REPORT: 131 Days Left Until End of Disney's Rainforest Cafe

Rainforest Cafe became a major part of Disney’s global parks footprint during the restaurant chain’s late-1990s boom. Disney World opened locations at Disney Springs and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disneyland Resort added a Downtown Disney branch in 2001, and Disneyland Paris later introduced a location at Disney Village that still operates today.

Tokyo Disney Resort also continues to operate a Rainforest Cafe at Ikspiari, the shopping and dining complex beside Tokyo Disneyland. Although Disney closed the Downtown Disney Anaheim location in 2018, the remaining Disney-affiliated restaurants have become nostalgic fixtures tied to the company’s late-1990s expansion era.

But now, one location is reportedly set to close in just 131 days.

Rainforest Cafe Closure Allegedly Confirmed to Employees

Anyone hoping to dine surrounded by animatronic animals beneath a faux-thunderstorm (and isn’t that everyone?) will need to move fast at one Disney park.

Disney is allegedly set to shutter the Rainforest Cafe located at Disney Village. Rumors first hit the internet last week, but a more recent report suggests that we now have an actual closure date.

As per @DLPRescueRanger, the restaurant’s staff were recently told that the Rainforest Cafe will close on September 15, 2026.

🔴 As rumors surrounding the Rainforest Café at Disney Village intensify, it seems that its permanent closure is indeed scheduled for September 15, 2026.

The announcement was reportedly made recently to the restaurant’s staff, but there has been no official confirmation yet.

🔴 Alors que les rumeurs autour du Rainforest Café de Disney Village s'intensifient, il semblerait que sa fermeture définitive soit bien prévue le 15 septembre 2026.

L'annonce aurait été faite récemment au personnel du restaurant, mais pas encore de confirmation officielle. pic.twitter.com/GDIU92XPPM

— DLP Rescue Rangers (@DLPRescueRanger) May 7, 2026

If true, the Rainforest Cafe’s closure comes amidst a wider transformation for Disney Village. Disneyland Paris has spent the past few years overhauling the district with new shops, restaurant refurbishments, and updated dining concepts, including Brasserie Rosalie, the redesigned Sports Bar & Lounge, and the upcoming Casa Giulia Italian restaurant. Notably, employees have allegedly been told that they will be relocated to Casa Giulia if the restaurant opens by the end of this year.

Disney has also replaced its existing McDonald’s with what it calls the largest in France, while longtime venues like Annette’s Diner and the Disney Store are being reimagined. When it reopens, the latter will be known as Disney Wonders.

The overhaul is intended to modernize Disney Village, which many guests felt had become frozen in a distinctly 1990s style. Still, the changes have sparked backlash from some longtime fans who argue the district is losing the eccentric personality that once set it apart.

Some have taken the closure of Rainforest Cafe as proof of the latter.

“Final nail in the coffin of the DV,” wrote one X user. “Transformation into a flat and flavorless commercial zone soon complete.”

Another user said, “This is disastrous news.”

The resort’s wider transformation also includes the launch of Disney Adventure World, the renamed second gate formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park. The expansion introduced World of Frozen, Adventure Way, a new nighttime show, and a Tangled-themed attraction, with major Lion King and Up-inspired experiences still in development.

⚠️ Is 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 in Disneyland Paris closing? Employees have been told that they will be 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 to Casa Giulia if this new restaurant opens at the end of this year 🍽️ Read more 👉

⚠️ Gaat 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞 in Disneyland Paris sluiten? Medewerkers hebben te horen gekregen dat ze 𝐭𝐢𝐣𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐣𝐤 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐭 naar Casa Giulia als dit nieuwe restaurant eind dit jaar opent 🍽️ Lees meer 👉 https://t.co/3sFzYsJzny pic.twitter.com/IafQ0peigs

— DiscoverTheMagic.nl (@DiscoverMagicNL) May 7, 2026

The closure would undoubtedly raise questions about the future of Disney’s remaining Rainforest Cafe locations. The chain has steadily shrunk over the past two decades.

Still, Disney World’s restaurants appear to be in a far stronger position. The Disney Springs location, in particular, regularly draws heavy crowds thanks to its massive footprint, prime location, and nostalgic appeal, suggesting there is still strong demand for the rainforest-themed dining experience in Orlando.

How do you feel about the potential closure of Rainforest Cafe?