One of Disney Springs’ most recognizable locations is preparing for a major change this summer.
After nearly three decades in the Marketplace section of Disney Springs, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop will temporarily vacate its longtime home as part of a major renovation project. The move marks the end of an era for many Walt Disney World fans who have made the chocolate shop part of their vacation traditions since the late 1990s.
For plenty of guests, this is not just another store relocation.
Ghirardelli has become deeply connected to the Disney Springs experience itself. Families stop there after shopping at World of Disney. Couples grab sundaes before heading back to their resorts. Many visitors specifically walk through Marketplace just for the free chocolate square handed out near the entrance.
That routine is about to look very different.
A Disney Springs Tradition Since the 1990s
According to the announcement, Ghirardelli has operated in its current Marketplace location since 1996.
That makes it one of the longest-running locations anywhere at Disney Springs.
The shopping district has changed dramatically over the years. What was once Downtown Disney evolved into Disney Springs, bringing massive renovations, new restaurants, luxury retail stores, and entirely redesigned sections of the property.
Through all those changes, Ghirardelli remained one of the constants.
The location became known for its oversized sundaes, fresh waffle cones, milkshakes, and late-night dessert crowds. During busy holiday weeks or summer evenings, guests often spill out the doors while waiting for ice cream or packaged chocolate treats.
Its Marketplace location also made it incredibly convenient.
Many guests naturally passed the store while heading between major Disney Springs locations, helping Ghirardelli become one of the busiest snack destinations on property.
Now, that original storefront is preparing to close temporarily.
The Shop Is Relocating Later This Summer
Later this summer, Ghirardelli will relocate from Marketplace to the Town Center section of Disney Springs while renovations take place.
The closure is temporary, but it will still have a noticeable impact for visitors throughout the rest of 2026 and into next year.
Summer crowds at Disney Springs are already intense. Walkways fill quickly during evenings, restaurants often hit long waits, and indoor seating becomes difficult to find once the Florida heat peaks during the afternoon.
Ghirardelli’s original location has long served as one of the area’s most popular cool-down spots.
Losing that familiar Marketplace storefront changes the energy of the area considerably. Even guests who do not stop inside usually associate the smell of chocolate and waffle cones with walking through that section of Disney Springs.
The temporary move to Town Center will keep Ghirardelli operating, but longtime visitors will absolutely notice the difference.
Disney and Ghirardelli Are Expanding the Space
The renovation itself appears to be fairly significant.
According to details released about the project, the updated location will feature expanded indoor seating, shorter wait times, and additional surprises that have not been announced publicly yet.
The renovated Marketplace location is expected to reopen in Spring 2027.
Honestly, the timing makes sense.
Disney Springs has become busier every single year, especially at night after guests leave the parks. Dessert spots across the shopping district regularly see major crowds, and Ghirardelli has become one of the most consistently packed locations anywhere on property.
The existing layout simply struggles to handle the amount of traffic it receives during peak seasons.
Adding more seating and improving crowd flow could dramatically improve the guest experience once the upgraded location reopens.
Still, for many Disney fans, the temporary closure of the original Marketplace shop feels surprisingly emotional.
It represents another familiar Walt Disney World experience changing after decades of consistency.
And for guests visiting this summer, walking through Marketplace without seeing Ghirardelli operating in its longtime location may feel a little strange at first.
