Beaches & Cream Review
Beaches & Cream is an inexpensive table service restaurant themed as an old-fashioned soda shop at Walt Disney World’s Beach Club Resort. It’s a table service restaurant in that it has a menu with a number of basic entrees, most of which are delicious, but the real star of the show is the ice cream. Beaches & Cream’s dessert menu is second to none at Walt Disney World, and the restaurant is famous for its behemoth Kitchen Sink dessert, which has been featured on the Travel Channel.
We’ve eaten at Beaches and Cream at mores than I can count. Sarah lobbies for a stop at Beaches & Cream on just about every trip we take, and it seems that we end up going there quite often. Never once have we had a bad meal or anything close to a poor experience. The food has always been great (much better than The Plaza Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, which offers similar fare at similar prices) and the ice cream has always been phenomenal.
This review could be pretty short and sweet: go to Beaches & Cream. It’s an excellent restaurant with a fun theme that doesn’t require reservations, and the prices are reasonable by Walt Disney World standards. There should really be no question as to whether you should eat here, especially if you are not on the Disney Dining Plan (it’s a poor use of credits on the Dining Plan).
One of our favorite visits to Beaches & Cream occurred during the “Weekend of Deliciousness,” as we like to call it, on our “Disneymoon” (Disney Honeymoon) which included stops at Victoria & Albert’s and California Grill. During that weekend with trips to some Walt Disney World dining heavyweights, Beaches & Cream was the sleeper hit. We figured we’d hit it prior to Cali Grill for a light meal and some ice cream. I had mentioned the Kitchen Sink to Sarah far in advance. I think she thought I was joking, or maybe she hoped I’d forget. Quite the contrary: I deeply ingrained it in my brain and fixated on it to the point that there was no way around getting the Kitchen Sink. Even if I had to eat it alone. I actually planned on only getting that and nothing else.
Upon getting ready and arriving at Beaches & Cream, I knew I couldn’t get just ice cream. The burgers looked and smelled too good. We agreed to split a burger, which turned out to be a huge mistake. Those burgers are way too delicious to split! If anything, I’d recommend getting more than one. Seriously. The nice toasted and buttery bun, perfectly cooked meat makes for the best burger I’ve had on property. I think by getting me to agree to the burger, maybe Sarah was hoping that I’d lose my desire for the Kitchen Sink. Not so. We ordered it, somewhat to the surprise of our very courteous server, who didn’t seem to believe two people like us could eat it.
When the sirens went off, I knew our time had come to consume one of the greatest desserts known to man. Ladle of Chocolate Fudge, Ladle of Butterscotch, Ladle of Peanut butter, 2 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream, 2 Scoops Chocolate Ice Cream, 2 Scoops Strawberry Ice Cream, 1 Scoop Coffee Ice Cream, 1 Scoop Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Pineapple Topping, Strawberry Topping, Entire Banana, Muffin, Entire Can of Whipped Cream, Large Brownie, Angel Food Cake, Entire Milky Way Bar, 4 Oreos, Every single type of sprinkle in the house, Chocolate Syrup, Marshmallow Topping, and topped with a handful of Maraschino Cherries. Oh yeah baby, we were going home full!
As the evidence in the above video should clearly indicate, I contributed a lot more to our Kitchen Sink consumption effort than did Sarah. Not to diminish what she did, as we both ate a lot—way too much, actually. Although we weren’t given any sort of medallions for conquering the epic dessert, we were champions in our own minds. The crowd (in our heads) cheered as we left the restaurant.
For us, with its odd assortment and hodgepodge nature, the Kitchen Sink is a ‘one and done’ dessert. It’s cooler in principle than it is in practice; eating it was a really cool experience, but I’ve had better desserts there.
Sorry about the photo of the carnage!
We had been to Beaches & Cream before that visit, and we’ve been several times since. Although we (wisely) haven’t done the Kitchen Sink again, we have tried numerous other desserts on the menu, and a couple other entrees besides the burger. The burger remains my favorite menu item, and is superior to even more expensive burgers at Walt Disney World. The No Way Jose is probably my favorite dessert, although nothing beats a Kitchen Sink for “fun factor.” If you’re a family of 4 or so with small kids, the experience of getting the Kitchen Sink is something you cannot pass up (in fact, it made our list of the Top 101 Tips for Walt Disney World!). Your kids will remember the spectacle for years, and even if you don’t eat it all, it will be a great memory that is well worth the price.
In keeping with its relaxed atmosphere, reservations are not accepted at Beaches and Cream, which can be disappointing for rabid ADR-makers, but is a nice change of pace for those lounging around Stormalong Bay who decide to ‘shirt up’ and head down the block for some cool treats. However, if you have kids, I’d highly recommend it as it is one of those ‘uniquely Disney’ experiences that is worth doing once.
Overall, Beaches and Cream is a quaint (as far as Disney goes) little restaurant located in the Beach Club Resort. The food is exceptional and reasonably priced, the theming is excellent, with the whole place looking like it’s an old fashioned soda fountain or ice cream shop (it’s the kind of place the Father in Carousel of Progress would “meet the boys for a cold sarsaparilla”). Its charming appearance with pastel colors definitely fits well in the motif of the Beach Club. The jukebox provides a nice assortment of songs that can be selected to really add to the ambiance. The menu is reasonably priced, the atmosphere laid back, and the food and ice cream are delicious. You cannot go wrong with Beaches & Cream. Pencil it into your plans now.
Your Thoughts…
Do you think Beaches & Cream lives up to the hype? Is it a “Must Do” for you, and if so, which dessert is your favorite? Planning on going? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Read our other Walt Disney World restaurant reviews and Walt Disney World Trip Planning resources.
Overall Score: 10/10
25 Responses to “Beaches & Cream Review”
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- Disney Dining Reviews Index - Disney Tourist Blog - [...] Beaches & Cream Review (Disney’s Beach Club Resort) [...]
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We tried B&C for the first time last trip. I had heard of it before so I advised my family of ice cream specialists to try it out. The outcome was very favourable and this is now an official ice cream destination for us. I’d love to try some of the other food though. I can’t believe you guys ate all that as a ‘snack’! Great article, thanks.
Great review but the photos are awesome Tom. You even find a way to capture incredible shots when eating ice cream!
Thanks! One of my big photography goals for each trip is capturing unique shots of us. Hopefully this new blog will be a place to give these shots of us more exposure (as I don’t post them on Flickr).
We had the Kitchen Sink for my husband’s birthday a few years ago. We had 8 people and could barely finish the thing. I’m so impressed by the two of you attempting it!
…and I went swimming right afterward
LOL!!!!
Excellent review! This place has been on my radar for some time but we didn’t get to it when we went in January. Hoping to go back in December so it will be a ‘must do’ then! And your reference to the Carousel of Progress just put it over the top for me…its my ‘first ride at the park’ attraction. I just discovered your blog today and love it…keep up the great work!!
Cheers!
Michelle
oh man I can almost feel my blood sugar rising. I salute you for even attempting they great and powerful kitchen sink let alone finishing that much. Like th time lapse work. Looks like a new TV series, Bricker vs. Food for the travel channel.
You put me in contact with someone from the Travel Channel and I’ll do it. I guarantee “Bricker” will win every time. I love to destroy food!
B&C is such a fun place. I agree, the best burger I’ve had at WDW. The onion rings are definitely worth the upcharge, as well.
I have had the Kitchen Sink once. While it is a fun experience, I always object when my friends want to order one. Too many flavors, too much of a mess. Now, if they could make a No Way Jose (chocolate ice cream with warm peanut butter and peanut butter chips) in the kitchen sink bowl…
Yeah, best burger we’ve had, but I’m not sure if it’s the overall best burger. I wouldn’t order a burger at a place like Le Cellier or another nice restaurant, but I’ve heard their burgers are good.
Totally agree about the Kitchen Sink. It’s more about the experience than the actual taste. A lot of odd flavors co-mingled. Never had the No Way Jose before, but we’ve heard TONS of great things about it!!!
My wife and I split the burger at Le Cellier a couple of days ago and it is amazing. I tend to think Le Cellier is a little overrated but that burger is Bomb. The No Way Jose Sundae and Beaches & Cream is one of the best ice cream desserts on the planet.
Might have to give the Le Cellier burger a try. Thanks for the tip!
After reading this I have to make sure I get to try B&C this year.
Stopped by there a couple of years ago with some friends during our annual girls’ weekend but they had just (and I literally mean just) closed for the night so we ended up doing ice cream from room service. 
Beaches and cream is one of our must do’s on every trip….the burgers and even the hot dogs are good too!
We went to Beaches and Cream back in July. They told us it would be be about a 90 minute wait! we went over to the arcade and they paged us about 5 minutes later? I tried the kitchen sink, it messed me up for the rest of the night. I should have gone with the No Way Jose.
Beaches and Cream has a pretty good veggie burger, it is always nice to find something on the menu for a non meat eater.
I know this is an older post, but I must thank you for the review. After reading about your experiance and also the photos on Tripadvisor, I am working in a stop at Beaches & Cream after my daughter and I have dinner at Boatwright.
Sure it’s only going to be an 8 year old little girl and her 38 year old dad, but there is no way that I’m not going to order the Kitchen Sink. It’s worth it just to see the look on my daughter’s face when they bring it out to us!
Can’t wait!
Got a question. I seem to remember the sink being MUCH bigger. Even your photos make it look big but IMO it really wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong , it’s still plenty for a whole table to consume, but I just remember it looking bigger and , well, cooler. Is my memory slipping??
We stayed at the Beach Club last year, this has brought some great memories flooding back. We never sat inside B&C as it was always busy and you cannot make a reservation either, but we sat outside on the veranda many times over the 2 week stay and enjoyed the delights!!
Lovely photos
We had so much fun doing the Kitchen Sink. My boys thought it was the coolest thing they had ever seen!
The Fudge Mud Slide is *amazing*! Honestly though, I daydream of the chicken Caesar sandwich. My husband and I went to Beaches and Cream TWICE on our last vacation for that sandwich…despite staying at OKW
Never had the Chicken Sandwich–might have to give it a try…although the burger is difficult to resist! With Beaches & Cream so close to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, it’s easy to go there no matter where you’re staying!
The homemade ice cream cookie sandwich on main street at the Magic Kingdom is to die for !!! and you can use a snack credit to purchase it !
Eating the entire kitchen sink w/ only 2 people? Impressive. How did you feel afterward-like you wanted to throw up in a REAL kitchen sink??? Hahahah. You probably think that weird-e-weird-weird is just a code name or something like that. It isn’t. My name is really Weird-e-weird-weird Salaop. Be jeleous, ladies. My parents were very C-R-A-Z-A-Y-Y-Y!!!!!!¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
~Weird-e-weird-weird Salaop