Most people agree that the smells of different places in Disney’s theme parks are as familiar as the buildings. Places like Pirates of the Caribbean or Main Street USA have a distinct smell, somehow reaching your nose through hoards of people, churro carts, and popcorn buckets. Smell is an important component of Disneyland and Disney World. That’s because the sense of smell is closely linked with memories, and Disney theme parks are built on memories and nostalgia. Everything in the theme parks operate under close Imagineer control, and smell is no different. So, how does Disney control such a tricky detail? Meet the Smellitizers. Smellitizers come in all shapes and sizes. On Main Street, they look like little vents beneath the windows. In Pirates of the Caribbean, they’re hidden in the walls and ceiling. The Smellitizer acts as a powerful fan, with a scent placed in front of the blowing air. They don’t cover every inch of airspace in the park, but you’ll be able to detect deliberate smells in quite a few places. In the Haunted Mansion, you smell musty breezes, reminding you that you’re traveling through a long-abandoned house, while vanilla is the scent that wafts down Main Street USA. Combining knowledge from chemistry, engineering, and neuroscience, Disney's Smellitizers make riding their attractions much more magical and realistic, helping families to remember their vacation for years to come.
