The Writer’s Stop was a charming little coffee shop and bookstore tucked into a quiet corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Originally themed as Buy the Book, a tie-in to Ellen DeGeneres’s sitcom Ellen, the shop was designed to resemble a soundstage set for a fictional bookstore. After the show ended, the space was rebranded as The Writer’s Stop, keeping its cozy, literary vibe but dropping the TV connection.
Inside, guests could browse shelves of Disney books, cookbooks, and media-themed gifts while sipping coffee and snacking on pastries. The shop became famous for one particular treat: the Carrot Cake Cookie—a massive, sweet sandwich of cream cheese frosting between two soft carrot cake rounds. It developed a cult following and was later relocated to other venues after the shop’s closure.
The Writer’s Stop also hosted occasional author signings, and its tucked-away location made it a favorite retreat for guests looking to escape the crowds. It was one of those rare Disney spaces that felt personal, quiet, and full of character.
The shop closed on April 2, 2016, as part of the demolition of the Streets of America to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. In 2017, the space reopened as BaseLine Tap House, a modern craft beer bar with small bites and industrial décor. As a tribute, BaseLine includes subtle nods to its predecessor—like the original Writer’s Stop sign letters hidden among the wall decor.
