The Castle Dream Lights Are Back… in Gingerbread Form

After stopping by the Grand Floridian and Boardwalk Inn, we’re continuing on our gingerbread journey through the Walt Disney World deluxe resorts. And this one is perhaps my most anticipated.

I know we all miss the Castle Dream Lights. 2019 was the last year Magic Kingdom truly looked her holiday best, as the glorious LED light display has yet to return. Well, color me shocked when Disney announced Imagineering was working on a gingerbread display for Disney’s Contemporary Resort featuring the one and only Cinderella Castle with sparkling turrets inspired by the Castle Dream Lights.

This is the 13th year Disney’s Contemporary Resort is hosting a gingerbread display, but the first to feature the retired Dream Lights. Could this be a hint for what’s to return next year? Maybe? Please…

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 8

Anyways, let’s dive into this beautiful display and take in some of the details. The display took the culinary team over 30 days to assemble. Measuring in at 17 feet tall and 25 feet wide, this one’s made up of:

613 pounds of sugar
1013 pounds of flour
113 pounds of gingerbread spice
51 pounds of chocolate
Over 4,000 gingerbread bricks
13 hidden Mickeys
1 hidden 5-legged goat

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 3

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 11

Zooming in, the gilded filigree and details are just gorgeous. The hidden Mickeys blend in a bit more seamless versus the Grand Floridian’s display.

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 10

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 12

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 9

Of course, as a massive fan of the Castle Dream Lights, I do wonder WHY they’ve chosen to design and execute this beautiful “edible” recreation. Often times when Disney toys with things like this it’s one of three things: 1) a test to gauge interest, 2) a tease of what’s to come, or 3) nothing at all. What do you think it’ll be this time? I hate to say it, but I have a feeling it’s nothing at all. I won’t lose hope though.

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 13

Just nearby is a snack kiosk setup, offering various cookies and gingerbread treats for purchase.

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 5

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 4

Continuing the collection found at the other deluxe resorts, a limited-edition gingerbread pin ($22.99) and ornament ($27.99) made for the Contemporary are available here:

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form IMG_6028

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 6

The Castle Dream Lights Are Back... in Gingerbread Form Disneys Contemporary Resort Castle Dream Lights gingerbread _ Chloe 7

Don’t miss this year’s gingerbread display at the Contemporary! Do it for the [hopefully temporarily] defunct Castle Dream Lights… and the cookies, of course.

Chloé Ferreira

Theme Park Correspondent for The DIS | Chloé loves kitschy dark rides, roller coasters, a good background area music loop, hot Butterbeer, and all things Halloween. You’ll mostly find her wandering around Orlando’s biggest theme parks snapping pics and sharing tips… or probably talking about The Great Movie Ride.

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