There’s never a bad season to visit Disney World. But, one of the best? The holidays, of course!
Every year, Disney decks out the parks from head to toe to celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year.” But, along with checking out the giant Christmas trees at each park, walking down Main Street, U.S.A. with snoap (a.k.a. fake snow) falling on you, and trying all the eats and drinks at EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, there are FIVE other spots that need to be on your list…and they’re all in Disney World hotels!
One of the biggest holiday traditions outside of the parks is the construction of giant gingerbread displays at select Disney Resort hotels. You can see everything from an actual life-sized gingerbread house, to a huge recreation of Cinderella Castle, to a gingerbread carousel that actually moves!
So grab a mug of hot cocoa and get ready to dive into the world of Disney World’s holiday gingerbread hotel displays. Whether you’re a die-hard Disney fan or just looking for some holiday cheer, you won’t want to miss out on these sweet and festive creations in 2022.
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Gingerbread House
Let’s kick things off with what might be the most well-known gingerbread display of them all — the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa!
Now, this isn’t your typical holiday gingerbread house — it’s GIANT! The life-sized house towers almost two stories in the lobby of the resort and is completely edible. Plus, because it’s made out of real gingerbread and constructed by the Grand Floridian bakery team, it brings a delicious holiday smell to the air.
Be sure to take your time to check out all the little details too! The 2022 house is once again styled with Disney’s signature EARidescent colors to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. It features candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, porches, a Santa made out of 85 pounds worth of chocolate, chocolate toy soldiers, snowmen, and even 25 hidden Mickeys. PHEW, that’s a lot!
And, to continue the tradition, you’re able to purchase some goodies for yourself! Cast Members are nearby selling limited edition pins, mugs, ornaments, and a big selection of treats including:
- Gingerbread Mickeys
- Gingerbread Shingles (which are made with the same recipe as the shingles on the gingerbread house!)
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Brownie Christmas Tree
- Gingerbread Ornaments and houses made by Disney’s bakery team
- Marshmallow Pops
- Caramel Pecan Fudge Bar
- Gingerbread Latte Whoopie Pie (NEW in 2022)
- Hot Cocoa Bombs (NEW in 2022)
- Grand Floridian Combo Box filled with fan-favorite treats including the exclusive Chocolate Mickey Ornament
The gingerbread house officially opened on November 9th, 2022 and it is expected to stay open through January 1st, 2023.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Cinderella Gingerbread Castle
After a year without any gingerbread lobby displays, it is BACK at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in 2022! And, this year it’s a Cinderella Gingerbread Castle that is inspired by Mary Blair with a 50th Anniversary overlay.
If you’re not familiar, Mary Blair is one of the original Disney artists who worked with Walt Disney to develop and design the “it’s a small world” attraction. She’s also responsible for the giant mural that towers over the main area of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. What you may not know is that hidden in that mural is a 5-legged goat (the story is still not fully known as to why it’s there). So, instead of hidden Mickeys, you can look for eleven hidden 5-legged goats on the gingerbread castle!
Of course, you don’t have to leave empty-handed! You can purchase limited-edition pins, mugs, ornaments, and treats including:
- 50th Anniversary Gingerbread Castle Brick (NEW in 2022)
- Family Tradition Cookie Box featuring a Coconut Macaroon from Chef Jeff’s family, a Sugar Cookie from Chef Kelly’s family, a Butterball from Chef Amber’s family, and a Kitchen Sink Cookie representing all the Cast in the Bakery who helped bring this display back (NEW in 2022)
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
- Linzer Cookie
- Gluten-friendly 5-Legged Goat Sugar Cookie (NEW in 2022)
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Bar (NEW in 2022)
- Hot Cocoa Bombs (NEW in 2022)
- Frozen drinks with optional alcohol floaters:
- Frozen Coquito with a rum floater
- Frozen Hot Chocolate with peppermint schnapps
- Frozen Apple Cider with a fireball floater
The gingerbread castle and treat spot opened on November 11th and is expected to remain open throughout the 2022 holiday season.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Gingerbread Giraffe
One of the most underrated gingerbread displays in Disney World Resort hotels can be found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge — Jambo House. Nestled near the back of the lobby is a life-sized baby giraffe and zebra (named Debra) made entirely out of gingerbread!
2021 was the first time that the “ginger-affe” made its appearance here and the tradition continues — and keeps on growing!
Unlike other locations with gingerbread displays, there’s only one treat for sale here — the Gingeraffe Cookie. It is a tree-shaped sugar cookie with a gingerbread giraffe on top. Be sure to eat them together instead of separating the cookies out — that’s how they taste best!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gingerbread Carousel
Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you can find a life-sized gingerbread carousel that actually spins in the lobby! This holiday tradition has been taking place since 1999 (!!) and, this year, it is themed to Disney Princesses. As the carousel goes around you’ll see horses decorated as Elsa from Frozen, Tiana from Princess and the Frog, Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Of course, they’re all masterfully crafted by the Disney Beach Club bakery team entirely out of Gingerbread!
Nearby at a small window in the lobby, you can pick up a signature limited edition pin, mugs, ornaments, and exclusive treats including:
- Signature Stollen Bread
- Candied Pecans (Plant-based)
- Trio of Fudge
- Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Snowman
- Crispy Rice Treat
- Chocolate Mickey Cookie (NEW in 2022)
- Peppermint Bark
- Gingerbread Shingle
- Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)
- Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)
This display typically goes up in early November. And, if you were lucky enough to be there early in the season, you likely even got to try a free sample of gingerbread!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Gingerbread BoardWalk Deli
There’s one more Disney World hotel to stop by on your gingerbread tour — Disney’s BoardWalk Inn! In the lobby here, you can find a miniature gingerbread recreation of one of the newest restaurants in Disney World, the BoardWalk Deli!
As you admire the adorable edible version of the Quick Service spot, be sure to grab yourself a treat! Offerings include:
- Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookies
- BoardWalk Mickey Sugar Cookie (NEW in 2022)
- Giant Gingerbread Mickey Cookie (NEW in 2022)
- Gluten-Friendly & Plant-based Gingerbread Mickey Cookie
- Artisan Peppermint Marshmallows (NEW in 2022)
- Carnival Bark (NEW in 2022)
- Gingerbread Frost Cocktail
The gingerbread version of the BoardWalk Deli went up in the lobby on November 17th and is available throughout the holiday season.
Well, that’s it for all the holiday gingerbread displays at Disney World hotels in 2022! We’ll be on the lookout for details on next years giant displays, so be sure to stay tuned to The VacationEAR for all the latest updates.