Hi there Andrea, thanks for stopping by planDisney!
It's so nice to start thinking ahead about being at Walt Disney World Resort in January while the summer sun is still beaming down, and as I
find ways to stay cool in this warm weather I'm reminded why I prefer being at the theme parks at the very start of the year just like you're planning on doing! There are actually
a number of gingerbread houses and displays that are carefully constructed in time for the holidays, so I'll provide you as much insight as I can from my personal experience and observations at the
Disney Resort Hotels in early January over the past few years:
- The gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is arguably the most popular one of all, and I remember passing by so often and catching a whiff of that sugary-spicy goodness every time I'd open a door to the lobby. It's supposed to be celebrating its 25th year of delighting guests after hundreds of hours spent baking and decorating this life-size confectionery construction and this past year it was open from November 8 through January 1. Sure enough, they had already begun dismantling it right as 2024 began so if there's even a chance that these schedules change, I recommend dropping by sooner than later before it eventually ends up being composted and left for the local bees!
- You may also have a chance at spotting the display over at Disney's Contemporary Resort during your stay; last year they constructed a gingerbread castle on the concourse designed by Walt Disney Imagineering! Though not quite as large as what you'd find just across the Seven Seas Lagoon, this was still around until January 6 this year - though there's currently no telling as to what will be created for this holiday season nor how long it will stay up for.
Your best bet at the current time is to keep a close eye on the
Disney Parks Blog, when Disney Eats shares exciting holiday-themed announcements in November; hopefully they'll also have dates available for you to plan around. During your stay, you might even be treated to what it's like to visit Magic Kingdom Park one day still sporting its seasonal look before returning days later to see it completely transformed! Whether or not you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the gingerbread displays - you just might be able to enjoy the holidays for just a little longer in that first week of 2025.
Here's to starting off another wonderful year at the Most Magical Place on Earth!
Prince