Okay, Disneyland Paris foodies, gather round. We’ve got a big one.
If you’ve ever visited the resort, you’ve almost certainly wandered through Disney Village. It’s the buzzy strip of shops, restaurants, and entertainment that sits between the theme parks and the hotels. The whole area opened in 1992 as Festival Disney, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, and it’s been the go-to spot for dinner after a long park day ever since.
Lately, though, the Village has been in full makeover mode. New shops, new restaurants, refreshed favorites, and a few big goodbyes. And this month, the dining scene is about to look very different.
One beloved restaurant is leaving for good. A brand-new one is arriving right behind it. Let’s get into the details.
What’s In, What’s Out
Here’s the quick rundown before we dig in.
OUT: Rainforest Cafe. The jungle-themed restaurant closes permanently on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
DLP Report posted on X: “⚠️ A door opens, another closes: the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village will be closing permanently this Sunday, November 15.”
⚠️ A door opens, another closes, the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village will be closing permanently this Sunday November 15: https://t.co/7OrvBmvdPz
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) November 9, 2026
IN: Casa Giulia. A family-friendly Italian table-service restaurant begins its soft opening on December 1, 2026.
ALSO IN: Giulia Express, a quick-service counter attached to Casa Giulia for pizza slices, focaccia, pastries, and ice cream.
STILL TBD: An official grand opening date for Casa Giulia, and what will eventually replace Rainforest Cafe. Disneyland Paris hasn’t announced either yet.
Casa Giulia Cheat Sheet
Everything you need to know about the new spot, all in one place.
| Casa Giulia | |
|---|---|
| Soft opening | December 1, 2026 |
| Location | Former Planet Hollywood space near World of Disney, Disney Village |
| Style | Family-friendly Italian table service |
| Size | Two floors, 440 indoor seats |
| Terrace | Outdoor seating for 120 |
| Quick-service | Giulia Express, 80+ seats indoors and on its terrace |
| Design | Terrazzo, brick, wood and greenery |
| Operator | Bertrand Hospitality |
If the operator sounds familiar, it should. Bertrand Hospitality also runs Rainforest Cafe, Brasserie Rosalie, and The Royal Pub at Disney Village. And according to the French site Disneyphile, the Rainforest Cafe team is expected to move over to Casa Giulia instead of losing their jobs. Love that.
Let’s Talk Food
Now for our favorite part. Casa Giulia’s menu leans on Italian culinary traditions and seasonal ingredients, which means the lineup could change throughout the year. Here’s what’s been revealed so far:
- Rosemary Mozzarella Croquettes: Mozzarella and rosemary in croquette form? Count us in.
- Beef and Veal Polpette: Italian meatballs, and a classic comfort food order.
- Pizza Tartufo: Truffle pizza. Need we say more?
A selection of Italian drinks and cocktails will round out the menu.
And if you’re short on time, Giulia Express has your back with pizza by the slice, focaccia, Italian pastries, and ice cream. Honestly, a slice and a scoop sounds like the perfect end to a park day.
Raising a Glass to Rainforest Cafe
Before we get too carried away with pizza, let’s give the Rainforest Cafe a proper send-off.
The restaurant has been part of Disney Village since 1999. For 27 years, guests have dined surrounded by thick foliage, waterfalls, aquariums, and animatronic animals, with simulated thunderstorms rolling through the dining room every so often. It was a little loud, a little wild, and a lot of fun for families.
Disneyland Paris confirmed the closure in a September announcement, saying Rainforest Cafe would close by the end of 2026. Fans first expected a mid-September farewell, but the date was pushed to November. Now it’s official: the last day is Sunday, November 15.
The closure is linked to the next phase of the Disney Village redevelopment. What comes next in that space is still a mystery.
Village Watch
Casa Giulia and the Rainforest Cafe aren’t the only stories in Disney Village right now. Here’s what else is happening:
- North side nearly done: The northern section of the Village is wrapping up its makeover, including the Disney Wonders boutique, which opened September 22, 2026.
- South side up next: Redevelopment of the southern section, where Rainforest Cafe sits, is expected to begin in 2027.
- Vapiano refresh: The Village’s other Italian restaurant will close from the end of 2026 for a full interior redesign.
There’s one more thing worth mentioning. As the Village is modernized, many of Frank Gehry’s original design touches are being removed. Gehry, the celebrated architect who designed the district, died last year at 96. For longtime fans, that makes these changes feel a bit more emotional.
Your Turn to Dish
If your Disneyland Paris trip lands before November 15, squeeze in one last Rainforest Cafe meal for old times’ sake. If you’re visiting in December, you could be among the first guests to try Casa Giulia during its soft opening.
Now we need your hot takes. Are you sad to see the Rainforest Cafe go, or ready to trade animatronic animals for truffle pizza? What would you order first at Casa Giulia? Tell us in the comments. And if you make it to the soft opening, please send us your food reviews. We’re already hungry just thinking about it!
