Disney Adults are OVER IT.
We see plenty of trends across Disney World that are overdone or overwhelming, but in Disney Springs, there’s one big fad that has been going on for a few years now. While we totally get it, we’re also a little bit tired of it…we’re putting our foot down on waiting in ridiculously long lines for dessert!
Ever since Gideon’s Bakehouse first opened in 2021, it has been extremely popular. No matter the day of the week or the time of the year, you’ll find a line out the door and down the sidewalk for this cookie shop, and we’ve waited in line time and time again to get some of their delicious baked goods.
On the most crowded days, Gideon’s Bakehouse even has to cut off the standby queue and add a virtual queue to accommodate crowds. With that virtual queue, we’ve literally waited hours in the past just to get into the shop. This was particularly common in the early days, but it still happens during busy holiday seasons.
And is the product worth it? Many Disney Adults (yours truly included!) would say so! Their cookies are massive and decadent, with some really inventive and intricate flavor combinations. Their cake slices are even larger with unique flavors and loads of frosting. They have fun coffee drinks and limited-time specials and secret menu items and collectible trading cards…what’s not to love?!
Don’t even get us started on the cool gothic theming. It’s honestly worth waiting in line just once to see the inside of the shop. The eerie artwork and funky bookshelves pair perfectly with the ominous music and “flaming” cash registers. It’s an experience in and of itself.
But after you’ve done it a few times, waiting in that super long queue outside gets old. It’s particularly frustrating on a hot day, since there’s no shade in sight outside the store. Often, after I’ve already had a meal in Disney Springs, all I want is just to grab a dessert quickly and eat it while I peruse my favorite shops. I don’t want to wait in a queue like I’m in the theme parks.
If you really want Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies and don’t want to struggle with the line, the good news is that they have a second location outside of Disney World! Their store at East End Market in Winter Park is also popular, but it’s not quite as busy as the Disney location. They have many of the same items, and sometimes they have menu offerings that Disney Springs doesn’t.
However, if your intention is to visit Disney Springs and enjoy a sweet treat, not specifically to get Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies, there are SO many delicious options that don’t often have a long line. Some of our favorites are The Cookie Bar at Summer House on the Lake, Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, and Salt & Straw (which has some of the wildest ice cream flavors you’ve ever seen). Each of these locations has desserts that are arguably just as good as those at Gideon’s.
We love love love some chunky cookies as much as the next person, but when you’ve only got limited time in Disney World, you’ve got to be smart about how you use it! So we’ll wait in that line every once in a blue moon, but otherwise, we’ll be okay with enjoying the full scope of Disney Springs desserts.
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I Go to This Disney Springs Restaurant When I Want to Splurge on Lunch!
Do you visit Disney Springs when you go to Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Not a big fan of cookies or pastries but I like to see a business thrive, but I’ve to Disney springs (AKA Downtown Disney) Many many times and I have not se this store… maybe because I do not crave for this I do not pay attention? who knows
If there is a bigger disappointment at a Disney property than Gideon’s Bakery, I haven’t found it and I’ve been to Disney hundreds of times. Not only were the cookies inedible, but I took most of them to work the next day hoping to get rid of the things I had waited in line for and paid top dollar. I didn’t get ONE taker for the cookies. I think Gideon’s lives off the “a sucker born every day” theory where tourists believe the blogger hyper and wait in line despite the quality of the product they receive. It’s “uncool” to say they aren’t good, so I’m doing everyone here a favor and saying the truth. BTW, Summerhouse is the opposite (i.e. actually good) but I don’t want a line there because it becomes as popular, so I’ll avoid hyping it here.