The Downfall of Sprinkles at Disney Springs!
It’s official: the pink tiles are coming down, and the cupcake ATM has finally gone dark. Sprinkles Cupcakes at Disney Springs has officially closed its doors for good.
I’ll be honest—I’m not mourning this one. In fact, I’m actually looking forward to seeing what finally takes over that prime real estate. But looking back at how we got here, it’s a classic case of a brand that simply "died on the vine."
Sprinkles Cupcakes died a slow, humiliating death at Disney Springs. In its final weeks (during the holiday season), there were hardly any customers going inside.
The Heyday: When Sprinkles Ruled the Springs
I remember when this place was the spot. Back when Disney Springs was still transitioning from Downtown Disney, Sprinkles was the titan of the Town Center. There were lines out the door and wrapped around the block. You’d stand in the Florida heat just for the chance to step into that air-conditioned, sugar-scented bustle.
Inside, it felt alive. You could see the bakers in the open kitchen, a whirlwind of flour and frosting, barely able to keep up with the mountain of orders. It was an experience. But even at its peak, the cracks were starting to show.
Little Things That Added Up
As the novelty wore off, the inconveniences became harder to ignore. Sprinkles had practically no seating and, bafflingly, no coffee. If you wanted a drink to cut through all that sugar, you were out of luck.
Then, two other bakeries arrived on the scene—Gideon’s Bakehouse and Everglazed Donuts. Not only did they bring massive, "Instagrammable" treats, but they also had coffee. Real, good coffee. Little by little, the lines at Sprinkles started to dwindle.
By the end, cupcakes were tiny, very dry and cost $7 each.
A Slide in Quality and Value
The most obvious issue was the product itself. I went there recently and paid $7 for a tiny cupcake. I’m talking about the size of those mini cupcakes you find at the grocery store (usually in 12 packs etc). And, honestly? The grocery store version might have been better.
The last one I had was so dry it was almost crumbly. It left me sitting there thinking that a Hostess cupcake—with its reliable chocolate coating and cream filling—was actually a more satisfying experience. I could by a whole box of those for less than $7.
By 2025, Sprinkles went from the hot spot in Disney Springs, to one of the worst. Reviews on Google seemed to say similar things, and yet management seemed to ignore them.
The Signs of the End:
The iPad Shift: The bustling staff was replaced by iPads at the entrance. The human connection was gone.
The "Ghost Town" Staffing: Eventually, it seemed like there was only one person working the entire shop.
Sold Out by Sunset: Online reviews were constantly flooded with complaints that they were sold out of everything by evening—the exact time tourists and locals are actually out looking for dessert.
Watching It Die Slowly
It was sad, in a way, to watch it happen. I’d walk by and see unsuspecting tourists looking at the bright pink facade, thinking they were in for a premium Disney treat, only to see them walk out disappointed with a $7 overpriced cupcake.
The spark was gone long before the "Closed" sign was taped to the door on December 31st. It felt like the brand had given up on itself, moving toward a sterile, automated model that just didn't fit the magic people expect at Walt Disney World.
I’m pleased to say the era of the $7 dry cupcake is finally over. Disney Springs is prime territory for something truly special, and I can't wait to see what moves in.
What would you like to see move in here?
Search for more information on my blog.
Recent Articles
I remember when Sprinkles was the titan of Disney Springs, but after years of declining quality, rising prices, and the arrival of better bakeries, the pink tiles have finally gone dark.