Disney Springs has gone through countless changes since its official relaunch in 2015. The shopping and dining district, formerly known as Downtown Disney, was redesigned to appeal to a broader audience, with a heavier focus on upscale retail, sit-down restaurants, and nationally recognized brands.
Over time, Disney Springs became less about novelty and more about consistency, positioning itself as a reliable extension of the Walt Disney World experience rather than a secondary attraction.
Still, stability has never been guaranteed. Several major tenants have come and gone, sometimes quietly, sometimes abruptly, often with little advance notice to guests.
One of the most discussed departures was DisneyQuest, which closed in 2017 after nearly two decades of operation. Its replacement, the wildly mediocre (if we do say so ourselves) NBA Experience, lasted only a few years before shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The building is now set to reopen as Level99, an escape room-style attraction expected in 2026, underscoring how frequently even large spaces at Disney Springs are repurposed.
Smaller-scale closures have been just as common. The Art of Shaving exited the district in early 2024, and stores such as Alex and Ani, UGG, Sosa Family Cigars, and Sanuk have also closed over the years.
Restaurants have followed a similar pattern. Wolfgang Puck Express and Bongos Cuban Café, once staples of the area, are no longer part of the lineup, reflecting the ongoing turnover within the district.
Against that backdrop, new reports circulating online suggest another long-running Disney Springs tenant may now be closing with little warning.
Claims Surface About Sprinkles Cupcakes Closure
Over the past 24 hours, posts on social media have claimed that Sprinkles Cupcakes is shutting down all of its locations at the end of the operating day on December 31, 2025.
That reportedly includes the Disney Springs Sprinkles location in Town Center, which opened in May 2016 and has remained a steady presence for nearly a decade.
As of now, the store appears to be operating normally. Guests can still purchase cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and ice cream, and the Cupcake ATM remains accessible.
However, alleged employees have shared a different account online.
One wrote, “I’m a worker at one of the franchise locations and I can confirm not a single soul has a job anymore with sprinkles, me, the staff and everyone across the US are out of a job after today. Corporate gave us no time to prepare and have gone radio silent on everyone.”
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Another Reddit user shared a similar claim. “My gf was an employee at Sprinkles in Las Vegas until today. They gave everyone working for them company wide only a days notice they’re closing all locations and no severance pay for anyone at the store level. Despicable!”
Following the spread of these posts, comments were disabled on Sprinkles’ Instagram account amid criticism from customers and current or former employees.
“One day notice is crazy,” wrote one Instagram user. “Just used us for the holidays then tossed us aside.”
Another added, “Cupcakes are sweet. One-day layoff notices are not. Yikes, what a bold way to celebrate 20 years and ring in the new year.”
As per one employee’s comment, Sprinkles not only failed to provide its employees with sufficient notice but it also did not offer any kind of compensation. “Thanks for the one day notice of unemployment and no severance!” they wrote.
No Confirmation From Disney or Sprinkles
Despite the claims, neither Disney nor Sprinkles has issued an official statement confirming a closure at Disney Springs.
Operating hours for the location are still listed online through February, creating uncertainty around whether the reports are accurate or premature.
Sprinkles previously also had a store at Disneyland Resort’s Downtown Disney. This closed for good in 2023 as part of the area’s reimagining.
Whether today marks its final day or not, the situation highlights how quickly long-standing tenants can disappear from Disney Springs without formal notice.
Would you miss Sprinkles Cupcakes at Disney Springs?
