A landmark that has defined the look of Disney Springs’ Marketplace neighborhood for decades came down this week, and nobody at Walt Disney World Resort is saying whether it’s coming back in its current form.
A Sign Is Down at Disney Springs
On Thursday, WDWNT reported that the illuminated Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop sign had been removed from its longtime position in the Marketplace neighborhood at Disney Springs. The outlet shared a photo of the building’s current state, documenting what has become visible above and around the construction walls that have surrounded the closed storefront since early July.
The sign’s removal is just the most prominent of several visible exterior changes now apparent from the guest-facing side of the barriers. Paneling has been stripped from at least one wall and from around stained-glass windows, leaving plain back sheathing exposed in its place. An overhang directly beneath where the illuminated sign once glowed has been torn down entirely, though the support poles for both the sign and the overhang are still standing. Some awnings also appear to have been pulled, faintly visible above the construction wall line.
At the front of the building, harlequin-print paneling and a wooden Ghirardelli sign remain in place, suggesting the exterior demolition is unfolding in deliberate phases rather than all at once.
What hasn’t been confirmed is what comes next for the illuminated sign specifically. Whether it’s been temporarily removed for refurbishment and will return in some form, or has been retired permanently in favor of an updated look, is an open question neither Ghirardelli nor Walt Disney World Resort has answered.
The Plan for the Location
Ghirardelli has confirmed that the renovated Marketplace location will reopen in 2027 with meaningful improvements — expanded indoor seating, reduced wait times, and additional changes the company has described only as “surprises.”
Guests craving a Ghirardelli sundae in the meantime can find a temporary location operating out of the former Sprinkles Cupcakes space in Disney Springs’ Town Center neighborhood.
Have you ever dined at the Ghirardelli location at Disney Springs? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
