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As one Disney resort undergoes one of its most ambitious overhauls in years, a longtime fixture is preparing to move — and evolve.
The on-site McDonald’s, a staple of Disney Village since 1999, will soon close its doors. In its place comes a bold new structure promising a fresh take on the fast-food experience, designed exclusively for the resort’s reimagined future.
While fans might be surprised to see McDonald’s featured so prominently in Disney’s plans, the fast-food titan has played a larger role in the company’s history than many remember.
Credit: McDonald’s
A Fast-Food Fixture Gets a Major Makeover at Disney
In 1999, McDonald’s opened its Disneyland Paris location inside Disney Village — the resort’s version of Downtown Disney. For over two decades, the restaurant has remained one of the most accessible and affordable food options on Disney property, catering to both European guests and international visitors craving a familiar bite.
Now, with Disney Village undergoing a much-needed transformation, the old McDonald’s is on its way out.
According to DLP Report, a new structure near Lake Disney has officially entered vertical construction. The new restaurant is expected to open in early 2026.
🔧 On the other side of Disney Village, the new McDonald’s location is going vertical:
🔧 On the other side of Disney Village, the new McDonald’s location is going vertical: pic.twitter.com/n1Zk6i13ho
— DLP Report (@DLPReport) April 17, 2025
Disney confirmed the project, describing it as “an innovative architecture designed exclusively for Disneyland Paris,” adding that it aims to “renew the guest experience by combining the best of Disney know-how with attractive family concepts and a completely reinvented design.”
Credit: Disney
Importantly, the original McDonald’s will remain open throughout the construction period, ensuring that guests aren’t left without their usual fries and nuggets while the new location is being built.
A Long, Sometimes Complicated History
Disney and McDonald’s have a deep-rooted history that stretches back more than three decades. In the late 1980s, the two companies joined forces through co-branded Happy Meal promotions that quickly became cultural touchstones. By the 1990s, McDonald’s had established a visible presence inside Disney’s domestic parks, operating food stands in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disneyland Park. It even sponsored the DINOSAUR attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The collaboration cooled in the mid-2000s. As Disney worked to align its brand with healthier lifestyle choices, it opted not to renew its agreement with McDonald’s, and the fast-food giant gradually disappeared from Disney park maps.
Credit: Disney
That changed in 2018, when the companies quietly revived their alliance with a more modern, health-conscious focus. A flagship McDonald’s near Walt Disney World’s All-Star Resorts became the centerpiece of the renewed partnership, notable for its eco-friendly, net-zero energy design.
The new Disneyland Paris location signals another step forward. Though Disney hasn’t revealed the restaurant’s interior look or menu offerings, the language used in its description points toward a more immersive, guest-forward experience — possibly the most ambitious McDonald’s to date on Disney property.
As Disney Village shifts away from its ’90s-era aesthetic and toward a sleeker, more contemporary look, the updated McDonald’s is poised to reflect that change. For fans of both brands, it’s a nostalgic reunion — with a modern twist.
Do you think Disney should bring McDonald’s back to its parks?
