When you enter an amusement park, you encounter a number of different smells, some better than others. Regardless, after years of park going, you likely associate these smells with a day at your favorite theme park. I’ve listed a few of my favorites below.
Funnel Cakes
Parks need not advertise funnel cakes. The aroma produced by the deep-frying batter is more than enough to entice passing park goers The lines for funnel cake stands often protrude onto the midway. I think it’s worth the wait. Note: save the funnel cake for after the big coaster.
Roller Coaster Machinery
If you can get past the sweat-stained coaster seats and restraints, the actual machinery of roller coasters smell great. The aroma from the grease and oil used by the motors are present inside the station and near the lift hills, especially on older wooden coasters.
Indoor Water Rides
I associate the smell of indoor chlorinated water with Disney attractions such as It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean, perhaps because Disney parks in general have more indoor water rides. I’m sure outdoor water rides have the same smell, but it isn’t as contained.
Train Smoke
Parks with authentic steam locomotives such as Dollywood have a classic smell that isn’t found with the lookalike diesel engines. If you sit too close to the engine, though, you might exit the train with a soot dusting.
New Roller Coasters
One of my all-time favorite amusement park aromas is harder to come by: the smell of a new roller coaster. It’s the “new car smell” of the amusement industry. The fresh paint, new landscaping and barely used roller coaster trains combine to form one of the most memorable amusement park smells. Last year I was able to attend X-Flight’s media day at Six Flags Great America, where the new coaster smell was very present. Unfortunately, the noticeable new coaster smells normally fade within the first year of operation. Be sure to get to a new coaster as soon as you can to get a good whiff of the “new coaster smell.”
What are your favorite amusement park smells? Use the comment section below to share your favorite aromas. I’m sure that there are some smells that are unique to each park.
I love the smells when you first walk into theme parks. Might I add lemonade and corn dogs! 🙂 Good post thanks for sharing.
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