On November 9th, the enormous iconic Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House opened at Walt Disney World. Visiting this holiday display doesn’t require a ticket, so it’s a free activity that everyone can enjoy. The beautiful creation can be seen in the lobby, and from 9:30 AM to 9 PM, you can shop for Christmas treats.
Constructing this life-size gingerbread house takes a lot of cast members and time. Not only does it require a team to build it also needs large amounts of ingredients. I was shocked that they use 700 pounds of chocolate and 600 pounds of powdered sugar; that’s the perfect recipe for a sugar rush.
The minute I stepped into the lobby, I was hit with the scent of holiday spices. I was convinced that if I stood there long enough, I would eventually turn into gingerbread. Seeing that they used 35 pounds of spices to create the display explains why that wonderful smell travels throughout the lobby.
This year the house is themed to the 50th Anniversary Celebration, again. This means it is full of EARidescent details and hidden Mickeys. On the gingerbread house, you find other hidden characters like Winne the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and even Anna and Elsa.
I recently visited the gingerbread display at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and raved about how detailed it was down to the tables and chairs. This delicious creation is even more complex, and it is breathtaking. The fact that it is a life-size gingerbread house blows me away but seeing all the small details throughout the house impresses me the most.
Of course, Santa is part of the magical EARidescent house, and snowflakes can be seen everywhere. They even have ornaments hanging in the windows all around the gingerbread house. Not only do they have snowflakes, but they also make it look like the house is dusted with snow, which adds a wintery touch.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has a massive lobby allowing guests to appreciate this work of art from many angles, which can also make for great photo opportunities. My favorite way to view the creation is on the second floor near the Enchanted Rose Lounge. Seeing it from there offers a different perspective and allows guests to see all the details on the roof.
Here’s a list of the treats guests can purchase from the gingerbread house.
Visitors can also purchase a Grand Gift Box for $60, or if you’d like your own 50th Gingerbread House, you can get it for $85.
This adorable bee is showcasing QR codes. The bottom code, when scanned, will take you to a TikTok explaining what Disney does when they remove the gingerbread house from the resorts. Each gingerbread house is put out for bees to enjoy at the end of the season; the video shows the bees indulging in the sweet display and explains why it benefits them. The QR code at the top will lead you to a delicious holiday recipe for honey-pumpkin rolls.
Overall, visiting this resort to see this incredible display is a great way to celebrate the holidays. The best part is that there is no additional cost to see the gingerbread house unless you plan on buying treats. I want to warn you that the line for snacks can get long, especially on the weekends. Will you be visiting the life-sized gingerbread house this holiday season?
Hi, I'm Erica, and I write about all things Disney. Before working for The DIS, I was a theme park performer at SeaWorld, but I also performed at Disney. I have such an immense love for theme parks to the point I studied them in college.