Disney Springs Marketplace visitors will find another familiar store temporarily unavailable as Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers has closed for what’s being described as a quick refresh.
What’s Closed at Disney Springs
The Crystal Arts location, known for live glass-blowing demonstrations and custom Disney character pieces, is currently inaccessible to guests. The shop typically features artisans working in front of audiences, using lampworking techniques with torches to melt glass rods and shape them into wands, tiaras, and intricate figurines.
For now, the ovens are cool, and the doors are locked. No official reopening date has been announced, though the “quick refresh” terminology suggests a relatively short closure rather than an extended renovation.
Alternative Disney Locations
Guests looking for similar Arribas Brothers products and services while the Disney Springs location remains closed have options at other Walt Disney World locations. The Main Street U.S.A. shop in Magic Kingdom and the Germany Pavilion location at EPCOT both offer Arribas Brothers merchandise and glass-blowing demonstrations.
However, these alternatives require theme park admission, which adds cost and planning complexity for guests who were simply planning to visit Disney Springs.
The Arribas Brothers History
The Arribas Brothers have been part of Disney Parks since the 1960s, creating a relationship that spans multiple generations. Brothers Tomas and Alfonso Arribas were glass blowers from Spain who met Walt Disney at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair where they represented their country.
Walt Disney was impressed enough by their craftsmanship to invite them to open a shop at Disneyland in 1967. That first location launched an expansion that now includes 19 Arribas Brothers shops across Disney Parks worldwide, including locations at Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disney Resort.
What Makes Crystal Arts Special at Disney Springs
The Crystal Arts locations function as working studios rather than typical retail stores. Artisans create pieces in front of guests using traditional lampworking techniques, providing both shopping opportunities and live entertainment.
The product range includes everything from small customized items to massive art pieces. One of their most famous creations is the crystal Cinderella Castle, intricate masterpieces that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and require hundreds of hours to complete. These aren’t mass-produced souvenirs but genuine art created by skilled craftspeople.
Part of a Broader Disney Springs Pattern
The temporary closure of Crystal Arts adds to a growing list of Disney Springs locations that have been unavailable to guests recently. While this particular closure is temporary rather than permanent, it contributes to an overall environment where Disney Springs feels in constant transition.
Recent permanent closures have included Francesca’s as part of a nationwide liquidation, Sprinkles Cupcakes, which abruptly shut down on January 1, Sanuk footwear, which closed in August 2024, and Sosa Family Cigars, which ended over two decades of operation in early 2023.
What Quick Refresh Likely Means
The term “quick refresh” typically indicates cosmetic updates rather than complete renovation. This could involve updating fixtures, refreshing finishes, reorganizing layouts, or making other improvements that enhance the shopping experience without fundamentally changing what the store offers.
The actual timeline can vary significantly. Sometimes these refreshes conclude within a few weeks. Other times unexpected complications or additional work extends the closure beyond initial estimates.
Impact on Disney Springs Visitors
For Disney Springs guests who specifically visit Crystal Arts for custom glass pieces or to watch demonstrations, the temporary closure eliminates that experience from their trip. The unique combination of retail shopping and live craftsmanship isn’t easily replicated by other Disney Springs stores.
Guests planning visits in the near future should assume Crystal Arts remains closed unless official reopening announcements confirm otherwise. Monitoring Disney Springs social media channels and official communications provides the most reliable source for reopening information once available.
Looking Ahead
While the closure is described as temporary, the lack of a specific reopening date creates uncertainty for guests planning Disney Springs visits. The shop’s eventual return will presumably include whatever improvements the quick refresh brings, though details about those changes haven’t been announced.
For now, Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers joins the list of Disney Springs locations temporarily unavailable to guests as the shopping district continues its ongoing evolution.
