At a glance
The Rio Grande Bar is the bar at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe, a 2-star hotel with a New Mexico theme, inspired since 2012 by the Pixar film Cars. It carries on the hotel’s Route 66 and American Southwest atmosphere.
The decor mixes bright colours, Southwest geometric patterns, turquoise round tables, neon signs, a jukebox, cacti, nods to vintage American culture and references to the film Cars. The room, near reception and close to La Cantina restaurant, is designed to feel relaxed and colourful. There’s a children’s play area next to it.
The drinks menu features themed signature cocktails, along with mocktails, beers, wines and soft drinks. For food, the bar serves snacks and light dishes: two kinds of burrito served with Lay’s or Doritos crisps, nachos, tortillas with salsa, cheese platters and cold sandwiches. Depending on the season and events, the bar hosts karaoke nights, themed quizzes and sometimes live music, and has a neon photo booth.
Route 66 fruity margaritas. This colourful bar at Hotel Santa Fe takes its cue from Mexican architecture and the desert landscapes of the Pixar film Cars. The menu focuses on refreshing drinks and tequila cocktails. Its large, bright room welcomes visitors for a break at the end of the day.
Prices, packages and booking
Prices
- Adult set menu
- from €14
Meal plans accepted
Arriving up to 31 March 2027
Booking
Take a look at the menu
Have a look at the menu before you go: you’ll know straight away whether this restaurant suits you and you won’t waste time choosing on the spot.
Good to know
- Speciality Signature cocktails
- Service Afternoon snack, Evening
History
Opened on 12 April 1992 at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe, the Rio Grande Bar was designed to recreate the feel of the little taverns along the border rivers of New Mexico.
Its architecture and colourful interior layout are part of architect Antoine Predock’s original design. No major renovation has changed its character over its decades in operation.
- Opened
- 1992
Theme & story
Who it’s for
Pros and cons
Strong points
- Colourful Route 66 decor
- Burritos and Tex-Mex snacks
Weak points
- Furthest hotel from the parks (within walking distance)
- Noisy on entertainment nights
- Crowd levels vary from night to night
My verdict
The Rio Grande Bar is a Route 66 themed bar at Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe, with a colourful Cars feel. Its strong point is the American Southwest decor and the friendly entertainment nights.
I haven’t tried this restaurant yet. My verdict is based on my research and on what I’ve heard from people I know and from Disney fans. Open since 1992, it serves signature cocktails, burritos and Tex-Mex snacks for around €14, in a colourful, family-friendly Cars setting. Feedback points out that the hotel is the furthest from the parks of those within walking distance, that it gets noisy on entertainment nights and that crowd levels vary. The karaoke nights liven up the end of the day.
I recommend it for a friendly, lively evening if you’re staying at the hotel. Less suited if you want somewhere quiet or you’re staying near the parks.
Map & getting there
The Rio Grande Bar is inside Hotel Santa Fe, beyond Disney Village.
Your questions about this restaurant
01 Where can you eat cheaply in the Disneyland Paris parks?
To keep costs down, go for the quick-service counters rated €. Casey’s Corner serves hot dogs on Main Street, Café Hyperion does burgers and nuggets in Discoveryland, Colonel Hathi’s Outpost Restaurant serves pizza slices in Adventureland, and Cowboy Cookout Barbecue in Frontierland is still a good deal. Over at Disney Adventure World, Stark Factory and Super Diner remain affordable. Tip: Mobile Order (Click & Collect) in the app also lets you order at some counters without having to queue. And if you’re a bit peckish, a snack (waffle, churros, ice cream) for €5 to €10 does the job nicely.
02 Are there kids’ menus in the Disney restaurants?
Yes, almost all Disneyland Paris restaurants offer a child price (ages 3-11). In the all-you-can-eat buffets, children pay around half price: Agrabah Café at €25, Cape Cod at €25, La Cantina at €20. Classic table-service restaurants also have a children’s set menu with a suitable starter, main course and dessert. At the quick-service counters, you’ll find kids’ set meals with a drink and a dessert included. You can ask for a high chair when you book, using the "special request" field.
03 Are there vegetarian and vegan options in the Disneyland Paris restaurants?
Yes, more and more Disneyland Paris restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan options. The Lucky Nugget Saloon in Frontierland serves a full vegan set menu, and Toad Hall Restaurant in Fantasyland has really nice breaded plant-based crispy bites. Most other table-service restaurants and buffets have at least one vegetarian dish on the menu. Simpler buffets such as Agrabah Café or Cape Cod also offer meat-free alternatives. To check the details, download my free file by email with all the Disneyland Paris restaurant menus: that way you can spot the veggie options before your visit.
04 Where can you get an afternoon snack or a quick bite in the parks?
The parks are full of kiosks and snack stands for when you’re a bit peckish. For something sweet, there’s Cookie Kitchen on Main Street U.S.A., March Hare Refreshments in Fantasyland, waffle and churros stands just about everywhere, and roaming popcorn and ice cream sellers. For something savoury, the hot dogs at Casey’s Corner. Allow €5 to €10 per snack. Little tip: some stands sell reusable collectible popcorn buckets that make lovely souvenirs and give you refills at a reduced price all day.
05 What is Disneyland Paris half board and who can get it?
Disneyland Paris half board is a prepaid meal plan that includes the buffet breakfast at your Disney hotel plus one or more meals at a participating restaurant. It is only for guests staying at an official Disney hotel: you can’t buy it if you are visiting for the day. There are actually four plans: Standard, Plus, Extra Plus and Premium, each with a different range of restaurants and a different price. Extra Plus is in fact full board (two meals a day) rather than just half board. The main benefit: you budget for food in advance and enjoy your stay with no surprises when the bill arrives. For arrivals from 1 April 2027, Disney is replacing these four plans with Essentiel, Extra, Signature and Royal. I explain what changes in my guide to meal plans.
