Disney Springs has always been designed to evolve. New restaurants arrive, retailers rotate in and out, and entertainment offerings change with the times. That's part of what keeps Disney's shopping and dining district feeling fresh even for guests who visit Walt Disney World year after year.
This summer, however, the pace of change is especially noticeable.
In just a matter of weeks, Disney Springs has lost three longtime food locations, one major retail destination is operating in a limited capacity, and one of the district's most recognizable establishments is preparing to leave its longtime home.
None of the changes involve a major attraction or a headline-grabbing announcement. Yet together, they represent one of the biggest shifts Disney Springs has experienced in recent memory.
For guests planning a visit this summer, here's what has changed—and what changes are still on the way.
The End of an Era for Disney Springs Food Trucks
The most immediate changes are taking place on the West Side.
For years, Exposition Park served as home to a collection of food trucks that offered guests quick, affordable alternatives to Disney Springs' growing lineup of sit-down restaurants. Whether visitors wanted tacos, Cuban sandwiches, smoothies, or a fast snack between shopping stops, the area filled a unique role within the district.
That chapter has now come to an end.
Disney has removed all three food trucks that previously operated in Exposition Park. Cilantro Urban Eatery was the first to disappear, followed by the closures of 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa and GoJuice.
Each location developed a loyal following over the years.
Cilantro Urban Eatery became known for Latin-inspired favorites, while 4 Rivers Cantina earned fans thanks to items like the Taco Cone and rotating barbecue-inspired offerings. Meanwhile, GoJuice provided smoothies and refreshing beverages that were particularly popular during Florida's hottest months.
Today, guests walking through Exposition Park will find additional seating where the trucks once stood.
Disney has not announced any replacement concepts for the space.
Marketplace Co-Op Is No Longer Fully Available
The fourth location on the list hasn't disappeared entirely, but a significant portion of it is currently unavailable.
Marketplace Co-Op has entered a substantial refurbishment project that has transformed part of the shopping experience.
Large construction walls and curtains now block access to a major section of the interior. Guests can still shop throughout portions of the store, and neighboring merchandise areas remain open, but visitors expecting the full Marketplace Co-Op experience will immediately notice the difference.
Disney has not revealed exactly what is taking shape behind the walls.
Because Marketplace Co-Op regularly introduces new retail concepts and specialty boutiques, many fans are curious to see what eventually emerges from the project. For now, though, the location remains only partially accessible.
One of Disney Springs' Most Iconic Locations Is Moving
The biggest change may still be ahead.
Later this summer, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop will temporarily leave the Marketplace area it has occupied since 1996.
For nearly 30 years, Ghirardelli has served as one of the constants at Disney Springs. Generations of guests have made a tradition of stopping for sundaes, milkshakes, hot fudge creations, and complimentary chocolate squares.
Many visitors don't simply view Ghirardelli as a dessert stop.
It's a meeting place, a vacation tradition, and one of the most recognizable storefronts in the entire district.
That makes the upcoming move particularly significant.
Why Ghirardelli Is Relocating
Fortunately, Disney fans don't need to worry about losing Ghirardelli permanently.
The company has confirmed that the relocation is temporary while a major renovation takes place at the existing Marketplace location.
During construction, Ghirardelli will operate from a temporary location in Town Center. Disney has not announced an exact relocation date, though the move is expected later this summer.
The renovation itself sounds substantial.
Plans call for expanded indoor seating, operational improvements designed to reduce wait times, and additional enhancements that have not yet been revealed.
The refreshed location is expected to reopen in spring 2027.
Disney Springs Continues Its Evolution
Viewed individually, each of these projects might feel relatively minor.
Three food trucks closing isn't the same as losing a major restaurant. A retail refurbishment doesn't generate the same attention as a new attraction. Even Ghirardelli's move is ultimately temporary.
But when all five impacted locations are considered together, the picture becomes much more noticeable.
Guests visiting Disney Springs this summer will encounter fewer dining options on the West Side, construction inside Marketplace Co-Op, and preparations for one of the district's longest-running businesses to relocate.
The good news is that Disney clearly sees these changes as investments in the future.
The district continues attracting larger crowds every year, and many of these projects appear focused on improving guest flow, expanding capacity, and creating new experiences.
Still, for longtime visitors, the summer of 2026 may be remembered as the season when Disney Springs began looking noticeably different.
And based on the amount of construction already underway, the transformation may be far from over.
