Where to Get Your Ghirardelli Fix During the Massive Disney Springs Renovation

Published June 27, 2026 · Updated September 15, 2026

Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop has been a staple of the Disney Springs Marketplace for years, known for its massive sundaes, rich hot cocoa, and that iconic free chocolate square they hand out at the door. If you are planning a trip between now and 2027, you need to know about a major operational change.

The main Ghirardelli location is undergoing a massive, multi-year renovation that will keep its doors closed well into 2027. But before you panic about missing out on your Ocean Beach Sea Salt Caramel Sundae, there is good news: Disney and Ghirardelli are opening a temporary location at Disney Springs so you can still get your chocolate fix.

What the Temporary Location Means for Your Trip

Signage for the temporary Ghirardelli outpost has already gone up at Disney Springs. While the exact scope of the menu hasn’t been fully detailed, temporary pop-ups like this typically focus on the greatest hits—packaged chocolates, select specialty drinks, and pre-made treats—rather than the full, sprawling menu of elaborate sundaes you’d get at the permanent parlor.

The smart move: If Ghirardelli is a must-do for your family, plan to visit the temporary location for a quick chocolate pickup, but temper your expectations if you were planning on the full sit-down ice cream parlor experience.

Disney Springs Strategy: Navigating the Crowds

With the main Ghirardelli location closed for the foreseeable future, other dessert spots at Disney Springs are going to see a noticeable bump in traffic. Places like Gideon’s Bakehouse, Amorette’s Patisserie, and Swirls on the Water will likely absorb the ice cream and sweets crowd that would normally be waiting for a sundae.

Here is how I would handle dessert at Disney Springs right now:

Skip the evening rush: Disney Springs gets chaotic after 7:00 PM when the theme parks start winding down and locals head out for dinner. If you want a specialty dessert without a massive line, go before 4:00 PM.
Pivot to alternatives: If the temporary Ghirardelli location is swamped or doesn’t have the full sundae you wanted, head over to Vivoli il Gelato in The Landing for incredible authentic Italian gelato, or grab a Dole Whip flight at Swirls on the Water.
Don’t wait in the Gideon’s line: If the virtual queue for Gideon’s Bakehouse is hours long, remember that you can often grab similar massive cookies at the Polite Pig without the ridiculous wait.

While You Are at Disney Springs

Since you will be navigating around construction near the Marketplace, it is a great time to explore other dining options. We consistently see menus evolving at places like The Polite Pig and STK Orlando. The Polite Pig remains one of the absolute best quick-service values on property, and it is a fantastic savory counterpoint before you hunt down some chocolate.

If you are planning a rest day at Disney Springs, remember that SupaPark’s Drop Watch can help you snag those impossible-to-get dining reservations at premium spots like Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ or Morimoto Asia. We ping you the second a table opens up from a cancellation, so you can grab it in My Disney Experience while everyone else is aimlessly wandering around looking for walk-up availability.

The Takeaway

Ghirardelli isn’t gone from Disney Springs, but it will look very different into 2027. Look for the new temporary signage, expect a streamlined menu, and have a backup dessert plan in place if the lines get too long.

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SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

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