Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion Holiday gingerbread house is a mad scientist’s masterwork
Every Halloween season, Disneyland Park transforms into a spooky wonderland, with the iconic Haunted Mansion receiving a particularly festive makeover inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” This year, The Haunted Mansion Holiday’s Grand Hall is playing host to a truly extraordinary gingerbread house, the latest in a series of annual creations that have captivated visitors since 2001.
This gingerbread house is the brainchild of Dr. Finkelstein, the resident mad scientist of Halloween Town. Recruited by Santa Jack (aka Jack Skellington) to help design this year’s centerpiece, Finkelstein has infused his creation with a unique blend of science and spooky charm.
Working alongside his trusty assistant, Igor, Finkelstein has brought to life a Gigantic Gingerbread Zombie named Lil’ Franky. However, the doctor’s experiments aren’t quite complete. As visitors to the Haunted Mansion can witness, Lil’ Franky is still undergoing testing, which unfortunately involves his head popping off and on. It’s a sight that’s both hilarious and a little bit horrifying, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Haunted Mansion Holiday.
This 5-foot tall and 6-foot wide gingerbread house, with its intricate details and whimsical design, is a must-see for any visitor to Disneyland during the Halloween season. It’s a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of Disney’s talented culinary team and a fitting tribute to the enduring popularity of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
The animation and lighting alone required over 150 hours of work. And that’s before we even factor in the time it took to bake the tasty treats that complete the masterpiece.
Here’s what was used to make the gingerbread house:
- 60 Pounds of Gingerbread
- 50 Pounds of Powdered Sugar
- 10 Pounds of Egg Whites
- 30 Pounds of Rolled Fondant
- 5 Pounds of Crystal Sugar
- 10 Pounds of Chocolate
- More than 240 Hours Spent Creating
- 2 Hidden Mickeys
