Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs recently opened with huge enthusiasm after its other location in Orlando had earned such a fantastic reputation for having the best cookies ever.
But as with most things at Disney World, it’s not as easy to do as it sounds.
Here’s what you need to know…
The location
The Gideon’s Bakehouse at Walt Disney World is located right in the middle of Disney Springs, near Morimoto Asia and Wine Bar George.
There’s a bridge that leads right over to this area from the bus stops and parking garages.
If you’re driving, the Lime Garage takes you right there.
How the virtual queue works
Because of its popularity, Gideon’s has had to put a virtual queue in place to keep from having hundreds or thousands of people in the standby line each day.
The line actually begins at Gideon’s as a standby line which starts forming when the parking garages open at 9 a.m.
They will operate with only a standby line for awhile until they need to start using a virtual queue – often around 11 a.m., though the time will vary.
At that time, guests will need to proceed to a spot right next to the bridge to join the virtual queue. This involves giving the employee your name and phone number so they can text you when it’s your time.
There isn’t an app or way to do this online – you have to do it in person.
You’ll be given a time estimate for when they believe you’ll be called, and then when it’s time, they’ll text you again to come back to make your purchases.
You do not have to be in Disney Springs for this entire wait time. You can do whatever you want.
When you return, you’ll get into the line to enter the store. There may be a short wait (10-15 minutes) for this line as well.
It is important to note that in order to close on time each night, they have to cut off the virtual queue around 7 p.m. each evening to accommodate everyone.
The menu
Gideon’s sells cookies, cookie bites, cakes, cake slices, and some drinks.
Their original chocolate chip is hugely popular as is the coffee cake cookie which is “an extra buttery vanilla bean cookie filled with cinnamon strudel and topped with our homemade double baked butter crumbs” and available only at the Disney Springs location.
Check out their bakery menu online for all of your options.
Perks of the other Gideon’s location
Gideon’s earned its reputation with their first location which is located in Orlando, about 25 miles from the Disney Springs location.
They call this one their East End Market location, and it offers a couple of perks over the Disney Springs bakery.
Shorter wait times
Even if you factor in the time it would take to drive there and back, the time to wait at the East End Market location is likely to be much shorter than the Disney Springs location which commonly has 3-5 hour virtual queue wait times.
Pre-ordering is allowed
Though the Disney Springs location only sells through walk-up orders, the East End Market location allows pre-orders.
The best things about pre-ordering? Getting to skip the line AND there’s no 6 cookie per person limit like there is in person.
They do have minimums for pre-ordering though the quantities are easy for most – 6 cookies, 12 cookie bites, or a cake.
For pre-ordering cookies only, you can do that 1 day in advance on their next day preorder form.
For pre-ordering of other items on their menu, you’ll need to order 3 days ahead on their local preorders form.
So is it worth it?
All of these words and so much work… for a cookie? It’s easy to be skeptical when things have so much hoopla around them, but let’s just say that they earned this reputation and those long lines for a reason.
They are delicious. Like addictingly amazingly delicious.
However, we don’t think any cookie is worth spending a whole day of your trip to get it. If you can easily fit it into your trip plans be sure to grab some, but don’t go out of your way.
If you have a car and want to drive out to the East End Market location, that’s likely to be fairly easy. Just be sure to pre-order to save yourself some time.
Best time to visit
At the Disney Springs location, weekdays during the day will be your best bet for shortest waits.
As soon as you arrive in Disney Springs, get into the standby line (if you’re there in the morning) or virtual queue, and then you can enjoy your time in Disney Springs while waiting for your turn to be up.