Disney Character Warehouse in South Florida Closing This Spring

Disney Character Warehouse at Sawgrass Mills to Permanently Close This April

For years, Disney fans in South Florida have enjoyed a shortcut to the magic without making the trek to Orlando. However, that convenience is coming to an end. According to multiple social media reports and confirmations from Cast Members, the Disney Character Warehouse located in the Sawgrass Mills Mall is scheduled to permanently close its doors on April 15, 2026.

The closure marks the end of an era for the Sunrise location, which served as a primary hub for discounted Disney Parks merchandise outside of the immediate Walt Disney World area.

Related-Disney Character Warehouse Outlet Cracks Down on Resellers with New No Refund/Return Policy

Why is the Warehouse Closing?

While Disney hasn’t released a formal corporate statement, several factors have emerged through discussions with Cast Members and local retail analysts:

• Lease Expiration: Reports indicate that Disney has elected not to renew its lease with Simon Property Group for the Sawgrass Mills location.
• Geographic Distance: Located in Sunrise (near Fort Lauderdale), the store is approximately three hours away from Walt Disney World. This distance makes logistics more complex compared to the Orlando-based outlets.
• Reseller Challenges: The store has long been a “battleground” for professional resellers and “live shoppers” who purchase high volumes of discounted items to flip for profit online. This activity often depletes stock for casual guests and creates operational headaches for staff.

Stricter Policies in Effect

The news of the closure follows a major shift in how Disney manages its outlet operations. As of February 1, 2026, a new, stricter return policy went into effect at all Disney Character Warehouse and Cast Connection locations.

This “nuclear option” was implemented specifically to combat resellers who would purchase large quantities of merchandise, list them online, and then return any unsold inventory within the previous 30-day window. By making all sales final, Disney has effectively introduced significant financial risk for those looking to exploit the outlet’s pricing.

Related-Disney Character Warehouse Outlet Cracks Down on Resellers with New No Refund/Return Policy

Impact on Other Locations

Currently, there is no word on the future of the other two Character Warehouse locations in Central Florida. For now, shoppers can still find discounted ears, pins, and apparel at:

1. Orlando International Premium Outlets (International Drive)
2. Vineland Premium Outlets (near Walt Disney World property)

If you have been holding onto a gift card or have been waiting to snag that retired Spirit Jersey, you have until mid-April to visit the Sawgrass Mills location. Expect inventory to dwindle as the closing date approaches.

With the South Florida branch closing, the remaining Orlando stores are expected to see an increase in foot traffic—and potentially even more competition for the best deals.

For the BEST in Disney, Universal, Dollywood, and SeaWorld Theme Park News, Entertainment, Merchandise & More follow us on, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube.

Let our friends at Get Away Today help you book your next Disney or Universal Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.