Why Gideon’s Bakehouse is Disney Springs’ sweetest gem
Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs is more than a bakery — it’s an experience. Learn about the lore, cookies, cakes, and the best times to visit for Hot Cookie Hour.
At Disney Springs in Walt Disney World, Gideon’s Bakehouse has quickly become a must-visit destination for dessert lovers. Known for its massive, half-pound cookies and indulgent cakes, this gothic-inspired bakery has cultivated a dedicated fan base that eagerly waits in long lines for a taste of its unique treats. With its rich backstory, intricate theming, and exceptional quality, Gideon’s Bakehouse has carved out a special place in the culinary community of Disney Springs. It opened in late 2020.
The basic story behind Gideon’s Bakehouse
Steve Lewis founded Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando, Fla., at a location not on Disney property. What began as a passion project quickly evolved into a sensation as word spread about his delicious cookies. After gaining a strong local following, Gideon’s Bakehouse expanded into Disney Springs, elevating the brand to new heights.
Atmosphere and design
Stepping into Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs feels like entering a secret, otherworldly library filled with enchanting curiosities. The dim lighting, antique-looking bookshelves, and eerie paintings create a gothic, almost haunted ambiance. Every detail is crafted to transport guests into a different realm, making it more than just a bakery.
The theming extends beyond the décor. For example, the packaging and branding carry an air of mystery and vintage charm. From the whimsical yet eerie character designs to the lore surrounding the bakery, everything about Gideon’s feels like a carefully curated narrative, adding to the excitement of every visit.
What makes the experience even more delightful is the vibe. Gideon’s Bakehouse leans into a dark, whimsical aesthetic. Some guests describe it as “Tim Burton meets vintage apothecary.” While you wait, you’re surrounded by dim lighting, moody décor, and the lore of the Gideon characters (each cookie flavor has its own backstory and mascot). It feels like you’re stepping into a storybook written in chocolate and sugar.
The Gideon’s Bakehouse experience: Long lines and virtual queues?
Due to its overwhelming popularity, Gideon’s Bakehouse often has long lines. Though these have been exaggerated via social media, guests will wait to purchase cookies and even to enter the bakery itself. Based on the Disney Springs location’s limited space, only a small number of guests can be inside at once.
Gideon’s Bakehouse opens at 10 a.m., but the queue starts forming at 9 a.m. as guests start to arrive at Disney Springs. The queue grows quickly during busy seasons in the theme park calendar and on weekends. We recommend visiting on a weekday morning, when the queue grows much slower (as was our experience when we visited to review the brand-new Carrot Cake Cookie, pictured below).
On rare occasions, the bakery utilizes a virtual queue system to manage the crowds. This allows guests to check in and return later without physically standing in line the entire time, ensuring a more enjoyable experience while exploring Disney Springs. It also keeps the queue from blocking traffic to the nearby Morimoto Asia restaurant. If Gideon’s Bakehouse utilizes a virtual queue, a sign will indicate this near the normal queue entrance.
Some guests cannot imagine why people would wait in a 30-minute queue for a cookie. However, the Gideon’s Bakehouse experience concerns more than just the cookies. An entire fan community loves to gather, bond, and enjoy the treats from Gideon’s Bakehouse.
The famous half-pound cookies at Gideon’s Bakehouse
The star attractions at Gideon’s Bakehouse are the cookies. These are not your average chocolate chip cookies. Each one functions as a half-pound masterpiece, packed with flavor and texture that keeps fans returning for more. These cookies are known for their dense, almost cake-like texture, with a soft, gooey center that makes them irresistible. In addition, as Steve Lewis points out, these cookies are rich and not sugary or sweet.
Some of the standout cookies on the Gideon’s Bakehouse menu at Disney Springs include:
- Original Chocolate Chip – The classic that started it all, loaded with chocolate chips and sprinkled with sea salt for the perfect sweet-and-salty balance.
- Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie – This cookie actually consists of five different kinds of chocolate, such as fancy Callebaut and Ghirardelli chocolates. To make it extra velvety, chocolate ganache is poured straight into the cookie dough during mixing.
- Cookies & Cream Cookie – This starts with an ultra-soft vanilla bean cookie filled with chunks of hand-cut Double Stuff and topped with crushed cookies.
- Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie – This cookie mixes chocolate chips with crunchy toffee pieces and is topped with lightly salted pistachios for a sweet and salty combination.
- Coffee Cake Cookies – Each day starts with Gideon’s Bakehouse selling the Morning Coffee Cake Cookie until they run out each day. At sunset, a dark chocolate version appears for guests to enjoy until it runs out for the day.
- Peanut Butter Crunch Cookie – A peanut butter lover’s dream, featuring a rich dough infused with peanut butter and coated with crunchy peanuts.
- Pistachio Toffee Chocolate Chip – This unique and sophisticated flavor combines salty pistachios, sweet toffee, and decadent chocolate.
- Limited-Edition Flavors – Gideon’s surprises guests monthly with a new limited-time cookie, often themed around holidays or special occasions. We recently reviewed the brand-new Carrot Cake Cookie.
Hot Cookie Hour(s) at Gideon’s Bakehouse: A sweet ritual worth the hype
This bakery functions as more than just a place to grab a sweet treat. It is an experience. Hot Cookie Hour enhances that experience. Every day, like clockwork, Gideon’s Bakehouse hosts a fleeting moment of dessert happiness known as Hot Cookie Hour.
During Hot Cookie Hour(s), freshly baked cookies that are still warm, gooey, and rich get a classic upgrade: the cookies receive a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the warm cookies. At Disney Springs, this sacred hour occurs twice daily: once in the afternoon and again in the evening (2-3 p.m. and 7-8 p.m.). These hours involve cheering by Gideon’s Bakehouse staff. This celebration provides a chance to taste Gideon’s cookies in their most magical state.
The appeal of Hot Cookie Hour is in the texture and temperature. A regular Gideon’s cookie is already a decadent experience: thick, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips or other mix-ins. But when served hot with a scoop of ice cream, the cookie turns into something otherworldly. The chips are molten. The interior is soft and gooey, almost like cookie dough. Every bite feels indulgent, warm, rich, and incredibly satisfying. This combination of goodness costs guests $10.
Hot Cookie Hour also inspires a sense of community at Gideon’s Bakehouse. People plan their visits around it. Locals know to queue early, and tourists often stumble upon it and become instant converts.
If you’re visiting Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs, planning your stop during Hot Cookie Hour is a pro move. Whether you’re a cookie connoisseur or just a hungry theme park traveler, that first bite of a warm Gideon’s cookie will make you a believer. Because in the world of cookies, Hot Cookie Hour isn’t just a treat — it’s a ritual.
Cakes, coffee, and other treats at Gideon’s Bakehouse
While cookies steal the show, Gideon’s Bakehouse also offers an impressive selection of cakes, each one just as indulgent and carefully crafted as their cookie counterparts. From towering slices of red velvet to decadent chocolate cakes, these desserts are a must-try for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. For about the same size cake slices at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers at Disney’s BoardWalk, these cost only $9, (compared to $20+).
Additionally, Gideon’s features unique cold brew coffee options, collectibles, and merchandise.
Gideon’s Bakehouse is open at Disney Springs from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. on most days. Guests can also visit the East End location on the other side of Orlando to pick up their favorite bakery treats. We hope all your treats bring you sweetness.
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