Happy Ice Opens Flagship Shop in Downtown Disney

Owner Lemeir Mitchell brings Philadelphia-style water ice to Anaheim with his new permanent location.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Desserts

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a layered water ice dessert with banana pudding in a cup, evoking summer refreshment. — Entrepreneur Lemeir Mitchell has opened his flagship Happy Ice location in Downtown Disney, marking a milestone for Philadelphia-style desserts in California. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lemeir Mitchell celebrated the opening of a permanent Happy Ice storefront at 1569 Disneyland Drive on June 19, 2026. This launch makes Mitchell the first Black business owner to operate a dessert shop at the Downtown Disney resort.

Why it matters

The shop represents the expansion of Philadelphia-style water ice into the Los Angeles market, following Mitchell's goal to bridge regional dessert traditions. The flagship location follows a successful pop-up run offered by The Walt Disney Company in 2021.

The menu currently features 70% natural ingredients, with a goal to reach 100% by the end of 2026. This flagship shop joins three existing Happy Ice locations in the Los Angeles area.

The players

Lemeir Mitchell

He is the founder of Happy Ice who transitioned from a Philadelphia apprenticeship to owning a multi-location dessert brand.

The Walt Disney Company

This multinational entertainment and mass media conglomerate operates the Downtown Disney District in Anaheim.

The details

Mitchell, who apprenticed at Fred's Water Ice in Philadelphia, utilizes a specialized layer-based assembly process for his banana pudding-based products. He originally launched the brand by purchasing equipment from his mentor for $6,000 and shipping his inventory and a food truck from Pennsylvania to California.

2016: Lemeir Mitchell moved from Philadelphia to Los Angeles.
2021: The Walt Disney Company offered Mitchell a pop-up run.
June 19, 2026: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Downtown Disney flagship store.
End of 2026: Target date for 100% all-natural menu ingredients.

Culture Shift

The arrival of Happy Ice at Downtown Disney reflects a broader shift toward integrating independent, regional culinary brands into major corporate hospitality spaces. This trend moves away from purely standardized offerings toward more curated, locally-connected consumer experiences.

Visitors to Downtown Disney can access the new dessert shop daily between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. Patrons should expect a menu that is currently transitioning toward a fully all-natural ingredient list.

The takeaway

Mitchell's journey illustrates how regional culinary traditions can be scaled from local apprenticeships into major tourist destinations. Customers can look forward to increasingly natural ingredient profiles as the brand refines its menu through 2026.