A Trip to Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando!
Have you heard about the buzz around Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando? It’s the new hot spot for locals and visitors alike. If you like sweet treats, you’re going to love this place. With its themed monthly cookie specials and creative cold brew recipes, there is something here for everyone! A trip to Gideon’s Bakehouse has been on my must-do list since it opened. I follow their FaceBook page and anxiously await videos each month highlighting the new cookie and cold brew. On my last trip, I was lucky enough to visit the Disney Springs location so, read on to learn more about what makes Gideon’s Bakehouse so special.
A Sweet Experience at Gideon’s Bakehouse
Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando specializes in cookies that are both unique and delicious. Every month, they feature a special cookie based on a theme or holiday. They change up the recipes for their special cookies every month so if you love them, make sure you come back often to try the new ones! In addition, they also offer classic cookies like Original Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Crunch. They also have special cookies highlighted on certain days of the week and even an after-dark cookie.
If cookies aren’t your favorite, they also have giant cake slices, they rotate the flavors and even have a secret flavor that you have to follow their social media pages to learn about. No matter your taste preferences, there will be something here for you.
Their Cold Brew Specialties
In addition to its amazing cookies, Gideon’s Bakehouse also offers some of the best cold-brew coffee drinks in town. Like the cookies and cake, they offer a variety of flavors, the Peanut Butter cold brew being a favorite. They also offer special flavors that complement the cookie of the month and have seasonal flavors. I tried the Peanut Butter Cold Brew and I thought it was fantastic!
Gideon’s Bakehouse Visiting Tips
Gideon’s Bakehouse has two locations in Orlando – one downtown and one located in Disney Springs- so it doesn’t matter where you’re staying; there will be one nearby. The downtown location accepts pre-orders, while the Disney Springs location does not. There is a 6-cookie limit at both locations (unless you pre-order), but that’s almost 3 lbs of cookies so you should be ok. There is a one-per-customer limit on some special items.
Disney Springs Location Tips
The Disney Springs location is super busy and there are some things that you need to know before you go.
- Cookies sell out early and once they do, they are gone for the day.
- The Disney Springs location opens at 10:00 but the line starts forming at 9:00 when the parking garage opens.
- Once open and the line gets too long, they switch to a virtual queue.
- For the virtual queue, you will go up to the team member at the end of the line and they will put you on the virtual queue list. You have to speak to a person to get your name on the list.
- You will get a text message that says you are in line and it will have the estimated return time.
- You will get another text when you are ready to return to the line
- You have to check in again and you will get into the line outside the store
- Once you get in line, it’s only about a 15-minute wait- and it’s definitely worth it!
- International guests will get a return time if they are unable to receive text messages. So, they have everyone covered.
- Plan for wait times of around two hours. For busy days, think weekends and holidays, the virtual queue averages five hours.
- The earlier you arrive, the better. You will have a shorter wait time and you will have a better selection of items.
- Sometimes the wait list will hit capacity and you have missed your chance for deliciousness. If the virtual queue is being used, this usually happens between 6 and 8 pm. This is so they can handle everyone that is already in line before closing time. So get there early if you can.
Disney Springs Location
Gideon’s Bakehouse is located in the Landing section of Disney Springs. Make sure to check the map below to find out where to park and how to get to Gideon’s Bakehouse when you arrive.
Disney Springs Map & Directory | Disney Springs
Visiting & Hours | Disney Springs
Our Experience at Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs
We went to Orlando at the beginning of December and had a Disney Springs day on a Friday. The plan was to check in at Gideon’s when we arrived and do some shopping while we waited. We had a late lunch planned at the Boathouse. We were placed in the virtual queue when we checked in at 10:45. The expected wait time was 60 minutes. Our return text came in at 11:30 and I was so excited that it was finally time! The line moved very quickly once we got there.
We were given the daily menu so that we could decide which cookies we wanted while we waited. At the front of the line, the person there was super nice to us and even helped us decide which cake slice we were getting. Then it was our turn to go in. I watched many videos on Gideon’s Bakehouse and thought I knew what to expect. It was so much more fabulous than I thought! The old books, the dark and gloomy atmosphere, and the smell were a treat for the senses.
By the time I reached the front of the line, I knew what I was ordering so it made things go fast. The team at Gideon’s Bakehouse has everything down to a science. Everything had been packaged ahead of time so, it just had to be collected and placed in my bag when I ordered. This happens very quickly. They make the cold brew when you order so I waited a couple of minutes for that.
What did I order?
I ordered 3 cookies, a slice of cake, the peanut butter cold brew, and a candle.
The Coffee Cake Cookie
My first cookie was the Coffee Cake Cookie. The Coffee Cake cookie is an Exclusive Daily Limited Edition Disney Springs Flavor. It is a vanilla bean and cinnamon cookie topped with butter cookie crumbs. It is available every morning until it sells out and is a popular choice.
The Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookie
Next up was the banana bread chocolate chip. It’s a vanilla bean cookie with bananas, dark and semi-sweet chocolate, candied walnuts, and crushed banana chips. The recipe took them 20 years to perfect.
The Kris Kringle Cookie
My third cookie was the Kris Kringle cookie. It is a coconut, caramel, and vanilla cookie with freshly ground coffee beans added. This cookie is topped with sea salt and sugar!
All of the cookies I had had their signature sea salt sprinkled on top. I love salt and thought it helped break up some of the sweetness in the cookie.
Rainbow Crunch Cake Slice
My cake slice was the Rainbow Crunch Cake with a double layer of buttercream. It is a vanilla cake with thick layers of vanilla buttercream. The cake is loaded with sprinkles and has bright rainbow colors.
The Original Peanut Butter Cold Brew
This popular drink starts with smooth Oat Milk Cold Brew and is mixed with a unique dark roasted peanut blend from a Georgia Peanut Farm. It is sweetened with maple syrup and is Vegan & Gluten Free!
The cold brew was excellent and the cookies were too. I loved all of my cookies and picking a favorite was really hard. If I had to, it would be the banana bread chocolate chip. The sweetness of the bananas and chocolate with the crunchy walnuts and sea salt made for the perfect cookie bite. I preferred the cookies over the cake slice. The Rainbow Sprinkle was very yummy but a little too sweet for me.
The final item I purchased was the Kris Kringle candle. I adore it! It not only smells like the coffee-vanilla cookies but it reminds me of my fantastic trip! Just a tip, don’t put the candle in your carry-on, I almost lost it at airport security.
Overall, my trip to Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando was fantastic. It far exceeded all my expectations and it was definitely worth waiting in line for! I can’t wait to go again and try another cookie of the month.
Final Thoughts on Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando
If you’re visiting Orlando anytime soon, make sure Gideon’s Bakehouse is at the top of your list of must-visit spots! From their creative cookie specials that change monthly to their delicious cold brew drinks – there is something here for everyone no matter what type of sweet treat lover you are! Plus with two convenient locations – one downtown and one at Disney Springs- it’ll be easy for anyone visiting Orlando to get a taste of this unique bakery experience. So go ahead and indulge in some sugary goodness with a trip to Gideon’s Bakehouse in Orlando the next time your sweet tooth calls out for satisfaction!