5/16/23

The Disney Difference: SOLVED

May 16, 2023

There are a lot of fantastic theme parks around the world. I visited Universal Orlando for the first time in 2023 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The attractions were great, and the theming of the Wizarding World is top notch. I grew up going to Six Flags over Mid-America and it was always a highlight of my summer. We have another park fairly close called Holiday World and Splashing Safari, and those parks, especially Splashing Safari are fantastic. So why are the Disney parks so different? What makes them better?

This conversation could go a dozen different directions. I could talk about the Disney Difference when it comes to service and company culture. I could discuss the Imagineers and to what lengths they go to bring attractions, lands, and even restaurants alive. I could delve into Disney’s ability to bottle and sell the power of nostalgia. However, if you made me choose one thing that sets the Disney theme parks apart from any other brand it would be this: Disney knows how to engage all five senses. And make no mistake, they are very intentional on doing it!

When you are on Main Street USA in the assembled multitude waiting on fireworks, do you smell body odor and a slightly fishy lake smell from 7 Seas Lagoon? In reality, you should. But instead you smell the Main Street Bakery and the nearby popcorn cart as baked goods and freshly popped popcorn aromas are pumped out through Disney’s patented Smellitizers. When you walk into the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you get that captivating bouquet that no candle company has quite been able to capture. When you are riding through the attic on the Haunted Mansion, you smell that musty unused scent that lets you know that no one has been up there in years (except for the 7843 people that rode it earlier in the day of course).

Moving on to taste, how many ways does Disney titillate your taste buds? The sharp tang of a Dole Whip, the salty Disney popcorn, the slightly acidic yet peppery taste you get when licking the “hunny wall” in the queue of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. (That one may just be me) However, my point stands. The parks have created so many iconic snacks, drinks, and treats that are so “Signature Disney.”  Immediately Gaston’s Cinnamon roll, the Night Blossom in Pandora, and the cheeseburger spring rolls jump to mind as some of my favorites.

The attractions are the main way that WDW engages your sense of touch. Whether it’s the breeze tousling your hair on Soarin’, the feel of the Banshee breathing between your legs, or the distinctive sensation you feel when your 4th and 5th vertebrae get demolished on Space Mountain; your sense of touch will be inundated whilst touring the parks. The terrifying and childhood trauma inducing “It’s a Bug’s Life” is a great example. And who doesn’t love a hug from a beloved character?

While sight may be the most obvious way WDW captures your attention, it is my sense of hearing that most enchants me. It is no secret that I am an absolute fanatic for Disney theme park background loops. As I am typing this article, I am vibing to EPCOT’s Innovations loop (that 80’s synthesizer riff is AH-MAZING). The somewhat haunting and ethereal track that plays in the Anandapur area of Asia at Animal Kingdom is remarkable. Even some of the resorts have fantastic background music. The Wilderness Lodge loop is great. The Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto loop is probably my all-time favorite, with the Boardwalk loop coming in as a close second. But beyond the music are the sounds of ride audio (Spaceship Earth is the dearest to my heart), the ride mechanisms themselves, and even the crowd noises blending together to create a unique symphony.

Naturally, the Dumbo in the room is the complete overstimulation of our brain with WDW’s visuals. Disney floods us with vibrant, over-the-top, stunning sights around every corner. Each park was created with a weenie (a visual element that is used to draw people into a space or just come closer for a better look). Magic Kingdom has Cinderella Castle. Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life. EPCOT has Spaceship Earth. And depending on who you ask, Hollywood Studios has either the Hollywood Tower Hotel or Grauman’s Chinese Theater (I’m Team Tower by the by). But the parks aren’t limited to the weenies for incredible sights. Expedition Everest, the floating mountains of Pandora, Space Mountain, and the Wilderness Lodge lobby are all breath-takers! The colors, the architecture styles, the scenery, and everything else that Walt Disney World does to paint a landscape all around us is astonishing.

Clearly, there are many other things that go into making our happy place stand apart from any other place on Earth. The dedication and five star service from cast members, the vision and leadership from upper management, and the determination of the company as a whole to stay married to its rich culture and heritage. However, Disney’s ability to captivate our senses and use every means available to suspend our disbelief in wonder is the real Disney Magic.