We have written about Gideon's Bakehouse more times than we can count. The cookies, the lines, the monthly releases that send this community into a frenzy every single time. It is one of those Disney Springs spots that has become genuinely woven into the fabric of what a Walt Disney World visit feels like for so many of us, and not just because of what comes out of the oven. The art. The packaging. The monthly cookie designs that people collect, trade, and frame. That entire visual world is a huge part of why Gideon's feels like something you cannot get anywhere else. This week, we learned that the person behind of all is stepping away, and we wanted to make sure this community knew.
The Artist Behind the Gideon's Art
Michael Reyes, known in the creative world as Mr. Eyes, shared a personal letter on Instagram this week announcing his departure from Gideon's Bakehouse after more than ten years with the brand. His involvement with Gideon's goes back to the very beginning, when the team was just two people, and the work started with concept calls and early logo designs. Over time, his role grew into something much larger, eventually encompassing the visual identity of a location at Walt Disney World, something he described as a dream he never could have anticipated.
The letter was honest and clearly came from a place of genuine emotion. Reyes described walking away as leaving a part of himself behind after pouring everything he had into the brand for over a decade. He thanked Gideon's founder Steve Lewis directly, and he closed by telling fans to watch for new work and the possibility of a surprise or two as he figures out what comes next.
His personal creative brand, Terribly Odd, which he built and ran for over twenty years alongside his Gideon's work, has also officially closed. The closure was first announced back in March, with Reyes citing rising costs and limited time as the reasons he could no longer keep it going. The Terribly Odd identity is being absorbed into his Mr. Eyes brand going forward. Fans who want to stay connected to his work can follow the Mr. Eyes Art account on Instagram, and existing work is still available through Spooky Cat Press.
Gideon's Bakehouse has not released any statement about the departure.
What We Are All Wondering
This is the part that is hard to sit with. The artwork that Reyes created for Gideon's was never just decoration. It was the soul of the brand's visual identity. The monthly cookie designs that this community collects and celebrates, the menus that give the shop its moody and distinctive atmosphere, all of it was shaped by his specific creative voice. What Gideon's looks like under new creative direction is something none of us know yet.
There is also quiet speculation in the fan community about whether changes behind the scenes might eventually ripple out into other parts of the Gideon's experience at Disney Springs. Some people have wondered whether things like the monthly release structure or even wait times might shift as the brand navigates this transition. None of that has been confirmed and Gideon's has not suggested anything of the sort. But when a brand's entire visual identity changes hands, it is natural for this community to wonder what else might quietly evolve alongside it.
For now the shop is still there. The cookies are still incredible. The lines are still long. But something irreplaceable just walked out the door and we think this community deserves to sit with that for a minute before the next monthly release drops and life moves on.
If you want to follow Michael Reyes and see what he creates next, head to the Mr. Eyes Art account on Instagram. We will be watching closely and we hope you will too.
