Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has permanently retired its life-size Gingerbread House, ending a 25-year holiday tradition that will not return for the 2026 season or any year after.
The Gingerbread House debuted in the Grand Lobby in 1999 and quickly became one of the most photographed free experiences in Walt Disney World, with thousands of guests stopping by each Christmas to see the structure and buy treats from the cast members stationed inside. It did not appear during the 2025 holiday season either, which we covered at the time as a casualty of lobby construction tied to The Perch, the resort’s new birdcage-style lobby bar. At the time, Disney framed it as temporary. It was not.
That makes the 25th anniversary display we covered in 2024 the final one. Disney has not given a specific reason for the retirement, but the timing lines up with The Perch now occupying much of the lobby footprint the gingerbread house used to fill.
In its place, Disney says the Grand Floridian culinary team will build new miniature holiday displays for the resort. No details on size or placement yet. Other resort gingerbread displays, including the Beach Club carousel, the Contemporary’s Cinderella Castle display, and the BoardWalk Inn house, are expected to continue as usual.
For more Walt Disney World resort holiday coverage, visit our Disney Resorts section. Join the Realm at fantasylandnews.com/the-realm for updates as Disney shares more on the other 2026 resort gingerbread displays.
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Permanently Retired After 25 Years
