Foodie Guide to 8 Can’t-Miss Gingerbread Displays 2024

The countdown to gingerbread season is on, and I couldn’t be more excited! 🎄 In just a few short weeks, Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort will be decked out with some of the most incredible gingerbread displays. These have become such a holiday tradition for families and for good reason! The talented bakery teams spend months bringing these to life with amazing artistry, and trust me, they’re a must-see.

This year brings both new and returning creations with that Disney holiday magic! EPCOT is welcoming a new Gingerbread Spaceship Earth, inspired by the iconic attraction, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will be home once again to the adorable life-size baby gingerbread giraffe and baby zebra. And of course, Disneyland Resort wouldn’t be complete without the Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread display inside the mansion!

I can’t wait to see what the Disney bakery teams have cooked up for us this year!

Starting November 29, EPCOT will unveil a brand-new holiday treat for guests: Gingerbread Spaceship Earth! 🎄 This unique creation will be displayed in CommuniCore Hall, capturing the iconic Spaceship Earth in an impressive 8-foot-tall gingerbread form. The EPCOT Festival Team, Walt Disney Imagineering, and the talented EPCOT Pastry team joined forces on this incredible display, which took over 160 hours to bring to life. And as a perfect touch of Disney magic, it will light up and even dance to music throughout the day!

The gingerbread sphere itself is crafted from nearly a thousand gingerbread triangles to mimic the original design, using 240 pounds of honey dough, 100 eggs, 100 ounces of lebkuchen spice, 55 pounds of dark chocolate, and 100 pounds of royal icing. And in true Disney fashion, there are 11 hidden Mickeys, representing the 11 countries of the World Showcase!

Starting November 24, the life-size Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra are back for their fourth year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! 🦒🐾 Ginger, the baby “ginger-affe,” and Debra, the baby zebra, will be greeting guests in the lobby, standing proudly at nearly 7 feet tall. Crafted by the talented Animal Kingdom Lodge bakery team with gingerbread, sugar dough, and modeling chocolate, these adorable displays capture the magic of the season with a wild twist.

And this year, there’s something extra to take home! Guests can find a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. These keepsakes are the perfect memento for an unforgettable holiday visit! 🎄✨

Guests visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge this holiday season are in for a treat! 🍪🌿 Alongside the adorable Gingerbread Baby Giraffe and Zebra display, the bakery team has crafted a delightful Gingeraffe Cookie for a fun, festive snack. And for those looking to sip on something seasonal, there are specialty holiday cocktails available, too!

It’s the perfect way to add a little more sweetness to your holiday safari adventure! 🦒🎄

This year marks a milestone of 25 sweet years for the beloved Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa! 🎉🍪 Starting November 6, guests can step into the magic and immerse themselves in the festive scents and sights of this iconic holiday display. With every detail crafted to perfection, guests will find white chocolate candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and even an 88-pound white chocolate Santa!

The creation of this enchanting display includes:

• 1050 pounds of honey
• 800 pounds of flour
• 600 pounds of confectioners’ sugar
• 700 pounds of chocolate
• 10,000+ pieces of gingerbread

In celebration of the 25th anniversary, there are 25 hidden Mickeys for guests to discover. How many can you find? 🧐✨

And to bring a piece of the magic home, guests can check out the limited-edition 25th anniversary merchandise, including a pin, ornament, cookie jar, magnet, tumbler, t-shirt, and more – perfect for commemorating holiday memories at Disney’s Grand Floridian!

For guests who want a taste of the holidays to take home, the iconic Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has a delicious menu of treats nestled right inside the display! Here’s what guests can pick up:

• Gingerbread Mickey
• Gingerbread Shingle
• Stollen Bread
• Brownie Pop
• Gingersnap Cookies
• Gingerbread House Ornament
• Mini Gingerbread House
• Imported Gingerbread Cookie Bags from Germany
• Gingerbread Loaf
• Peppermint Bark
• Grand Floridian Gift Box with fan-favorite treats, including an exclusive Santa Gnome Hot Cocoa Surprise available only in the Combo Box

Note: Parking is reserved for guests with hotel or dining reservations, so those visiting the holiday display should plan to park at the Transportation & Ticket Center and take the resort monorail to Grand Floridian.

For 24 magical years, Disney’s Beach Club Resort has continued the beloved tradition of the life-sized Holiday Carousel—and yes, it actually spins! Each season, the carousel horses are decorated with a new theme, and this year, it’s the timeless characters from Mickey’s Christmas Carol, crafted by the incredibly talented Yacht and Beach Bakery team. Using chocolate, sugar, fondant, and hand-painted details, they’ve brought Mickey and friends to life on this festive display, complete with handcrafted gingerbread shingles and delicate snowflakes.

This masterpiece comes together with 432 pounds of honey, 200 pounds of icing, 100 pounds of eggs, and 2,024 gingerbread pieces, all animated by the bakery team’s passion and creativity. Plus, there are 24 hidden golden Mickeys to discover! For those looking to bring home a piece of this holiday magic, limited-edition pins, cookie jars, and ornaments are available to commemorate this cherished holiday tradition.

The Beach Club's Gingerbread Display isn’t just for looking—there’s a delightful menu of holiday treats available to taste, too! Guests can enjoy:

Linzer Cookie
Spiced Orange and Cranberry Bundt Cake
Gingerbread Macarons
Hot Cocoa Brownie
Hanukkah Sugar Cookie
Stollen
Gingerbread House
These seasonal favorites make it easy to take home a sweet memory of the holidays at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!

Over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, starting November 12, guests can find a charming miniature gingerbread version of the BoardWalk’s most iconic spots! Created by the talented BoardWalk Inn Bakery team, the BoardWalk Deli Gingerbread House showcases intricate details that capture the seaside charm in sweet, holiday style. Plus, guests can take the magic home with a limited-edition pin, cookie jar, and holiday ornament inspired by this festive display! 🎄✨

Don’t miss out on the festive treats at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Gingerbread Display this season! 🍪 The bakery team has crafted some delicious bites, including:

• Holiday Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookie
• Mickey Caramel Corn Cookie
• Gingerbread Loaf
• Gingerbread Shingle

Be sure to grab one (or a few) of these seasonal goodies before you head out—perfect for enjoying the magic of the holidays or as sweet gifts to take home! 🎁

Get ready for a sweet holiday treat at Disney’s Contemporary Resort starting November 8! 🎄✨ The Castle Display is back for its 13th year, featuring an enchanting design inspired by the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights.

Standing over 17 feet tall and 25 feet wide, this dazzling creation is made from:

• 613 pounds of sugar
• 1,013 pounds of flour
• 113 pounds of gingerbread spice
• 51 pounds of chocolate
• Over 4,000 castle gingerbread bricks
• And, of course, plenty of pixie dust!

Be sure to look for the 13 hidden Mickeys and the famous 5-legged goat while you admire this sweet spectacle. Plus, don’t miss your chance to grab limited-edition pins, a cookie jar, and holiday ornaments to take home! 🎁🏰

Indulge in some delicious holiday treats at Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Castle Display! Here’s what you can find available for purchase:

• 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)

These sweet delights are the perfect way to enhance your visit to this magical holiday display! 🍰🎄✨

If you're visiting Disney's Wilderness Lodge starting November 21, be sure to stop by the lobby to indulge in a delightful selection of holiday treats! Here's what you can enjoy:

• Dark Chocolate Bar
• Cheddar Gougère
• Molasses Crackle Cookie
• Cookie Box

These sweet and savory bites are perfect for getting into the festive spirit while exploring the lodge! 🍫🍪✨

Next, we're heading to the West Coast to experience two enchanting gingerbread displays at Disneyland Resort! Starting November 22, guests can visit Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, where this year's gingerbread creation features a stunning replica of the hotel itself, complete with Chip ‘n’ Dale dressed in their cozy pajamas from Mickey’s Holiday Pajama Party Breakfast and Brunch at Storytellers Cafe.

This impressive display stands 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, crafted from over 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, and a sprinkle of pixie dust. Keep your eyes peeled for 25 hidden Mickeys throughout the creation!

Grand Californian Great Hall Cart Menu
If you're craving some holiday treats, be sure to check out these delightful options available from November 15 through January 5:

• Gingerbread Cookie
• Christmas Cookie
• Mickey-shaped Poinsettia Cookie
• Holiday Crisped Rice Treat
• Sweet Potato Loaf Treat
• Holiday Cinnamon Bun
• Macaron Box
• Cookie Box
• Eggnog (with an option for Bailey’s Original Irish Cream Liqueur)

These delicious treats are perfect for getting into the festive spirit while enjoying the magic of the season! 🎄✨🍪