Gideon’s Virtual Queue: Are Cookies Really Worth Waiting in Line?

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DISNEY SPRINGS GIDEON’S

When you visit Disney World, you expect to wait in line for rides.  In my wildest dreams, I never imagined people waiting 3 hours or more for cookies. 

We took a break from the theme parks and went to Disney Springs one day during our trip.  Disney Springs is Disney World’s “downtown area” where you can shop, eat and drink. 

While shopping, we saw a long line of people outside of a building with a winged gargoyle.  Despite the heat and humidity, these people were all giddy with excitement.  I had to find out what all the buzz was about.

I was told that Gideon’s Bakehouse has the best cookies in the world.  Ok, you got my attention.  But, cookies?  As much as I love cookies, is it worth waiting in line for hours?

GIDEON’S VIRTUAL QUEUE

I spoke to the Gideon’s hostess.  When the line starts to build, Gideon’s begins a virtual queue.  You give them your name and cell phone number.  

When you receive a text from them, you will then move up to the physical line.  Once in the physical line, your wait is typically 15 minutes.

I submitted our name at 2:00 in the afternoon.  There was already a 3 1/2 hour wait.  Now I was determined more than ever to try these cookies!

So, we explored Disney Springs.  We shopped. My mind slipped back to the cookies… We may have had a drink or two.  I kept thinking about those cookies…

Finally, the text came.  Now, I was giddy with excitement!  

I had no idea what was waiting for us on the other side…

Soon, I would enter a strange dimension.  The experience is unlike anything else I have ever seen.

I will tell you all about Gideon’s Bakehouse and answer the question – are cookies really worth waiting in line?

GIDEON’S HISTORY

The first Gideon’s Bakehouse opened in 2016 with an unbelievable budget of $800 and a single employee.  Due to growth, they opened another store in 2020.  The place is still run by a small team.  There are no partners or investors.

Since opening the second store in Disney Springs, Gideon’s has gained international attention.  It is so popular, it operates more like a Disney World ride than a bakery.  Hence, the virtual queue.

STORY BEHIND THE NAME

Bakery creator, Steve Lewis purchased an antique cookbook that was published in 1898.  The book contained faded notes and drawings from what appeared to be a young boy who hoped to one day become a baker.  The back of the book revealed the young boy’s name – Gideon.  

Steve named his bakery after the young boy.  This was his way of making Gideon’s dream come true.  

I actually love this story.  As if I need another reason to like Gideon’s Bakehouse… 

This story is further illustrated by the bakery’s decor.  The Gideon’s Bakehouse shelves are lined with tattered books, bizarre works of art and other strange, yet delightful oddities.

GIDEON’S DISNEY SPRINGS HOURS

Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is open 365 days a year.  

The hours are:

• Sun to Thurs: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Fri and Sat: 10:00 am to 11:30 pm

The virtual queue typically shuts down between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  This allows Gideon’s to serve everyone by closing time.  

Be sure to put your name on the list early!  By the way, this must be done in person.

GIDEON’S BAKEHOUSE EXPERIENCE

Going to Gideon’s is more than going to a bakery.  It is an experience.  When the door opens, you will enter a strange dimension.  With your first step on the other side, a strong scent of chocolate welcomes you.  Immediately, you are dazed, as if in a trance.

Then you start to notice the aforementioned decor.  The room is somewhat dark and moody.  Unique works of art peer into your soul.  It feels like you are in a gothic bookstore.  

For many, the scene is odd.  Some may even find it creepy.  Soak it in.  It is all part of the fun.

Then, you notice the tantalizing, half-pound cookies in the bakery case.  Is this real?  Surely, I must be dreaming…

BAKEHOUSE MENU

The menu is simple.  They carry decadent cookies, Texas-sized cake slices, and chocolate dipped cookie bites.  

For drinks, they offer cola products, delicious nitro cold brews, bottled water and milk.  For those that must drink milk with your cookies, they have you covered.

Note that most of the baked goods contain heavy concentrations of chocolate.  If you love chocolate, you will be in heaven.  If not, maybe this is a gateway to, well, you know where…

EVERYDAY COOKIES

Gideon’s carries the following cookies on their daily menu:

• Original chocolate chip
• Pistachio toffee chocolate chip
• Cookies & cream
• Peanut butter crunch
• Triple chocolate

GIDEON’S BAKEHOUSE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Gideon’s is synonymous with heavenly chocolate chip cookies.  There are so many chips, you only see tiny glimpses of dough.  Chocolate lovers rejoice.  You have found your home.

If that is not enough chocolate for you, they have a triple chocolate cookie with your name on it.  

They also carry a chocolate chip cookie with a twist.  This one includes pistachio nuts and toffee.  I admit I was skeptical.  Now, I am a believer.  

Pistachio nuts give this cookie a perfectly balanced blend of sweet and salty.  Yes, please!

GIDEON’S COOKIE OF THE MONTH

Each month, Gideon’s offers an exclusive cookie or two.  Patience is tested as fanatics wait for the first of each month just to see what the limited edition cookie will be.

For May, 2022, the limited edition cookie was peanut butter chocolate swirl.  June, 2022 brings you white chocolate caramel macadamia nut.

In the past, October and December have each provided two limited edition cookies with intriguing names.  For October, they have had the Frankenstein cookie and the bride of Frankenstein cookie.  For December, Gideon’s has sold the Kris Kringle cookie and the Krampus cookie.  I hope to sample these in the future.  If only I lived in Orlando…

I think you can see that Gideon’s offers some creative limited edition cookies.  This just adds to their mystique.

COFFEE CAKE COOKIE GIDEON’S

Gideon’s offers a morning exclusive coffee cake cookie.  These are available until they sell out.  

The hostess kindly advised me that they are often gone by noon or 1:00.  My first trip, I was clearly too late.  Alright, alright.  You got me.  Yes, I went back a second time.

The next time, I was there before noon.  Finally, I got my coffee cake cookie.  

Was it good?  It was divine!  The coffee cake cookie is like a snickerdoodle on steroids.  It has a wonderful cinnamon flavor with somewhat of a coffee cake texture.

Gideon’s also has an evening exclusive dark coffee cake cookie.  It is available at sunset until it sells out.  Looks like I need to go back…

WALNUT AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Gideon’s Wednesday exclusive cookie is a candied walnut chocolate chip.  Like a great video game, Gideon’s has tons of replay value.

GIDEON’S BITES

Gideon’s sells a six-pack of bite-sized cookies that are dipped in chocolate.  Each bag has a mix of daily flavors, along with one mystery limited edition bite.  

Note that bites are available while supplies last.

GIDEON’S CAKE

Gideon’s cake slices are enormous!  The cake is moist and slathered with scrumptious frosting. 

Gideon’s serves different cake slices daily.  They also offer a limited edition cake slice each month.

Gideon’s tends to carry some sort of chocolate cake daily.  They create peanut butter cup cakes, Andes mint cookies & cream cakes, red velvet cakes and more.  You never really know what you are going to get, but they all sound delicious.

GIDEON’S COLD BREW

In addition to a fondness for cookies, I am a coffee lover.  I will say that Gideon’s has the best coffee drinks I have ever had.  Their nitro cold brews are out of this world!  

I would honestly go there just for the nitro cold brew.  I am weak.  Of course, I would also get a cookie…

I have tried both the peanut butter and pumpkin chai nitro cold brews.  They are both delicious.  I cannot think of any coffee drinks that can beat either one of these.

Gideon’s also has classic, cookies & cream and salted caramel nitro cold brews on tap.

COLLECTIBLE TRADING CARDS

When you submit your name for the virtual queue, you will be offered a physical menu.  It is essentially a collectible trading card.  

Local fanatics look forward to the monthly menus to add to their collection.  Gideon’s even sells a trading card binder for their safekeeping. 

One side of the monthly menu showcases the bizarre artwork for which Gideon’s is known.  The other side is the actual menu.  This is where you will find the limited edition items.

BAKERY CANDLE

Beyond the handmade cookies and scratch made cake slices, Gideon’s offers merchandise.

Items include:

• Graphic tee shirts
• Pins
• Stickers
• Prints
• Candles
• Trading card binder

With a bakery candle, you can enjoy the scent of your favorite Gideon’s treat in the comfort of your home.  Memories…

HAND ON FIRE

When you are ready to purchase your cookies, you will reach through flickering, red flames to receive your delectable baked goods.  Although intimidating, these flames do not burn.  It is all part of the surreal experience.

ARE GIDEON’S COOKIES WORTH WAITING IN LINE?

Yes, Gideon’s monstrous, decadent cookies are absolutely worth waiting in line!  Especially, when there is a virtual queue.  You can enjoy the sights in Disney Springs until you receive the anxiously awaited text to join the physical line.

Gideon’s is a strange experience, but one that you will enjoy.  It is something that you must see for yourself.  After tasting your heavenly treats and nitro cold brew, you will be glad you waited.

WRAP UP: GIDEON’S THINGS TO KNOW

• Gideon’s opens at 10:00 am.  The line typically starts forming around 9:00 am.
• You must sign up for the virtual queue in person.
• The virtual queue is normally closed between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm so Gideon’s can serve all customers by closing time.
• There is a maximum of 6 cookies per person.
• Limited edition items sell out every day.  Arrive early.
• There are no preorders at this location.
• Whole cakes are not sold, only cake slices.
• They do not have a phone.  
• Gideon’s does not ship or deliver baked goods.

Looking for more information?

• Check out the Gideon’s Bakehouse official site.
• Consider purchasing the unofficial guide to Walt Disney World 2022.  It is the most comprehensive planning tool we have found.  The book is updated annually to provide you with current information.  Even though we have been there many times, we always use this guide when planning a trip to Disney World.  It provides you with many tips to save time and money.  The guide includes information on Disney Springs.

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