There’s a reason a visit to Walt Disney World feels like stepping into a different world, a world where the buildings seem taller, the sounds feel perfectly placed, and even the air smells like popcorn or freshly baked treats. You walk through these lands, from the magic of Main Street, U.S.A. to the alien wilderness of Pandora, and you feel immersed. But here’s the truth we all know in the back of our minds: none of it is real. It’s all carefully designed, crafted by Walt Disney Imagineers to create the illusion of reality. And the secret? It’s called multisensory storytelling.
This blog post introduces the first episode in my new video series: The Magic of Themed Design. In this series, I’m taking you behind the magic to explore how Disney’s design choices create the moments we all love, but might not always notice. And we’re kicking it off with a deep dive into multisensory storytelling.
In the video, I take you on a tour of some iconic Disney experiences that use multisensory storytelling. We visit Pandora – The World of Avatar, where glowing plants, alien sounds, and subtle jungle scents trick your brain into believing you’ve landed on another planet. We explore Expedition Everest, where the feel of the wind on your face and the sound of roaring winds make the thrill ride feel like a true Himalayan adventure. And of course, we can’t forget Pirates of the Caribbean, a classic example of layered storytelling, where dim lighting, musty smells, cannon blasts, and the sway of your boat make you feel like a pirate on the high seas.
So join me on this journey! I’m so excited to kick off The Magic of Themed Design series and share what I’ve learned about the craft behind the magic. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, leave a comment with your favorite sensory detail from the parks, and stay tuned for future episodes, where we’ll explore even more Disney design secrets. Because once you understand how the magic is made, you’ll appreciate it even more.
My Personal Journey
For those who don’t know, my grandfather was an Imagineer from the very start. Vic Greene joined Walt’s team in 1954 and stayed on to help bring the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World to life. Though he passed away when I was still a toddler, I’ve always felt a strong connection to him through the parks he helped build. Every time I walk down Main Street, see the details in a themed land, or catch the smell of popcorn in the air, I know I’m stepping into the world he helped create. It’s a reminder that storytelling can be more than just words… it’s a legacy that lives on in the magic of Disney.
Let’s turn every Disney trip into a treasure hunt for storytelling details and make every visit feel a little more magical.