Quick Service Eateries in Epcot

For those guests on the go, or who don’t want to spend the money to eat at a full-service restaurant, there are many counter service choices in Epcot. I am not going to write about snack booths (I.e., the Funnel Cakes in America or the various carts with ice cream and other goodies). This blog will focus on places you can get an actual meal.

I’m going to write about quick-service restaurants that are, for the most part, available to Epcot guests 365 days a year. The majority of these places are located in the World Showcase area, so let’s start with what you can find in Future World, as it is much more limited.

The first option is the Electric Umbrella, located next to the big Mouse Gear shop (on the left after you have passed guest services in the park). I hesitate to mention this place because at the moment it is closed for an extensive rehab. As of this writing, no definite announcements have been made, but rumors are that it will return as some sort of restaurant, possibly with the same name. Before closing for refurbishment, it served pulled pork, brisket sandwiches, salads with chicken, vegetarian quinoa salad, and flatbreads. There are a number of soft drinks, including slushies. My favorite is the pineapple coconut slushie, which is sort of a cross between a Dole Whip and a virgin Pina Colada. Discounts and Deals: Annual Passholders get 20% off their meals. The Disney Dining plan considers the entrees to be one quick-service meal. One extra bonus: If you use the My Disney Experience App on your phone, you can pre-order from The Electric Umbrella, and your food will be ready when you arrive (or soon thereafter).

By the way, a lot of people miss the fact that the Electric Umbrella has a second floor. It is usually less crowded up there, and it’s nice to have the view of Future World below. This section is not always open, but when it is, it’s a great choice. Lastly, although there is some outdoor seating, this eatery is indoors and air-conditioned.

There is only one other quick-service eatery in Future World at this time. It’s in the Land Pavilion (the same place you would ride Soarin or Living with the Land), and it’s called Sunshine Seasons. Located on the ground floor, this cafeteria-style place has a lot of selections. You help yourself to a tray and choose from a variety of sections with various cuisines. There are no discounts offered here, but if you are on the dining plan each entrée is one quick service credit, and each snack is one snack credit.

Breakfast is available at Sunshine Seasons from park opening until 11AM. They offer eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, breakfast wraps, paninis, French toast, cereals, and croissants.  Once breakfast is over lunch begins, the offerings are the same for both lunch and dinner. The food sections include Desserts (a fantastic variety of tasty treats); Sandwiches and Flatbreads, Asian selections, Soup & Salad, Grilled Selections. You wait in line with your tray, tell the Cast Member what you would like, and when you’re done, you go over to pay at the exit. There are a number of “grab and go” areas in addition to the sections I mentioned. Here you will find a variety of salads; sushi, pita bread with dip, ready-made sandwiches. For the Mouseketeers who are 9 and under, kid’s meals are offered at the various stations. These meals include a small water or milk, and, depending on where you order, sometimes a small dessert or baby carrots are included.

If your party all likes different types of food, Sunshine Seasons is a great option, as the choices are so varied. Once you pay you help yourself to utensils, napkins, and condiments and then find a table to enjoy your food. There are many tables; chances are you won’t have a problem finding seating.  While you are dining, look up to the center of the ceiling. You’ll see four balloons; each one represents a different season of the year.

We are off to World Showcase now. Taking a left from the center path, we arrive in Mexico in a short while. On the right is La Cantina de San Angel, the first quick-service we come to. As I am sure you have guessed, Mexican food is served here.  Open for lunch and dinner; choices include Tacos, Nachos, Empanadas, Guacamole, Churros, Mexican salad, and a number of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. There is no indoor seating, once you order from the counter you find a seat to enjoy your food. Two things to mention: First, beware of birds stealing your food. That particular area has had issues with birds for a while, so don’t leave your food unattended. Second, this is a great spot to watch the Epcot nighttime show. If you are able to arrive on time, get some food and grab a table by the water, you’ll have a nice view of the show and be comfortably seated while watching.  DVC members are eligible for 10% off their meals here. For those on the dining plan, it’s one quick service credit per entrée.

Moving along, the next quick service is located in China, and it is called the Lotus Blossom Cafe. The theming is very nice both inside and out. Food choices include Mongolian Beef; Orange Chicken; Spicy Chicken, Chicken Fried Rice, Egg Roll; Pot Stickers; Sesame Chicken Salad; Vegetarian Stir Fry. They serve nonalcoholic beverages, as well as beer, tequila, and wine. There are a few tables outdoors; the majority are inside. Not all guests notice that there are two spots indoors to eat, one to the left and one to the right. Generally, the one on the right (if you are facing the restaurant) is less crowded.

Next we come to a small building in Africa called Refreshment Outpost. There are not a lot of options, but there are some that are a meal. The menu consists of Nigerian Meat Pie, Hot dogs, and Panna Cotta. There are soft drinks as well as beer and a few mixed drinks such as the Mango Starr (Mango with African rum). No discounts here, but they will take Dining plan credits.

Continuing along we come to Germany and their quick service area, Sommerfest. Another eatery that is not very large, this is the place for Bratwurst; Frankfurters; Potato Salad; Baked Macaroni and Cheese. They sell beer (including beer flights), wine, and soft drinks. No discounts, but dining plan folks can use credits here.

Normally the next quick service would be in America. For many years they served burgers, fries, and chicken. Recently the restaurant was closed, and Disney is re-imagining it. When it re-opens, the cuisine will be barbecue food.  I am looking forward to trying that.

A place many guests do not realize has food (and not just shaved ice), is Kakigori in Japan. Located on the World Showcase walkway, this small place has three types of Sushi Rolls and edamame. You can also find beer, sake, wine, and soft drinks here. There are no seats, just the benches on the walkway. If you go up the hill next to Kakigori, you will come to another quick-service restaurant in Japan, Katsura Grill. The décor is very enjoyable, a clear Japanese theme.

There are a number of tables outdoors, many in the shade, as well as tables inside. Food selections here include Soup, Sushi selections; a variety of noodle meals; and a number of teriyaki choices. Soft drinks, wine, sake, and beer are offered as beverages. No discounts, dining credits are accepted.

After Japan, we encounter our next quick-service eatery in Morocco. The Tangerine Café has both indoor and outdoor tables; the majority of them are outside.

The theming is great, very Mediterranean style. The food here includes Platters with either lamb, beef, veggies or chicken; lamb wraps; chicken wraps; falafels; tabbouleh, couscous; combo pita wraps with lamb, chicken, and falafel; a Kefta wrap which is grilled ground beef served with salsa. In the rear you’ll find a plentiful dessert area, as well as a large selection of cocktails and coffee. As of this writing, there are no discounts, but they do take dining plan credits.

Next we reach France. To find the quick service here, you will have to make your way behind the sit-down restaurant (Chefs de France). All the way in the back, you will come upon Boulangerie Patisserie. This is another great place for families who have different tastes; there are many selections to choose from. They offer many types of sandwiches; salads, quiches, baguettes, croissants, soup; flatbreads. And lots and lots of desserts! Soft drinks, beer, wine, and a number of cocktails are offered as well. This place can be crowded; there are often waits for a table when it’s busy. There are tables outdoors as well, but not many and most are in the sun.

We have reached the end of our journey when we arrive in the UK’s Yorkshire County Fish Shop. The only option here is Fish and Chips, along with soft drinks, tea, and ales. If you are very lucky, sometimes the seating area to the right of the shop is available during Illuminations. More often than not it’s taken up by a private dessert party. During the day, however, usually, seating is plentiful, all outdoors, mostly in the shade.

Two places I have not mentioned because they are temporarily different during festivals are Refreshment Port (just at the entrance to World showcase when entering from the right side of Future World), and Taste Track (near Test Track). When the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is NOT running, Refreshment Port serves two types of poutine and fries. Taste Track serves sandwiches, soup, and salad when it’s not food and wine time.

I want to mention that all the places I wrote about have kids menus. I didn’t list the specific options, but the cuisine is similar to that of what adults are served but in smaller portions. Additionally, if you have food allergies often there are special items for folks that are allergic, ask a Cast Member in the place you’re thinking of dining. Happy eating to all!

~Marilyn