Welcome to 2024! As we start the new year, many of us will begin thinking of vacations. Where and when do we want to travel throughout 2024? If you plan on heading to Walt Disney World, we have the best times in 2024 to book your trip to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
As 2023 wrapped up, crowds were in full force at Walt Disney World. If you have flexibility with your travel plans, we have a few times throughout 2024 that you should consider booking your trip to Disney for smaller crowds.
Mid to Late January
The start of the year will continue to be busy at Walt Disney World. Even though the holiday crowds will leave, thousands of runners will arrive for marathon weekend. This event takes place from January 4 through January 7, and as the most popular runDisney event of the year, it brings in large crowds of runners and family members to support them.
Thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the crowds will remain steady after the marathon weekend. As many schools and businesses around the US have this day off, families use it to enjoy some vacation time.
Once this holiday wraps up, the rest of January will be a great time to visit. Although the temperatures might be cooler, the crowds are a lot lighter. Kids are back in school, sports and activities are full force, so only a few families visit.
Early February
Light crowds continue into the first week of February. Much like the later part of January, February sees cooler temperatures and smaller crowds early in the month.
Both President’s Day and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, which takes place February 22 to 26, 2024, will see crowds start to increase. If you can book before these two events, fewer people will be in the parks with you.
May
Crowds at Walt Disney World build throughout the end of February through April. Spring break and Easter vacations, along with beautiful weather in Florida, pull many families down during the spring months.
Early May is a great time to enjoy the nice weather with smaller crowds. May sees smaller crowds as the school year begins to wrap up, and families don’t wish to pull kids out. This time of year can be a sweet spot for a Walt Disney World vacation—smaller crowds and not as hot and humid.
August
When school starts again in August, crowds go down drastically. If you can manage the heat and humidity that comes with this summer month, August can be a fantastic time to visit. Very light crowds are seen, making it easy to navigate the parks in a shorter amount of time.
September
Our last suggestion for when to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 is early September. Following Labor Day, most schools are back in session, making crowds much smaller throughout the parks.
Although you might have to deal with rain this month, if you are willing to toss on a rain jacket, you will experience some of the lowest crowds all year at Walt Disney World.
If you want to avoid the crowds in 2024, those are the top dates to book your Walt Disney World vacation. Overall, you will experience fewer people in the parks, making your trip more magical.
Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.
On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.
This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.
The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:
Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.
Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.
It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.
The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.
Magic Kingdom Locations
Be Our Guest Restaurant**
Cinderella’s Royal Table**
The Crystal Palace
The Diamond Horseshoe
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
EPCOT Locations
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
Biergarten Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse**
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Rose & Crown Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
50’s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
The Hollywood Brown Derby**
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Rainforest Cafe
Tiffins Restaurant**
Tusker House Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Disney Springs
The BOATHOUSE**
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
City Works Eatery & Pour House
The Edison
Enzo’s Hideaway
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Jaleo by Jose Andres**
Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
Morimoto Asia**
Paddlefish**
Paradiso 37
Planet Hollywood
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Splitsville Dining Room
Teralina Crafted Italian
T-REX
**Requires two Table-Service meal credits
Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.
You can save on a magical family vacation this spring! Children’s (ages 3 to 9) theme park tickets and dining plans are half off with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package for your clients and their children that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel, as well as theme park tickets and a dining plan.
There’s nothing like visiting Walt Disney World during the holiday season! If you’re looking for an exclusive holiday treat, you’re in luck! There are so many fantastic options at Disney Springs, Disney Resort hotels, and the parks!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and you know what that means … holiday goodies! One of the best parts of this season are the tasty delights and this year is no different. The culinary teams at Walt Disney World Resort have been hard at work making sure everyone gets a flavorful present all across property. And with the passion and creativity put to the plate this year, there’s no doubt all of these talented culinary experts are on the nice list.
No matter where you venture at the Resort, you’ll enter a winter wonderland of flavor with tasty bites and sips that will light up your taste buds. From the almost too cute to eat (almost) Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie to holiday festivities like the O’ Ham N’ Cheese Trees at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, and even the sweet sip of the returning Gingerbread Martini, you will be unwrapping delights all holiday season long.
For those heading over to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, take a peek at all the bites and sips available at Magic Kingdom Park, both during the day and exclusive to the event in the Foodie Guide. And for an added touch of sweetness, be sure to check out the gingerbread displays at various Disney Resort Hotels and EPCOT.
Do you hear that? I think it’s jingle bells, and that means it’s time to get to the Walt Disney World Resort Holidays Foodie Guide!
Disney Springs
Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)
Holiday Sweets Petit Cake: Layers of spice cake, cream cheese icing, and apricot jam with fresh apple compote and Italian buttercream (New)
Mickey Winter Hat Dome Cake: Layers of vanilla chiffon, chai tea mousse, cranberry-cherry pâte de fruit, almond crunch, and brown butter ganache (New)
Christmas Tree Cream Puff: Pistachio cream puff (New)
Hot Cocoa Crème Brûlée: Hot cocoa crème brûlée with toasted marshmallow cream (New)
Gingerbread Cheesecake (New)
Cookies and Milk Éclair (New)
Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies (New)
Santa Mickey Mousse: White chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse with crispy pearls
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (Available Nov. 24 through Jan. 1)
Homecomin’ Holiday Turkey Sandwich: Smoked turkey on toasted artisanal bread, dressed with signature cornbread stuffing and a sweet and sour cranberry aioli served with house-made potato chips
Chicken Guy! (Available Nov. 6 through Dec. 31)
Holiday Cookie Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with sugar cookies and caramel drizzle topped with marshmallow whipped cream, mini chocolate candy pieces, holiday sprinkles, and a cookie
Frozen Peppermint Cocoa Shake: Hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, blended with hot cocoa mix, peppermint, and crushed candy cane pieces topped with marshmallow whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed candy cane, mini marshmallows, and chocolate drizzle
D-Luxe Burger (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 7; mobile order available)
Caramel Apple Pie Shake: Vanilla Gelato blended with dark caramel sauce, Granny Smith apple syrup, cinnamon syrup, and graham cracker crumbs topped with whipped cream, caramel, and graham cracker crumbs (New)
Dockside Margaritas (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 15)
eet by Maneet Chauhan (Available upon opening through Dec. 31)
Yule Chai Greeting: Signature spiced chai, whipped cinnamon cream, toasted marshmallow, Christmas sprinkles, and a candy cane
Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
Holiday Donuts
Frontera Cocina (Available Nov. 10 through Dec. 31)
Marzipan Delight: Centinela Blanco Tequila, Marzipan Cordial, tres leches home-made mix, and marzipan crumble rim
The Ganachery
Gingerbread Mickey Chocolate Piñata: Milk chocolate piñata with crisp pearls and gingerbread toffee (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Gingerbread-Pecan Toffee: Spiced toffee enrobed with milk chocolate and encrusted with toasted pecans and gingerbread crumbs (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Mickey Chocolate-covered Gingerbread Cookies: Spiced gingerbread cookies enrobed in milk chocolate and dark 65% chocolate (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Chocolate Peppermint Bark: White and dark chocolate with crushed peppermint candy (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise: Milk chocolate shell filled with The Ganachery hot cocoa mix and house-made marshmallows (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Gideon’s Bakehouse (Available Nov. 24 through Dec. 31)
Kris Kringle Cookie: White chocolate coffee bean cookie with coconut, caramel, and vanilla bean notes topped with coarse sugar crystals and edible glitter
Cookie Vom Krampus: Chocolate cookie with mint
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
Jock’s Famous Pigs in the Blanket: Debreziner sausage, puff pastry, and cranberry mustard sauce (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 30)
O’ Ham N’ Cheese Trees: Puff pastry, Pitt ham, cheddar cheese, garlic herb butter, and sugar plum jam (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 30)
Cranberry Barbeque Meatballs: All-beef meatball, cranberry barbecue sauce, orange goat cheese, granny smith apple, spiced walnuts, orange supremes, and crispy basil (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 30)
Naughty or Nice Deviled Eggs: Crispy Ham and Sweet Honey Glazed (Nice) or Spicy Honey Glazed (Naughty)
Here We Come A-Croquetting: Turkey croquettes, sweet potato purée, bacon-cranberry jam, turkey gravy, and herbed gremolata (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Post-flight “Milk” and Cookies with Coquito: Bourbon-eggnog snowflake cookie, gingerbread reindeer cookie filled with dulce de leche, chocolate-peppermint Christmas tree cookie and coquito with Bacardí Rum (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Hot Chocolate Grail Flight: Spiced Caramel with Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, Cookies ‘n Cream with white chocolate and Stoli Vanil Vodka, Peppermint with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Bols Crème de Menthe White Liqueur (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Eternal Snowfall: St. Augustine Cane Vodka, St. Augustine Gin, Tippler’s Orange Liqueur, Siesta Key Silver Rum, chipotle pineapple syrup, and sour mix topped with a float of Bols Blue Curaçao Liqueur and garnished with a snowflake sugar piece and lemon wheel (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Jock’s Holiday Martini: Frangelico Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur, hazelnut syrup, and half and half sprinkled with cinnamon and garnished with star anise (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Merry Margarita: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, Domain de Canton Ginger Liqueur, lime and pear juices, cinnamon syrup, and hibiscus syrup garnished with a holiday sugar piece and lime wedge (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Holiday Cherry Cocktail: Stoli Vanil Vodka, Heering Cherry Liqueur, simple syrup, and red cranberry juice with edible glitter and garnished with a cherry (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Ginger Mule: Frangelico Liqueur and Stoli Vanil Vodka topped with Fever-Tree Ginger Beer and garnished with a cinnamon stick and cranberries (New) (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Marketplace Snacks (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Olaf Waffle Sundae: Bubble waffle filled with vanilla soft-serve, peppermint sauce, candy snowflakes, a chocolate edible image, and chocolate sticks
Morimoto Asia (Available through Dec. 31)
Yokai: Morimoto Knob Creek Bourbon, Monin Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Chambord, and prosecco
Kyuri and Spicy: Cucumber-Infused Espolon Blanco Tequila, jalapeño, ginger liqueur, Ancho Reyes, John D. Taylor’s Velvet Falernum Liqueur, lime, and agave
Toji Moon: Absolut Mandarin Vodka, sake, Monin Habanero-Lime Syrup, lemongrass, yuzu, and celery bitters
After Midnight: Courvoisier VS Cognac, Legent Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, ginger, orgeat, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon syrup, and black walnut bitters
Forever Young: Aviation Gin, Aperol, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth, blood orange liqueur, and mole bitters
Maker Mark Flight: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, Maker’s Mark 46, Morimoto Maker’s Mark Private Select
Paddlefish (Available Dec. 25 only)
Santa’s Seafood Boil: Key West pink shrimp, Cedar Key little neck clams, Prince Edward Island mussels, corn bread, red potatoes, and sweet corn
Planet Hollywood(Available Nov. 6 through Dec. 26)
Frosty the Snowman Shake: Mint chocolate chip ice cream with red and green Christmas candies, sprinkles, and holiday mints topped with homemade whipped cream and a marshmallow snowman pop
The Polite Pig (Available Nov. 15 through Dec. 11)
Holiday Spice Old Fashioned: Michter’s American Whiskey US Kentucky Straight Rye, holiday spice syrup, and bitters garnished with a cinnamon stick and an orange twist (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 6)
Mistletoe: Stoli Vodka, rosemary syrup, Barrow’s Intense Ginger Liqueur, lemon juice, and soda water with a rosemary sprig and sugared cranberries garnish (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 6)
Swirls on the Water (Available Nov. 9 through Dec. 31)
Christmas Tree Sundae: Pistachio soft-serve in a waffle cone bowl with whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy Christmas lights (New)
Frozen Hot Chocolate Float with Salted Caramel (Non-alcoholic Beverage) (Alcoholic version also available with Knob’s Creek)
Terralina Crafted Italian (Available Dec. 25 only)
Christmas Day Special: Grilled lamb chops with creamed spinach and artichokes, wild mushroom and parmesan risotto cake, mint, and basil sauce topped and crispy leeks
Poinsettia: Cranberry mimosa with sugar dusted cranberries
Vivoli il Gelato
Italian Hot Chocolate: House-made from scratch made with dark coca, dark chocolate bar, milk, and sugar topped with whipped cream or marshmallows (Available Nov. 10 through Feb. 1)
Candied Yam Cannoli: Sweet cream of yams and ricotta topped with pecans (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 7)
Santa’s Crew: Elf Mint Chocolate Chip Shake, Reindeer Chocolate Shake, and Abominable Snowman (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 6)
Santa Waffle: Freshly-baked waffle topped with strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, and chocolate chips (Available Nov. 10 through Jan. 6)
YeSake (Available Nov. 24 through Dec. 31)
Holiday Peppermint Chocolate Milk Boba Tea: Chocolate and peppermint tea latte made with boba pearls and whipped cream
Outdoor Bar Locations (Available Nov. 9 through Jan. 13)
Holiday Rum Punch: Bols Blackberry Brandy, Bols Crème de Banana Liqueur, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, orange tangerine syrup, and orange juice garnished with an orange wedge (New)
Disney Resort Hotels
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 2; mobile order available)
Mickey Santa Hat Tart: Vanilla tart with pistachio cake, chai mousse, and caramel ganache
Jambo House Lobby Pop-up Shop (Available Nov. 22 through Dec. 31)
Gingeraffe Cookie: Sugar cookie, gingerbread cookie, white chocolate, M&M’S chocolate candies, and a holiday wreath (New)
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping & Dining (Available Nov. 27 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)
Deer Holly Day Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache and topped with a peanut butter-cream cheese buttercream
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop (Available Nov. 26 through Dec. 31)
Holiday Shake: Cookie butter milkshake with caramel drizzle and holiday sprinkles topped with a Christmas tree cupcake
Disney’s BoardWalk
BoardWalk Deli (Mobile order available)
Frosted Croissant Roll: Rolled croissant dough filled with a hot chocolate-marshmallow filling (New) (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 2)
Peppermint Brownie Cheesecake: Brownie base, peppermint cheesecake, and holiday sprinkles (Available Nov. 27 through Dec. 26)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Centertown Market (Mobile order available)
Snowman Blondie: Chocolate chip and peppermint blondie topped with brown butter-chocolate mousse, vanilla bean whipped cream, and white chocolate (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 2)
Peppermint Brownie Cheesecake: Brownie base, peppermint cheesecake, and holiday sprinkles (Available Nov. 27 through Dec. 26)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contempo Café (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)
Holiday Cranberry Frangipane Cake: Almond frangipane with cranberry-cherry gel, white chocolate mousse, and salted honey whip (New)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)
Present Peppermint Brownie Pop: Brownie filled with house-made peppermint patty enrobed in white chocolate (New)
Snowman Choux: Pâte à choux filled with spiced mousse and chocolate Bavarian cream
Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Good’s Food to Go and The Artist’s Palette (Available through Jan. 2; mobile order available at The Artist’s Palette only)
‘Olu Mel Holiday Float: DOLE Whip lime float with pineapple juice, ‘Olu Mel White chocolate piece, and strawberry popping candy
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 7)
Jingle Jammer: Cranberry, pineapple, cinnamon, falernum, and a splash of fresh lime juice (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Mele Kaliki Mai Tai: Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardí Superior Rum, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram Liqueur, cranberry juice, orgeat, and cinnamon with a splash of fresh lime juice and a cinnamon stick
Tropical Snowstorm: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, coconut cream with cinnamon, orgeat, and falernum topped with cinnamon and nutmeg
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court (Available Nov. 27 through Dec. 26; mobile order available)
Peppermint Brownie Cheesecake: Brownie base, peppermint cheesecake, and holiday sprinkles
Scat Cat’s Club – Café at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Hot Cocoa Beignets: Trio of Mickey-shaped beignets with a dusting of hot cocoa powder, fudge drizzle, snowflake sprinkles, and a pipette of chocolate milk (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 31)
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Le Petit Café (Available Nov. 26 through Jan. 2)
Chocolate-Peppermint Santa Hat: Dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate-peppermint mousse, and a mint marshmallow
Gingerbread Cookie: European-style gingerbread, dark chocolate, and sugar glaze
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Roaring Fork (Mobile order available)
Peppermint Igloo: White chocolate igloo filled with white chocolate-peppermint mousse and dark chocolate cake (New) (Available Nov. 15 through Dec. 30)
Available at Various Disney Resort Hotel Food Courts (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 31; mobile order available)
Walking in a Plant-based Snow Land: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles (Plant-based); Available at the following locations:
World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Available at Various Table-Service Restaurants(Available through Jan. 7)
Gingerbread Martini: Grey Goose Vodka, RumChata Liqueur, and gingerbread spice featuring a rim of homemade gingerbread from the bakery teams
Available at Select Deluxe & Specialty Resort Locations (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 1)
Holiday Fruitcake Mule: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. apple blossom bitters, cranberry juice, and rosemary topped with ginger beer (New)
Holiday Fruitcake Old-Fashioned: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. apple blossom bitters, cranberry, lemon, and rosemary (New)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
ABC Commissary (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)
Holiday Minnie Bundt Cake: Spice cake rolled in cinnamon-sugar with apple pie filling topped with spiced maple buttercream and salted caramel icing
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Backlot Express (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkles
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Hollywood Scoops (Available through Jan. 1)
Candy Cane Milkshake: Chocolate cake doughnut, mint doughnut icing, and candy cane sprinkles
PizzeRizzo (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)
Melted Snowman Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie with red and green sugar, white chocolate, marshmallow, dark chocolate top hat, raspberry-chocolate twigs, orange sprinkle, and chocolate-covered cocoa nibs
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
Rosie’s All-American Café (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)
Santa Mickey Cupcake: Chocolate cake filled with mocha fudge and topped with red almond buttercream, white chocolate, and dark chocolate Mickey ears
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce (Non-alcoholic beverage)
Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa with Cherry Bourbon topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce
The Trolley Car Café (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1)
Mickey Gingerbread Cookie
Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red velvet cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkle
Woody’s Lunch Box (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 31; mobile order available)
Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate-marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows
Dockside Diner and Outdoor Vending Carts Near Grand Avenue, the Tip Board, and the Main Entrance(Available through Jan. 1)
Holiday Mickey Brownie: Mickey-shaped chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Creature Comforts (Available Dec. 22 through 31)
Mickey Holiday Mousse Dome: Amaretto-chocolate mousse, cherry-cranberry coulis, orange-chocolate cake, white chocolate glaçage, and chocolate Mickey ears
Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (Available Dec. 1 through 29; mobile order available)
Merry Menagerie Cupcake: Gingerbread cupcake with cream cheese filling and frosting
Satu’li Canteen (Available Dec. 22 through 31; mobile order)
The holiday season is almost here at Disney Parks! Decorations are going up, and soon, the holiday season will officially kick-off. One of our favorite traditions is visiting the different resort Gingerbread Displays at select resorts! We’ve got the details on what you can expect this year, as well as the treats you can purchase!
Are you ready for some mind-blowing Disney gingerbread displays? I sure hope so because that’s exactly what you can expect to find at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and even aboard the high seas on Disney Cruise Line during the holiday season. A true staple of both locations’ holiday festivities, these gingerbread displays are truly amazing. After months of hard work and creativity from the talented culinary teams, these displays are brought to life before our very eyes and are well worth the visit.
Some of these displays have returned for the holidays for more than 20 years, like the Gingerbread House found at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Gingerbread House found within (yes, within) Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park, while others are making their dazzling debut for the very first time this year, like the Lighthouse coming to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. It’s no surprise visiting these works of art has become a tradition for both guests and cast members alike. With plenty of hidden details, and maybe even some hidden Mickeys, you can easily come back again and again to experience these gingerbread creations.
What do you say? Shall we unwrap all the gingerbread fun coming this holiday season? I think so!
At Walt Disney World Resort, we’re stopping by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for their life-sized Gingerbread House! This beloved tradition is back again for its 24th year from Nov. 8 through Jan. 1, 2024, and is filled with plenty of sweet delights and decorations. All across this house, you’ll find white chocolate candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and over 10,000 pieces of gingerbread. Not to mention the 85 lb. chocolate Santa (yes, you heard that right), nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and snowmen that are all hand-painted by the Grand Floridian Bakery team led by Pastry Chef de Cuisine Kristine Farmer. The 500 hours spent baking gingerbread and 480 hours spent decorating are well worth it. Be on the lookout for the 24 hidden Mickeys found throughout the entire display to see if you can find them all.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Menu
If you’re looking to take a taste of gingerbread and the holidays home with you, you’re in luck because this display has quite the lineup of treats available for purchase that will dazzle your taste buds, including:
Freshly baked, homemade items, such as Gingerbread Mickeys and Shingles, Stollen Bread, Brownie Christmas Tree, and Gingersnap Cookies
House-made Gingerbread Ornaments and Gingerbread Houses
Grand Floridian Combo Box featuring assorted fan favorite treats, including the cookies n’ cream Christmas Tree, exclusive to this box
Plant-based, no sugar added, and gluten-friendly options
Joining this impressive lineup this year is the Lighthouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This brand-new creation was created by Pastry Chef de Cuisine Michael Craig who used the actual blueprints from the real lighthouse located outside the resort along Crescent Lake. This sweet version is not to be missed on your gingerbread festivities this year. Also, available for purchase are some sweet delights sold at the Holiday Pop Up Shop, including the new Lighthouse Fudge, which is a nod to this new offering.
Just next door at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, we’ve got the classic Holiday Carousel gingerbread display. The life-size creation has been at the resort for 22 years and it actually moves – how cool! This year, this gingerbread offering is inspired by Ducktales, with the horses themed after Donald Duck and his nephews, Huey, Duey, and Louie. To celebrate all the years of tradition, there are 22 hidden Mickeys to find throughout the display, as well as 434 pounds of honey, 25 pounds of spices, 200 pounds of icing, and a whole lot of creativity and talent from the culinary team!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Gingerbread Display Menu
Some of the holiday treats available at this location include:
Signature Stollen Bread
Lighthouse Fudge
Mickey Snowman Pop
Crispy Rice Treat
Peppermint Bark
Gingerbread Shingle
Hot Chocolate Flight
Hot Chocolate
As we keep going around Crescent Lake, we get to Disney’s BoardWalk Inn where their display is shore to impress from Nov. 17 through Dec. 27. This creation is a miniature version of some of your favorite spots found along the BoardWalk itself, including the BoardWalk Deli, which is home to none other than the BoardWalk Inn Bakery team led by Pastry Chef Alex Vacher.
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Gingerbread Display Menu
Before leaving, be sure to check out some of the treats made by the team, like:
Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookies
Mickey Caramel Corn Cookie
Christmas Tree Pop
Peppermint Bark
Gingerbread Shingles
Gluten/ Wheat-Friendly and Plant-based Gingerbread Shingles
Next up, let’s go on a tasty adventure to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge where you’ll find one of the most adorable giraffes and zebras around. In the Jambo House lobby from Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, the Animal Kingdom Lodge bakery led by Pastry Chef Lexy Ross has continued the tradition with the Life-Size Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra. This can’t-miss giraffe, or should we say ginger-affe, named Ginger and baby zebra, Debra, are made with a combination of gingerbread, sugar dough, and modeling chocolate. In fact, the giraffe stands near 7 feet tall. You’ll also be able to pick up some tasty treats to take with you, like the Gingeraffe Cookie, Hot Cocoa Flight, and beer, wine, and cocktails!
Now, let’s blast off to Disney’s Contemporary Resort where their gingerbread display is back once again for its 12th year led by Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes! Found on the fourth floor of the resort from Nov. 10 through Jan. 6, 2024, this year’s Mary Blair-inspired 100th Celebration-themed Castle Display was designed by Walt Disney Imagineers for this momentous occasion for The Walt Disney Company. It stands over 17 feet tall with 612 pounds of sugar, 1012 pounds of flour, 112 pounds of gingerbread spice, over 4000 castle gingerbread bricks, and 12 sprinklings of magical pixie dust! And, be sure to keep your eyes peeled with the 12 hidden five-legged goats.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display Menu
For those wanting a sweet treat, the following will also be available for purchase:
Gingerbread Castle Brick
Paint Your Own Cookie Box
Hot Chocolate Caramel Fudge
Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
Pistachio Linzer Cookie
5-Legged Goat Cookie
Gluten/Wheat Friendly Gingerbread Cookie
Gingerbread Latte Cupcake
Christmas Tree Butter Cookie
Frozen Hot Chocolate (Also available with Peppermint Schnapps)
Frozen Apple Cider (Also available with Fireball Cinnamon Whisky floater)
Last but certainly not least for Walt Disney World Resort, we’ve got quite the impressive display at The American Adventure in EPCOT. From Nov. 24 through Dec. 30, this unique display recreates some classic monuments in America and EPCOT alike with gingerbread versions of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, The American Adventure building with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, and even a Festival Marketplace. There are also 6 hidden Mickeys found within. See how many you can find on your next visit to EPCOT.
Starting Nov. 10, the Disneyland Resort will have a display to get you in the holiday spirit – the Gingerbread House at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The lobby will be home once again to one of its best holiday classics – the “Grand” Gingerbread House. This giant gingerbread replica of the hotel is a holiday highlight and a can’t-miss stop in the lobby. Standing 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, the structure is created from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, one pound of pixie dust, and features 25 hidden Mickeys!
Grand Californian Great Hall Cart Menu
If you want a sweet treat to commemorate your experience, you can enjoy one (or multiple) of the following:
Mickey Mouse-shaped Poinsettia Cookie
Mickey-shaped Gingerbread Cookie
Christmas Cookie
Holiday Cookie Box: will include two milk chocolate-dipped Mickey-shaped cookies, two raspberry-filled cookies and two sugar cookies with festive sprinkles
Assorted Macarons: Assorted macaron box will include two gingerbread, two peppermint and two Mexican hot chocolate
Kwanzaa Sweet Potato Loaf
Crisped Rice Treat
Holiday Cinnamon Buns (New)
Hot Cocoa Cookies (New)
Coffee with Liqueur (Available with Amaretto, Butterscotch, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal Apple, Godiva Chocolate, Grand Marnier, Jameson Whiskey, Peppermint Schnapps, Rumchata, Rumple Minz, Skrewball Whiskey) (New)
Eggnog with Baileys
Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Milk
Gingerbread Cookie Shot with Milk (New)
Red Velvet Cookie Shot with Milk (New)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Shot with Liqueur (Available with Amaretto, Butterscotch, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal Apple, Godiva Chocolate, Grand Marnier, Jameson Whiskey, Peppermint Schnapps, Rumchata, Rumple Minz, Skrewball Whiskey)
Cookie shot with Louis XIII Cognac
Cookie shot with Clase Azul Ultra Anejo
Welcome foolish mortals to a gingerbread display unlike any seen before. Found within the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park, a few ghosts have made room for a dazzling display this season. The Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House has been materializing for guests of the attraction for more than 20 years from Halloween to the holidays. Jack Skellington, or should we say “Sandy Claws,” and his friends have transformed this beloved attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and this display is a welcomed addition. With three moving elements and nearly 300 pounds, this display took over 20 days to build and decorate with 13 cast members. Don’t forget to take a ride to see it for yourself before Jan. 8, 2024.
The gingerbread displays are not just found on land – they’re also taking to the high seas with the Disney Cruise Line fleet! The Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, and Disney Magic will continue the yearly tradition of having the pastry teams onboard each ship build a dazzling, oversized gingerbread creation that will be on display in the atrium of the ships. Each festive creation is unique and the themes are up to the individual ship’s team to decide what theirs will look like this year.
What an incredible (and tasty) lineup the talented culinary teams have put together for us this year. Throughout this holiday season, grab your loved ones and get ready to see some gingerbread! There’s truly no limit to the ways you can celebrate the holidays at Disney Parks.
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
