Fabulous Holiday Decorations Deck the Halls at the Walt Disney World Resort

The holiday season at the Walt Disney World Resort might be the most magical time of the year. While the resort hotels are always lovely, when the holiday decorations are up, it takes the wonder and magic of Disney to a whole new level. You can't help but oooh and ahh when you see all the decorations.

What is your favorite holiday decor at the Disney World hotels?

Some of the most iconic Disney World holiday decorations are the popular gingerbread displays. Disney's Beach Club Resort has featured an edible, spinning gingerbread carousel for the last 17 years! The carousel features chocolate and fondant ponies, candy cane poles, hand-painted chocolate Disney characters, and of course gingerbread.

This year's carousel was put together with 2,016 pieces of gingerbread! The carousel is made with 36 pounds of honey, 96 pounds of bread flour, 100 pints of eggs, 10 pounds of spices, 10 quarts of simple syrup, 150 pounds of icing, 50 pounds of dark chocolate, 50 pounds of modeling chocolate, and 200 pounds of gumpaste flowers!

Gingerbread carousel at Disney's Beach Club Resort

Next door at Disney's Yacht Club Resort you can check out a smaller but very detailed train display that features all of the restaurants at the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The train display features candy mountains, candy villages, and more.

Disney's Contemporary Resort is home to another popular gingerbread display that for the past few years has featured a Frozen-themed creation with characters inspired by Mary Blair. The Frozen gingerbread castle is located on the fourth floor concourse and it features gingerbread shingles, chocolate-covered trees, and the Frozen characters.

The Frozen-themed display at the Contemporary Resort

The gingerbread display also features a "sand castle" for that summer-lovin' snowman Olaf, and guests can purchase a variety of gingerbread and holiday sweets at the shop including gingerbread shingles, peppermint popcorn, frozen s'mores, and much more.

Ingredients for Contemporary's gingerbread display

A short Monorail ride away you'll find the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. As gorgeous as the Grand Floridian lobby is during the rest of the year, at the holidays it is a wonder to see.

The life-size gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian has been a holiday show stopper for 18 years. The house is 16 feet tall and features 40 window panels. The house is made with 1,050 pounds of honey, 140 pints of egg whites, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 700 pounds of chocolate, 800 pounds of flour, and 35 pounds of spices!

Gingerbread house at Disney's Grand Floridian

After checking out the house be sure to check out the storefront that is inside the house where you can buy gingerbread cookies and other holiday treats.

In addition to the stunning gingerbread displays, all of the Disney resort hotels decorate the lobbies with Christmas trees, garland, and other festive decor. Some of the most stunning trees can be found at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and the Grand Floridian.

One of the trees at the Grand Floridian

The massive Christmas tree in the lobby at Disney's Wilderness Lodge is truly a sight to behold. We all know the lobby is breathtaking on a normal day but when you add in the tree and the garland, it takes it to a whole new level. Check out this time-lapse video from a couple years ago! The tree features native American-inspired ornaments, including lighted tee-pees.

Christmas tree in lobby at Wilderness Lodge

Another favorite Christmas tree is the one you'll find in the lobby at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The four-story tree features themed ornaments and decorations including safari-themed bows, animal print ornaments, and more. The upper floors of the lobby are decorated with sweeping garland, and smaller trees can be found throughout the lobby.

Christmas tree at Animal Kingdom Lodge

Each of the resorts feature Christmas trees and decor that fit the hotel's theme. At Pop Century you'll find a retro tree with 8-track tapes and Rubik's Cubes, the Yacht Club tree features a nautical theme, and at Port Orleans Riverside you'll see steamer trunks surrounding the tree as guests wait to book passage on the Sassagoula River.

The main feature tree in the lobby at the Grand Floridian is decorated with pink and purple flowers, Victorian-style bird cages, and additional old fashioned ornaments.

Christmas tree in lobby at Grand Floridian

If you're visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season take some time to visit the resort hotels and see their holiday decorations. It's a fun escape from the madness of the theme parks. Our favorite is a tour of the Monorail hotels with a quick stop at the Wilderness Lodge!

What is your favorite holiday decoration at Disney World? Let us know in the comments.

Many thanks to the Disney Food Blog for use of their photos.