Resort Holidays

Life-Size Chocolate Santa Display Expands to Include a 400 Pound Chocolate Nutcracker at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel – Photos, Video, Interview w/Chef Laurent Branlard

Denise

Hi everyone!

The lifesize Santa chocolate display is back again this year at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel, bigger and better than ever! A 400 pound chocolate nutcracker soldier was introduced, as well as a beautiful chocolate angel that sits on top of the chocolate tree. Did I mention chocolate? Everything here is made of chocolate, except for the base of Santa’s chair. We have a video interview with Executive Pastry Chef Laurent Branlard added to the article.

The Santa display is now in its 4th year. I remember finding it during its debut year while I was taking photos of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, and being excited that there was a new holiday presentation to enjoy! Since then, a chocolate train was added in the second year, and the nutcracker and angel this year. There are well over 1000 pounds of chocolate here! The book that will share details of the chocolate display wasn’t yet up – but I’ll add a photo of that soon. Santa Claus in his tropical finest will be meeting at the Dolphin Resort starting tomorrow (November 29), and we plan to stop by again. Santa and Mrs. Claus meet on select nights. That link will take you to information on holiday activities at the Swan and Dolphin, and for information on booking a great rate this season. We look forward to seeing the new light show on the causeway to the Dolphin tomorrow as well at “Santa’s Favorite Resort”!

Here is our video with Executive Pastry Chef Laurent Branlard about this amazing display!

The other chefs told Branlard that the nutcracker needed a name – and they came up with “Charlie”. Charlie is actually made of a number of pieces, and put together with a chocolate paste that Branlard likened to clay. It took over 2 weeks for him to create the nutcracker, which took “a little bit of thinking” because he had to figure out a way to make the chocolate concoction stand.

This Santa has been here for 4 years during the holiday season! The fireplace is also made of chocolate, and we were told it’s very solid.

Look at the details, including the hair! This is made of chocolate too.

This train is highly detailed. The chocolate pieces are re-used each year, though refreshed to make sure they look their best. Notice Santa’s belt in the background – it says “SC”, just as the train does.

The presents were created new this year, they are made of fondant. There were more than ever!

Chef Laurent Branlard talks to us about the display.

Nearby at the coffee shop, a gingerbread house is a fun touch. I expect there are many more to see throughout the resorts, as there have been in previous years.

Friday is the first day for Santa and Mrs. Claus!

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels always offer a lot of fun for guests during the holiday season! And the resort is right off of the Boardwalk – within a 15 minute walk of both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.