Uhm what?
2023 Gingerbread House
This Disney World holiday announcement is one we’re not too sure about. It’s certainly the end of an era as we say goodbye to one of our favorite parts of the holiday season.
The gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will not be returning. The amazing house did not return for the 2025 season due to construction throughout the resort, specifically in the lobby, where they installed The Perch, a birdcage bar.
Grand Floridian 2024
The house has been around for well… as long as we can remember! It started in 1999, and we have loved coming every year. Instead of one big gingerbread house in the lobby, the hotel will feature a few small ones throughout the resort, made by Disney’s culinary team.
2024 Gingerbread House at Grand Floridian
For 2025, we weren’t necessarily shocked that we didn’t get the gingerbread house. Construction was everywhere, and even though it finished before the holidays, we understand that large gingerbread houses can take time to build, especially since they require a lot of assembly right in the lobby.
Construction in October 2025
Did we think this was just a temporary change for 2025? We sure did! This news comes as a surprise since this is a long-loved tradition and one of our favorite stops to grab snacks like the gingerbread shingles. We have found these at other resorts, but it was our favorite to grab them at the Grand Floridian.
Gingerbread shingles
We haven’t heard any news about other gingerbread houses, so we assume everything is still okay on that end, including the iconic gingerbread carousel…
Disney’s Beach Club Gingerbread Carousel
…and castle.
Gingerbread display at the Contemporary Resort
There are quite a few displays throughout other resorts, and we assume the massive Christmas tree will still be at the Grand Floridian since it was there in 2025.
2025
In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for more Disney news you need to know before planning your next Disney World vacation.
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What do you think about this change? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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So many places to get an alcoholic drink, but where else, during Christmas time, can you walk up to a large gingerbread house. To see your kids/grandkids eyes glisten in amazement, their big smile, and then buy them a gingerbread shingle. Sounds like profit over pure enjoyment (and delicious gingerbread!)
😭😭😭😭😭
I wonder who’s genius idea this was?
Gut punch! I was so looking forward to it for our December stay.
I think this is devastating news. We have been going to the GF every November for years and the Gingerbread House is one of the reasons why. Just entering the lobby you get that aroma which defined the Holidays ! Now what ? Are we supposed to enjoy the aroma of booze from an ugly bar? I just hope this wasn’t done because Disney is making more money off drinks than they were selling gingerbread. I really hope enough people complain so they change their mind. Or I might have to change where we stay…
The perch was a great enhancement to the property, but not worth losing the iconic gingerbread house. The property existed for more than a decade until the tradition began, but it became a part of the holiday season at WDW. I love all the updates at the Grand, but losing the gingerbread house is a very unfortunate loss. I realize that it took a ton of labor to construct each year and took up a lot of square footage, but it was one of those wonderful holiday additions each year that make WDW resorts special. Unfortunate and disappointing decision making by leadership to build The Perch.
Disney has made a lot of mistakes. This is the BIGGEST mistake ever! Why would you get rid of an event that draws hundreds, if not thousands, of people each year? This has been a family tradition for us, and many others. WHY Disney WHY!
This is absolutely unacceptable for all the reasons you noted.
I think this is related to the new DS transportation rules. There were too many guess not staying at the resorts coming to visit the gingerbread house creating parking and other issues.
I think Disney doesn’t realize how important traditions are to those of us who are in the area and make a point of visiting the gingerbread house every year. It means Christmas to us as we visit with our families every year. So sad to see this tradition go!
Well, that’s a shame. We have always enjoyed the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House. It will be missed.
I don’t need to visit and spend money if the things I love are gone. I’m sure the revenue from the bar are greater than the gingerbread so that’s what money hungry companies do. Doesn’t mean I have to visit.
Just more downgrading of guest experience. So sad Disney has taken this model ! We have reservations in Dec. , but thinking of Canceling. Disney has LOST ITS MAGIC !
Dang!!!
Another tradition gone, years of memories and sweet gifts erased by another Bar,
Wow Disney not very family friendly. There was a new bar just upstairs.
Also we miss the Dickens themed. Roasted chestnuts 🌰 out front and the re-do of the Tea room is sad, Expensive meh food just cute, wish I had a choice of the traditional or Alicefiefd version. I really don’t think they take inconsideration of what people truly enjoy. We have all spend countless vacations and money on the Giant Gingerbread House we love it and keep coming back , sounds like their upset people come from all over to see it every year. Me table could have moved it to another location in the GF if the crowd bothered them.
Dang!!!
Another tradition gone, years of memories and sweet gifts erased by another Bar,
Wow Disney not very family friendly. There was a new bar just upstairs.
Also we miss the Dickens themed. Roasted chestnuts 🌰 out front and the re-do of the Tea room is sad, Expensive meh food just cute, wish I had a choice of the traditional or Alicefied version. I really don’t think they take inconsideration of what people truly enjoy. We have all spend countless vacations and money on the Giant Gingerbread House we love it and keep coming back , sounds like their upset people come from all over to see it every year. Maybe they could have moved it to another location in the GF if the crowd bothered them.
Like the Counting Crows song goes, “They paved paradise to put up a parking lot.” Who cares for that bar so much. I seriously doubt it makes as much money year-round as the gingerbread house does in the couple of months it’s open. When I’m not there to get treats in person, I have someone go get me the GF treat box and some extra shingles to send to me. I know I’m not the only one. Now what?? They better not take away the gingerbread shop at the Beach Club!!
Quite frankly, I’m glad to hear it and I wish Disney would stop making these giant houses out of food that’s never intended to be eaten. It’s an astonishing waste of food when millions go hungry. I would rather see Disney donate either the ingredients or the equivalent cost of ingredients to local food shelters. It makes me ill to think that all those eggs, sugar, flour, etc. are completely wasted every year on so many Disney properties. Have the culinary staff make gingerbread-looking houses out of non-food ingredients to demonstrate their artistry. Make real gingerbread cookies and other treats to be sold, but do not show me a list of all the wasted food used to make a display that no one will ever eat.
I think the gingerbread house was a victim of its own success. The GF lobby was never meant to accommodate the sorts of crowd levels that had begun to gather. Transportation was overrun, parking was an issue, etc. What they should do is relocate the gingerbread house to…maybe the Odyssey in EPCOT?
Just another example of Disney taking all the magic away and giving nothing back in return. Higher prices and less perks….that’s the Disney way
First my Riverboat! Now my Gingerbread House! I wonder if they’ll still sell the shingles? A friend mine would send me some every year 🙁
RE: @Eva Dwight’s comment.
They always composted edible portions of the house and would let the bees at Disney’s tree farm take care of the sugar (icing) portions on the frame. Same with the carousel frame at the Beach Club. It all gets repurposed. The bees get fed and turn and further pollinate the tree farm.
One more thing that Disney has cut. Raise prices and remove items. It’s the new management. You won’t see the castle lights return either. These and a few more things made it worth going at Christmas time. There charging us for it. You cannot keep cutting things while increasing prices and think that people won’t do anything. I not going back for the Christmas season. We will find something else to do as a family.