Now that I live in the Orlando area, it is much easier to come at the spur of the moment to enjoy all that Disney has to offer. This year, I have enjoyed getting plenty of holiday treats at Walt Disney World, both for myself and my daughter. Since she eats gluten, her favorite discovery last year was the Moose Cookie over at Fort Wilderness Lodge. We have made multiple trips there to restock this month. Keep reading to discover my favorite.
Grand Floridian Resort Holiday Décor and Treats
The Grand Floridian Resort should be on everyone’s visit list in December. There are trees to see everywhere you turn, such as this adorable one upstairs.
Of course, you will either need dining reservations at the resort or hop on the monorail to visit. They will not let you come and park here without reservations. It is worth the trip to see the gorgeous gingerbread house each year. The photo below shows the image from upstairs.
We were also lucky enough on one of our visits to catch Cinderella’s Coach pulling away with a bride on her way to say, “I Do.”
The Grand Tree! Every year it takes my breath away. You could easily spend an hour here just looking at the tree and the gingerbread house.
The Grand Floridian Resort is one of the best places to find holiday treats at Walt Disney World.
Grand Floridian Resort Gingerbread House
If you are wondering what it takes to create the Grand Floridian’s gingerbread house, check out the ingredient list below.
Here is the view from one side of the house. How many hidden Mickey’s can you find?
A close-up shot of some of the amazing detail work.
I love the bench on the wraparound porch. Can you spot the snowmen?
The view from the front – absolutely stunning to behold.
Now, time to look at some of the amazing details of the house.
Next year, I will have to come and watch them build and assemble it.
Here is the view from the other side of the house. Look at all the windows and their details. That shingle roof looks good enough to eat.
Everyone’s favorite snowman is hanging around above one of the windows.
One of my all-time favorites, Bambi, is getting his first kiss above another window.
Of course, we have to have Mickey in a sleigh pulled by his loyal pal, Pluto.
Grand Floridian Resort Holiday Treats
Here are some of the items that are available behind the house for purchase. You can take home your very own gingerbread house to enjoy.
The gingerbread man gluten-friendly cookies are from Erin McKenna’s Bakery in Disney Springs. I find these cookies to be too hard and do not enjoy them. There are also GF thin mint cookies, which I have not tried.
Here is a view of the back of the house with the little shop of goodies.
A close-up of some of the yummy treats available to purchase.
Check out those marshmallow wands. The blue decorations will also make them a perfect Hanukkah treat.
The Peppermint Bark is a yummy, gluten-friendly treat.
A close-up view from the back of the house.
And, of course, the iridescent 50th logo.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Holiday Décor and Treats
This year, my favorite place for holiday treats at Walt Disney World is Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Of course, before you get to the treat table, you will find an amazing Gingerbread Carousel. Check out the ingredient list below. Have you been able to visit and find all 21 hidden gold Mickey’s?
Just look at the detail in this carousel! Of course, we have the 50th icon up above.
Let’s get in a bit closer to really see that detail. Do you see Ariel and King Triton? I am amazed at how beautiful this is.
Can you find Sebastian and Flounder in this photo?
I thought this naughty and nice list was adorable. So glad they included the wonderful Chefs, who should really be at the TOP of the nice list.
Beach Club Resort Holiday Treats
Here is where you will find my favorite holiday treats. First up, we have a plant-based and gluten-friendly brownie. The brownie has more of a cake-like texture that my daughter declared amazing. I love the frosting and the sugar sprinkles. We have purchased two so far, and I feel one more may be necessary this week.
The brownie uses Bob’s 1×1 gluten-free flour. Some people avoid Bob’s due to shared equipment. You can see all the ingredients in the brownie below.
Now for the best of the year – these adorable gluten-friendly Mickey’s. If they are out of them at the lobby table, go into the store and find them there. Make sure to ask someone behind the food counter if you cannot find them.
My favorite is this gluten-friendly gingerbread cookie covered in a sugar glaze. Yes, I know, it is not paleo, but it is so good.
For those who cannot eat dairy, please avoid this cookie as it uses Cup for Cup flour which contains milk powder. I hope they get enough feedback and switch to the dairy-free version of the flour for next year. They would also need to substitute something for the butter.
The gluten-friendly chocolate gingerbread cookie is also good, although I like the other better. It is just as cute.
There is one additional warning with this cookie – it is not soy-friendly due to the chocolate, as you will see below.
There you have it, our guide to some great decorations and yummy holiday treats at Walt Disney World.