The Land flies beneath the radar in terms of Walt Disney International reimagining rumors. Soarin’ gave the pavilion a shot within the arm when it was once added, and the world has been in a position to flow on auto-pilot since. However that was once twenty years in the past, or even the brand new Soarin’ Throughout The us isn’t that large of a draw, with the fifth perfect reasonable wait time in EPCOT, simply forward of the Frozen meet & greet.
Fanatics almost definitely don’t have pastime including the Land pavilion to their refresh want record for just right explanation why. Don’t repair what isn’t damaged. It’s probably the most closing vestiges of oldschool EPCOT Middle, and we’d wish to keep what stays relatively than chance extra being got rid of. It is a honest standpoint, and likewise how fanatics roughly really feel about Spaceship Earth and the Dwelling Seas.
After seeing what Imagineering has executed to revitalize the Walt Disney Studios Lot (former Animation Courtyard) at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I’d like to look them check out a refresh of the Land pavilion. Like that was once, it’s dated and has mall vibes. (No longer lifeless mall vibes, fortunately.) Superior Planet is ok, however generic. Up to I adore it, Dwelling with the Land may just additionally use a gentle refresh and TLC, in particular to its darkish experience scenes.
Then there’s the world of the Land that has fallen furthest from grace and may just use the most important revitalization: Sunshine Seasons.
The principle atrium might be redone to make it really feel much less like a mall meals courtroom and a extra impressed position. Walt Disney Imagineering may just carry again the fountain (see underneath), repair the colourful umbrellas, and simply reinvigorate the distance with kinetic power and a unfashionable allure.
All of this stuff may just happen in a moderate-scale refresh to the pavilion, borrowing from the ‘singles and doubles’ placemaking mission playbook that Imagineering has completed upon during the last yr at Walt Disney International. Believe this my professional addition of the Land pavilion updates to my 2026 D23 Expo want record.
Our love of Sunshine Seasons is well-documented. Within the closing 20 years, the Walt Disney International eating place at which we’ve dined probably the most is Sunshine Seasons. However the bulk of the ones foods had been within the closing decade, no longer the most recent one.
Lets pass on and on about what made Sunshine Seasons so particular all the way through its heyday. A couple of ordering bays with distinctive and sundry delicacies, entrees that incorporated Gradual Roasted Red meat Chops, Lamb Skewers, Sesame Crusted Tuna, and extra. Then there was once its ambitious variety scrumptious cakes. Sunshine Seasons was once arguably the most efficient bakery in EPCOT, a park that still contains the France, Norway, and Germany pavilions.
There have been various dishes and cakes that had been large values for cash when paying out of pocket or the use of Disney Eating Plan credit. The meals was once a laugh and considerate, which dishes both impressed through the greenhouses within the Land pavilion or in fact the use of their recent and flavorful bounties.
There was once a explanation why Sunshine Seasons automatically was once #1 on our Record of the Most sensible 20 Counter Provider Eating places at Walt Disney International. There was once additionally a explanation why it fell off the record totally from 2018 to 2021. Fortunately, it’s been at the upswing since, however the menu continues to be a a long way cry from what it was once in 2006 and even as lately as 2014.
The most recent construction is that Sunshine Seasons has debuted 3 new rice bowls and two new cakes as of Summer season 2026.
Those substitute the Stir-fried Hen, Mongolian Pork, and Stir-fried Shrimp, in addition to the Vegetable Korma (which may’ve been got rid of at an previous date). The brand new rice bowls take over the noodles ordering bay on the meals courtroom.
Right here’s a rundown of the brand new additions at Sunshine Seasons:
Plant-based Sofritas: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Plant-based Feta, and Pico de Gallo – $12.49
Red meat Carnitas: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Cotija, and Pico de Gallo – $12.49
Pork Barbacoa: Cilantro-Lime Rice, Black Beans, Onions, Peppers, Cotija, and Pico de Gallo – $13.49
We haven’t attempted any of those new rice bowls, so I can’t discuss to their high quality. My assumption is they’re similar to the rice bowls that experience proliferated throughout Walt Disney International counter carrier eating places in the previous couple of years.
When the ones first arrived at Pecos Invoice (pictured underneath), we had been ecstatic. They changed a lackluster menu, and got here along different scrumptious dishes. We nonetheless view the ones as a web sure. It’s a unique tale at Sunshine Seasons, the place they substitute extra distinctive choices, and fade right into a sea of rice bowls.
Accordingly, it’s arduous to view this as a favorable versus a damaging or homogenization. It might arguably be just right information if this had been to attract extra folks to Sunshine Seasons, and justify the eating place having longer hours. However very an identical delicacies is already served no longer that a long way away at Los angeles Cantina de San Angel, aside from virtually usually at the next degree.
If one thing “wanted” to get replaced at the Sunshine Seasons menu, it will have to’ve been the underwhelming and bizarre flatbreads. Swapping out the ones for rice bowls or absolutely anything else would’ve been an incremental growth. However this doesn’t actually transfer the needle for us. It’s under no circumstances going to be what assists in keeping the meals courtroom open later within the day.
Now let’s flip to the brand new cakes 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 the place the massive factor lies. The object that used to make Sunshine Seasons this sort of pleasant meal was once ordering an ostensibly wholesome entree after which following that up with no longer one, however two cakes, totally guilt-free!
You’ll be able to’t do this now. The dessert case has been got rid of from Sunshine Seasons, and changed with a counter. There at the moment are 4 cakes served right here (plus a seasonal milkshake), and all are bizarre. It’s a a long way cry from what this dessert case seemed like all the way through its heyday when Sunshine Seasons served up a just right dozen-plus distinctive cakes, a number of of which have been the most efficient in all of Walt Disney International.
The opposite large downside with Sunshine Seasons is its considerably shorter hours. This began pre-pandemic, even if the one selection within the former Long run International was once Electrical Umbrella, the predecessor to Connections Cafe & Eatery.
Now the entire sizzling meals stations shut at 4 pm. Opt for lunch, if you need the overall (through 2026 requirements) Sunshine Seasons enjoy. Arrive for dinner, except you may have tremendous early chook supper standing, and it’s simply the grasp and pass stuff.
At the plus aspect, no less than for me for my part, Sunshine Seasons is predictably uncrowded after about 4:30 pm. Certainly one of my favourite “hacks” is to move round 3:50 pm for a meal, grasp a seat again through Dwelling with the Land, after which get some paintings executed for a couple of hours. It’s just right for warding off afternoon showers, warmth, and so forth.
The reason for that method may be extra good. Connections Cafe & Eatery is now open and well-liked, and the Land pavilion isn’t as well-liked because it as soon as was once. Soarin’ was once the massive new experience in EPCOT.
Now Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, or even Take a look at Monitor have handed it in reputation. The Land pavilion is most often a ghost the town after 3 pm. Up to I may hate to confess it, the shorter hours make sense.
In opposition to that backdrop, let’s temporarily revisit the present menu at Sunshine Seasons in response to fresh foods previous to the brand new rice bowls debuting…
There are two attempted and true staples at Sunshine Seasons which were served right here for a minimum of the previous 20 years. If both ever disappear, I will be able to be grabbing the pitchforks. The sort of is pictured above: the Wooden-fired Grilled Hen.
The primary time I attempted it, I used to be right away hooked. The rooster is all the time smooth and juicy (two miracles at a handy guide a rough carrier eating place) with a definite taste, and affordable portion. It’s probably the most few can’t-miss entrees at Walt Disney International counter carrier eating places, and there’s clearly a explanation why it’s been round for goodbye.
I don’t wish to overdo the reward right here through announcing the Wooden-fired Hen is addictively scrumptious or actually anything else particular.
Realistically, it’s almost definitely about on par with the most efficient model of the grasp & pass rotisserie chickens bought at Complete Meals. Not like the ones, it’s all the time recent, by no means rubbery or chewy. It’s simply an excellent, well-executed entree that we’ve got by no means regretted ordering. It’s now Sarah’s 2nd favourite speedy meals in EPCOT, at the back of simplest Los angeles Cantina de San Angel.
My go-to entree at Sunshine Seasons is the Wooden-fired Salmon Served with White Rice, Inexperienced Beans, and Chimichurri Rojo.
The closing time I ordered this was once early June 2026, at which era it was once the Oak-grilled Salmon served with Mashed Potatoes and Ratatouille. That is the dish that’s pictured above.
Salmon is a type of entrees that Walt Disney International does exceptionally, however this dish has no proper to be as just right as it’s. The fish is a large fillet, and completely ready–crispy pores and skin, flaky items, wet within, and beautiful taste. The oak grilling actually makes a distinction!
Even if it’s no longer on par with Signature Eating places, it’s shockingly spectacular and swiftly flavorful. I’d without a doubt put it forward of the also-great salmon at Columbia Harbour Area, and this may be somewhat inexpensive. (It in truth amazes me that each counter carrier spots serve salmon for only $15.)
This salmon is incredible by itself, however a beneficiant portion of mashed potatoes elevates it to the following degree. I’m a sucker for Walt Disney International mashed potatoes–I do know they’re no longer objectively large, however they’re a in charge excitement that I’ve loved for eons. They’re my favourite mashed potatoes anyplace as a result of they ring a bell in me of significant holiday reminiscences. Foolish because it sounds, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Through the years, the salmon has indexed other facets at the professional menu. Simply because it does once more now in past due June 2026. It doesn’t subject. You’ve all the time been in a position to replace the mashed potatoes. I suppose (and hope) that’s nonetheless the case. Regardless, the Wooden-fired Salmon is an absolute must-order dish. I’ll be trying out once more quickly to verify.
Subsequent up is the Caprese Sandwich: Tomatoes, Recent Mozzarella, and Basil Pesto on a Baguette served with a Facet Salad with Balsamic French dressing.
What you notice is what you get right here. It’s a good however elementary caprese sandwich. It’s no longer one thing I’d ever order once more, and no longer even just about Gasparilla Island Grill so far as caprese sandwiches pass. Even the fundamental dishes at Connections Cafe & Eatery are higher.
After all, there’s the Roast Pork Sandwich: Gradual-cooked Pork, Horseradish Cream, Arugula, Jus, and Crispy Onions on a Baguette served with a Facet Salad with Balsamic French dressing
This has modified just a little since I closing ordered it, in particular with the bread swapped out for a baguette. I will’t discuss definitively to the present sandwich, however I favored the former iteration.
That is top quality roast red meat, a meat that’s already dearer than turkey or ham (I do grocery buying groceries!), comparable to Boar’s Head. The arugula and onion are incredible additions for taste and texture. Then there’s that Horseradish Cream, which is addictively scrumptious. (I all the time counsel ordering further dressing.)
For the ones questioning the place different forged sandwiches can also be discovered at Walt Disney International, the entire monorail loop motels have noticed fresh upgrades (there’s a in a similar fashion scrumptious choice on the aforementioned Gasparilla Island Grill). Identical is going for the Crescent Lake motels, albeit to a lesser extent.
In the end, the present and new menu at Sunshine Seasons may sound unimpressive should you be mindful what this eating place was once like all the way through its heyday. We nonetheless yearn for a go back to that, particularly given how Connections Cafe & Eatery is nearly bursting on the seams many of the day. There’s slightly even a mid-afternoon lull!
Obviously, there may be the prospective to “repair” Sunshine Seasons and draw no less than a few of that crowd away. It’s by no means going to be as busy as Connections now that Cosmic Rewind exists, however Soarin’ Throughout The us is a huge draw via afternoon, and a greater menu and extra inviting environment may just trap extra visitors to dine at Sunshine Seasons.
Even with the present menu, we’d counsel Sunshine Seasons as an alternative choice to Connections for lunch. That counter carrier spot is really bonkers all the way through the noon rush, getting slammed because of its proximity to the 2 hottest rides within the park.
Sunshine Seasons now has higher delicacies and is much less chaotic. Certain, you could have to stroll just a little farther should you’re simply completing up Cosmic Rewind or Take a look at Monitor, however it’s no longer that a long way.
I’ll finish this on an positive notice. After seeing the surge in acclaim for Connections vs. Electrical Umbrella or Walt Disney Studios Lot vs. Animation Courtyard, I’m hopeful that the similar is imaginable with Sunshine Seasons. Reinvigorating the distance itself, in addition to its secondary points of interest, would on my own do wonders.
Past that, there’s long-term possible for a Sunshine Seasons comeback tale. Believe if Walt Disney International in spite of everything did the appropriate factor and reimagined Adventure into Creativeness?! I will’t even consider how busy this aspect of EPCOT could be. They’d haven’t any selection however to serve dinner at Sunshine Seasons, restoring the overall menu and dessert case to its former glory. Additional evidence that solving Figment fixes the whole thing that ails EPCOT!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever dined at Sunshine Seasons within the closing yr or so? What did you call to mind the meal? Should you’ve dined there in the past (within the closing ~5 years), do you assume it has progressed? Should you dined at Sunshine Seasons a couple of decade in the past, how do you assume the present menu stacks up? Agree or disagree with our overview and eating place redemption story? Any questions we will assist you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas underneath within the feedback!
