See the Gingerbread Come Down in Disney World

Everyone loves to see the gingerbread displays in Walt Disney World, but have you ever seen what they look like as they come down? Here is a neat behind-the-scenes peek along with the story of what happens to them! And, we have a little money-saving secret for you, too!

Disney’s Gingerbread Displays

If you have ever had a chance to see the gingerbread displays at Walt Disney World, then your eyes have truly enjoyed a treat. These life-sized displays look and smell delightfully festive.

If you want to learn more, HERE is everything you need to know about the displays around the Walt Disney World Resort during the 2023 holiday season. And HERE is a special look at the newest display.

I (Kate) was lucky enough to visit the Grand Floridian and see the glorious display this year. It is a life-sized house with a working gingerbread shop!

Pirate Tip: We visited the gingerbread house display shop at the Grand Floridian on the last day of operation for the year. During this time, they offered a BOGO discount on all of the treats! So, if you are planning to visit during the holiday season next year, and you want to see the displays, you might consider going on the last day of the shop’s operation to see if you can grab a similar discount.

There is no guarantee it will be offered. But, you might just luck out! This is typically in early January. Watch out for specific dates as we roll out our holiday information later in 2024.

The Gingerbread Comes Down

I was also around when the deconstruction of the gingerbread house began. This process took several days. It was interesting to see what happens!

Caution: Before you read on, you should know this post does have some photos that may take away a little bit of the gingerbread magic for you. Proceed if you wish!

First, the decorations were removed and the actual gingerbread was stripped away. This left just the wooden structures that are decorated each year.

The structure looked vastly different without the decorations. It was almost like a quiet cottage covered in snow.

The next evening, a crew came and took down the structures. They worked late at night, likely to minimize disruption to Guests visiting the lobby.

And then it vanished altogether. And, eventually, the Christmas decorations and the massive Christmas tree vanished, too. The lobby was left as it was before, elegant and full of grand piano music.

What happens to the Gingerbread?

When the beautiful displays come down, very little goes to waste. We found a little bee with a QR code that sent us to the whole story.

The edible portions such as the gingerbread are all composted. But, Disney has started another eco-friendly tradition. The sugar that remains on the structures makes great food for bees! The wooden structures are laid out so that the bees can collect the sugar. You can read more about this amazing process right HERE.

After the bees have had their fill, Cast Members pressure wash the structures. Then they store them until it is time to let the decorating begin again!

Have you ever had a chance to see the Gingerbread structures as they come down in Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments. And, feel free to pass the story along to your friends and family who love behind-the-scenes happenings at Walt Disney World.