Credit: AK, UnsplashOne of the Walt Disney World Resort’s most treasured locations may be expanding.
A newly filed construction permit is stirring up excitement among Disney fans, and for good reason—because all signs point toward something big happening with one of Central Florida’s most irresistible dessert names.
The Notice of Commencement, submitted to Orange County and calling for a “New Tenant Build-Out” at 1600 E. Buena Vista Dr., Suite C-22, focuses on a quiet but strategically placed location in Disney Springs: the former Art of Shaving storefront, which is now permanently closed.
What makes this notable is its proximity. This spot sits just around the corner from Gideon’s Bakehouse, the gothic-inspired cookie emporium that has become famous not only for its nearly half-pound cookies but for routinely pulling in some of the longest queues at Walt Disney World.
While Walt Disney World is listed as the property owner, the client named on the permit is The First Raven LLC, the business entity tied directly to Gideon’s founder, Steve Lewis, WDWNT reports.
If Lewis’s company is attached, that almost always signals a development coming straight from the heart of the Gideon’s brand. And given how tight their creative control has always been, this strongly hints that Disney Springs may be preparing for a second Gideon’s Bakehouse—or perhaps an entirely new expansion concept that builds on the brand’s signature style.
To understand why this is such a big deal, you have to look at Gideon’s meteoric rise. What started in 2016 as a tiny 286-square-foot bakery inside East End Market—with one employee, an $800 budget, and a dream—transformed rapidly into a full-blown phenomenon.
Gideon’s built its reputation on painstakingly crafted cookies using a 24-hour process, indulgent cakes, and a gothic-meets-storybook atmosphere filled with old books, dark wood, flickering lights, and mysterious artwork.
Their branding doesn’t just lean into storytelling; it thrives on it. The bakery openly describes its treats as emotional experiences—memories, heartbreaks, and first kisses baked into half-pound creations. That dramatic philosophy resonated intensely with locals.
Then came the Disney Springs location in 2020, which catapulted the brand into a new level of visibility. Long lines, virtual queues, monthly limited-edition cookies, and the fan-favorite peanut butter cold brew helped cement Gideon’s as a must-do destination for locals and visiting Disney fans alike.
Its unique atmosphere—more reminiscent of a themed attraction than a bakery—fits naturally within Walt Disney World’s immersive landscape.
Now—thanks to this newly filed permit—the idea of expanding Gideon’s presence is becoming more than just fan wishful thinking. With The Art of Shaving spot sitting empty since early 2024 and no movement suggesting a relocation of the current bakery, a second location appears increasingly likely.
This could ease crowding, offer extended menus, introduce new storytelling elements, or push the brand deeper into themed-environment territory.
Disney hasn’t commented, and Gideon’s is staying silent for now. But with official documentation in motion, something unmistakably Gideon’s is brewing—and Disney Springs may soon be home to one of its most exciting sweet-shop expansions yet.
How do you feel about the possibility of a second Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs? Or, do you think it will be a new venture? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!