Another piece of Disney dining history is preparing to disappear.
Rainforest Cafe has been tied to Disney destinations for three decades, becoming one of the most recognizable third-party restaurant brands found near the parks. Its mix of animatronic wildlife, tropical scenery, aquariums, thunderstorms, and oversized American dishes made the chain difficult to mistake for anything else.
Its Disney history began at Walt Disney World in 1996, when Rainforest Cafe opened at the former Downtown Disney Marketplace. A second Florida restaurant followed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1998, before the brand expanded to other Disney resorts around the world.
Today, Walt Disney World still has Rainforest Cafe locations at Disney Springs and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tokyo Disney Resort also has Japan’s only Rainforest Cafe at Ikspiari, while another long-running restaurant remains attached to a European Disney destination.
Disneyland Resort lost its own Rainforest Cafe much earlier. The temple-themed Downtown Disney restaurant closed in June 2018 as Disney prepared the area for a proposed luxury hotel.
That hotel project was eventually canceled following a dispute between Disney and the City of Anaheim. Rainforest Cafe, however, never reopened.
Now another location is nearing the end of the line — but guests have been given longer than originally expected to visit.
Rainforest Cafe Closure Pushed Back
The Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village, outside Disneyland Paris, is now expected to permanently close in November 2026.
The restaurant had previously been scheduled to shut down on September 15. Its closure has since been delayed by roughly two months, giving guests an extended opportunity to visit before the nearly three-decade-old restaurant disappears.
An exact final operating date in November has not yet been confirmed.
Rainforest Cafe opened at Disney Village in 1999 and has become one of the entertainment district’s most elaborately themed dining locations.
Inside, guests dine beneath dense artificial foliage surrounded by aquariums, waterfalls, tropical animals, and periodic simulated thunderstorms. Animatronic creatures and jungle sound effects form a major part of the experience.
Its menu follows the familiar Rainforest Cafe formula, with burgers, ribs, pasta, fajitas, sharing dishes, cocktails, and large desserts among the offerings.
Guest reaction to the restaurant has traditionally been strongest when it comes to theming. Rainforest Cafe currently carries a 4.3-out-of-five rating on Google and a 3.7-out-of-five score on Tripadvisor.
Recent reviews frequently praise its family-friendly atmosphere and immersive setting. Complaints tend to center on pricing, inconsistent food quality, and slower service.
The closure will nevertheless remove another distinctive piece of the old Disney Village as Disneyland Paris continues remaking the shopping and dining district.
Disney Village Continues Its Major Transformation
Disney Village has changed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with Disney gradually stripping away several restaurants, stores, and design elements associated with the district’s 1990s identity.
Planet Hollywood permanently closed in January 2023 after decades at the resort. Café Mickey was replaced later that year by Brasserie Rosalie, while King Ludwig’s Castle was converted into The Royal Pub.
Disney has also introduced new retail concepts.
Disney Style, Disney Glamour, and Deco by Disney have joined the district, while the Sports Bar & Lounge returned with an updated design in 2025.
Another major change followed in January 2026 when the original Disney Store permanently closed. Its former location is now being transformed into Disney Wonders as the wider Disney Village redevelopment continues.
More changes remain underway.
Annette’s Diner is receiving a substantial refurbishment, while Casa Giulia is expected to open by the end of 2026. The new two-story Italian restaurant is taking over the former Planet Hollywood site.
The fate of the Rainforest Cafe building has not yet been announced, leaving another major piece of Disney Village’s redevelopment unresolved.
Will you miss the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village?
