Tag Archives: Grand Floridian

Where to Find the Gingerbread Displays at Disney World in 2017

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

As the holiday season draws near, the Walt Disney World Resort pastry chefs are bustling with excitement as they prepare their magnificent gingerbread displays at Disney World! Each year, guests travel from around the world to see the beautifully-crafted gingerbread creations that adorn our parks and resorts. Today, you can get the inside scoop on what’s in store for this year!

Starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Tusker House Restaurant will have a 3-foot long African-inspired gingerbread marketplace on display from Dec. 10 to Jan. 2, created by Pastry Chef Amber Vega. Over at Epcot, Pastry Chefs Noah French, Jason Stricker, and Crystal Saunders will be putting together two gingerbread displays at The American Adventure featuring the United States Capitol Building as well as the Lincoln Memorial. These will be on display starting Nov. 19 and will contain over 50 pounds of gingerbread! On Black Friday, Nov. 24, Pastry Chefs Yoly Lazo and Joseph Lodato from Disney Springs will have a set of gingerbread icons that celebrate the story behind Town Center; look for a display in the window of Amorette’s Patisserie where you can enjoy a sweet treat in between shopping stops.

If you’re planning to go resort hopping to see the festive holiday decorations, the deluxe resorts will be featuring gingerbread displays that you won’t want to miss. On the 4th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you’ll find the beautiful Cinderella Castle, designed by Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes and his talented pastry team. This display recreates the castle in the style of legendary artist Mary Blair on a backdrop inspired by “it’s a small world.” With oversized gingerbread cookies depicting Cinderella and Prince Charming greeting guests from the castle forecourt, this 18-foot tall display is crafted from thousands of gingerbread blocks, rolled fondant, and a mouth-watering amount of modeling chocolate!

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

This year also marks the 18th anniversary of the Holiday Carousel – a life-size, edible spinning carousel that’s become a holiday tradition at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This year’s carousel is designed by Pastry Chefs Thomas Huebner, Jennifer Ladisky and Cindy Roman. The Lilo and Stitch-themed carousel will feature horses with hand-painted holiday characters and hand-crafted gingerbread snow flakes. See if you can spot all 18 hidden Mickeys on this display! There will also be a limited-edition pin featuring Lilo and Stitch available for purchase starting 11/17 at the Beach Club Marketplace. And right next door at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, you’ll also find the annual Holiday Miniature Train! These beautiful holiday displays will be in the lobbies of each resort starting Nov. 17.

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

And for the “Grand” finale, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is celebrating the 19th anniversary of its famous life-size gingerbread house, which will be located in the main lobby of the resort now through January 1, 2018. Each year, the Grand Floridian pastry team, led by Executive Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, spend over 400 hours baking the gingerbread and over 160 hours constructing and decorating the house, which also contains The Bake Shop. There you can find gingerbread ornaments, cookies, and gingerbread house kits, all made using a classic gingerbread recipe from Austria. On Nov. 18, there will be a pin trading event with a special limited-edition pin featuring the penguins from “Mary Poppins.” What’s more, decorating aficionados will be excited to attend gingerbread house decorating demos conducted daily in the lobby in front of the display starting Dec. 1.

Note: Parking at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels is for the exclusive use of guests with confirmed rooms, dining and recreation reservations. However, bus transportation is available from each of the four parks and Disney Springs. Guests may also park at the Ticket and Transportation Center and visit Epcot, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney’s Contemporary Resort via the Walt Disney World Resort Monorail.

(Thanks Disney Parks Blog)

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Call her at 734-771-1290 or email her at siera@destinationsinflorida.com for your free, no obligation quote. 

Photo Tour: Easter Egg Display at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort

egg 7

There is always something special to celebrate at Disney World! During many times of the year, there are special events or activities planned at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. If you are visiting during spring break, you may get to enjoy the Easter Egg Display at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

For the third year in a row, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is hosting a beautiful Easter egg display in their elegant lobby. This magnificent display is full of edible works of art, inspired by spring and some of Disney’s greatest films. You can  see the Easter egg display at Disney World through April 22, 2014.

This year’s Easter egg display at Disney World features 18 eggs. According to Chef Erich, it took 18 to 20 hours to create each egg on display. Master pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek, along with the pastry team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, hand-paint the huge eggs, which are each 16 to 20 inches tall! Each egg is tinted with cocoa butter and then portrays an amazing theme such as “Frozen,” “The Little Mermaid,” Cinderella,” “Pocahontas,” or “Lady and the Tramp.” Each egg is created with all edible ingredients including modeling chocolate, sculpted sugar, and royal icing.

egg 8

egg 6

egg 5

egg 3

egg 4

egg 2

egg 1

Which one of the eggs is your favorite?

Siera is a Disney travel specialist. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com for more information. 

Enjoy a Spa Treatment at Disney World During Your Next Vacation

Awaken the Senses

Just last year, the Walt Disney World Resort remodeled two of their full service spas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa as well as at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. These new Senses spas were designed to “renew, relax, and energize.”

At both Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, you can enjoy a variety of rejuvenating, relaxing, and energizing treatments such as a facial or a body wrap. Both locations are the perfect spot to enjoy a spa treatment at Disney World!

Here is more a little more information about the various offerings available at both spa locations:

Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

At Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you are invited to relax and renew. The newly re-imagined spa is owned and operated by Disney, which combined the Victoria elegance of the Grand Floridian with modern touches and of course a little Disney inspiration.

All of your senses will be engaged in the ultimate relaxation experience here. The spa offers “flavorful and soothing elixirs, color variations in lighting and Disney orchestral music harmonize with the treatment selected.” There are fifteen treatment rooms that offer pampering services such as water therapy, exfoliation, massages, facials, and more. There is even a signature 80-minute Grand Floridian treatment featuring a special aromatherapy massage.

The lounges, whirlpools and treatment rooms all offer relaxation and rejuvenation. You can even enjoy a heated lounge chair in between treatments for the ultimate relaxation. There spa also offers a separate room for spa manicures and pedicures, including a Just for Feet message. Even younger guests can get the VIP treatment as their toes soak in a playful Mad Hatter themed green pedi chair, designed just for them. Little ones are sure to love the Princess Pedicures or Magical Manicures, just for those ages 4-12.

Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort  

Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort provides “a therapeutic haven of pampering and wellness at Walt Disney World Resort.”

This two-story, full-service spa was inspired by the healing properties of natural springs and was designed for relaxation. With a trickling fountain, branch-like fixtures, and soft amber lighting setting, the spa offers a warm, organic feel.

Each treatment was designed to relax, renew or imagine, and provide a custom experience. The spa features 10 treatment rooms that offer an array of services such as water therapy, massage and facials. There is even an intimate couple’s room, perfect for honeymooners. The spa also features a whirlpool room, heated loungers, and a steam room for the ultimate in relaxation. A glass doorway then leads guests to three manicure and four pedicure stations.

Two of the signature treatments here include the Saratoga Springs Signature Bamboo-Fusion massage and the Saratoga Springs Signature Revitalizing Blueberry facial, both lasting 80 minutes.

Disney also has other facilities at the Walt Disney World Resort that can provide traditional salon services as well as limited massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, plus a fitness center. Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Olympiad Fitness Center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Study Branches Health Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge are open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with extended hours on weekends and holidays. Salon hours are generally 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at La Vida Health Club and Casa de Belleza Salon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Ship Shape massage Salon Fitness at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and Ivy Trellis at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Siera is a Disney travel specialist. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Request your free, no obligation quote on the right side of the page or email siera@destinationsinflorida.com for more information.