If you’ve ever wandered through Disney Springs and caught the enticing smell of fresh-baked cookies wafting out of Gideon’s Bakehouse, you know exactly why these cookies have developed such a huge following.
Key Lime Chocolate Chip Cookie
Massive, chocolate-packed, and very indulgent — Gideon’s cookies are one of the most sought-after treats in Disney World. So much so that the line is still very long years after opening. But once you’ve secured a box, there’s one big question left: how do you get those precious cookies home without ruining them, and can you bring them through airport security?
Before you get worried about bringing home these treats, you can take a breath. The good news is that, yes, you can bring Gideon’s cookies through TSA when flying home. According to the Transportation Security Administration, food items are generally allowed in carry-on bags. However, travelers should keep in mind that food can sometimes slow down the screening process.
MCO TSA Precheck
TSA notes that “TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Travelers are encouraged to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.” In other words, if you’re traveling with a stack of giant cookies, it may help to keep them easy to access in case security asks you to move them into a separate bin.
Zootopia 2 TSA security bins
Another important thing to remember is freshness. The cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse are fresh for up to three days from purchase, as long as they are kept in an air-tight package. Because of that, I always pack a jumbo-sized Ziploc bag in my suitcase specifically for cookie transport. The large bag keeps the cookies sealed and helps protect them during the journey home — whether they’re packed in your carry-on or tucked carefully into your checked luggage.
MCO Airport
Timing your cookie run can make a big difference, too. Since the cookies are only good at room temperature for up to three days, I usually like to head over to Disney Springs the day before flying home to grab my stash. That way, they’re as fresh as possible for the trip. Once I get home, I pack them in my Ziploc bag and pop them straight into the freezer. Stored properly, Gideon’s cookies can last for a few months in the freezer, which means you can keep that Disney magic going long after your vacation ends.
Lemon Poppy Crumb Cookie
When packing cookies in your suitcase, a little strategy goes a long way. Place the cookies flat inside your airtight bag and try to surround them with soft items like clothing to cushion them during travel. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of the cookies, since their thick but delicate texture can still crumble under pressure. If you’re especially protective of your stash, placing the bag inside a small food container or reusable plastic box can add an extra layer of protection.
Banana Box Pie Cookie
Bringing Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies home from Disney World is totally doable with a little planning, and trust us, it’s worth the effort. For more Disney food tips, travel hacks, and park updates, be sure to keep following Disney Food Blog.
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No need to worry indeed, I bring tons of food home from the parks every time I go. TSA is not my problem it’s customs and I declare EVERYTHING!!!
As well, since I don’t like the food once you go through TSA I bring Panda Express through security and apart from them saying they want to inspect it because they are hungry LOL , it doesn’t slow them down one bit. The amount of people who stop me to find out where I got it is insane once I cross over 😆
I do the same thing at Typhoon Lagoon and the i get questioned a lot there as well 🤷♀️
Bringing Gideon’s cookies home with me after every Disney trip is a must do for me. I always go there the day before we leave, and buy the maximum amount, plus sometimes a cake slice for my wife. I leave them in their boxes, put them in 1 large tote, padded with some clothes and a few small essential items, and carry them on. I have not had an issue so far with airport security, and they never leave my possession. I’ll check any other luggage, but not the cookies! My wife and I are lucky because we have a 2 hour non-stop flight home. When I get home, I leave them in their original wrapper, but I also wrap them in plastic wrap before putting each cookie in its own individually labelled resealable bag in the freezer. I have enjoyed them a month or more later.