Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Celebrates 15 Years With Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, Tempting Treats!

Hi everyone!

We spent yesterday morning at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to see the Grand Opening of the Gingerbread House this year! This is the 15th year of this holiday tradition, and the 7th year we’ve posted photos. This is our second article of the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House this year, the first was of the final dusting.

We also stopped by Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which has it’s Mary Blair inspired Gingerbread Display up – complete with Hidden Mickey cupcake and other treats for sale!

Balloons were up for the Grand Opening, which featured Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitscheck cutting a ribbon in front of the festive house. The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House had already been soft opened for a few days, selling treats to guests. The hours are 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and we were told the last day of operation would be December 31st at 5 p.m. as they get ready for New Year’s Eve.

Each morning, a young child is chosen to “open” the Gingerbread House.

This little girl opened the door on the side of the house…

..and then let everyone know that the Gingerbread House was open for business!

Here is our video of the opening and a detailed look at the Gingerbread House! And keep reading for more photos, and the ingredients and menu.

The Grand Floridian Gingerbread House is made with:

1050 pounds of honey

800 pounds of flour

600 pounds of chocolate

600 pounds of powdered sugar

140 pints of egg whites

35 pounds of spices

And the pastry chefs start in June! The gingerbread needs to sit for a couple of months, it is a European recipe from Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitscheck. 840 hours of labor are part of the process, and 5089 shingles decorate the Gingerbread House!

Remy is one of the characters on the Gingerbread House this year, and on the pin.

Stitch is nearby.

Baby Donald Duck holds a candy cane!

Pooh, Eeyore and Piglet enjoy the snow.

Pluto is not enjoying his wreath.

Tinker Bell looks ready for Christmas!

The Gingerbread House seems to have more decorations than ever before!

This is one of my favorite pieces in the house, The White Rabbit Book Store. Very appropriate!

A snowman smiles.

Soldiers stand guard.

There are 15 Hidden Mickeys this year, one for each year of the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House (and a lot more snowflakes!)

There aren’t many Disney references within the display itself apart from the characters and Hidden Mickeys, but this couch has great Hidden Mickey upholstery!

In Sandy Cove Gifts, some goodies were on sale (including shingles and peppermint bark).

The smoke here is actually steam.

We bought a gingerbread Mickey cookie with chocolate ears.

Season’s Greetings lollipop.

Lightning McQueen lollipop.

15th Anniversary Gingerbread House lollipops.

Ariel ornaments.

Gingerbread houses can be purchased.

I like the elegant wrapping.

This is the menu. Popular items include the Mickey Ear dipped in Chocolate for $6.75, Gingerbread Shingle with Chocolate for $7.50 and Gingerbread Man for $4.25. I was told the Stollen Bread here is excellent too.

We also met Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitscheck again, he signed our pins and told us a little about this year’s Gingerbread House.

Definitely stop by if you have a chance! Gingerbread items at the Walt Disney World resorts make great gifts.

The steam smells like gingerbread – it’s great to be upstairs for it!

Here is our pin, signed by the chef.

And when we went outside, we saw Cinderella’s coach and horses carrying a bride and groom.

The Christmas tree and other decorations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort should be up within a few days, and Gingerbread demonstrations begin December 1st at 1:00 p.m.! We always make it a point to see a demonstration.

We will be covering the Christmas displays and holiday events on Walt Disney World property through the end of the year!