Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort has been under refurbishment for a few years now.
Grand Floridian Resort
Starting with an overhaul of the guest rooms, this multi-year project has taken over pretty much the whole resort at one point or another, but it’s finally drawing to a close. Last but not least is the lobby update, which includes the addition of a new lobby bar. However, in order for this change to happen, it seems like we might lose a beloved tradition — the Grand Floridian gingerbread house.
According to Disney, the lobby refurbishment is going to interfere with a longstanding Grand Floridian tradition. Because of the renovations, the giant gingerbread house display will not be available this year.
Can you believe that’s gingerbread?
The Grand Floridian lobby gingerbread house has been a tradition of the resort for the last 25 years, and we’ll definitely be disappointed to not have it in 2025. It typically draws heavy crowds to the resort during the holiday season with its impressive craftsmanship and delicious seasonal treats.
Gingerbread shingle
Work on the lobby is set to begin this month and will last through November 2025, which goes into the time that the gingerbread house is usually open. Due to space constraints, they won’t have the room to build the massive structure (seriously, it’s the size of a small cottage). However, Disney has confirmed to us that the other gingerbread displays at Disney World hotels will be returning.
It’s seriously big.
So if you can’t get your gingerbread fix at the Grand Floridian, you could visit the Contemporary gingerbread castle, the Beach Club gingerbread carousel, or even the BoardWalk’s mini gingerbread model of the resort itself.
Cinderella Castle Dream Lights gingerbread display
Hopefully, we’ll get to see the return of the Grand Floridian gingerbread house in 2026, after the lobby refurbishment is complete. The construction project will include updates to the carpet, new furniture, and the addition of the Grand Floridian Lobby Bar.
©Disney
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Well this is a huge bummer! We just booked for the first time to do all the Christmas stuff for my son’s birthday, and this was top on the list. We usually go b for spring break. The Last spring break we did MK afterhours and Tron was down the entire time. Feeling disappointed with disney lately. This December will probably be our last trip. Maybe we’ll start going to Universal instead…
Well this is a huge bummer! We just booked for the first time to do all the Christmas stuff for my son’s birthday, and this was top on the list. We usually go for spring break. The Last spring break we did MK afterhours and Tron was down the entire time. Feeling disappointed with disney lately. This December will probably be our last trip. Maybe we’ll start going to Universal instead…
This is so unnecessary. Bring back the tea party and open the bibbiddi boutique already. That lobby is one of the best spots to relax at Disney. So much for that now.
I am so disappointed in the decision makers at Disney these days for many reasons. But putting a bar in THE GF LOBBY is one of the worst ideas I’ve heard in a long time. There are always children in the lobby running around letting off traveling steam. And selling alcohol to adults the moment they get there is a money grab. How dare you say we can’t have the Gingerbread Cottage due to there being no room for a bar??? Terrible, terrible decision and the decisions are getting worse and worse.
Well, OK. The lobby renovation will have consequences, but at least the massive Gingerbread House will be back in 2026 (I hope!).
In my opinion, they are ruining the Grand Floridian. It initially was so elegant. Get rid of that bar. If I remember from my early stays there, you could get drinks on the second level. I hope the bar is a big bust. How can they give up the Christmas Gingerbread House and SALES? It’s a bizzaro world.
Just what we need … another bar. I’d sooner see the GF gingerbread house or an actually open Garden View any day to a bar.
It’s ridiculous how some people complain about everything. They’d be complaining if Disney didn’t maintain things. I’d love to hear how refurbishments are supposed to occur without impacts. Construction is construction, it isn’t magic with pixie dust through the night. I’m a DVC owner at the Grand and the lobby has needed updating for years. The carpet and furniture have seen far better days. The renderings look great as they remain consistent with the resort feel. In many ways it’s more in line and feels like old Florida. The gingerbread house will be missed but it’s one year folks. Lighten up and stop being so dramatic.
While I understand the need for an update and refresh after loosing the Orchestra and now potentially loosing the Gingerbread house I’m feeling very disappointed with the update and remodel. I’m sure though they will still try to sell gingerbread shingles somewhere to ensure they don’t lose those sales.
What a gut punch. We just booked the once in a lifetime stay at the GF this December because of the gingerbread display. Pure devastation for our family.
Very sad to see this. Bringing Grandchildren during that time! They couldn’t wait to see the gingerbread house. You’d think the construction should have been scheduled to avoid the Holidays!!!
They do NOT need a bar on the first floor when they already have a bar on the second floor. This just screams an easy money-grab for yet more alcohol, and this will totally ruin the aesthetic of the GF lobby. Ridiculous. Can’t stand the decision-makers these days, and I’m a former CM and long-time AP. Don’t even get me started on removing Tom Sawyer Island.