It's starting to get pretty magical at Walt Disney World with holiday decor appearing throughout the resort, and a much loved holiday tradition is coming back to the resort in 2022.
The can’t miss attraction at the resorts hotels is the incredible holiday gingerbread displays!
The pastries teams at Walt Disney World have been working tirelessly to brings these holiday traditions to life. Their passion goes into every detail, from the gingerbread shingles to the masterfully crafted chocolate work, and everything in between.
This year marks the return of the display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and new additions to the Jambo House Lobby Display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which may or may not be a life-sized baby zebra, as well as the classic and grand displays at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
So let’s unwrap the entire list of gingerbread displays coming this year, there are multiple displays to be explored at various resorts.
2022 Walt Disney World Gingerbread Displays
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Let’s kick things off with the most famous house of all, the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Beginning November 9, you can view clouds of cinnamon billowing out of the chimney of this life-sized storybook gingerbread house made from a classic Austrian recipe.
This house is adorned with white chocolate, candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and 25 – yes, 25 – hidden Mickeys!
Along the porches, you’ll find an 85-pound chocolate Santa, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and snowmen that have all been hand-painted by the Grand Floridian Bakery team.
As the 50th Anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort continues, this year’s displays will feature colors and accents inspired by the signature EARidescent look.
You can even get limited edition pins, mugs, holiday ornaments, and treats! Some of the goodies you can purchase from the Gingerbread House include:
Freshly baked, homemade items, such as Gingerbread Mickeys and Shingles, Stollen Bread, Brownie Christmas Tree, and Chocolate Peppermint Bark
House-made Gingerbread Ornaments and Gingerbread Houses
New items like the Gingerbread Latte Whoopie Pie and Hot Cocoa Bombs
Assorted Gingerbread Cookie Bags, Marshmallow Pops, and Caramel Pecan Fudge Bar
Gluten-friendly, plant-based, and no sugar added treats
Grand Floridian Combo Box featuring assorted fan favorite treats, including the Chocolate Mickey Ornament, exclusive to the Combo Box
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Let’s take an adventure over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which on November 23 will be home to a wild display – a Life-sized Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra.
This year continues the new tradition begun last year with a life-sized baby giraffe, or should we say gingeraffe! In addition to this gingerbread guest, there’s a new animal grazing into the lobby.
You’ll soon be able to see an adorable life-sized baby zebra – made of gingerbread, of course. Starting December 6, you can even purchase a Gingeraffe Cookie to enjoy!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Over in the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a holiday classic has returned. Since 1999, this resort has been home to the life-sized carousel. Did I mention that it actually spins? This carousel and its horses are masterfully created with chocolate, sugar, and fondant along with hand-painted characters and hand-crafted gingerbread shingles and snowflakes decorating the display.
What makes this year even more special is that all the horses celebrate a different Disney princess. See if you can guess who each one represents!
Commemorate your holiday viewing with limited edition pins, mugs, holiday ornaments and treats including:
Signature Stollen Bread
Candied Pecans (Plant-based)
Trio of Fudge
Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Snowman
Crispy Rice Treat
Chocolate Mickey Cookie (New)
Peppermint Bark
Gingerbread Shingle
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)
Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Across the way, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is shore to impress with its display, which will be returning on November 17.
This incredible gingerbread creation is a miniature, edible version of your favorite spot along Crescent Lake – the BoardWalk Deli!
Before leaving, be sure to check out some of the treats you can take home with you, like:
Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookies
BoardWalk Mickey Sugar Cookie (New)
Giant Gingerbread Mickey Cookie (New)
Gluten-Friendly & Plant-based Gingerbread Mickey Cookie
Artisan Peppermint Marshmallows (New)
Carnival Bark (New)
Gingerbread Frost Cocktail
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This year is very exciting for Disney’s Contemporary Resort because its display is back! This is the 11th year the Contemporary Bakery team has created a masterpiece so how appropriate that it will open on November 11 at 11:00 a.m.
The 50th Anniversary Themed Castle Display is a Mary Blair-inspired castle designed by Walt Disney Imagineers and will feature a brand-new 50thanniversary overlay… and 11 hidden 5-legged goats!
Don’t forget to check out the limited-edition pins, mugs, and holiday ornaments to remember the season. There are also plenty of treats you can get, including:
50th Anniversary Gingerbread Castle Brick (New)
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 coming together to bring this display back! (New)
Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
Linzer Cookie
Gluten-friendly 5-Legged Goat Sugar Cookie (New)
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Bar (New)
Hot Cocoa Bombs (New)
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
Multiple Resorts - Gingerbread Martini
In addition, several spots across Resorts will feature a new Gingerbread Martini with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Rumchata Cream Liqueur, and gingerbread spice featuring a rim of gingerbread, freshly baked in the Resort Bakery. It’s the perfect blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice!
You can find this delicious holiday beverage at Grand Floridian Café, Cítricos, and Enchanted Rose at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Boma: Flavors of Africa and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Chef Mickey’s and Outer Rim at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and dinner at Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
And returning this year to our Walt Disney World Resorts with exclusive gingerbread merchandise, are pin signings with our pastry chefs! Dates and times will vary by resort.
The American Adventure at EPCOT
Moving over to theme parks, The American Adventure at EPCOT also has a display that will be available beginning November 25.
This unique display recreates some classic monuments in America and EPCOT with gingerbread versions of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, The American Adventure building with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, and a Festival Kiosk.
As you venture out to any of these locations to see the displays with your own eyes this holiday season, enjoy and Happy Holidays!
