It’s been said that smell is the strongest of our senses tied to memory. Sometimes all it takes is a single whiff of vanilla to conjure fond memories of baking in our parents’ kitchen or a hint of the perfume that our aunt used to wear to remind us of annual visits from long ago. It is a sense that is often overlooked amidst the other four. So why not use it to our advantage to experience the nostalgia of the happiest place on Earth? If you’ve visited Disneyland (or Magic Kingdom) in the past, here is a list of scents you can use to relive the pleasant atmospheres of your favorite Disney lands.
Note: I’ve based this list off of Yankee Candle scents, but of course you can substitute anything similar.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street is the first land you experience when you enter the parks, and it is also the one that most consciously aims those pleasant scents in your direction. The most iconic scents are those of freshly baked treats from the Jolly Holiday Bakery and the homemade candies around Christmastime.
- Bakery Air
- Christmas Cookie
- French Vanilla
- Gingerbread Maple
- Gingerbread
- Peppermint Bark
- Vanilla Cupcake
Adventureland
Adventureland explores the areas from Polynesian gardens to Asian temples to the African jungle, and contains one of everyone’s favorite treats: Dole Whip. Tropical fruits and blooms best represent this spirit of adventure.
- Black Coconut
- Coconut & Vanilla Bean
- Eucalyptus
- Exotic Bloom
- Luau Party
- Mango Peach Salsa
- Midnight Jasmine
- Orange Dreamsicle
- Pineapple Cilantro
Frontierland/Critter Country
Frontierland makes me think of southern favorites and earthy scents, with plenty of fresh fragrances of the outdoors. I’ve lumped Critter Country in here because there’s a lot of overlap, although the presence of Winnie the Pooh reminds me instantly of the Honey Blossom.
- Apple Cider
- Apple Spice
- Autumn Leaves
- Caramel Pecan Pie
- Cinnamon Stick
- Cranberry Pear
- Farmer’s Market
- Green Grass
- Harvest
- Honey Blossom
- Lush Berries
- Macintosh
- Mountain Lodge
- Peach Cobbler
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square is one of my favorite places to walk around in the afternoons, particularly with a bag of fresh Mickey-shaped beignets. Enjoy the French and Jazz influences with these scents reminiscent of pastries and spirits.
- Brandy Pear Tart
- Vanilla Bourbon
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is full of princes, princesses, and fun so the first thoughts that come to mind are of gardens and magical forests. Choose some of your favorite flower scents or go the route of Snow White with a fresh, red apple.
- Cotton Candy
- Fresh Cut Roses
- Lavender Vanilla
- Lilac Blossoms
- Macintosh
- Magical Frosted Forest
- Meadow Showers
- Pink Peony
- True Rose
- Tulips
- White Gardenia
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is the hardest of the lands to pinpoint in terms of scents, mostly because it’s comprised of a lot of minimalistic metal and space-age materials. The best I could think of was a series of clean, fresh scents (at least until Yankee Candle adds Plastic and Steel to their repertoire).
- April Showers
- Clean Cotton
- Crisp Morning Air
- Fluffy Towels
- Line-Dried Cotton
What are some of your favorite scents from Disneyland? Which bring back the strongest memories? Share below!