It’s officially happening — the holidays have arrived in Disney World!
We’re checking out all the decorations at the parks, holiday snacks, and merchandise, and of course, holiday parties are starting too! Not only that, but Disney World hotel gingerbread displays have started popping up and we’re bringing you with us to check one out!
Disney World’s Contemporary Resort Hotel puts on an impressive display year after year — check out the Gingerbread Castle!
This is the 12th year of the display and the stunning Cinderella Castle look-alike features 12 hidden Mickeys, along with two large Mickey and Minnie sculptures. It’s a Mary Blair-inspired design, which is very fitting for the Contemporary!
Would you believe this thing is mostly edible?! That’s precisely why we’re here. In addition to being a gorgeous work of art to enjoy, you can also grab some snacks and treats from the attached shop. Let’s dig in!
First up, we tried the Peppermint Bark. This comes in a pretty large package for $14.29. This is a great rendition of peppermint bark, but we’re not sure it’s nearly $15 great. It’s made with high-quality chocolate, and we love the thinness of the dark and white chocolate layers. One small piece of this will send you to chocolate-peppermint heaven if you’re into that sort of thing.
You can find comparable peppermint bark for less at home, probably, but this would make a great consumable souvenir to bring home to a family member or co-worker. This is probably the sturdiest of the treats you can buy — it should make the trip home just fine as long as you keep it out of the heat. Like the chocolate-peppermint cookie, this has a nice flavor without so much mint that you feel like you’re eating toothpaste. This has a nice snap to it, as a bark should — and we love the crunch of the peppermint on top as a foil to the chocolate that quickly melts in your mouth.
We also tried the Christmas Tree Butter Cookie for $5.29.
Who can resist a good, decorated Christmas cookie moment? Not us. This large Christmas tree cookie is guaranteed to catch the eye of the kids in your group. It is thin, crisp, and exactly what a butter cookie should be. But your kids may be disappointed because it is definitely more butter cookie than the sugar cookie flavor they might expect from the looks of it. The colored sugar crystals that completely coat the top of this cookie add a nice crunch we enjoy, and we appreciate that it’s not coated in super sweet buttercream like many Christmas cut-outs are.
Next up was the Chocolate Peppermint Cookie — this was bigger than our hands — two could share. It’s a good value for the size — probably the best value among this selection of treats. This cookie is thick, with a cakey texture. It crumbled easily, so could become a mess to eat. It would probably be easier to eat when you’re sitting at a table than to eat on the go.
It has a good balance of the chocolate and peppermint flavors. It’s not overly minty, but you can tell the peppermint is there — it’s a pretty forward flavor. The addition of some chocolate chips helps add to the richness of the cookie. The crumbled, peppermint candy on top certainly adds a real hit of peppermint on your nose when you start to take a bite of the cookie. If you are a fan of peppermint bark or other chocolate and peppermint treats, this one is for you.
The Hot Chocolate Caramel Fudge bar was next for $7.79. Often when you buy fudge, it’s in a huge hunk and in Florida, that can start to be anxiety-inducing — can you eat this giant piece of candy before it melts? We liked the size and scale of this item. While it is small, it is rich enough to split and walk away with your sweet tooth satisfied.
We expected the caramelized rosettes on top to be meringue, but they are a soft, pillowy marshmallow — a nice contrast to the fudge, which is on the firmer side. The fudge melts in your mouth, and we do taste more caramel than chocolate in it. Caramel and marshmallow lovers will enjoy this. If you’re looking for something with a rich chocolate flavor, however, you might want to go for something else.
Disney is billing this Gingerbread Loaf as a breakfast option and after tasting it, we do agree it would pair nicely with a cup of coffee or tea. Lightly sweet, this little loaf has a gingerbread flavor swirl baked right in. With its streusel topping, it reminds us of a coffee cake in all the best ways. Pick this up to have for breakfast in your hotel room on your rope drop days. It is about the size of two large muffins — definitely designed for sharing.
The Paint Your Own Cookie Kit is a super fun activity. It comes with a shaped Minnie and Mickey cookie, a rectangular cookie with a Mickey and Minnie holiday design, a paintbrush, and an edible paint palette — which is also a cookie.
You get four cookies and some fun here for $25. It’s certainly not cheap, but it’s not a terrible price for what you get. All you need to paint is a cup of water — you wet your brush and pick up the paint color you want, then paint away!
The Mickey and Minnie cut-outs are shortbread, and the rectangular cookie and paint palette cookie are gingerbread. These are wrapped up beautifully in silver boxes with red satin ribbons, and they would make a great gift for kids. These cookies are sturdy if pretty standard — they will make the trip home pretty easily if you have a way to pack the boxes without them being smashed.
Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World holiday news and more!
Check out the Grand Floridian’s Gingerbread House right here!
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
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Holidays at Disney World: DFB's Merriest Guide is a one-of-a-kind resource that will help you get the most out of your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World.
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- The COMPLETE schedule of events for the Holiday Season
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- ALL of the events, activities, and holiday additions in Walt Disney World. ALL. OF. THEM.
- And, of course, we'll tell you where to eat!
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MORE Disney World Holiday INFO!
Learn About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Get the Latest Information About the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
We’ll Take This Little Golden Disney Book in Our Stocking, Santa!
Everything You Need to Know About Disney World Holiday Dining and Events
What We Wish We’d Known Before Going to Disney World During the Holidays
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Will you be checking out the gingerbread displays in Disney World? Tell us in the comments.
Melanie Durham says
Ooooo…..I’d make a trip just to go get these and turn around to go home! Yummy!
Arlene says
Where is this gingerbread loaf? It is not listed on the Contemporary gingerbread house menu.