It’s beginning to look (and smell!) a lot like Christmas at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. While the parks’ decorations, shows, concerts and parties are the main attraction, Disney offers another yuletide tradition that must not be missed. Select Disney parks and hotels are home to magnificent life-size gingerbread displays created by dedicated bakery teams using hundreds of pounds of sugar, spice and flour. Kingdom and Cruise Travel recommends a visit to these 8 merry and magical Disney holiday gingerbread displays to round out your merry vacation!
There is still time to book a holiday 2024 Disney vacation, and November and December 2025 holiday packages are available to book now! Get in touch with me or another Kingdom and Cruise Disney Travel Specialist here so we can help you plan a trip to enjoy all the holiday offerings, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
8 Merry and Magical Disney Holiday Gingerbread Displays
1. Gingerbread Spaceship Earth at EPCOT
On November 29, CommuniCore Hall will feature an 8 foot tall Spaceship Earth in gingerbread form. After 160 hours of baking, assembling and decorating, the sphere will even light up and dance when it is ready for display!
Around a thousand gingerbread triangles will form together to pay homage to this symbol of EPCOT. There are 240 pounds of honey dough, 100 eggs, 100 ounces lebkuchen spice, 55 pounds dark chocolate, and 100 pounds royal icing. My favorite detail is the 11 hidden Mickeys that represent the 11 countries of the World Showcase.
2. Gingerbread Giraffe and Zebra at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The 4th anniversary of the Life-Size Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra will be on display on November 24. The giraffe is aptly names Ginger and the baby zebra is Debra. Ginger and Debra stand at almost 7 feet tall and are made from real gingerbread, sugar dough, and modeling chocolate. To commemorate the holidays, there is a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge available for purchase.
Since guests can’t take a bite out of the displays, the talented bakers are selling this Gingeraffe cookie. Special holiday beverages are available for purchase as well.
3. The 25th Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Starting November 6, when you walk into the Grand Floridian lobby , you will be met by the most exquisite life size gingerbread house! Take your time strolling around to appreciate the various details of this holiday display: white chocolate candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and an 88-pound white chocolate Santa. The team of bakers crafting this masterpiece used 1050 pounds of honey, 800 pounds of flour, and 600 pounds of confectioners’ sugar, 700 pounds of chocolate. The house itself is made from over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread. In addition to taking in all the craftsmanship, don’t forget to look for the 25 Hidden Mickeys!
There will also be a limited-edition collection of 25th anniversary merchandise including a pin, ornament, cookie jar, magnet, tumbler, t-shirt, and more available for purchase to commemorate the holiday memories.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Menu
Treats available for purchase include:
- Gingerbread Mickey
- Gingerbread Shingle
- Stollen Bread
- Brownie Pop
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Gingerbread House Ornament
- Gingerbread House
- Gingerbread Cookie Bags imported from Germany
- Gingerbread Loaf
- Peppermint Bark
- Grand Floridian Gift Box featuring assorted fan favorite treats, including a Santa Gnome Hot Cocoa Surprise, exclusive to the Combo Box
Because parking at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is limited to guests with hotel and dining reservations, those visiting this sweet holiday display will need to park at the Transportation & Ticket Center and take the resort monorail.
4. Disney’s Beach Club Resort Holiday Carousel
In its 24th year, the life-sized Holiday Carousel is themed with the characters from “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” for 2024. This whimsical holiday creation is made from chocolate, sugar, and fondant with hand-painted characters, handcrafted gingerbread shingles and snowflakes adorning the carousel.
The talented baking team used 432 pounds of honey, 200 pounds of icing, 100 pounds of eggs, and 2024 pieces of gingerbread. In honor of the 24th anniversary, 24 hidden gold Mickeys have been placed throughout the display. You will find some merchandise on offer including a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gingerbread Display Menu
- Linzer Cookie
- Spiced Orange and Cranberry Bundt Cake
- Gingerbread Macarons
- Hot Cocoa Brownie
- Hannukah Sugar Cookie
- Stollen
- Gingerbread House
5. Disney’s BoardWalk Deli Gingerbread House
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn features a gingerbread version of the BoardWalk Deli! Take a peek in the windows, search for Hidden Mickeys and pick up a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, or holiday ornament commemorating this festive display. And when the scent of gingerbread starts to make you hungry, make sure to purchase some Disney themed holiday snacks!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Gingerbread Display Menu
- Holiday Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookie
- Mickey Caramel Corn Cookie
- Gingerbread Loaf
- Gingerbread Shingle
6. Disney’s Contemporary Resort Castle Display
Disney’s Contemporary opened its Gingerbread Castle Display on November 8th, a tradition returning for its 13th year! Guests can now see this dazzling creation on the 4th floor of the resort . Walt Disney Imagineers have designed this new overlay inspired by the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights.
This masterpiece stands at over 17 feet tall and 25 feet wide. It’s made with 613 pounds of sugar, 1013 pounds of flour, 113 pounds of gingerbread spice, 51 pounds of chocolate, over 4,000 castle gingerbread bricks, and lots of Disney Magic! Guests can search for 13 Hidden Mickeys and also purchase limited-edition pins, cookie jar, and holiday ornaments
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display Menu
- Linzer Cookie
- Caramel Apple Cake with Gingerbread Streusel
- Chocolate Hazelnut Log
- Pistachio Cranberry and Cherry Cake
- Santa Peppermint Hot Chocolate Tart
- House-made Christmas Tree Butter Cookie
- Winter Berry Freeze (Alcoholic floater available)
- Frozen Hot Cocoa (Alcoholic floater available)
Holiday Treats at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
In the Disney’s Wilderness Lodge lobby, starting November 21, guests can purchase some delicious holiday savory and sweet treats like…
- Dark Chocolate Bar
- Cheddar Gougère
- Molasses Crackle Cookie
- Cookie Box
7. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread Display
We have to go clear across the country for this next gingerbread display – all the way to Disneyland! Starting November 22, guests will find Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread Display. Head over to the lobby of this magnificent resort hotel and take in the intricate detail of the Grand Californian’s gingerbread replica. See if you can find Chip ‘n’ Dale in their pajama attire seen in Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast and Brunch at Storytellers Cafe.
The bakery team’s efforts created a gingerbread house that stands 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide with more than 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant and 25 hidden Mickeys! After you appreciate the creative genius of the bakers and Imagineers, grab a sweet treat!
Grand Californian Great Hall Cart Menu
- Gingerbread Cookie
- Christmas Cookie
- Mickey-shaped Poinsettia Cookie
- Holiday Crisped Rice Treat
- Sweet Potato Loaf Treat
- Holiday Cinnamon Bun
- Macaron Box
- Cookie Box
- Eggnog (Also available with Bailey’s Original Irish Cream Liqueur)
8. Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday Display
The Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyland Park gets a holiday transformation every year and gets a “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” theme. Haunted Mansion Holiday, includes Halloween Town’s resident mad scientist, Dr. Finkelstein. He has been hard at work with his assistant Igor to bring his Gigantic Gingerbread Zombie, Lil’ Franky, to life.
This Halloween, I mean Christmas (ok, both!) display includes 60 pounds of gingerbread, 50 pounds of powdered sugar, 10 pounds of egg whites, 30 pounds of rolled fondant, 10 pounds of chocolate, and 2 hidden Mickeys.
Which one of these 8 merry and magical Disney holiday gingerbread displays is on your list to see? Drop us a comment and let us know your favorite!
- By Kingdom and Cruise Travel Advisor, Alli Matthewsb