The Gingerbread House in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opened in its new spot on Wednesday, and we were there to check it out!
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
The Gingerbread House is celebrating its 20th year in 2018, and it’s set up in an all-new location!
While the Gingerbread House has been built on the marble floors adjacent to the lobby in past years, this year, it’s right in the middle of the Grand Floridian’s lobby. If you’re thinking this is where the resort’s giant Christmas Tree usually goes, you’re right!
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Yes, that’s candy smoke coming from the chimney! The Gingerbread House looks enchanting and smells delicious. You’ll find beautiful details everywhere.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House is constructed onsite by the resort’s chefs each year. It contains 1,050 lbs of honey, 800 lbs of flour, 600 lbs of chocolate, 600 lbs of powdered sugar, 140 pints of egg whites, 35 lbs of spices, and, according to Disney, “tons of Disney Magic and Pixie Dust.”
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
The Gingerbread House is covered in 5,089 individual gingerbread shingles. It takes the Grand Floridian pastry team – led by Victoria and Albert’s Master Pastry Chef, Kristine Farmer – more than two months and 840 hours to mix, cut, bake, and construct the house and its components.
Check out how amazingly detailed these sugar flowers are!
Sugar Flower Details
Even more exciting? You can buy holiday sweets and treats at the Gingerbread House!
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Find miniature gingerbread houses, peppermint bark, gingerbread shingles, cookies, and chocolates. The Gingerbread House is open daily from 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM until January 1, 2019.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Since the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House is so popular, it’s a good idea to plan on spending a few minutes in line. We waited about 30 minutes, but we also noticed that the lines got shorter after peak breakfast times, when guests made their way into the parks.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
Parking at the Grand Floridian is usually limited to resort guests this time of year, so if you’re staying on property, plan to use Disney Transportation to get there. If you’re driving, you’ll be able to park in the Magic Kingdom parking lot and take the Monorail.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House
If you were wondering if the Grand Floridian will still have their signature Christmas Tree, the answer is yes! We’re not sure exactly where the tree will be located, but Cast Members mentioned its expected to go up around November 20.
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I’ll be stay at the GF in 11 days! Can’t wait to see the Gingerbread House!
We’ll see this in a few days our our DVC home!
Lauren! Have a fabulous time!
Have fun, Eean!
The will be there in 14 days. Love staying at the Grand at Christmastime.
Chef Erich is no longer at GF. This year the gingerbread house project was led by Chef Kristine Farmer. In 1988, she joined the original culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and now leads the pastry team.
Chris, thanks for the information! I’ve updated the article to reflect Chef Farmer’s leadership role!
Will the gingerbread house still be up past January 1 but just not open for business? I am hoping to see it on our trip, but I do not necessarily care about purchasing anything from it I am hoping to see it on our trip on the third, but I do not necessarily care about purchasing anything from it. Thank you!
It looks incredible!! I am disappointed to see that the gingerbread house is closing on January 1. I’ve visited the parks the last few years in early January and always been able to catch it, so I was hoping it’d still be there Jan 4-6 this year. Oh well! I’ll have to just live vicariously through everyone else’s trip reports and photos.
I am seriously craving GF gingerbread shingles! I have not been at Christmas for several years.
Sydney, maybe you’ll still catch it! We’ll keep an eye on the deconstruction when it happens.
Brittany, that is sometimes the case. Hopefully you can catch it!
If I park at Magic Kingdom to take the monorail over do I have to pay for parking there?
Marianna, you would need to pay to park at Magic Kingdom, but you can go to the Grand Floridian to see the house and not pay to park. Day guests (those visiting the resort or dining at the resort) don’t have to pay for parking.
Are these shingle sold at any of the other WDW Gingerbread displays?
Can you order the gingerbread house and have it shipped? We can’t come to Disney anymore due to disabilities.
Thank you
Susan, we have not seen this as an option. You can try calling Disney World directly to see if they can offer any options for you.
Would love to see the Gingerbread House but won’t be arriving until late on January 1, 2019? Do you have any updated information on when the house will be taken down?
Anja, the gingerbread house shop is scheduled to close January 1, but there’s a good chance the house will still be up when you arrive. 🙂
Will the shop still be up today January 1st? Because I know it says it closes January 1st I just don’t know if it means it will be the last day open or it is close today.
Ea, it should have been open yesterday.