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We all know how a certain scent can instantly bring on a flood of good memories and nostalgia. And Disney lovers know there are a few very specific smells around Disney World that trigger those types of happy reactions the second we encounter them.
BNow, there surely are a few scents we don’t enjoy at Walt Disney World like that you encounter when walking through or near the smoking locations in the parks or the smell of tourists after a long hot day in the Florida heat and humidity. For the purpose of this article, we are only talking about the good smells!
From rides to shops to resorts, there are a surprising number of wonderful smells to found. Here are the ones we think are the best:
Best Smells at Walt Disney World
#7 Pirates of the Caribbean
Although all the water-based attractions seem to have a bit of a similar smell to them, this classic attraction has a very unique scent in the air. We think it’s a combination of water/humidity, old wood, whatever makes the smoke from the canons firing, and the chemicals that keep the water clean. Whatever it is, we love that musty, smokey scent and we are glad it doesn’t smell like real pirates!
#6 Spaceship Earth
This is another attraction that’s been around a long time and is in an enclosed space. There’s sort of a dusty old library type smell through most of the attraction, but the real ringer here is the fall of Rome scene. The unmistakable scent of the city’s books and buildings burning really draws you in. And anytime you encounter a burning, mesquite-like smell, your mind will forever transport you to Epcot, Spaceship Earth and Rome!
#5 Popcorn
There is something that’s just magical about Disney popcorn! When the parks were originally designed, they Imagineers considered it a chance for guests to step into a real-life film or show. And what did you usually eat at the movies? Popcorn, or course!
So, somewhere close to the entrance of most parks you will find a popcorn stand popping the most aromatic popcorn you’ve ever encountered. The wagon at the entrance to Main Street USA is our favorite place to pick up some of that fresh-popped goodness – mainly because it’s just too hard to walk past that aroma and not get some!
If we do not grab it as we come in, we always grab one on the way out. LOL!
#4 Main Street Confectionery
If you somehow made it past the popcorn without buying some, your olfactory senses will be once again under assault as you approach the Main Street Confectionery! It’s no secret here that the sweet aroma of baked goods that fills the air near this treat shop is, in fact, manufactured and pumped into the air to entice you in for purchases. That does not stop us from loving it! There’s just something magical about the sweet, yummy, comforting, sugary scent that welcomes you to the Most Magical Place on Earth that we can’t wait to get a scent of each visit.
#3 Karamell-Küche
Speaking of sweet scents that pull you right into a shop, Karamell-Küche at Epcot does exactly that! If you haven’t been lucky enough to experience this yourself yet, you can find this delightful little sweet shop in the Germany pavilion in World Showcase. Featuring Werther’s® Original Caramel, the treats inside are a dream come true for the caramel lover. While you can get cookies, fudge, dipped fresh fruit and probably a dozen other caramel coated treats here, the scent that fills the air is of the authentic and fresh caramel corn! There’s just nothing like it – and it smells amazing!
#2 Disney’s Contemporary Resort
While it’s true that the Disney World resorts, specifically the Deluxe level, each have their own custom scent, our favorite has to be Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
If you have ever stayed there or visited for a meal, you know that the moment you step in the lobby, you are greeted with a fresh, cool, clean scent that is extremely specific and memorable. We just love that unique scent and anytime we catch a hint of something that smells similar, like a soap or lotion, our brains instantly recall the classic Walt Disney World resort hotel that we love!
#1 Flight of Passage
The last addition to our list is Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. Since the story of this attraction takes place on the planet of Pandora, we encounter creatures, flora and fauna unique to the planet while we soar on the backs of banshees – and it is all amazingly details!
One of the especially impressive details is the scent that surrounds us while we fly. It’s a hard to describe mixture of natural-smelling scents like flowers and trees and fresh water. It’s a subtly sweet, but pretty scent that would make a great home air freshener! We would sure love to have that unique scent around to remind us of our Pandora adventure!
Check out our video from Pandora, with a ride on Flight of Passage.
Now, we know there are other memorable scents at Disney World (and other theme parks), so we would love to hear about your favorites too! Let us know what they are.
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