Denise's Corner

Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House to Open November 15th, 2017 as it Celebrates 19 Years – Photos

Denise

Hi everyone!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House opens for its 19th year on November 15th, 2017! In the ten years we have been posting about the iconic holiday display, I think this is the earliest it has opened. Just a few years ago in 2014, it opened on November 21st, so it was nearly a week later than this year. Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House hasn’t changed much through the years as other displays around property have, with new window designs each year and other small changes but not a lot else. Here are a handful of photos from yesterday along with information about the house this year. The pastry team always does a wonderful job!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House is made with 1050 pounds of honey, 140 pints of egg whites, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 700 pounds of chocolate, 800 pounds of flour, 35 pounds of spices, along with tons of creativity, Disney Magic and Pixie Dust! Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek uses an Austrian recipe which creates a firmer gingerbread – and there are always a myriad of treats to purchase from the house. I recommend the gingerbread shingle.

First opening in 1999, Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House will open on November 15th, 2017 and will close on January 1st, 2018.

This is our video from last year of the opening ceremony.

Chef Herbitschek will be signing a cookbook and the limited edition pin. The signings will be on Saturday, November 18th from 1pm – 2pm, on Saturday, November 25th from 1pm – 2pm, and Saturday, December 2nd from 1pm – 2pm.

The pin this year features the penguins from Mary Poppins along with the house.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House was established in 1999, I believe the sign was added last year.

Decorative presents had already been added to the chimney area. Most shingles had been added yesterday but some on the roof were not yet placed.

Once it is finished, “smoke” will waft from the chimney.

In the next day or two, there should be a final dusting where Herbitschek sifts powdered sugar onto the house, making it look like snow has fallen but also signaling the finishing touches on the house. We have somehow managed to catch it many times over the years, it’s fun to see.

Here is our video of the final dusting from 2013.

And one last look at Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House before it is decorated for 2017!

We will be sharing all of the holiday displays around Walt Disney World as they open, just as we have over the past decade, including Disney’s Beach Club Carousel and the new-for-2017 Cinderella Castle gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Keep watching Mousesteps for more from around Walt Disney World for the holidays!