Disney World’s “Worst Restaurant” Is Not So Bad.
There are a lot of “storylines” in Walt Disney World dining that were established years ago and persist today despite being questionable, at best, and downright untrue, at worst. The greatness of Le Cellier and ‘Ohana. The difficulty of scoring ADRs for Cinderella’s Royal Table. How the Disney Dining Plan has ruined the ambitiousness of menus.
One we are guilty of perpetuating is the terribleness of Electric Umbrella. For years, we made it the butt of jokes. In our defense, it’s an easy target. Also, we have teased more recently that it’s not as bad as it once was. Well, today is the day for a full defense of Electric Umbrella, as a couple of new menu items have reinforced its upward trajectory and further convinced us that it’s getting an undeserved bum rap.
Before this goes off the rails as a redemption story, we want to be very clear that this is still Electric Umbrella we’re talking about. It’s not suddenly the champion of Walt Disney World counter service restaurants, nor is it “good” in the traditional sense of the word. However, in the landscape of Epcot’s dining scene, Electric Umbrella’s stock is rising.
Admittedly, part of this is due to Sunshine Seasons’ stock falling. In fact, our last couple of times at Sunshine Seasons have been huge disappointments, and that’s not counting the instances we’ve walked in and immediately left because an ordering bay or two was inexplicably closed. (Something that is, sadly, happening more and more there.)
Sunshine Seasons has tweaked its menu a couple of times in the last several months, and by “tweak” we mean “eliminate several ambitious items and replace them with fewer things, and items that are of lesser quality.” The bland BBQ sandwich and “Almost Pizza” deep dish are the worst offenders, and some of the worst entrees I’ve ever had at Walt Disney World.
But the slow fall from grace of Sunshine Seasons is a different story for a different blog post. We’re here to talk about the slow ascension of Electric Umbrella, which as been (fairly) maligned for years as one of, if not the, worst restaurants at Walt Disney World. At this point, I’d take Electric Umbrella over Sunshine Seasons.
Let’s start by taking a look at the two newest items to the menu at Electric Umbrella, both of which debuted this week…
This is the Chicken Prosciutto Mozzarella Sandwich topped with a sun-dried tomato aioli sauce and served with fries.
The chicken on this sandwich is tender and flavorful, and doesn’t taste overcooked or like it’s been sitting around under a heat lamp all day. I could do without the prosciutto, which doesn’t add any flavor to speak of, but does add an odd texture.
The mozzarella provides a bit of depth and flavor to enhance the chicken, but could probably do a tad more. It’s the creamy aioli that ends up being the highlight, enhancing the other flavors while never being too heavy.
As we frequently do at Sunshine Seasons, our ‘hack’ here is to request a side contained for the aioli, which is perfect for dipping the fries. They gave us a huge container of the stuff.
In the famous words of Walt Disney, “it’s kind of fun to do the impossible…and dip your fries into a soup bowl of aioli.” Walt dreamed of a place kids and parents could have fun dipping fries together, and it’s nice to see Electric Umbrella is finally realizing his dream.
Overall, this is a good-but-not-great sandwich that comes across as “healthy enough” while still having the kind of indulgent flavors I enjoy in theme park food. I’d recommend it, but it’s not my favorite item on the menu.
The second new item is the Cookie Crunch Brownie.
Normally, Walt Disney World brownies are one-note, hard, and dry. This was a different story, with discernible layers and a variety of textures. It’s dense and perhaps a bit too rich, but we enjoyed the dessert. It still would be pretty far from our top choice of desserts in Epcot (Sunshine Seasons still shines in that regard, as do the World Showcase bakeries), but it was better than expected.
My favorite item on the Electric Umbrella menu is currently the Brisket Sandwich: “Slow-cooked Smoked Beef Brisket Marinated in Au Jus on top a Toasted Roll covered with Homemade Beer Cheese and served with French Fries.”
This is pure guilty pleasure territory, but I feel it’s not totally phoned in with cheap meat and plastic cheese. Instead, you get juicy (albeit sometimes overly-fatty) brisket, a quality roll that can hold up under the weight of the meat and au jus sauce, and nice beer cheese. It’s not the pinnacle of Walt Disney World’s culinary scene, but it’s delicious and more effort is put into it than you’d expect.
At the other end of the spectrum, Electric Umbrella is currently one of Sarah’s favorite spots at Epcot thanks to the Vegetable Quinoa Salad: “Cauliflower, Carrots, Cabbage, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Edamame drizzled with Agave Lime Dressing.”
Although quinoa is my long-time nemesis, this salad is undeniably ambitious. It’s a far cry from the ‘iceberg lettuce and maybe a tomato or two’ salads of yesteryear at Walt Disney World, and the variety of veggies is nicely punctuated by that zesty citrus flavor of the agave lime dressing. I’d never voluntarily order this, but if I’m feeling guilty after a week’s worth of brisket sandwich-esque choices, it’s a very strong change of pace. Healthy, filling, tasty, and relatively inexpensive.
If you want another healthy option, but something with meat, the Energy Salad with Roasted Chicken isn’t too shabby, either. More ambitious than the typical Walt Disney World salad, but not as good as the option above in our opinion.
About the only criticism I have for Electric Umbrella’s current menu is that the Mojo Pulled Pork Burger is a slight step backwards as compared to the French Dip Burger, which was a true hidden gem. However, even the new burger is a decent option, with toppings that mask the normal (bad) Walt Disney World burger patty.
If you’re skeptical of all this praise, that’s very fair. Many of you have probably been burned by Electric Umbrella in the past. It’s prominent location and mesmerizing neon have beckoned unassuming guests for years. And if you unwittingly ordered something bland and boring here before venturing back to World Showcase to find a cornucopia of diverse dining options, you might’ve felt tricked.
Also, this is not the opening salvo for some breathless tribute to Electric Umbrella when its closure and reimagining as a new counter service restaurant is inevitably announced in a few months. It’s safe to say Electric Umbrella’s, at least in the restaurant’s current form, demise is coming within the next year or so.
(Update: Walt Disney World has announced its closure, but not when it will close. We anticipate Electric Umbrella lasting through this holiday season and closing in early 2020 for roughly a year. This building will not be demolish as part of the Epcot overhaul, but we anticipate a new name and restaurant concept coming out of renovation. Stay tuned!)
To that, I say both bring it on and good riddance. I do enjoy people watching from the upper level of Electric Umbrella (when it’s open) and sitting outside on a cool night under the warm glow of the neon lights while watching Fountain of Nations. I’ll miss both of those things about Electric Umbrella, as well as its current menu.
I’m also a realist who recognizes that Electric Umbrella is over a decade overdue for a wholesale makeover, and its current atmosphere is best described as “dead mall from the 1990s.” That second level could easily be converted to retail space housing Sam Goody, KB Toys, and Waldenbooks.
There are some aspects of Electric Umbrella for which I have a sentimental or nostalgic attachment, but my overall attitude to the restaurant is tear it to the ground and start over. In my years of visiting Epcot, I don’t ever remember a time when Electric Umbrella promoted the optimism or ideals of EPCOT, and I won’t mourn its loss as if it did.
However, in the here and now, Electric Umbrella has a deceptively good menu that operates in extremes: ambitious healthy items and unambitious but delicious guilty pleasures. If you’re craving either of those and want to dine in the delightful atmosphere of an abandoned shopping mall designed in 1994, Electric Umbrella is just the place for you!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you dined at Electric Umbrella recently? Was it better than you expected, or are we crazy for giving it any praise? Anything you like or dislike here? What about the fall from grace of Sunshine Seasons? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Electric Umbrella- hands down the best quick service meal we’ve had so far this week! This evening I ordered the brisket sandwich which was perfect and the rest of the family had the chicken tenders and fries which were also really good! We couldn’t believe it!! We had sunshine seasons the other day, which was a good option for sharing, but electric umbrella is definitely our top pick so far for a quick service meal!
On our Dec 2018 trip, Electric Umbrella ticked all the boxes for us: conveniently located near Spaceship Earth, chicken nuggets that weren’t terrible, gorgeous view of the fountains. In fact, one of the most “magical” moments of our vacation was eating dinner and watching the fountains while listening to the Christmas music. It was fantastic.
All I can say is, the writer of this piece and I have VERY different views. I personally love Electric Umbrellas’s simple plain menu. The Angus Bacon Cheesburger was my go to in Future World. Other than breakfast SS hasn’t been good in years. I personally want an option of a simple burger and fries, not something I have to explain to my child.
I will be so sorry when EUs menu is redone completely
I specifically go there for the 90’s mall vibe and would be completely disgusted if they turned it into “Groot’s Fruits” or some other such nonsense. Electric Umbrella is genuinely the one quick service restaurant that I absolutely HAVE to eat at when I visit WDW (out of state Passholder). The retro time travel when you walk through the doors is what has kept me coming back time after time. I’m often solo when I’m there and just love to take it in. Truly, it would break my heart if it were removed. But it wouldn’t be the first time. The EPCOT Center of my youth (inspiration for my career and interests as an adult) has been removed almost entirely. But by some small miracle I am still able to enjoy that calm, IP-free space. And the brisket is honestly awesome. I’ve ordered it two trips in a row now and both times it was leaps and bounds beyond most quick service food. If you hate the ambiance at EU, perhaps you’re just the right folks to enjoy that new paint job in Tomorrowland.
Ohana is absolutely disgusting. That family style breakfast should be $8.99 like it would be if it were a waffle house.
If you get something at Disney that is just plain ol’ bad can you take it back to the counter and ask for a replacement?
Not so Bad…………………………….Love It !
Given the life expectancy of Electric Umbrella, I wonder if the menu change is Disney’s way of trying out new stuff without the pain if they decide to pull it from the menu. If it works, they transition it to a different place, and if it doesn’t it just has to last till they close the place down.
I think the worse restaurant at Epcot is the quick serve at the American Pavilion. With birds darting in and out of the doors stealing food, along with the same boring burgers and fries, it just seems out of place amongst the great restaurants of World Showcase.
The Umbrella has never been THE worst at a resort that also contains Tonys Town Square
“No! Not the Umbrella!” I protested on our trip a month ago.
I was happily surprised with the brisket sandwich. It was equal, if not better, than the under-salted “korma” I had eatten at Sunshine Seasons earlier that day.
Me Cellier is probably one of the most overrated restaurants in Disney. I never understood its popularity.
I totally agree with you on this. Way overpriced, not worth it
Agree. Was so disappointed. I would spend the extra money and eat at the Yachtsman.
So we really liked Electric Umbrella when we were there in January …the flat bread pizza and the energy chicken salad were really good (loved the dressing!). The cheeseburger was average, but we thought it was worth the visit without adventuring into World Showcase that day.
We eat at the electric umbrella every time we are in epcot, as it has some of the only food that my 5 year old, who is possibly the worlds pickiest eater will eat. We head over there, fuel up, and then my wife and I can nibble our way through the world showcase stress free.
Also, if your little one is going through a macaroni and cheese kick, this saves you the shame of being seen going to the american pavilion for a meal.
I whole-heartedly agree with the demise of Sunshine Seasons… It was always my “go to” in Future World, but sadly, the past year and a half have me “passing” rather than stopping by. On the suggestion of a close friend, who touted the deliciousness of the chicken nuggets at Electric Umbrella, I acquiesced, since the kids were way past their lunchtime (it was our arrival day and we had been up since 3AM with no “real” meal). They really were delicious, (and I am FAR from being a Chicken Nugget person), and everyone in our party of 7 – no matter what they chose – were very happy with the selections!
The chocolate brownie was “perhaps a bit too rich”? I’m not sure I know what those words mean! 🙂
We had a burger at Electric Umbrella just last week which was, in a word, inedible. We thought Electric Umbrella, along with Disney’s other “fast food” options, was Disney’s way of encouraging people to eat at their full service restaurants. They have shown a marked improvement of late.
My family and I were at Epcot in December and I couldn’t believe how disappointed I was in Sunshine Seasons. I remembered that place as one of the best (if not THE best) quick service location in WDW. I got pizza that was worst than a school cafeteria. Nothing was fresh and exciting. I won’t go back there until it has a dramatic makeover.
Part of the problem with Electric Umbrella is that if you eat there (even as it improves) it is proof that you are simply just doing Epcot wrong. With many great and varied counter and table service options at Epcot, as well as the almost year-round festival food experience, there is just not really an excuse for eating there, and doing so is a mark of inexperience
I’ve been “doing Epcot” for 34 of my 36 years and find it rather bizarre to be told that I’m “doing it wrong” because I’m not enjoying it in your preferred way. Perhaps I’m the only one, but I don’t go to WDW to graze. I go for the atmosphere(s). Eating is an inconvenient and fairly costly necessity, particularly while I’m there trying to take everything in on my typical short and spontaneous trips down. Electric Umbrella suits my needs very well just as it has for numerous visits in the past. I’m glad you enjoy the other stuff. Keep doing it right for you.
I only wish we’d had this knowledge a day ago when, after spending a good chunk of the day sharing tastes around F&G, we were ready for a meal portion and a nap. Since we were headed toward Spaceship Earth from the Showcase, our realistic options were the Umbrella, which we had both always avoided over the years, and a bland but tolerable resort pizza that would disappoint but not arouse indignance. Now we know. We chose poorly.
As a newbie – I did exactly what you said. I panicked and picked electric umbrella because well, there it is right in front of you when you’ve done a few rides and think you need to feed the kids before heading into world showcase.
Now – in the days of internet and iPhones. That’s an unforgivable excuse!
My birthday plan this year is to spend the first half of my day snacking and eating my way around world showcase.
There will be no wasted stomach space on limp fries and crappy frozen burgers.
I’ve also been reading so many menus making sure that the picky half of my family of 10 will always have something safe on the menu. Disney has done an outstanding job of this at pretty much everywhere. I am looking forward to picking places with better menu choices for half of us so that the few teens and littles can survive on their chicken strips all week.
Electric umbrella is one that I’ll pretend doesn’t exist when we are there. I’ve done a good job so far on educating them all on which quick services I’ll allow us to pick and which ones are not on the acceptable list.
Especially planning a trip like this for a big group – the pre reading of menus and finding something better then just a cheeseburger or chicken strip place can really help a Disney trip stand out from just your standard six flags amusement park type foods!
And once again I’m loving Tom’s blog!! Everything I’m trying to explain to my family in a nice round about way is made so much easier by just texting them all links to here! like hey by the way, we don’t eat at crappy places because I say so doesn’t go over quite as well as hey! Read this awesome blog post explaining why I’m right.