EPCOT’s Forgotten Food Court Gets a New Menu!

The Land flies under the radar when it comes to Walt Disney World reimagining rumors. Soarin’ gave the pavilion a shot in the arm when it was added, and the area has been able to glide on auto-pilot since. But that was 20 years ago, and even the new Soarin’ Across America isn’t that big of a draw, with the 5th highest average wait time in EPCOT, just ahead of the Frozen meet & greet.

Fans probably don’t have interest adding the Land pavilion to their refresh wish list for good reason. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. It’s one of the last vestiges of old school EPCOT Center, and we’d prefer to preserve what remains rather than risk more being removed. This is a fair perspective, and also how fans more or less feel about Spaceship Earth and the Living Seas.

After seeing what Imagineering has done to revitalize the Walt Disney Studios Lot (former Animation Courtyard) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’d like to see them try a refresh of the Land pavilion. Like that was, it’s dated and has mall vibes. (Not dead mall vibes, thankfully.) Awesome Planet is fine, but generic. As much as I love it, Living with the Land could also use a light refresh and TLC, particularly to its dark ride scenes.

Then there’s the area of the Land that has fallen furthest from grace and could use the biggest revitalization: Sunshine Seasons.

The main atrium could be redone to make it feel less like a mall food court and a more inspired place. Walt Disney Imagineering could bring back the fountain (see below), restore the colorful umbrellas, and just reinvigorate the space with kinetic energy and a retro charm.

All of these things could occur in a moderate-scale refresh to the pavilion, borrowing from the ‘singles and doubles’ placemaking project playbook that Imagineering has executed upon over the last year at Walt Disney World. Consider this my official addition of the Land pavilion updates to my 2026 D23 Expo wish list.

Our love of Sunshine Seasons is well-documented. In the last two decades, the Walt Disney World restaurant at which we’ve dined the most is Sunshine Seasons. But the bulk of those meals were in the last decade, not the latest one.

We could go on and on about what made Sunshine Seasons so special during its heyday. Multiple ordering bays with unique and varied cuisine, entrees that included Slow Roasted Pork Chops, Lamb Skewers, Sesame Crusted Tuna, and more. Then there was its formidable selection delicious desserts. Sunshine Seasons was arguably the best bakery in EPCOT, a park that also includes the France, Norway, and Germany pavilions.

There were a number of dishes and desserts that were great values for money when paying out of pocket or using Disney Dining Plan credits. The food was fun and thoughtful, which dishes either inspired by the greenhouses in the Land pavilion or actually using their fresh and flavorful bounties.

There was a reason Sunshine Seasons routinely was #1 on our List of the Top 20 Counter Service Restaurants at Walt Disney World. There was also a reason it fell off the list completely from 2018 to 2021. Thankfully, it’s been on the upswing since, but the menu is still a far cry from what it was in 2006 or even as recently as 2014.

The latest development is that Sunshine Seasons has debuted three new rice bowls and two new desserts as of Summer 2026.

These replace the Stir-fried Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Stir-fried Shrimp, as well as the Vegetable Korma (which might’ve been removed at an earlier date). The new rice bowls take over the noodles ordering bay at the food court.

Here’s a rundown of the new additions at Sunshine Seasons:

Plant-based Sofritas: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Plant-based Feta, and Pico de Gallo – $12.49

Pork Carnitas: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Cotija, and Pico de Gallo – $12.49

Beef Barbacoa: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Cotija, and Pico de Gallo – $13.49

We haven’t tried any of these new rice bowls, so I cannot speak to their quality. My assumption is that they’re comparable to the rice bowls that have proliferated all around Walt Disney World counter service restaurants in the last few years.

When those first arrived at Pecos Bill (pictured below), we were ecstatic. They replaced a lackluster menu, and came alongside other delicious dishes. We still view those as a net positive. It’s a different story at Sunshine Seasons, where they replace more unique options, and fade into a sea of rice bowls.

Accordingly, it’s hard to view this as a positive as opposed to a negative or homogenization. It would arguably be good news if this were to draw more people to Sunshine Seasons, and justify the restaurant having longer hours. But very similar cuisine is already served not that far away at La Cantina de San Angel, except almost assuredly at a higher level.

If something “needed” to be replaced on the Sunshine Seasons menu, it should’ve been the underwhelming and ordinary flatbreads. Swapping out those for rice bowls or just about anything else would’ve been an incremental improvement. But this doesn’t really move the needle for us. It’s certainly not going to be what keeps the food court open later in the day.

Now let’s turn to the new desserts at Sunshine Seasons…

Mickey-shaped Strawberry Lemonade Macaron – $6.29

Peanut Butter Cookie with Cookies and Cream Icing – $5.29

The dessert case counter is where the big issue lies. The thing that used to make Sunshine Seasons such a satisfying meal was ordering an ostensibly healthy entree and then following that up with not one, but two desserts, completely guilt-free!

You can’t do that now. The dessert case has been removed from Sunshine Seasons, and replaced with a counter. There are now 4 desserts served here (plus a seasonal milkshake), and all are ordinary. It’s a far cry from what this dessert case looked like during its heyday when Sunshine Seasons served up a good dozen-plus unique desserts, several of which were the best in all of Walt Disney World.

The other big problem with Sunshine Seasons is its significantly shorter hours. This started pre-pandemic, even when the only alternative in the former Future World was Electric Umbrella, the predecessor to Connections Cafe & Eatery.

Now all of the hot food stations close at 4 pm. Go for lunch, if you want the full (by 2026 standards) Sunshine Seasons experience. Arrive for dinner, unless you have super early bird supper status, and it’s just the grab and go stuff.

On the plus side, at least for me personally, Sunshine Seasons is predictably uncrowded after about 4:30 pm. One of my favorite “hacks” is to go around 3:50 pm for a meal, grab a seat back by Living with the Land, and then get some work done for a few hours. It’s good for avoiding afternoon showers, heat, etc.

The explanation for that approach is also more sensible. Connections Cafe & Eatery is now open and popular, and the Land pavilion isn’t as popular as it once was. Soarin’ used to be the big new ride in EPCOT.

Now Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and even Test Track have passed it in popularity. The Land pavilion is typically a ghost town after 3 pm. As much as I might hate to admit it, the shorter hours make sense.

Against that backdrop, let’s quickly revisit the existing menu at Sunshine Seasons based on recent meals prior to the new rice bowls debuting…

There are two tried and true staples at Sunshine Seasons that have been served here for at least the past two decades. If either ever disappear, I will be grabbing the pitchforks. One of these is pictured above: the Wood-fired Grilled Chicken.

The first time I tried it, I was instantly hooked. The chicken is always tender and juicy (two miracles at a quick service restaurant) with a distinct flavor, and reasonable portion. It’s one of the few can’t-miss entrees at Walt Disney World counter service restaurants, and there’s obviously a reason it’s been around for so long.

I don’t want to overdo the praise here by saying the Wood-fired Chicken is addictively delicious or truly anything special.

Realistically, it is probably about on par with the best version of the grab & go rotisserie chickens sold at Whole Foods. Unlike those, it’s always fresh, never rubbery or chewy. It’s just a great, well-executed entree that we have never regretted ordering. It’s now Sarah’s second favorite fast food in EPCOT, behind only La Cantina de San Angel.

My go-to entree at Sunshine Seasons is the Wood-fired Salmon Served with White Rice, Green Beans, and Chimichurri Rojo.

The last time I ordered this was early June 2026, at which time it was the Oak-grilled Salmon served with Mashed Potatoes and Ratatouille. This is the dish that’s pictured above.

Salmon is one of those entrees that Walt Disney World does exceptionally, but this dish has no right to be as good as it is. The fish is a sizable fillet, and perfectly prepared–crispy skin, flaky pieces, moist inside, and wonderful flavor. The oak grilling really makes a difference!

Although it’s not on par with Signature Restaurants, it’s shockingly impressive and unexpectedly flavorful. I’d definitely put it ahead of the also-great salmon at Columbia Harbour House, and this is also slightly cheaper. (It honestly amazes me that both counter service spots serve salmon for under $15.)

This salmon is fantastic on its own, but a generous portion of mashed potatoes elevates it to the next level. I’m a sucker for Walt Disney World mashed potatoes–I know they’re not objectively great, but they’re a guilty pleasure that I’ve enjoyed for eons. They’re my favorite mashed potatoes anywhere because they remind me of great vacation memories. Silly as it sounds, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Over the years, the salmon has listed different sides on the official menu. Just as it does again now in late June 2026. It doesn’t matter. You’ve always been able to substitute the mashed potatoes. I assume (and hope) that’s still the case. Regardless, the Wood-fired Salmon is an absolute must-order dish. I’ll be testing again soon to confirm.

Next up is the Caprese Sandwich: Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, and Basil Pesto on a Baguette served with a Side Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette.

What you see is what you get here. It’s a decent but basic caprese sandwich. It’s not something I’d ever order again, and not even close to Gasparilla Island Grill as far as caprese sandwiches go. Even the basic dishes at Connections Cafe & Eatery are better.

Finally, there’s the Roast Beef Sandwich: Slow-cooked Beef, Horseradish Cream, Arugula, Jus, and Crispy Onions on a Baguette served with a Side Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

This has changed a bit since I last ordered it, particularly with the bread swapped out for a baguette. I can’t speak definitively to the current sandwich, but I liked the previous iteration.

This is high quality roast beef, a meat that’s already more expensive than turkey or ham (I do grocery shopping!), akin to Boar’s Head. The arugula and onion are fantastic additions for flavor and texture. Then there’s that Horseradish Cream, which is addictively delicious. (I always recommend ordering extra dressing.)

For those wondering where other solid sandwiches can be found at Walt Disney World, all of the monorail loop resorts have seen recent upgrades (there’s a similarly delicious option at the aforementioned Gasparilla Island Grill). Same goes for the Crescent Lake resorts, albeit to a lesser extent.

Ultimately, the current and new menu at Sunshine Seasons might sound unimpressive if you remember what this restaurant was like during its heyday. We still yearn for a return to that, especially given how Connections Cafe & Eatery is practically bursting at the seams most of the day. There’s barely even a mid-afternoon lull!

Clearly, there is the potential to “fix” Sunshine Seasons and draw at least some of that crowd away. It’s never going to be as busy as Connections now that Cosmic Rewind exists, but Soarin’ Across America is a big draw through afternoon, and a better menu and more inviting atmosphere could entice more guests to dine at Sunshine Seasons.

Even with the current menu, we’d recommend Sunshine Seasons as an alternative to Connections for lunch. That counter service spot is absolutely bonkers during the midday rush, getting slammed due to its proximity to the two most popular rides in the park.

Sunshine Seasons now has better cuisine and is less chaotic. Sure, you might have to walk a little farther if you’re just finishing up Cosmic Rewind or Test Track, but it’s not that far.

I’ll end this on an optimistic note. After seeing the surge in popularity of Connections vs. Electric Umbrella or Walt Disney Studios Lot vs. Animation Courtyard, I’m hopeful that the same is possible with Sunshine Seasons. Reinvigorating the space itself, as well as its secondary attractions, would alone do wonders.

Beyond that, there’s long-term potential for a Sunshine Seasons comeback story. Imagine if Walt Disney World finally did the right thing and reimagined Journey into Imagination?! I can’t even imagine how busy this side of EPCOT would be. They’d have no choice but to serve dinner at Sunshine Seasons, restoring the full menu and dessert case to its former glory. Further proof that fixing Figment fixes everything that ails EPCOT!

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 Sunshine Seasons in the last year or so? What did you think of the meal? If you’ve dined there previously (in the last ~5 years), do you think it has improved? If you dined at Sunshine Seasons about a decade ago, how do you think the current menu stacks up? Agree or disagree with our review and restaurant redemption tale? 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!