A Disneyland dining staple just got a serious glow-up, and the story of how it got there is more complicated than most guests probably realize. Earl of Sandwich has officially opened a brand new permanent location at the Downtown Disney District, closing out a chapter that involved temporary fixes, construction delays, and a round of layoffs that hit over 100 employees just last year.
The New Earl of Sandwich Is Already Open
The new Earl of Sandwich location sits on the west side of Downtown Disney and is already welcoming guests, even though the official grand opening celebration is not scheduled until July 15, 2026. Anyone visiting before that date can still walk in and order.
This new version is significantly more ambitious than the brand's previous setups. The location includes The Carvery, a pastrami carving station where guests can watch the meat sliced in real time, along with The Pub, a dedicated space serving beer, wine, frozen cocktails, and seasonal drinks. The building also houses Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby on its second floor, positioning this new Earl of Sandwich as part of a larger, more elevated dining destination rather than a standalone quick-service stop.
The Old Pop-Up Location Is Gone
For guests who relied on the satellite Earl of Sandwich near the Star Wars Trading Post, that location has officially closed. A Location is Closed sign now sits in front of the space, and all seating has already been removed.
That pop-up was always meant to be temporary, and it was not even the first Earl of Sandwich setup to shut down recently.
The Closure That Came With Real Consequences
Back in June 2025, Disneyland Resort confirmed that an earlier temporary Earl of Sandwich, operating out of the former La Brea Bakery space, would close permanently. That closure was not just about real estate. Reports at the time indicated approximately 167 employees were expected to be laid off, with cutbacks stretching from July through August of that year.
That temporary location had been bridging the gap while the new, permanent Earl of Sandwich was under construction. La Brea Bakery itself had closed back in 2023, and Earl of Sandwich moved into the space temporarily while Disney worked out longer-term plans for the building. Disney eventually filed a permit to demolish the old structure, which sealed the fate of that temporary location and the jobs tied to it.
With the new permanent location now open, that entire stretch of temporary locations and shifting plans appears to have finally reached its conclusion.
Part of a Larger Pattern at Downtown Disney
This transition fits into a much bigger wave of change happening across Downtown Disney. The district has seen a steady stream of closures and reopenings over the past several years, part of Disneyland Resort's broader effort to refresh its dining and shopping lineup as the resort gears up for major expansions elsewhere on property, including new additions tied to Avengers Campus and an upcoming Avatar-themed land.
For longtime visitors, that means familiar spots are not always staying exactly where guests remember them. In this case, though, the end result is a noticeably larger and more developed Earl of Sandwich than what existed before.
What This Means for Your Next Disneyland Trip
Guests heading to Downtown Disney can now visit the new Earl of Sandwich location, with its formal grand opening set for July 15. The previous satellite location near the Star Wars Trading Post is permanently closed, so guests should plan their visit around the new west side spot instead.
