How the sound of Disney makes it the “Most Magical Place on Earth”

Why are Disneyland, Disneyworld, Disney+, and all of the Walt Disney Company properties so “magical”? What do they do differently that gives us this whimsical and nostalgic, dare we say, euphoric sensation every time we hear mention of them? 

The Walt Disney Company was founded in 1923. It has had quite a few years to figure out a formula for success. Its amazing ability to form a strong emotional connection with its customers and potential customers is hard to beat. It has had generation after generation connecting with its movies and theme parks and characters. And, in turn, those generations have passed that connection down, like an heirloom to those not yet familiar with the icon. 

Some of the slogans we’ve heard are “The Most Magical Place on Earth”, “The Happiest Place On Earth”, “Where Dreams Come True”.  All are very bold statements. How do they make us believe them?

“one of the best uses of sensorial experiences ever.”

What Walt Disney figured out almost 100 years ago, is that in order to create a brand that people kept wanting to come back to, bring others to, spread the word about, and buy merchandise from, he needed to customise each piece of the customer journey through the 5 senses. The result; one of the best uses of sensorial experiences ever.

Put simply; Disney is magic because it hits our emotions from every direction. We see it, we feel it, we touch it, we taste it, and we smell it. Even if one or more of those senses are not present, somehow, we still draw upon it from our memory bank.

This is in no way by accident. Take the sound experience, for example. Back in the 1990’s, former Disney audio experience engineer, Mr. Q, developed a complex system and algorithm for the 15,000 speakers all over the Disneyland park. “All to achieve the ideal ambient music for ‘manufacturing emotion.’” The result was an uninterrupted sound experience as you walked through the park. You can’t quite place where New Orleans Square ends and Frontierland begins. All according to design.

Sound is so important, in fact, that it has gone beyond the subtlety of background “white noise” to become a sought after main attraction.

“Sound is so important, in fact, that it has gone beyond the subtlety of background “white noise” to become a sought after main attraction.”

If you go to http://soundsofdisneyland.com/ , you can find playlists of the sounds of each land, different rides, even holiday options. Although there are some “songs” on these playlists, the majority are atmospheric. 

The podcast Sounds of Disney, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sounds-of-disney/id1462025761 also embraces the sound experience. It utilises it by playing Disney “atmosphere” along with park events and announcements. 

Sound is just one element of the 5 senses that Disney does so well. We could easily go into the other 4 and their powers, but because of how Disney does it, we don’t have to. Sound works with touch and taste and smell and sight.

Some sounds can make you taste churros and smell popcorn, some give you the sensation of Pooh Bear giving you a big hug. Some even make you “see” pirates and fairies and toys that come to life. 

“Why is Disney magic? Because it has drawn from the most credible source it knows; our memories and our hearts.”

Disney is multisensory perfection!

Why is Disney magic? Because it has drawn from the most credible source it knows; our memories and our hearts.