May 1983 – February 2017
LOCATION
Fantasyland – When you entered through the castle, you’d find the Village Haus on your left, around the corner past Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. If you arrived in Fantasyland from Frontierland, you’d see the restaurant first thing on your right. And if you entered Fantasyland from Tomorrowland or Mickey’s Toontown, you’d find the Village Haus at the end of the main path, after the King Arthur Carrousel and the Casey Jr. Circus Train.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Service Type – quick service
- Seating – indoor dining room and outdoor patio
- Entertainment – none
The Village Haus Restaurant offered diners a selection of burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. Diners could choose to eat in the interior Pinocchio dining room, or on the rear patio. At night, diners sat in the glow of lanterns, and at any time of day, guests could relax and take in the Fantasyland scenery from the quiet comfort of the Village Haus.
CLOSURE
This quick-service restaurant consistently drew in hungry Fantasyland visitors, so Disneyland never intended to close it. Instead, they saw the opportunity for a re-theme, tying in with the release of the live action Beauty and the Beast. In February 2017, the restaurant closed, reopening as the Red Rose Taverne a month later.
TRIVIA
My original rating: The Village Haus Restaurant doesn’t have much variety in its menu, but the food it does have is decent, and the desserts change seasonally. What I like most about this restaurant is its atmosphere; the outdoor patio is surrounded on three sides by tall Bavarian towers, and opens up to the forest in the back of Fantasyland. At night, the patio’s lanterns light up the trees, and the scenery is that much more magical. Stop by the Village Haus when you want a sandwich or a dessert, and enjoy the beauty of Fantasyland. (★★★☆☆)
Though the exterior is reminiscent of a Bavarian village, the interior featured murals from Pinocchio, which takes place in Italy.
The Village Haus opened in 1983, shortly after the debut of New Fantasyland.
My family has always skipped this place. I like that you said it has desserts that change seasonally. I’ll check it out next time I’m there.
What a cute building!