The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at Disney Springs is about to undergo its most significant transformation in nearly three decades, and a newly filed construction permit confirms the project is officially moving forward.
A Permit Points Toward a New Sign
On Thursday, a construction permit was filed for The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop at Disney Springs, with Dynamic Aspects contracted to install “signage” on the building. The filing suggests that the iconic chocolate shop is planning changes to its recognizable light-up sign, though the permit doesn't specify whether the existing sign is being replaced entirely or simply refurbished.
Like most Walt Disney World Resort construction permits, this one carries a 2027 expiration date, consistent with the timeline Ghirardelli has already outlined for the project.
The Ghirardelli Renovation at Disney Springs
The signage permit is just one piece of a larger reimagining of the Marketplace building, which The Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop has occupied since 1996. Sometime this summer, the restaurant will temporarily relocate to an unoccupied space in the Town Center area at Disney Springs while construction crews overhaul the original location. Walt Disney World Resort has not announced a specific date for the temporary move.
The finished space is expected to deliver tangible improvements for guests, including reduced wait times, expanded indoor seating, and what Ghirardelli has described as some “surprises” still to be revealed. A spring 2027 reopening in the original Marketplace location has been confirmed, though an exact date hasn't been set.
Lacey Zane, Vice President of Restaurant & Retail at Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, issued the following statement:
“Disney Springs has been a cherished home for Ghirardelli for nearly 30 years, and we are proud of the magical chocolate memories we've helped create for guests from around the world. Our longstanding relationship with Disney is an important part of that story, and this next chapter allows us to thoughtfully evolve the space while honoring its legacy. We look forward to continuing to serve guests at our temporary location in Town Center during this transition and unveiling an updated space in 2027.”
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