The 2022 Grand Floridian gingerbread house construction has begun! Check out photos of this year’s life-sized iridescent gingerbread house on display.
Christmas bells are ringing at Disney World! It may be just a few days into November, but the most magical place on Earth is already preparing for Santa with lots of treats and good cheer.
Part of the spectacle of Christmas at Disney World is the gingerbread creations that manifest at the Walt Disney World Resorts. Chief among these is the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House—a life-sized gingerbread house filled with festive Cast Members ready to serve holiday treats.
2022 Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Construction
Photo by WDW Magazine
We were on the scene when the first “elves” appeared to assemble this year’s gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian. From the baseboards to the rooftop, we saw these diligent workers putting together one of the biggest gingerbread houses this side of the North Pole.
Photo by WDW Magazine
You may not be surprised to learn that this life-sized treat isn’t gingerbread all the way through. A base of thin building materials is first constructed to support the many gingerbread shingles and trim that make up the exterior.
Photo by WDW Magazine
Take home a piece of the magic (or eat it before you even get out of the lobby) with the purchase of a gingerbread shingle, just like those on the house.
Photo by WDW Magazine
Photo by WDW Magazine
What is the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Made Of?
Photo by WDW Magazine
While the base structure of the Grand Floridian gingerbread house is made of inedible materials, these pieces are incidental compared to the enormous amount of gingerbread in the shingles, around the doors, and on the awnings.
Each year, signage typically accompanies the biggest gingerbread feats across the Disney resort to let guests know how much love, care, and eggs were put into the creations.
The 2022 Grand Floridian Gingerbread House sign listed these hefty ingredients:
- 1,050 pounds of honey
- 140 pints of egg whites
- 600 pounds of sugar
- 700 pounds of chocolate
- 800 pounds of flour
- 35 pounds of spices
The sign displayed for the 2022 gingerbread house also lists the most important of ingredients: “Tons of creativity, Disney magic, and pixie dust!”
That’s a lot of honey, right? Well, guess what: When the gingerbread displays come down, the sweet exterior is actually donated to honey bees at the end of the season. All those wooden pieces with sugary snacks still sticking to them are laid out on the Disney tree farm for the bees to enjoy!
Gingerbread Displays Around Disney World
After you check out the Grand Floridian gingerbread house construction, be sure to hop on the monorail to see if the other gingerbread displays are finished at other Deluxe resorts.
Here is a quick list of the must-see gingerbread (and life-sized chocolate!) displays at Walt Disney World
Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display
Gingerbread house at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Photo by Rain Blanken.
The Contemporary Resort changes up its gingerbread display, but each year it is a Mary Blair artistic style that pays homage to Disney favorite. Cinderella and Frozen are our favorite displays so far. We’re excited to see what takes shape in 2022!
Boardwalk Resort Carousel
Witnessing these sweet horses is worth the trip alone. Photo by Rain Blanken.
Each year, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort creates a breathtaking life-sized gingerbread display that rivals the Grand Floridian gingerbread house in scale and detail. This carousel actually turns, and each year the horses have a new theme that follows a set of Disney characters and films.
Giant Chocolate Santa at the Swan Hotel
Courtesy of Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort
Do you smell chocolate?
It’s impossible not to when you are within 10 feet or so of this giant life-sized chocolate Santa display at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel. The display has been happening since 2010 and includes a 7-foot tall, 400-pound nutcracker.
Will you be eating a gingerbread shingle this year? Share your experiences and tag us on Instagram.
