New Character Trees Added to Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

Shannen Ace

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The Grand Floridian's gingerbread house porch features character-inspired trees, poinsettias, and snow-frosted windows.

New Character Trees Added to Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

The bakers at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa have installed new decorations on the resort’s gingerbread house as they continue constructing the display for its 25th year. We checked on it twice on Friday, November 1.

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

A grand hotel lobby with elegant decor, chandelier, seating area, large carpets, and a central piano. A decorative gingerbread house and a birdcage structure are featured in the background.

The house is located in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s been under construction for only a few days but already looks nearly complete. In the past day, the bakery team has finished installing shingles and decorated the roof with a dusting of sugar snow.

The grand Floridian gingerbread house graces the hotel lobby, encircled by red rope and eager visitors. Nearby, a green lift and maintenance staff ensure everything stays picture-perfect.

In the morning, the floor around the house was still covered in protective paneling. Most of this was gone by the afternoon, as were the table barriers around the space. A cherry picker was on site for crew members to reach the top of the gingerbread house, which features a new decoration. In years past, the highest rooftop had a Santa Claus figure, representing the jolly old elf preparing to deliver presents.

This year, the roof features an antler-like decoration with a white ring. On the top of the white ring is the figure of a reindeer pulling Santa’s slay. The base of the element features jingle bells.

A grand Floridian gingerbread house stands impressively in the lobby, its intricate details touching the high ceiling. Nearby, green lift equipment and a person buzz with activity, adding to the holiday magic.

Crews are adding final touches to the house, including decorations on the balcony and patios, above the windows, and along the roof edges.

Chocolate house with a decorated roof, a small chocolate kitchen inside, and a chocolate cake with a "25" on top.

Inside the tower is an oven and a cake (all made out of gingerbread, of course). Sitting on the oven are red and green Mickey-shaped cookies. The cake features a silver “25” topper honoring the gingerbread house’s anniversary.

A person assembles a large gingerbread house with decorative details and landscaping, including a small green truck and flowers, in an indoor setting.

A bakery team member was still adding the final few shingles on Friday morning. Crew members were also assembling lights and panels inside the house, where Cast Members will sell baked goods and merchandise.

The gable rooftops are lined with fake red, white, and silver sparkling poinsettias. Plants now surround the house as a slight barrier to guests who might try to take a bite.

A large gingerbread house with a detailed roof and festive decorations, set in an ornate indoor setting with a balcony in the background.

On the fascias of the larger gable roofs are Mickey and Minnie-shaped gingerbread cookies. The Minnie cookies have polka-dot bows.

Close-up of a large gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian, with intricate icing details and red accents, surrounded by character-inspired trees and small pine trees.

Lights now illuminate the windows of the gingerbread house. The shutters next to some of the windows are adorned with Mickey-shaped peppermint ornaments. More poinsettias make up flowerbeds below the windows.

Many of the windows now have small murals above them featuring different Disney characters. The murals reflect the key art featured in this year’s holiday merchandise collections.

A festive holiday decoration above a window at the Grand Floridian features a cartoon mouse with mail, surrounded by red, white, and green flowers. The enchanting display captures the spirit of gingerbread houses and character-inspired trees.

On this window is Stitch dressed as an elf, drawing a picture of himself to show that he’s been good.

Decorative gingerbread house window with shutters, lace curtain, candy canes, poinsettias, and small figures above. The roof is made of gingerbread tiles, reminiscent of the enchanting designs at the Grand Floridian.

Chip and Dale are playing with a candy cane on another mural. Each image is lined with dots of white icing.

A decorative window display showcases a painted scene with cartoon characters amidst red, white, and silver poinsettias, set against a wooden wall. Nearby, a character-inspired tree adds charm reminiscent of the Grand Floridian's whimsical decor.

This mural depicts Minnie and Goofy preparing toys for delivery.

The Grand Floridian's gingerbread house display adorns the hotel lobby, with red accents and greenery, surrounded by potted plants. In the background on the left, two people admire this festive creation.

Other murals feature Mickey and Minnie decorating a tree, Pluto and Goofy with piles of gifts, and Daisy and Donald in front of a holiday castle.

A large gingerbread house display at the Grand Floridian, featuring a Santa figurine and surrounded by festive decor.

While many parts of the gingerbread house are Mickey-shaped, you might spot a few special silver “hidden Mickeys.” There is usually one hidden Mickey for every year of the gingerbread house — so there should be 25 this year.

A decorative display showcases a large Santa Claus figure on a balcony, surrounded by festive decorations. Nearby, a charming gingerbread house complements the scene, with tall windows and a ladder adding to the holiday charm.

The usual 88-pound white chocolate Santa Claus figure is now sitting on the balcony of the house. Keep in mind everything on the house is made of sugar, flour, and other edible ingredients (although we must emphasize that you should not try to eat them).

Among this year’s new decorations are small tree-shaped figures decorated to look like different characters. Front and center on the balcony are trees inspired by Pluto, Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy. They’re gathered in front of a taller “tree” made of ornament shapes.

Two whimsical wizard figurines sit on porch steps, flanked by holiday decorations reminiscent of a gingerbread house. The door bears the number "1999," and a snowman decoration is visible, adding a charming touch to this character-inspired scene.

Chip and Dale trees are on the front patio. Dale’s tree is wearing a tiny “Rescue Rangers” Hawaiian shirt, while Chip is in his fur-trimmed jacket from the show.

The house number is 1999, the year of the first Grand Floridian gingerbread house.

Trees inspired by Disney Princesses and Mary Poppins are also on the balcony.

Around the corner is a taller green tree featuring silver and gold bell baubles.

Some of the small trees appear to be more generic with colorful designs. There is also a snowman figure.

wdw grand floridian gingerbread house 11.01.2024 2840

On the second patio are trees inspired by Winnie the Pooh and his friends.

Above the back window, where guests will order sweets and merchandise, is a silver plaque reading “Established 1999.”

A festive display featuring a grand Floridian gingerbread house nestles a Santa figure in a chair, surrounded by a small decorative fence and vibrant poinsettias.

We spotted another character-inspired tree next to the counter. The beige top, red skirt, green bow, and details resemble Minnie’s holiday outfit in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. A tree inspired by Mickey’s outfit may also be added to this balcony.

A grand Floridian gingerbread house on display, featuring intricate roof shingles and festive decorations, with a sign showcasing the year 1999.

The “attic” space of the house has yet to be decorated.

The Grand Floridian gingerbread house may be finished today but it’s not set to officially open until Wednesday, November 6. Guests who visit the gingerbread house receive a 25th-anniversary sticker.

Disney has also announced the other Walt Disney World gingerbread houses and most of their opening dates. Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort officially begin on November 12, 2024.

What is your favorite Walt Disney World gingerbread display? Let us know in the comments.

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