Deciding where to use your quick serve dining credits in Walt Disney World can be a little overwhelming when you consider the vast number of options.  These last few blog posts were intended to help guide you through the Wonderful World of Dining at Disney, and I’ve saved the final post for what I think is the most difficult park in which to make a decision:  Welcome to Epcot!

In the other three parks, it is easy for me to make clear recommendations based on my own personal favorites; but at Epcot, there are so many options (many of which I’ve never experienced first hand), so it becomes much more difficult to suggest a “can’t miss” quick serve dining experience. However, with a little research and knowledge of the layout of the parks, I should be able to give you a few suggestions to help you make a more informed decision.

The first thing you need to know about Epcot is that it is divided into two sections:  Future World and the World Showcase.  Most people begin their day at Epcot in Future World because the World Showcase does not officially open until 11:00 AM, so if you are planning on a quick serve breakfast at Epcot, you only have one option:  Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion (on the RIGHT side of the park, the same pavilion in which the popular Soarin’ attraction is located). Featuring multiple stations including The Sandwich Shop & Bakery, Asian Wok Shop, Soup & Salad Shop, and the Wood-Fired Grill, Sunshine Seasons offers a wide variety for breakfast as well as for lunch and dinner, so this dining location gets my recommendation for guests looking for a quality quick service meal at any time of the day.  A point of interest of this location is that they use the produce grown in the green houses located in the pavilion, so if you would like to see what you are eating beforehand, take a ride on the Living with the Land attraction for a behind the scenes look at the greenhouses.  This facility was “farm-to-table” before that became a growing trend.

   

So, now let’s talk about the World Showcase.  This is where things get a little more complicated and individual preferences must be considered.  As you read this, you may want to the map of the World Showcase area of the park because I will be starting my “tour around the world” on the right-hand side (Mexico) and “walking” in a clockwise direction making stops at each of the quick serve locations that accept the Disney dining plan credits.  So let’s get started:

• Mexico–La Cantina de San Angel

   

This first stop is located next to the World Showcase Lagoon (not in the same building where the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction is; that restaurant is the TABLE SERVICE Mexican food location). To sum up this location in one word:  MARGARITAS!  But of course, they do offer more than just liquid sustenance.  You can dine on tacos (beef, chicken, or fish) and nachos, queso and guacamole, AND they have chicken tenders for the children who do not enjoy the traditional Mexican fare.  Also, if you need a sweet treat, they serve churros for dessert!

• China–Lotus Blossom Cafe

   

Our second stop is in the China Pavilion.  Traditional Chinese favorites including potstickers, egg rolls, orange chicken, fried rice, and noodle soup are the featured fare on the menu. This restaurant also serves featured adult beverages. The kids’ meals are typical “kid-friendly” Chinese food, but if your children aren’t adventurous eaters, you may have to make a different stop for their meal to find them a hamburger or chicken nuggets.

 

• Germany–Sommerfest

       

Guests can find authentic German beer and wine at this stop and also dine on German bratwurst and frankfurters with sauerkraut.  There is not a separate kids’ menu here, but if the little ones like pretzels, then you may want to try this location.

 

• The American Adventure–Liberty Inn

      

Liberty Inn might be the most kid-friendly quick serve location in the World Showcase due to its “safe” menu of hamburgers, chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and salads.  As far as adult beverages go, you can definitely order a beer with your burger, and one of the more interesting options is a coke float with a splash of Buffalo Trace Bourbon.

 

• Japan–Katsura Grill

          

If you find yourself hungry for Sushi while in Epcot, then you are in luck.  You can find sushi and other teriyaki selections as well as adult beverages, but just like in China, the kids’ meals feature teriyaki flavors, so your “picky” eaters may not like the selections here.

 

• Morocco–Tangierine Cafe

      

If you are looking for something really “different” than your typical theme park food, Tangierine Cafe may suit your needs perfectly.  This quick serve location features Mediterranean flavors in their chicken and lamb entrees, and your finicky younger guests will be happy with the hamburger and chicken nugget options on the kids’ menu.  This location does not serve alcoholic beverages.

 

• France–Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

          

This location is a traditional French bakery featuring soups and salads and fresh baguette sandwiches and pastries.  They also serve champagne, beer and gourmet coffee. There is no separate kids’ menu, but with a large selection of sandwiches and sweet treats, your little ones should be happy as you enjoy the ambience of France in Florida.

 

• United Kingdom–Yorkshire County Fish Shop

       

Our final stop on our tour through the quick serve dining in the World Showcase brings us to the ONE quick serve location of which I have first-hand knowledge.  In 2013, my family ordered fish and chips from Yorkshire County Fish Shop and then sat at some table located right next to the lagoon inside the United Kingdom pavilion.  We had EXCELLENT seats for the IllumiNations nighttime spectacular that evening. (I think we ordered our food around 8:15 PM, and then ate while we rested and waited for the fireworks to begin.)  Our family loves fried fish, so this was an easy choice for us; and yes, this location serves “ale”…

 

I hope you will find this information helpful as you begin to make your park touring/dining strategies.  By no means is this list comprehensive of ALL quick serve/counter serve locations in Epcot; there are other locations that serve beverages and snacks, but  I wanted to focus on the locations where you can actually get an entire meal.

Happy Planning!

Lori