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My obsession with finding the ultimate chocolate chip cookie is well-known, and if you love molten, gooey cookies with an overwhelming chocolate-to-dough ratio (hi, it’s me), you’ve got to plan a vacation to Orlando, Florida, just to visit Gideon’s Bakehouse. If you’re short on time, visit the East End Market location; it’s not nearly as crowded. However, if you want the full, theatrical experience, you need to head to the Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs.

The location is so popular it perpetually has a multi-hour wait to get in, but fret not—it’s a virtual queue, so you can explore all the shops in Disney Springs rather than stand in line all that time. Here’s what you should know before you go.

GIdeon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs, from the exterior
Photos: Candace Davison

1. Visit on a weekday, first thing in the morning, to minimize your wait.

There’s usually an employee outside, manning the virtual queue. You’ll provide your phone number, and they’ll tell you about how long the wait is. (I’ve seen it run anywhere from 3 hours to 9 hours. At the East End location, it’s usually 20 minutes or less.) From there, you can explore Disney Springs to your heart’s content—hit up Sugarboo & Co. for home decor; visit Anthropologie and Free People for boho chic clothes; sample honey and chocolates at Savannah Bee Co. and Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, respectively; find unexpected souvenirs at Tren-D and The Art of Disney—until you get a text that it’s your time.

When you get The Text, you’ll still have 15 minutes or so to wait in line before you get in, but oh, what a sight you’ll see.

Another glimpse of the interior of Gideon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs

2. Soak up the Edward Gorey-esque/Dark Academia aesthetic inside.

Gideon’s Disney Springs location is like stepping inside a cartoonish take on a gothic library—and I mean that in the best way. It’s enchanting, whimsical and just a little spooky, but not so much that it’ll scare kids. (Though many feel it has a Tim Burton-y look, owner Steve Lewis has cited author/illustrator Edward Gorey as a major influence.) Basically, it’s their Instagram brought to life.

Gideon's Bakehouse limited edition banana bread chocolate chip cookie
The famous Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookie that I dream about to this day

3. Try the Cookie of the Month—and the Cold Brew.

There’s a six-cookie limit per person in the store, but considering each cookie weighs half a pound, you’ll be OK with just half a dozen. Promise. Whatever you do, you should try the classic chocolate chip and whatever the cookie of the month is—especially if it’s the banana bread chocolate chip. I witnessed the longest wait times across both stores when that cookie was around, and for good reason: It’s PHENOMENAL. Like the very best banana bread you’ve ever tried, combined with the gooiest cookie and most decadent chocolate. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since I had it in January. Seriously.

Even though I’m a black Cold Brew person—and Gideon’s only offers pre-sweetened varieties, mixed to their preferences—their creative takes on cold brew are worth a shot. They were a bit cloying for my taste (again, black coffee person over here), particularly when combined with a cookie, but if you enjoy one at a time—I hear that’s physically possible—you’ll really enjoy them both.

Wait: How Much Do Gideon’s Cookies Cost? How Much Should I Budget?

Each cookie costs $6, and a cold brew will set you back $5 to $8, depending on size. Plan to spend at least $30, so you can try three to four cookies and a cold brew (and have plenty of treats leftover).

Gideon's characters are framed on the walls in Disney Springs

4. Order Gideon’s Bites for the true chocoholic.

Each one is a quarter of a regular cookie, dipped entirely in chocolate. They are more intense than truffles, more delightful than gobbling cookie dough straight outta the tube. They are not for the faint of heart, however. You’ve been warned.

What it's like inside Gideon's Bakehouse in Disney Springs: old books line the walls from floor to ceiling, there's a reddish tint to the lights, and desserts are displayed under glass like artifacts
What it’s like inside Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs: old books line the walls from floor to ceiling, there’s a reddish tint to the lights, and desserts are displayed under glass like artifacts.

5. There are no preorders at this store.

You may think you can skip the lines by ordering ahead; that feature is only available at the East End Market shop. But hey, you’ve got all of Disney Springs as your playground while you wait, remember?

If you visit, let us know what you think! Tweet us (@betweenweekends) or hit us up on Insta (@lifebetweenweekends).

Editor’s Note: This story originally ran in March 2022, but it has since been updated and fact-checked for accuracy.