey leg, candy apple, Mickey ice cream bar and Mickey waffle and they are scheduled for release in August.  I find these amusing but I know I won't be buying one on my upcoming trips.  What do you think of the air fresheners?  Do you have one?  What scents have I left out of my article above that always remind you of happy times or send you running far away?

Air freshener photos from Disney Parks Blog

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is My Dreams of Disney.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ Growing Up Disney
2nd Stop ~ My Dreams Of Disney
3rd Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay
4th Stop ~ Colorado Mountain Mom
Final Stop ~ A World View