Electric Umbrella Review
Electric Umbrella is a counter service restaurant in Epcot at Walt Disney World. This review features food photos, and our analysis of the value & quality of this Future World hot-spot. Like most in-park quick service restaurants at Walt Disney World, it participates in the Disney Dining Plan, but it does not accept the Tables in Wonderland card for a 20% discount. It is a poor use of a counter service credit if you are looking to Maximize Value on the Disney Dining Plan.
I’ll be honest: for the longest time I was dreading writing this review because doing so would require admitting that we have eaten here, well…let’s just say “a few” times. That’s embarrassing as someone who purports to know things about Walt Disney World, as eating at Electric Umbrella is about the ultimate “rookie mistake.”
Its menu embodies standard theme park fare–a stark contrast to many Epcot eateries–and if you’ve ever heard someone complain about ordinary food at Walt Disney World, there’s a good chance they ate here. The front-of-the-park location coupled with the warm glow of neon lighting beacons tourists like flies to manure.
All of that changed a couple of years ago, or so I hoped. To atone to the Disney gods for not arriving at rope drop to do Frozen Ever After (that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it), I decided to eat at Electric Umbrella yet again. That’s when something surprising and unexpected occurred.
I pinched myself after the first bite to confirm I wasn’t dreaming. I wasn’t. It had finally happened. I had a good meal at Electric Umbrella. I ate there again about a month later having that same meal to confirm it wasn’t some sort of lucid dream, with the same result. Another good meal.
Perhaps I was overly-optimistic, or perhaps it’s the contrarian in me, but I was already gleefully preparing the review in my head, telling the redemption tale of Electric Umbrella. Then we ate there again…
Actually, before I get to the meals, both good and bad, let’s cover the ambiance.
It is, in a word, depressing. Sure, you have rad neon lighting, but that’s about it. Otherwise, it looks like the early 1990s threw up inside Electric Umbrella, both in terms of style and the apparent age of the place. This is Epcot ’94 at its “finest.”
Ever visit a mall that you used to visit as a kid only to find it limping along, inexplicably still in business despite half of the storefronts being empty? You see the old toy dispensing machines and the train ride, along with colorful carpet and a mix of shapes painted in random colors on the walls.
Save for those specific details, that mall is Electric Umbrella. Not exactly the perfect spot for a romantic evening in Epcot, unless your idea of romance includes…well, I can’t even begin to imagine.
The upstairs seating is theoretically nice. It gets you away from the hordes of families so upset that they dined at Electric Umbrella that they scream out in agony.
Unfortunately, the upstairs seating is rarely open. You’ll most likely be eating with everyone else in the echo chamber of cries, screams, and shattered dreams downstairs. Seriously, this is one of the loudest restaurants at Walt Disney World.
About the only upside is that you can refill your own drinks, which I’m going to include as part of this “ambiance” section of this review so at least there’s some upside.
The Coca-Cola machine is likely the aesthetic highlight of the seating area, anyways.
Then there’s the food. My initial excitement last year was over the French Dip Burger. This burger is topped with brisket, muenster cheese, and onion crisps.
I first tried it in an effort to sample all of the gourmet burgers that have been popping up around the parks in order to write my Best Burgers at Walt Disney World post. During that visit, I noticed several other promising menu items that seemingly had replaced the dreck of the past.
I wasn’t expecting much given the restaurant at which it is served, but I found it to be surprisingly flavorful and one of the best counter service burgers at Walt Disney World.
The brisket gives added juiciness to the burger patty, and the muenster cheese provides a kick of flavor, while the onion crisps are nice texture.
I’ve since ordered it a couple of times when I’ve been in the park late at night during Extra Magic Hours with few other options (which is why we’ve dined here so many times…not because we’re total n00bs), and have always found it to be good.
As for those other promising items, well, perhaps Disney should turn this into a Star Wars restaurant (the star war is set in the future, right?!) and have Admiral Ackbar outside yelling, “it’s a trap!”
I returned to try the Sausage and Pepper Sandwich, and it’s basically the same as the old Meatball Sub, except with slightly different meat. It’s still just as greasy and uninspired as ever.
Sarah had the Energy Salad, and while she said it was an improvement over the phoned-in Caesar Salad, not by much (it has a dash of feta and nuts sprinkled in).
At this point, we’ve had enough recent “success” with Electric Umbrella that I’m even inclined to give the Veggie Naan-wich and promising flatbreads a shot. I’ve been burned in the past by Electric Umbrella, but it does seem like the restaurant is at least making some degree of effort now.
I was really hoping that Electric Umbrella would continue adding unique items to its menu, so I could write a positive review of what is sadly one of Epcot’s most popular restaurants. That hasn’t been the case, and although better, Electric Umbrella remains a blemish on Epcot’s slate of the best counter service restaurants of any park at Walt Disney World.
On the plus side, you aren’t guaranteed a bad meal at Electric Umbrella anymore. The French Dip Burger is a solid option, along with other menu items that are slightly more ambitious.
Still, when you have Sunshine Seasons only a short walk away in Future World and a host of options all around World Showcase, it’s difficult to recommend Electric Umbrella to anyone…except for families of burger fans and Coke addicts.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? If you’re interested in learning more about hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, 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 unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides” are great for determining what to do and when to do it.
Want more dining tips? Check out our 101 Delicious Walt Disney World Dining Tips. If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip, make sure to also read our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
YOUR THOUGHTS…
Have you eaten at Electric Umbrella? Did you enjoy the experience? What did you order? If you’ve tried anything from the new-ish menu, did you think it was an improvement? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments!
We spent 3 days at the Disney parks, and this was the best counter service meal we had. The brisket sandwich was great, and the others in our party were equally happy with their meal choices as well. I would definitely go back.
I think all of my light bulbs are energy efficient. Switching out your light bulbs is just one small thing you can do to lower your electric costs. Adopt some small techniques and live a happy life. You can save your money by this method.
The sausage and peppers sub is one the best sandwiches I’ve had at WDW in years. Please sir can I have another?
“it’s difficult to recommend Electric Umbrella to anyone…except for families of burger fans and Coke addicts.”
To each his or her own as far as the food at Electric Umbrella, but ‘Coke addicts’ is not a valid reason to recommend it seeing as Sunshine Seasons also has free refills.
Is there an option on the new site design to turn on dates and times comments were posted? It’s not too big a deal on a recent post like this, but on some of the older articles that get re-posted each year that already have like 200-300 comments, it can be difficult now to tell where new comments begin that often may contain more up-to-date insight from the commenters. Thank you for the site though; I spend way too much time on here reading it all!
Oh shoot, I totally forgot Sunshine Seasons does free refills when I wrote that line. Well, strike that one.
The dates on comments and blog posts are an ongoing problem that I’m trying to fix. I removed them because Google was using the oldest comment date as the published date for the article even when significant updates had been made to the post. To make a long story short, there’s a problem with the current theme I’m using, and I don’t know what that is. Now I need to either change the theme again or turn the dates off. I plan on changing the theme at some point soon, but that’s a long process and I’m fairly inept at it.
Thanks Tom for the review. I guess it took a review by someone who really loves it to open my eyes to this little gem
I think I laughed a little too hard at the “It’s a trap!!” part. Thanks for that. 🙂
I just returned from a 10-day Disney vacation. I have to say I forgot this place still exists. There are so many better options in Epcot.
Happy Thanksgiving!
PS. If it were really that terrible, it wouldn’t be the third busiest restaurant in all of Disney World.
People tend to opt for things that are safe and familiar in high traffic locations. There’s a reason McDonald’s is the most popular restaurant in the world, and it has little to do with quality.
I’m sure you’re not including the Big Mac in that judgement. It is a magical melange of quality!
#1 the sausage and peppers sub could not possibly be “greasy” because literally nothing in it has greass. It’s a bun with cheese and some pork sausage/pepper/onion mix.
#2 the burgers are great, as you said
#3 the flatbread is easily the best thing on the menu. If you didn’t try it, it’s your loss.
#4 the food is all fresh and cooked to order. That’s why it takes a little longer. If you want your food immediately, go to McDonalds.
#5 the upstairs is closed when it’s not busy enough to have it open. This is common sense and many restaurants have a section that doesn’t open unless it’s busy.
Several people have said the same about the flatbread. I’ll have to make a return visit to try it and potentially revise this view if it’s as good as you suggest. Thanks for the recommendation!
Beg to differ with your key point. Pork sausages contain quite a lot of grease.
To quote The Guardian:
“This highlights an important rule of sausagemaking: there needs to be a good balance of meat and fat. Too much of the former, and the results will lack that vital moistness, too much of the latter and the sausage will spurt grease like Old Faithful in a chippie.”
For all your sausage cooking needs: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/mar/08/how-to-cook-perfect-sausage
Got to say, I was liked the food at EU when I visited with the Family in September. We ate there on two visits to Epcot.
Now I have to say one reason for choosing EU is that both my wife and son are fussy eaters, however they both enjoyed their burgers, chicken nuggets and mac ‘n’ cheese.
Meanwhile, I thoroughly enjoyed the the Sausage and Pepper Sandwich which was the most exciting sounding item I could find on the lacklustre menu. I had mentally prepared myself for it being a let down but I, surprisingly, found it to be a tasty and very enjoyable item and ended up having it on both visits, neither was overly greasy and had a nice spice to it.
If I was on my own at Epcot, meals would have been different as I personally love to try new foods and I live for spicy food.
Interesting comments about the sausage sandwich. Perhaps mine was a one-off? I’m not sure, but I’m also not willing to give that particular item another chance when there are so many other options around Epcot that I truly enjoy.
Either way, thanks for offering a different perspective on it, as my word most certainly is not the gospel! 🙂
I’ve never eaten at the Electric Umbrella, mostly because of the cacophony of sound pouring out of the doors when you walk by. Is it actually an echo chamber or just built to replicate one? If I want mediocre food and that much noise, I’ll go to a high school cafeteria. No thanks!
The vegetarian flatbread here is actually quite delicious; I prefer it to the French Dip Burger. It takes a little longer to cook so make sure you have time but I would strongly suggest trying it! Easily the standout on the menu here for me! I’ve tried copying the recipe at home I enjoy it that much! Just give it one more chance!!
I can understand it being good, but preferring a vegetarian item to a burger? That’s just craziness! 😉 (Seriously, though, thanks for the tip.)
Don’t get me wrong, the French Dip is good and the brisket itself is awesome. It’s definitely hardier as well, but the vegetarian flatbread just has so much flavour. It’s got arugula, feta cheese, and just all this great stuff on it!
I had eaten here once or twice, years ago, mostly out of desperation and starvation. And because it was the only game in town that would have me at that time of night. Lesson learned. Can’t even walk in now without having flashbacks. I’d rather have the orange chicken at China’s counter service. Or the dried quiche at the Pastisserie. This is the main reason I now keep emergency snacks in my room.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Tryptophan and football, what a combination.
I have trouble hating this place just because the one time I ate there they were very accommodating to my food allergies. Also, the bunless sauteed mushroom burger I had there (not sure when this was) was actually decent. I realize that most Disney restaurants (at least, outside of World Showcase) are very good about handling allergies, so it’s not that special, but it’s still hard to hate on a place that seemed so eager to help me out 😀
I’m sad to note that particular burger appears to be long gone from the menu, however…
Try giving a modified version of the French Dip Burger a try, in that case. I’m betting you won’t be so sad about the mushroom burger being gone once you do!
why can’t they just have a brisket sandwich without the burger?
This place holds a special piece of darkness in my heart. They must put the unmagical cast members in this place. We dined (aka “were tortured”) here while I waited for my husband and older kids to get done with Mission Space. After waiting in line for over 20 minutes (mind you, I was 4th in line with 2 CMs taking orders), I finally got to meet the slowest CM in all of WDW. I assume she must have received an award for her horrendous service at some point in her career and made it a point to continue excelling because this was beyond ridiculous. Waiting for the food took just as long and I began to wonder if they actually had to slaughter the cow onsite and maybe that was why it was taking so long to make a hamburger. Did they have to harvest the potatoes themselves to make the fries? I don’t know, but I can tell you that these ideas ran through my head as I had lots of time to think. Finally, the mediocre food is finished! By now it’s started raining and SURPRISE everyone has decided to come inside the Evil Umbrella to protect their precious skin from the acid rain. We did finally find a table so my younger kids (whom by this point have gone from “I want a snack” to Somalian pirates ready to steal off others plates or rifle through the trash) could finally eat. Just then I get a text from my husband saying “Where are you?” Ha! “In hell, otherwise known as Electric Umbrella.” Never again.
You seem mighty grumpy for someone who has kids that would willingly eat out of the trash. As a “science expert,” I can tell you that there is probably some nutritional value to trash, plus it’s just as good as some Electric Umbrella menu items and cheaper. You should be thanking your lucky stars!
If you had a bad experience, you should’ve told someone or talked to guest relations. Disney does a great job keeping people happy. They would’ve actually helped you, rather than let you stew all day and then attack cast members online. You made it personal.
A personal attack would include the name and origin of above mentioned CM… unless there truly was an award for horrendous service, in which case a little investigation might expose this CM’s identity.
OMG. That review just made my whole day. Thank you, for your humor and intelligence! Oh holy cow…I think we’ve stopped and used the restrooms there, and maybe gotten some fries, b/c the smell of fried stuffs was too much. But why in the world, why in the entire world at Epcot, would you eat here? Thank you! Just keep walking towards the Land Pavilion. Or anywhere…in the world!
Intelligence?! You read the part where I wrote that I’ve eaten here multiple times, right?
Maybe it’s just me, but I love the Electric Umbrella! I have to agree that the food is not great, but I love the atmosphere and have never seen the upstairs closed…at least when I’ve been there. I think it’s unique and love sitting upstairs by the windows watching people pass thru. I do appreciate the reviews on restaurants though. It’s nice to read about menu item changes and read the different opinions. Thanks!
Different strokes for different folks, to be sure.
One thing about which we can agree is that the upstairs is awesome. I also enjoy sitting up there with a Coke and watching people pass by. I tend to go late at night, though, so maybe that’s why it’s normally closed when I visit? Not sure.
I’m only commenting because I get to be the first post, which tells you how bored I am on Turkey Day Eve.
My response would be BLECH!!! I’ve eaten at this place as far back as when it was the Stargate and didn’t have upstairs seating. I think I had once decent meal around 1988 when they briefly had a steak sandwich on the menu. There is no reason in the world, OK … no good reason to eat here. If there is one thing EPCOT still does well it is food quality and variety. If you’re eating here, you’re a newbie, a fan who has to eat everywhere (I have known some of them) or have the palate of a poorly-raised eight-year-old.
It is typical theme park food and that is meant in the worst way possible.
More importantly, Happy Thanksgiving, Tom.
Aside from the French Dip Burger, which I genuinely think is good, all other times I’ve dined here have been late at night when literally every other restaurant is closed (including Sunshine Seasons, excluding Starbucks) in Future World.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!