Disney Is Building a Brand-New McDonald’s — And It’s Already Taking Shape

At Disneyland Paris, nostalgia runs deep — but so does reinvention. While the park continues to modernize its offerings and refresh aging spaces, one familiar name is preparing for a glow-up of its own. And though few might associate the Golden Arches with Disney magic, their shared past is longer — and more intertwined — than many remember.

For decades, McDonald’s and Disney have maintained a corporate relationship shaped by marketing synergy and crowd-pleasing convenience. From Happy Meal tie-ins to sponsored theme park attractions, the two brands helped shape childhood memories for generations. But over time, changing public attitudes toward nutrition — and Disney’s evolving brand priorities — saw the partnership shift course.

Now, with the relationship rekindled and a new wave of development underway in France, McDonald’s is preparing for a grand re-entry — one that’s turning heads before a single burger has been served.

Disney Pushes Ahead With New McDonald’s Location

The original Disneyland Paris McDonald’s opened in 1999, nestled within the resort’s retail and dining district, Disney Village. Over the years, the restaurant remained a reliable fixture even as the surrounding area began to feel increasingly out of step with modern park design. Now, as Disney Village undergoes a sweeping renovation, the fast-food giant is stepping into a bold new chapter.

According to DLP Report, the new McDonald’s location — currently under construction near Lake Disney — has officially gone vertical. The project, which will eventually replace the original 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 has promised that the restaurant will boast “an innovative architecture designed exclusively for Disneyland Paris” and that the venue that will “renew the guest experience by combining the best of Disney know-how with attractive family concepts and a completely reinvented design.”

Guests needn’t worry about missing their late-night fry fix in the meantime. The current McDonald’s will remain fully operational until the new location is completed.

A Complicated Past, A Carefully Crafted Future

McDonald’s and Disney first teamed up in the late 1980s, launching an era of highly successful cross-promotions that reached their peak in the 1990s. Beyond the iconic Happy Meal toys, McDonald’s had a physical presence inside several Disney parks, operating branded food kiosks in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disneyland Park. It even sponsored the soon-to-close DINOSAUR attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

However, that golden era dimmed in the mid-2000s when Disney allowed its licensing agreement with McDonald’s to lapse. The move came as part of a company-wide initiative to promote healthier options for children — and a desire to distance Disney from certain fast-food associations.

The relationship thawed again in 2018. With an updated focus on health-conscious offerings and brand alignment, Disney and McDonald’s resumed select collaborations. A net-zero-energy McDonald’s near Walt Disney World’s All-Star Resorts followed, reestablishing the brand’s footprint in the Disney ecosystem.

The new Disneyland Paris location continues that momentum. While few details have been released about the menu or interior concept, the emphasis on immersive design suggests Disney sees this as more than just another restaurant. It’s a statement of intent — and a signal that even quick-service dining can be elevated to match the storytelling around it.

Whether Disney fans are eager to see McDonald’s return inside the theme parks themselves remains to be seen. But in Paris, at least, the partnership appears stronger — and more stylish — than ever.

Do you wish Disney still served McDonald’s in its theme parks?