When Disneyland Paris opened on April 12, 1992, it arrived with more than a castle and a collection of rides. Just outside the park gates sat a lively shopping, dining, and entertainment district then called Festival Disney, a place where guests could linger long after the fireworks ended.
That district, now known as Disney Village, was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. His bold, industrial-meets-whimsical style gave it a look unlike anything else at a Disney resort, with towering pylons and playful, unconventional shapes.
For more than three decades, Disney Village has been where Disneyland Paris guests grab dinner, catch a movie, browse for souvenirs, or simply soak in the atmosphere on the way back to their hotels.
But the Village of November 9 is in the middle of a dramatic transformation. Familiar names are disappearing, new ones are arriving, and this month marks one of the biggest swaps yet.
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
Ciao, Casa Giulia
The newest arrival is Casa Giulia, a family-friendly Italian table-service restaurant that will begin welcoming guests in a soft-opening phase on December 1, 2026.
It’s taking over the former Planet Hollywood space near the World of Disney store, one of the most visible spots in Disney Village. And it’s big. The restaurant spans two floors with 440 indoor seats, plus an outdoor terrace with room for another 120 guests.
The design leans into classic Italian architecture, mixing terrazzo, brick, wood, and plenty of greenery. Casa Giulia is operated by Bertrand Hospitality, the same group behind Brasserie Rosalie, The Royal Pub, and the soon-to-close Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village.
Disneyland Paris hasn’t announced an official grand opening date yet, so for now, December 1 marks the start of the soft-opening period.
What’s Cooking
- Rosemary Mozzarella Croquettes
- Beef and Veal Polpette
- Pizza Tartufo
A selection of Italian beverages and cocktails will round things out.
Not every visit calls for a sit-down meal, and Casa Giulia has that covered too. Giulia Express, its quick-service counterpart, will offer pizza by the slice, focaccia, Italian pastries, and ice cream. It has more than 80 seats split between an indoor dining area and a terrace, which makes it an easy stop before heading into the parks or on the way back to your hotel.
Last Call in the Jungle
While one restaurant opens, another says goodbye. The Rainforest Cafe at Disney Village will close permanently on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
The jungle-themed restaurant has been part of Disney Village since 1999. Inside, it surrounded diners with dense foliage, aquariums, waterfalls, animatronic animals, and simulated thunderstorms that rolled through every so often.
Its exit has been a long time coming. Disneyland Paris confirmed in a September release that Rainforest Cafe would close by the end of 2026. The closure had originally been expected in mid-September before being pushed back to November.
There is a silver lining for the staff. According to the French Disney site Disneyphile, the Rainforest Cafe team is expected to move over to Casa Giulia rather than being let go.
A District Mid-Makeover
Casa Giulia and the Rainforest Cafe closure are just two pieces of a much larger puzzle. Disney Village has spent the last several years in a full-scale reimagining, with new shops, new restaurants, and major updates to familiar spots.
The northern section of the Village is nearly finished. Most recently, a new boutique called Disney Wonders opened on September 22, 2026. Next up is the southern section, where work is expected to begin in 2027, and that redevelopment is the reason Rainforest Cafe is closing. Disneyland Paris hasn’t said what will replace it.
Other changes are on the horizon too. Vapiano, the Village’s other Italian spot, is set to close from the end of 2026 for a full interior redesign.
All of this also means the gradual loss of Frank Gehry’s original design. Many of the architectural touches he gave the district are being removed as it modernizes. Gehry, one of the most celebrated architects of his generation, died last year at 96, which adds a bittersweet note to watching his work at Disneyland Paris fade away.
One Last Thunderstorm Before the Pasta
If you’re heading to Disneyland Paris in the next week, this is your final chance to dine under the Rainforest Cafe’s artificial thunderstorms. After November 15, the jungle goes quiet for good.
And if your trip falls in December, you could be among the first to try Casa Giulia, whether that means a full Italian dinner on the terrace or a quick slice from Giulia Express.
So tell us. Will you miss the Rainforest Cafe, or are you more excited for a plate of Pizza Tartufo? Share your favorite Disney Village memory in the comments, whether it’s a meal, a movie night, or a late stroll after the fireworks. We’d genuinely love to hear what the Village has meant to you over the years.
