Disney Springs Confirms Major Replacement for Recently Closed Shopping Location

Disney Springs is constantly changing. New restaurants open, stores move around, seasonal experiences pop up, and longtime locations sometimes disappear altogether. Even guests who visit Walt Disney World every year usually notice something different every time they stop by the shopping and dining district.

Now, another major update is officially on the way.

A brand-new retail location is preparing to move into Disney Springs, and it’s taking over a storefront that has sat empty ever since one of the district’s longtime shops permanently closed earlier this year. For regular Disney Springs visitors, it is another sign that Disney continues evolving the area into something much bigger than just an add-on to the parks.

Over the past decade, Disney Springs has transformed into one of the most important parts of Walt Disney World. Years ago, many guests viewed it as a place to maybe grab dinner or browse a few Disney souvenirs before heading back to their hotel. That perception has changed dramatically.

Today, Disney Springs feels more like a full entertainment destination.

Between celebrity chef restaurants, live music, luxury shopping, and massive flagship stores, some guests now dedicate entire vacation days to Disney Springs alone. That is why new additions always create buzz, especially when they involve well-known retail brands.

This latest addition is Cole Haan, which is officially preparing to open at Disney Springs soon.

The new store will move into the former Johnston & Murphy location, which permanently closed several weeks ago. Since that closure, many Disney Springs fans have wondered what would eventually replace it. Now, new signage in the windows has confirmed that Cole Haan will soon take over the space.

For guests familiar with the brand, the move makes a lot of sense.

Cole Haan is widely known for shoes, leather products, accessories, and upscale fashion items. The company carries a very similar feel to Johnston & Murphy, meaning Disney Springs is not completely changing the identity of that section of shopping. Instead, Disney appears to be replacing one premium fashion retailer with another that appeals to a very similar audience.

That matters more than some people may realize.

Disney Springs is carefully designed to balance Disney-themed experiences with stores that feel more like a traditional outdoor shopping district. While many tourists visit looking for Disney merchandise, others enjoy the fact that Disney Springs offers brands you would normally expect to find at luxury malls or high-end lifestyle centers.

That combination has become a major part of Disney Springs’ identity.

You can spend part of the day shopping at World of Disney, then walk a few minutes and browse places like Sephora, Zara, Lululemon, or Coach. Disney has intentionally created a space where guests do not have to leave property to enjoy a broader shopping experience.

The arrival of Cole Haan continues that strategy.

For vacationers, especially those staying at Disney resorts for a full week, Disney Springs often becomes the “break day” destination. Families may spend several park days walking miles in the Florida heat before eventually looking for a slower-paced afternoon. Disney Springs fills that role perfectly.

Some guests come for the restaurants.

Others come for the nightlife.

And many simply come to shop.

That is part of why Disney continues investing so heavily in the district. Disney Springs is free to enter, does not require a park ticket, and attracts both tourists and locals throughout the year. During holidays and weekends, the area can feel just as crowded as one of the theme parks.

Retail additions play a huge role in keeping that momentum going.

The interesting part about this newest update is how quickly Disney moved to refill the storefront. Vacant retail spaces at Disney Springs rarely stay empty for long, especially in high-traffic sections of the district. Disney clearly wanted another recognizable brand in that location as fast as possible.

For many guests, the new Cole Haan store will probably blend naturally into the Disney Springs lineup because the brand already fits the atmosphere Disney has built there over the years.

Still, longtime visitors may notice how much Disney Springs has evolved compared to its earlier Downtown Disney days.

Back then, the district leaned much more heavily into Disney-specific entertainment and smaller retail experiences. Today, Disney Springs competes with major shopping destinations outside Disney property. The addition of more upscale brands reflects that larger strategy.

Disney also seems to understand that shopping habits have changed.

Modern guests are looking for experiences, not just products. Disney Springs succeeds because it combines shopping with atmosphere. Live musicians perform throughout the evening, restaurants stay packed late into the night, and waterfront views create a much more relaxing environment compared to the chaos inside the parks.

Adding another recognizable fashion retailer only strengthens that appeal.

The timing is also notable.

Summer is one of the busiest periods at Walt Disney World, meaning thousands of guests will likely see construction progress and opening preparations over the next several weeks. Disney Springs becomes especially busy during summer nights, when guests leave the parks and head over for dinner, desserts, or shopping.

That means Cole Haan could immediately benefit from massive foot traffic once the store officially opens.

Disney Springs has seen several retail changes lately, but this one feels particularly noticeable because Johnston & Murphy had occupied that location for years. Guests who frequently visited Disney Springs had become used to seeing the brand there.

Now, the entire storefront is preparing for a new identity.

Of course, this is hardly the first major retail shift Disney Springs has experienced. The district constantly rotates stores, updates offerings, and adjusts to changing guest interests. Some concepts last decades, while others quietly disappear after only a few years.

That flexibility is part of what keeps Disney Springs feeling fresh.

It also helps Disney compete with places like Universal CityWalk and other Orlando entertainment districts. While the Disney parks remain the primary attraction for most vacationers, Disney Springs has become an important piece of the overall vacation experience.

And with more than 150 shops and kiosks throughout the district, Disney clearly wants guests spending as much time there as possible.

For now, Disney has not announced an exact opening date for the new Cole Haan location. However, the arrival of storefront signage strongly suggests the opening process is already moving forward.

That means Disney Springs visitors may not have to wait much longer before another new shopping experience officially arrives.

And honestly, that constant evolution is part of what keeps people coming back.

Even guests who visit Walt Disney World multiple times every year still enjoy discovering something new at Disney Springs, whether it is a restaurant, entertainment offering, snack location, or now, another major retail addition.