A Disney Springs tradition that dates back to the late 1990s is about to disappear — at least for a while.Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop has officially confirmed that it will vacate its longtime Marketplace location later this summer as part of a large-scale renovation project. For many Walt Disney World visitors, especially longtime fans, that announcement feels much bigger than simply moving a store.The chocolate shop has become part of the Disney Springs experience itself.Credit: SJ Grant, FlickrFor years, guests have stopped there for sundaes after dinner, grabbed free chocolate squares while shopping, or escaped the Florida heat with one of Ghirardelli’s famous shakes and ice cream creations. Families often use it as a meeting spot during busy days at Disney Springs, while others treat it as a vacation tradition they repeat every single trip.Now, after nearly 30 years in the same location, that familiar setup is changing.A Disney Springs Staple Since the 1990sAccording to the announcement, Ghirardelli has occupied its current Marketplace location since 1996, giving it one of the longest-running retail and dining presences at Disney Springs.That longevity matters.Disney Springs has changed dramatically over the years. Entire sections have been reimagined. Downtown Disney eventually became Disney Springs. Restaurants have come and gone. Stores have constantly rotated in and out of the shopping district.But Ghirardelli stayed.For many guests, the shop became one of the few constants visitors could count on every vacation. Even people who skipped full desserts often stopped in just to grab the complimentary chocolate square offered near the entrance.That small tradition became surprisingly iconic.The location itself also sits in one of the busiest sections of Disney Springs. Positioned in the Marketplace area, Ghirardelli naturally catches heavy foot traffic from guests heading toward World of Disney, Rainforest Cafe, Earl of Sandwich, and the Marketplace Co-Op.During holiday seasons or summer evenings, the lines often stretch outside the building.Now, those crowds are about to shift somewhere else temporarily.Ghirardelli Is Relocating to Town CenterDisney confirmed that Ghirardelli will temporarily relocate to the Town Center section of Disney Springs while renovations take place at the original Marketplace location.That move is expected to happen sometime later this summer.While fans will still technically be able to get their favorite desserts and chocolate treats, the relocation changes the dynamic considerably for many visitors.The current Marketplace location has become deeply tied to Disney Springs routines. Families often finish their shopping loop with dessert there before leaving property. Others stop there immediately after arriving because it sits near several of the most popular shopping areas.Ghirardelli at Disney Springs to move temporarily to Town Center location for store renovationshttps://t.co/OZGlqemO3o— Gotta Go Orlando (@GottaGoOrlando) June 1, 2026Town Center attracts crowds too, but it creates an entirely different flow for guests navigating Disney Springs.For summer travelers, especially first-time visitors, the change could create some confusion at first. Many people simply expect Ghirardelli to be in its usual spot because it has been there for so long.And with summer crowds already filling Disney Springs nightly, the relocation could create temporary congestion issues around the new location once guests begin adjusting.Why Disney and Ghirardelli Are Making the ChangeThe closure is not happening because Ghirardelli is leaving Disney Springs permanently.Instead, the company is planning a major renovation of the existing Marketplace space. According to the announcement, the upgraded location will feature expanded indoor seating, efforts to reduce wait times, and additional surprises that have not yet been revealed publicly.The renovated store is expected to reopen in Spring 2027.That timeline means guests visiting Walt Disney World throughout the rest of 2026 — including the busy holiday season — will experience a very different version of Ghirardelli at Disney Springs.The decision honestly makes sense when looking at current crowd levels.Disney Springs has become significantly busier over the last several years. Dining demand continues climbing, particularly at dessert locations and quick-service snack spots that do not require reservations.Ghirardelli regularly develops long lines both inside and outside the building, especially at night when guests leave the theme parks and head to Disney Springs afterward.Expanding seating and improving efficiency likely became necessary if Disney and Ghirardelli want the location to keep up with modern crowds.Credit: DisneySummer Visitors Will Notice the DifferenceThis change arrives during one of the busiest stretches of the Walt Disney World calendar.Summer visitors already face packed walkways, limited seating at restaurants, and long waits throughout Disney Springs during evenings and weekends. Losing the original Ghirardelli location — even temporarily — changes the atmosphere of the Marketplace area in a noticeable way.That section of Disney Springs has always carried a very specific energy.Music plays through the area. Guests wander with shopping bags. Families take photos near the water. And the smell coming from Ghirardelli has become part of the backdrop itself.Removing that familiar storefront, even temporarily, creates one more visible sign of how quickly Disney Springs continues evolving.At the same time, the relocation also reflects Disney’s larger strategy across property right now. Disney continues investing heavily in updates, refurbishments, expansions, and operational improvements designed to handle larger crowds more efficiently.That strategy is happening inside the parks and now increasingly at Disney Springs as well.For longtime fans, though, it may still feel strange walking through Marketplace later this summer and not seeing Ghirardelli operating in the exact same place it has called home for nearly 30 years.And for many guests visiting Walt Disney World this summer, it could easily become one of the more surprising changes they encounter during their trip.The post After 29 Years, Disney Springs Staple To Vacate Location This Summer appeared first on Inside the Magic.