Gingerbread House
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118459)
Gainesville, Florida
November 28, 2021 10:52am CST
The Grand Floridian Resort at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is one of my favorite resorts on the Disney property. The beauty and craftsmanship and attention to detail is just spectacular, and the grounds of the resort are absolutely lovely. Of course, just to clarify, I couldn't afford to stay at this resort due to its exorbitant cost, but it is fun to visit! lol
The family and I are spending a quick 4-day Thanksgiving trip to Disney, and we were excited to see that after a brief hiatus due to Covid, the life-size gingerbread house is back at the Grand Floridian (it's been a tradition there since 1999). We crave their homemade gingerbread all year long, but of course it's only available during the holidays.
Aside from the amazing gingerbread desserts they offer for sale out of the life-size gingerbread house, the big draw is the house itself. It is decorated completely with edible gingerbread, and is quite an exquisite piece of art and craftsmanship. There is a sign positioned near the gingerbread house that lists all the ingredients, and quite a bit goes into making it. I can't remember all the details (silly me, I should have taken a photo of the sign), but I do recall that it takes over 840 hours of labor to build the gingerbread house, and they use over 700 pounds (317 kg) of sugar to make all the gingerbread shingles and siding used on the gingerbread house.
Are you a fan of gingerbread? Yesterday, I purchased just over $75 worth of gingerbread desserts (sadly, most of it has been eaten already), more than I paid for our family dinner! haha
19 people like this
21 responses
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
Whoa, that is awesome! I'm a huge fan of Halloween and all things horror. Couple that with my love of gingerbread, and we've got a winner! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
@NJChicaa If I had more time, I would love to try and make something like that. I have the patience for it, just not the time.
2 people like this
@NJChicaa (116013)
• United States
28 Nov 21
@moffittjc I would never have the patience to make such a thing. I do love Bravetart's (Stella Parks) recipes though. She has taken like 2 years off from Serious Eats and I miss her stuff.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62161)
• United States
28 Nov 21
Oh, so you’re the gingerbread man?? 
I can take it or leave it. I like a well-prepared gingerbread cookie, but those are difficult to find in the cookie aisle of the store.
I can take it or leave it. I like a well-prepared gingerbread cookie, but those are difficult to find in the cookie aisle of the store.2 people like this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
I was the gingerbread man a few years ago, I bought about $150 worth of gingerbread from Disney to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family.
It is so hard to find good gingerbread, which is why I crave Disney's gingerbread. It is the most heavenly gingerbread I've ever had. You can buy gingerbread men, Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookies, and gingerbread "shingles" like the ones they have decorated all over the life-size gingerbread house.
I have not been able to find anywhere else that sells gingerbread that even comes close to the magical concoction that Disney creates.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62161)
• United States
28 Nov 21
@moffittjc — do they do mail order?????
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
@FourWalls That's a very good question. I'll have to swing back by there today before I leave and see if they do.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
28 Nov 21
Gingerbread isn't something I eat. The flavor is too sharp for me to enjoy.
You could take a paycheck or two and stock your freezer... That might last you a week or maybe, two. 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I tried that before. I don’t think I made it 2 weeks before I had eaten all the gingerbread.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
29 Nov 21
@moffittjc 
Did you make yourself sick doing that?
Did you make yourself sick doing that?1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 21
@DaddyEvil Not at all. But I do have a good bacon story that made me sick to my stomach at Disney.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I wish that at the end of the season they would let guests break off pieces of the house and eat it. They could have a big gingerbread eating party! Lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 21
@JudyEv Not sure I would want the doorknob. Too many hands have touched it over the many weeks the house was on display.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325834)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Nov 21
@moffittjc Wouldn't that be great? I might ask for the doorknob.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
I am definitely humbled that not only do I live close enough to spend lots of time at Disney, but that I also have the financial means. I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination, but I do make sure I budget enough money each year to spend time at Disney. Plus, the cost of the annual passes are getting so high now, I feel I have to go more than ever in order to ensure that I get my money's worth out of the passes.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Nov 21
@CarolDM I didn't see Eeyore, but I did catch a fleeting glimpse of Piglet!
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203452)
• Nashville, Tennessee
28 Nov 21
@moffittjc I would do the same if I lived closer. Enjoy every moment. Say hello to Eeyore if you see him. 
1 person likes this
@Chakimmm (999)
• Indonesia
29 Nov 21
looks fun when vacationing at Walt Disney World because there are various kinds of playgrounds, to be honest I've never been there and would love to go there but financial problems limit us.
Also about gingerbread it's hard to find in my place.
Also about gingerbread it's hard to find in my place.1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
Disney World is a very expensive place, even for Americans. I love visiting there, but it takes a lot of my money.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 21
@Chakimmm Would you ever be able to afford to go to Hong Kong Disney, Shanghai Disney, or Tokyo Disney? I think those would be much closer to where you live.
1 person likes this
@Chakimmm (999)
• Indonesia
29 Nov 21
@moffittjc Ohh it's worth it even there it's still expensive for americans, especially for asian people like me definitely never can afford to go there.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170018)
• United States
28 Nov 21
Yes, I like gingerbread, and interestingly was thinking of starting a discussion on gingerbread houses lol. Maybe I still will later on.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Nov 21
@snowy22315 Awesome. I feel so special now!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
Tag me in it if you end up writing a discussion about gingerbread houses!
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
30 Nov 21
Honestly here in my country gingerbread is not common but I saw it in other culture. The gingerbread house is beautiful. I see a gingerbread man
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40529)
• United States
28 Nov 21
That is amazing! I love gingerbread, too.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40529)
• United States
29 Nov 21
@moffittjc Cool idea! If you ever decide to make a gingerbread run to NC, let me know.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 21
@1creekgirl That I will do! It's been a while since I last visited NC, maybe a future trip is in order!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
During the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I will take special trips to Disney just to buy gingerbread!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
It’s a tiny house for sure, but a cute one. There’s just enough room inside for them to sell gingerbread and other sweets to the guests. Not even sure if there would be enough room for a bed! Lol
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
7 Dec 21
Cute. I love some gingerbread stuff. My great-aunt made some gingerbread cookies that were good. I will have to tell Chris about that resort since I do want to go back to Disney.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Dec 21
The Grand Floridian is a beautiful resort, so if you do go back, make sure to stop by there and walk around. Don't forget to also visit the Contemporary and the Polynesian Resorts. You can access all three by riding the monorail.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
9 Dec 21
I do like gingerbread, but have never attempted a gingerbread house. (If you haven't been on @BellleStar page lately you might want to stop by as her husband Al passed away last week.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Dec 21
Oh no, that is terrible news. I will go to her page immediately. My heart goes out to her.
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
29 Nov 21
That i am. Oh wow. Hope you didnt eat it all yourself
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I shared. A little bit anyway. Lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Dec 21
@Courtlynn Oh. Sorry. I'll have to remember to share some with you next time!
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
28 Nov 21
Wow
Awesome
Gingerbread, I quite like.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I like the soft kind of gingerbread more than the hard kind. Disney is one of the few places that sell the soft kind.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Nov 21
@JimBo452020 Well then, that gives me all the reason I need to visit Scotland!
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
29 Nov 21
@moffittjc
You seed see the Gingerbread cakes we can buy here
Awesome
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 Nov 21
I love the chewy kind to. Nice and soft. Most of the gingerbread I've found in the stores are the harder kind, which is one of the reasons I look forward to buying gingerbread at Disney during the holidays. Now if there was just a way I could get it to last all year long!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95248)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Nov 21
That is pretty. I dont usually eat gingerbread stuff
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I like gingerbread not only because it tastes good, but also because ginger helps ease stomach issues.
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43080)
• Staten Island, New York
28 Nov 21
I have never bought or eaten gingerbread but I love it. It's a beautiful and colorful creation.
I've had gingerbread cookies though.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I like gingerbread cookies, but they are usually a little on the hard/crunchier side. I prefer the softer/chewier type of gingerbread, which is what Disney sells out of their little gingerbread house.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156271)
• United States
29 Nov 21
What an amazing house! I am not a fan of gingerbread. So glad to see you here!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Nov 21
I only like soft gingerbread, like the kind Disney makes.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118459)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 Nov 21
I’ve had ginger candy before, it’s really good.
1 person likes this
