After 12 Years, Disney World Confirms Replacement for Disney Springs

in Walt Disney World

Guests walking across a bridge at Disney Springs expansion.

Credit: AK, Unsplash

After being closed for nearly two months, the back half of the Marketplace Co-Op has reopened at Disney Springs. This merchandise location in the Marketplace neighborhood of Walt Disney World Resort‘s shopping, dining, and entertainment district sells apparel, tech accessories, housewares, and other souvenirs inspired by the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Marketplace Co-Op Closure

Disney Springs tower decorated for Christmas
Credit: SJ Grant, Flickr

Refurbishment at the Marketplace Co-Op began earlier this summer, with black curtains and other barriers blocking part of the store. However, it wasn’t until early August that Walt Disney World Resort closed the entire back half of the merchandise location, which is set up almost like a convention floor, with open-concept “booths” themed around different souvenirs in a large, warehouse-like space.

It wasn’t immediately clear what Walt Disney World Resort had planned for the space, though new flooring eventually appeared throughout the Marketplace Co-Op in September. Still, the back half of the merchandise location remained closed.

A family exits the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs.
Credit: Disney

Despite the nearly two-month-long refurbishment, the front half of the Marketplace Co-Op remained open with a limited inventory of merchandise, as did the attached Tren-D clothing store.

Merchandise Location at Disney Springs Reopens in Full

Interior of the Marketplace Co-Op
Credit: Disney

On October 8, X (formerly known as Twitter) user @laughingplace shared a photo confirming that the back half of Marketplace Co-Op had reopened.

The back half of Marketplace Co-Op has reopened with no noticeable changes. #WaltDisneyWorld

Walt Disney World Resort does not appear to have made any major changes to the merchandise location, so the refurbishment likely involved some basic repainting or infrastructure maintenance. The gift shop in the Marketplace neighborhood of Disney Springs continues to sell its usual inventory of housewares, clothing, accessories, and other Disney Parks-themed mementos.

Two little girls hold hands inside Tren-D at Disney Springs.
Credit: Disney

At this time, it’s unclear whether Walt Disney World Resort has more construction planned for the Marketplace Co-Op at Disney Springs. For now, the gift shop in the Marketplace neighborhood of the outdoor lifestyle complex remains open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. However, guests planning a visit are encouraged to check the My Disney Experience app or Walt Disney World Resort website for the most up-to-date operating hours.

What is your favorite gift shop at Disney Springs? Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments! 

in Walt Disney World

Be the first to comment!