5 Must-Try Desserts at Disney Springs to Add to Your Foodie Bucket List
Today, I am sharing a guest post from Charlotte of This Girl Knows It. Find out her favorite places to get dessert at Disney Springs!
When it comes to things to do at Walt Disney World, trying the plethora of desserts is one of the top items on my list. From the classic Mickey Ice Cream Bars to the limited-edition desserts, there is always something new to try! Although the Parks are well known for their delicious treats, Disney Springs is no exception, offering everything from half-pound cookies to ice cream in a variety of unique flavors. This post highlights some of the must-try desserts at Disney Springs to add to your foodie bucket list during your next trip to Walt Disney World!
Chocolate Chip Cookie from Gideon’s Bakehouse
If you can only try one dessert at Disney Springs, I highly recommend Gideon’s Cookies be it! These award-winning cookies are nearly a half-pound each and their Disney Springs location always has a line out the door. I’ve personally been there with wait times ranging everywhere from 45 minutes to 5 hours just for these delicious cookies. Thankfully, there’s a virtual queue when the line gets long!
“So what makes these cookies so special?” a stranger asked me one day as I stepped out of Gideon’s Bakery, a bag of delicious cookies in hand. In reality, there’s no simple answer.
Gideon’s Bakehouse is a local small business founded in 2016 that grew to enormous popularity extremely quickly and has been featured in a variety of popular publications (ranging everywhere from New York Times to People Magazine). These handmade cookies weigh in at a half-pound each and come in a variety of delicious flavors, with seasonal flavors also being released.
For your first cookie, I highly recommend trying their Original Chocolate Chip or their Triple Chocolate Chip cookie (for extreme chocolate lovers). A variety of other flavors are available, including Cookies & Cream and Banana Bread Chocolate Chip, in addition to seasonal flavors. Some orders also receive their trading cards, which are collectible!
Insider Tip: Visit during 2-3 P.M. or 7-8 P.M. for Hot Cookie Hour, with an optional side of Homemade Ice Cream for an extra treat!
In addition to delicious cookies, Gideon’s Bakehouse also offers a small variety of other amazing treats, including cake slices and cold brew.
Bonus Tip: If your vacation also includes exploring Orlando, I highly recommend visiting the original Gideon’s Bakehouse location at East End Market! In fact, this is the only Gideon’s location where you can pre-order cookies. East End Market also offers a variety of local restaurants, making it worth a visit on your trip to Orlando!
Character Dome Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie
Amorette’s Patisserie can be easy to overlook at Disney Springs, especially since the bakery is overshadowed by its much bigger neighbor, World of Disney. (The largest Disney character store in the world!) However, this French-style bakery features a must-try dessert… Character Dome Cakes!
These dome cakes–which feature chiffon cake and mousse–are decorated like one of six original Disney characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Pluto! (Although, they have done limited-edition versions of characters such as Loki, Orange Bird, and “Baby Yoda” in the past.)
Bonus Tip: Character Dome Cakes are so popular that Amorette’s Patisserie offers a pre-opening cake decorating class specifically dedicated to these unique cakes, just one of the many fun things to do at Disney Springs!
Be sure to check out the full review of Amorette’s Patisserie!
Ice Cream from Salt & Straw
While Salt & Straw may be a West Coast favorite, their Disney Springs location is one of the only places on the East Coast to try out their delicious treats!
What makes Salt & Straw a must-try is their unique flavors. While delicious favorites like “Chocolate Gooey Brownie” and “Double Fold Vanilla” are classic flavors, you can also find more unique flavors, such as “The Salty Donut Guava + Cheese”, “Arbequina Olive Oil”, and “Honey Lavender”. Limited-edition flavors debut about once-a-month, so there’s always something new to try!
DOLE Whip from Swirls on the Water
Looking to enjoy a DOLE Whip outside of the parks? Swirls on the Water at Disney Springs (which replaced the AristoCrepes kiosk in 2022) is one of these locations… and just happens to be one of my favorites!
What makes Swirls on the Water stand out from other DOLE Whip locations around Walt Disney World is the variety of unique flavors they offer. While pineapple is always a classic, you can also find flavors like pink cotton candy, chocolate, lemon and lime here. Throughout the year, Swirls on the Water also has limited-time offerings, such as the Rapunzel Cone and Little Mermaid Float. For your first visit, I highly recommend a DOLE Whip Sampler to try three flavors!
Sundae from Marketplace Snacks
I am obsessed with how cute Marketplace Snacks makes their sundaes… after all, they’re designed after classic Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and more! Featuring a delicious waffle, soft serve ice cream, and a variety of toppings, these sundaes are a must-try on your Disney Springs dessert bucket list!
Bonus Tip: Marketplace Snacks often debuts limited-edition sundaes featuring other favorite characters, with past items including the Little Mermaid Waffle Sundae, Halloween Minnie Waffle Sundae, Olaf Waffle Sundae, and more!
Ganache Square from The Ganachery
The Ganachery is a must-visit spot for any chocolate lover. Inside, you can watch the chocolatiers create the delicious desserts from scratch before picking out items to try for yourself. From ganache squares in over a dozen flavors to artisan s’mores, this is the perfect place in Disney Springs to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Other Noteworthy Desserts at Disney Springs
There are so many delicious desserts at Disney Springs beyond these 5 must-try desserts. Here are some more desserts to try during your visit!
- Donut from Everglazed Donuts: For donut enthusiasts, be sure to stop by Everglazed Donuts for delicious donuts with elaborate toppings!
- Sundae from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop: For fans of Ghirardelli chocolate, a sundae from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop is a must-try!
- Gelato from Vivoli il Gelato: Vivoli il Gelato is one of the oldest gelaterias in Florence and now has two locations in Disney Springs! In addition to their many flavors of gelato, you can also find cannolis, tiraimisu, and other fun desserts here.
Bonus Tip: There are often limited-edition items debuting throughout the year (especially during the holidays) so be sure to check out what limited-edition items may be available during your visit! Some great resources to learn the season items available are Disney Parks Blog and Disney Springs’ Instagram.
Whether this is your first trip to Disney Springs or you’re a local, Disney Springs offers so much to eat, see, and do! Be sure to check out these additional posts to make your visit to Disney Springs a great one!
- 25 Fun Things to Do at Disney Springs
- 8 Best Photo Spots at Disney Springs
- 15 Things to Do on a Non-Park Day at Walt Disney World
- The Best Disney Springs Restaurants For Any Situation
- Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs Review
About the Guest Blogger
Hi, there! My name is Charlotte and I blog at This Girl Knows It about theme parks, Florida travel, theme park fashion, and more! You can usually find me on a theme park ride, enjoying a Dole Whip, or planning my next vintage outfit. Be sure to follow along on the blog and on my socials @thisgirlknowsit!