Disney Village is losing another piece of its old identity.
The shopping and dining district at Disneyland Paris is undergoing a major redevelopment, with new restaurants, stores, and redesigned spaces gradually replacing businesses that have operated there for decades.
Recent additions include Disney Style, Disney Glamour, Disney Wonders, Deco by Disney, and a brand-new McDonald's, while other parts of Disney Village are still undergoing work. Casa Giulia, a two-story Italian restaurant, is also due to open before the end of 2026.
One longtime restaurant will not survive the overhaul.
Rainforest Cafe Starts Coming Apart
Rainforest Cafe is set to close permanently at Disneyland Paris before the end of 2026, but the dismantling process has seemingly started early.
Part of the restaurant’s gift shop has already been emptied of merchandise and converted into stroller parking, according to Disneyland Paris news outlet Pixie Dust DLP.
Part of the Rainforest Cafe shop has now been turned into stroller parking, with several shelves already empty ahead of the restaurant’s permanent closure in Disney Village later this year. 🍴🐘#DisneylandParis #DisneyVillage pic.twitter.com/OiyvyFkFCb
— Pixie Dust DLP ✨ (@PixiedustDLP) September 28, 2026
The area previously contained plush toys and other Rainforest Cafe merchandise. Much of that stock has now disappeared, leaving considerably less retail space available to guests.
It is a small change, but one that marks a noticeable shift for a restaurant that remains open for business.
Rainforest Cafe was initially expected to close in September 2026. That date came and went after the shutdown was reportedly delayed, with November later emerging as the likely timeframe.
Disneyland Paris has not publicly confirmed an exact final operating date.
Instead, Disney confirmed in September that Rainforest Cafe will disappear by the end of 2026 as work continues on the next stage of the Disney Village transformation.
That means guests still hoping to visit the restaurant have a limited window remaining.
The restaurant continues to operate and remains listed by Disneyland Paris, but the shrinking gift shop suggests preparations for its permanent departure are already underway.
A Disney Restaurant With Nearly Three Decades of History
Rainforest Cafe opened at Disney Village in 1999 and became one of the resort’s most heavily themed restaurants.
Its dining rooms feature dense artificial foliage, giant aquariums, animal figures, waterfalls and simulated thunderstorms. Animatronic wildlife and jungle sound effects complete an experience designed to feel closer to an attraction than a conventional restaurant.
The Disneyland Paris location followed years of expansion for the Rainforest Cafe brand.
Walt Disney World opened a Rainforest Cafe at what is now Disney Springs in 1996. A second Florida restaurant opened alongside Disney’s Animal Kingdom when the park debuted in 1998.
Landry’s acquired the chain in 2000.
Rainforest Cafe remains part of the Disney dining landscape elsewhere. Walt Disney World still has restaurants at Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom, while another operates at Ikspiari next to Tokyo Disney Resort.
The Paris location, however, has shown its age.
Guests have reported broken or unreliable effects and animatronics in recent years. Those problems are particularly noticeable at a restaurant where the elaborate surroundings have always been a major part of the appeal.
Food has rarely been the main draw.
Disneyland Paris itself has faced persistent criticism over dining quality, with visitors frequently complaining about expensive meals, inconsistent dishes and limited counter service options.
Restaurants including Bistrot Chez Rémy and PYM Kitchen have also attracted mixed guest feedback despite their extensive theming.
Rainforest Cafe historically had its spectacle to fall back on. Deteriorating effects have made that increasingly difficult.
Its departure also fits into a much bigger effort to reshape Disney Village.
The district has been steadily moving away from businesses and designs dating back to the resort’s earlier decades. New storefronts, refreshed facades and modern restaurants are replacing much of the original environment.
Casa Giulia will be one of the largest new additions.
The Italian restaurant will offer roughly 260 seats inside and another 120 on an outdoor terrace. An adjoining Giulia Express will sell pizza, focaccia, pastries and ice cream.
Disney has not yet revealed what will ultimately replace Rainforest Cafe.
What's your favorite restaurant at Disneyland Paris?
