Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrGideon’s Bakehouse, located at Walt Disney World, has become a favorite spot for many since its opening in January 2021 at Disney Springs. Originally a small operation, it has grown into one of the most popular dining places at the park. The lines to get in are notoriously long, and the virtual queues fill up quickly.
People plan their visits around getting the latest cookie flavors, which are almost half a pound each. Gideon’s offers new flavors every month, keeping guests excited to return. The seasonal treats and special cakes have turned some visitors into collectors who closely track the release dates.
This Friday, Gideon’s is set to announce “big news,” and fans are buzzing with curiosity. They wonder if this will be the expansion they want, a way to reduce long wait times, or something unexpected. No matter the news, Gideon’s has created so much excitement that many will be checking their Instagram all morning.
The Clues Are Already There
If you’ve walked past the former Art of Shaving location at Disney Springs recently, you’ve probably noticed something different. Window graphics went up in December 2025, featuring distinctive red artwork with raven imagery and text that reads “Pardon Our Appearance. Something New Is Coming Soon.” The aesthetic is unmistakably connected to Gideon’s signature dark, gothic branding, but the raven motif is a new addition.
A Notice of Commencement filed last month confirmed what fans suspected. The document listed The First Raven LLC as the client for a “New Tenant Build-Out of Lease Space in Disney Springs.” Public records show that Steve Lewis, the founder of Gideon’s Bakehouse, leads this company. So yes, this is definitely a Gideon’s project. The question is what kind of project?
What Could This New Disney Springs Location Be?
There’s speculation that the new location of Gideon’s Bakehouse may not be a second location but instead offer a different experience. The artwork features birds, a crown, and a sword, which contrasts with Gideon’s usual branding and suggests a unique concept.
Some fans are hoping for a more traditional coffee shop concept that sells Gideon’s cookies alongside other baked goods and beverages. Others think it could be a grab-and-go location for people who don’t want to deal with the main bakery’s lines. There’s even speculation about a sit-down cafe experience, though space constraints at Disney Springs might make that challenging.
What we do know is that Gideon’s has been carefully building this mystery. The Instagram post that teased Friday’s announcement was intentionally vague, saying only “We’re dropping some big info this Friday, so meet me back here in a couple of days. I’m excited to tell you something.” That’s classic Gideon’s marketing. They understand their audience and know how to build hype.
Why Gideon’s Became Such a Disney Springs Phenomenon
To understand why people care this much about a bakery announcement, you need to understand Gideon’s origin story. The company started in late 2016 at Orlando’s East End Market with one employee and an $800 budget. Steve Lewis was making nearly half-pound cookies in small batches, and word spread quickly. Lines regularly exceeded an hour as guests waited for limited flavors.
When Gideon’s opened at Disney Springs in December 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, it immediately became a destination. The cookies weren’t just big. They were interesting. The flavor combinations were creative and constantly changing. The Cookie of the Month program provided a reason for people to return regularly. Seasonal offerings kept the menu fresh and exciting.
Popularity brought challenges for Gideon’s in The Landing area of Disney Springs, where managing crowds became difficult due to the store’s small size. They implemented a virtual queue system for busy days, allowing guests to join remotely. Despite this, the physical line inside can still be intimidating, though it usually lasts about 15 minutes once inside.
Still, some guests have described the entire Gideon’s experience as everything from “outrageous” to “batshit insane.” The demand simply exceeds what the current location can reasonably handle, especially during peak seasons and special releases.
The Disney Springs Expansion Makes Perfect Sense
From a business perspective, opening a second location at Disney Springs is a no-brainer. Gideon’s has proven they can sustain massive demand. They’ve built a loyal following that will seek them out regardless of wait times. And Disney Springs continues to attract millions of visitors annually, many of whom have Gideon’s on their must-do list.
The question is whether this second location will simply duplicate the existing experience or offer something new. If it’s just another bakery selling the same cookies, that helps with capacity but doesn’t necessarily solve the fundamental problem of limited inventory and high demand. However, if it’s a different concept, such as focusing on coffee and other baked goods with cookies as a secondary offering, that could draw some crowds away from the main location while expanding the brand.
What Fans Are Hoping For
Online speculation has been running wild. Cookie enthusiasts are debating what they want to see in this new space. Some are hoping for expanded seating so they can actually enjoy their cookies onsite instead of walking around Disney Springs with crumbs everywhere. Others want a broader menu with items beyond cookies, like pastries, cakes that aren’t just seasonal releases, or proper coffee drinks to pair with the sweets.
There’s also hope that a second location means more availability for those coveted monthly flavors. Right now, if you want a specific Cookie of the Month, you need to get there early or risk them selling out. Having two locations producing cookies could theoretically increase supply, though knowing Gideon’s commitment to small-batch production, that’s not guaranteed.
The Friday Reveal
Whatever Gideon’s announces this Friday, it’s going to generate massive interest. The bakery has successfully built itself into a Disney Springs institution in just a few years, which is no small feat considering the competition. They’ve done it by maintaining quality, creating scarcity through limited releases, and building a brand identity that resonates with guests looking for something unique.
Check back Friday to see what Gideon’s has planned. Based on the buildup, it’s going to be significant.