YES. The day we’ve all been waiting for has arrived at last!

We’ve spent the last several months watching and waiting for the opening of the first Disney World location of local Orlando favorite Gideon’s Bakehouse. And though the spot won’t “grand” open until 2021, Disney World’s newest cookie palace is now open for business! Cookies, here we come!

We popped into Disney Springs 30 minutes before the big opening this morning and there was already a line!

This spot is SO popular it doesn’t even need to be open to bring in the cookie-lovers. You might be wondering: How is a location that isn’t even open yet so popular? Well, Gideon’s Bakehouse is a BIG deal around here.

There’s long lines for Gideon’s Bakehouse this morning in Disney Springs! pic.twitter.com/kX8POgjbBB

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Orlando-based company opened a shop at Orlando’s East End market in 2016 with a limited budget and just one employee. In almost no time, the spot was being called “Best Cookies in Orlando, Florida, the United States, and the Planet Earth from publications ranging from New York Times to The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated, Delish.com, and countless more.” No wonder it took us a while to get in!

From there, the fandom surrounding these cookies only grew. Today, the East End Gideon’s location is famous for loooong lines and sold-out favorites. Gideon’s cookies and cakes take 24 hours to make, and they’re all hand-made in limited quantities — so when they’re gone, they’re gone.

For a while, we were able to snag a limited number of Chocolate Chip Gideon’s cookies at The Polite Pig, but it’s a pretty big deal that Gideon’s now has a storefront of their very own in Disney Springs. Owner Steve Lewis even explained to us that selling out of those delicious baked goods will be slightly less common at the new location saying, “Our location at Disney Springs has been designed to handle a higher volume, so our intention is not to sell out of our core products, the cookies that are available every day of the year.” But limited time flavors might still be endangered, so get to Gideon’s quickly if you’d like to try one of those.

Gideon’s Bakehouse opens today in Disney Springs and we are here for it! 🍪 pic.twitter.com/KlOZQfvD1t

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, you know that every location in Disney Springs has a backstory, and the Gideon’s building is themed after an old book shop! Apparently, Gideon’s has taken over a building that was once “Lindwurm Bookseller, Curious Books & Antiquities.” 

According to Gideon’s, demolition done during the construction of the shop uncovered a small gap in a brick wall that contained a vintage ledger and an old daguerreotype of the shop’s owner, Jonathan Lindwurm. Lindwurm was a “purveyor of rare books and antiquities” and sold such things in his shop. And you can bet the bakehouse now has some remnants of the oddities that Lindwurm curated!

Though many of the antiquities and remnants of the Victorian era are seen on the INSIDE of the shop, you might notice some remainder of the bookseller on the outside too. There’s even a gargoyle on the roof!

This theming definitely falls in line with the same dark magic vibe we’ve always seen from Gideon’s Bakehouse. The TRUE story is that Gideon’s Bakehouse was originally born when owner Steve Lewis purchased an antique cookbook with scrawlings in the margins from a little boy named Gideon. Gideon clearly wanted to be a baker, and Steve decided to fulfill that little boy’s dreams. Now, both the East End Gideon’s location and the Disney Springs one have a unique, haunted Victorian flair and hold strange works of art, aging books, and curious antiquities.

While we waited and checked out the awesome detailing on the outside, a sweet Gideon’s employee came out to hand out menus to everyone in line. Look at her ADORABLE Gideon’s Bakehouse face mask!

The menu has a Santa on one side (perfect for the season)…

…and the full list of offerings on the other. We’re totally eyeing that Peanut Butter Iced Coffee right now. This sip is one of the exclusive offerings at Disney Springs. We’ll also be checking out the hot cookie hour tonight.

Gideon’s is offering two seasonal cookies — Santa’s White Christmas and the Cookie Vom Krampus — and you can expect more seasonal and limited time offerings in the future! It’s kind of what Gideon’s does best.

Menu for Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! What should we get?! pic.twitter.com/0g89AwoGIU

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, the doors opened right at 10AM and folks were welcomed inside!

Ah! We can’t wait to get our cookie on.

We’re getting closer to being inside Gideon’s Bakehouse! 🍪 pic.twitter.com/3PZ8RI4N47

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Lewis even dropped by to welcome people and thank everyone for being so early. This is a big day for Steve who let us know some of the harder parts about opening a big store in a recent interview we did with him: “I spent over 15 years tinkering with this recipe. There is so much history and emotion in those cookies. Putting myself out there opens the door for criticism and, in all honesty, I take it very personally. I know I have to toughen up. We live in a love/hate world right now, but my team and I are doing our best to create something special, and we all hope that everyone enjoys and remembers their experience at Gideon’s.”

We were about 16th in line and it took us about 25 minutes to get to the door. But it’s worth the wait for this exciting occasion.

We’re getting closer to being inside Gideon’s Bakehouse! 🍪 pic.twitter.com/3PZ8RI4N47

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We noticed that after the first group of people headed in, the cookie spot instituted a virtual line so that guests can explore Disney Springs while they wait. It’s the same system used at their East End market location! 

And so we headed in to get our first look at the theming and atmosphere and to try some AMAZING cookies.

Here we go! Headed inside Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! pic.twitter.com/WywKSeVPkb

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This store brings the same unique, Victorian, black magic feel inside with antique elements that fit the story of Lindwurm and the branding from Gideon’s Bakehouse.

The inside is just as interesting as the outside. So many elements we didn’t know where to look!

The walls are completely lined with the books left over from Lindwurm’s days, and the different light fixtures give a mysterious tone. A red glow is cast over much of the restaurant, so it’s got a pretty unique and sorta spooky feel. (Peep those super wonky bookshelf tops! So great!)

The antiquities and oddities certainly set this location apart. The haunting portraits on the wall are done by long-time Gideon’s partner artist terribly odd.

Does anyone get the feeling that you shouldn’t stare at one of these drawings for too long?

Gideon’s Bakehouse definitely doesn’t look like any other spot in Disney Springs! The theming is so compelling that it’s almost a surprise when you reach the counter to find yourself buying cookies instead of some unique and captivating Victorian book.

We’re inside Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs! pic.twitter.com/iziUbNPHoO

— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) December 23, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also noted that you can snag some Gideon’s merch like this Gideon’s Bakehouse Pin for $8…

…and this Coffee Cake Cookie Candle for $24.95!  As a note, the grand opening next year will come when kinks are ironed out and even more merchandise is regularly available.

But enough about the space, let’s talk about the cookies! The Gideon’s mission statement notes “Our desserts are emotional, personal, and we want to share our journey with you. We stay true to the original process, cutting no corners, putting every handmade detail into the 20 hours required to prepare a single almost half pound Cookie or a tall slice of Cake.” And they really accomplish this. Steve puts his HEART AND SOUL into this company and these products. It’s so great to see a truly homegrown company represented in Disney World like this.

These treats taste as good as they look. All those awards we talked about earlier? Gideon’s Bakehouse earned each and every single one based on taste. Steve Lewis has even mentioned that there’s no one but him who knows the complete cookie recipe.

Today, we opted to try the Santa’s White Christmas Cookie, the Cookie Vom Krampus, the Peanut Butter Cold Brew, the Original Chocolate Chip Cookie, the Coffee Cake Cookie, and a slice of Red Velvet Cake.

Spoiler alert: They were delish and we’ve got a FULL REVIEW of our cookie-based breakfast coming at you soon.

Gideon’s Bakehouse is operating with the hours of 10AM to 11PM, seven days a week. Keep an eye out for more info about Gideon’s Bakehouse as it opens and for our upcoming review! In the meantime, you can find us stuffing our bellies full of cookies from the finally open Gideon’s Bakehouse!

Click here for more info about the menu!

Are you headed to Gideon’s Bakehouse soon? Tell us in the comments!