yacht and beach club ice cream

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Angus beef burger*, french dip sandwich, impossible™ burger, cheddar-bacon-ranch chicken sandwich, beaches & cream grilled cheese, reuben sandwich, chili and cheese tots, cheese and bacon tots, bowl of chili, bowl of tomato bisque, onion rings, potato tots, french fries, cookie fries with dipping sauce, strawberry shortcake, brownie à la mode, kids' appetizers (à la carte), garden salad, kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), grilled chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich, macaroni & cheese, cheeseburger, kids' create-your-own selections (choose two), strawberry yogurt, mickey mouse sundae, specialty shakes, mickey confetti shake, chocolate brownie shake, strawberry minnie shake, shakes & soda, frozen sunshine, malts & shakes, ice cream soda, coca-cola® or barq's® root beer float, sundaes on the beach, kitchen sink (serves four), fudge mud slide, snickers® sundae, old-fashioned sundae - two scoops, old-fashioned sundae - three scoops, no way josé, ice cream creations, double hand-scooped ice cream, waffle cone, souvenir shake, non-alcoholic beverages, resorts refillable mug, freshly brewed joffrey's coffee™, twinings® hot tea, assorted fountain beverages, nostalgia coca-cola® bottle, hard floats and shakes, baileys sundae, s'mores shake, the classic root beer float, stout float, tropical sunrise float, grasshopper float, beer, hard cider and hard seltzer, heineken lager - 16-oz can, yuengling lager - 16-oz can, schöfferhofer grapefruit hefeweizen - 16-oz can, guinness stout - 14.9-oz can, ace pineapple hard cider - 12-oz bottle, bud light lager - 16-oz aluminum bottle, truly wild berry hard seltzer, benvolio pinot grigio, friuli, benziger chardonnay, sonoma county, columbia crest h3 merlot, horse heaven hills, specialty cocktails, allergy-friendly entrées, guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request, allergy-friendly sweet endings, allergy-friendly kids' appetizers (à la carte), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own selections (choose two).

Guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request. While we take steps to help mitigate cross-contact, we cannot guarantee that any item is completely free of allergens. Our allergy-friendly recipes may use highly refined oils, such as soybean oil, and/or ingredients that are processed in facilities that also process allergens. It is ultimately our Guests' discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs. For more information about allergy-friendly requests, ask to speak with a Special Diets Trained Cast Member upon arrival at the location.

* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Our plant-based menu items are made without animal meat, dairy, eggs and honey.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Casual Dining

• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Lunch
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Dinner
• Meal Period  - Opens menu - Lunch
• Meal Period  - Opens menu - Dinner

Angus Beef Burger*

French dip sandwich, impossible™ burger, cheddar-bacon-ranch chicken sandwich, beaches & cream grilled cheese, reuben sandwich, chili and cheese tots, cheese and bacon tots, bowl of chili, bowl of tomato bisque, onion rings, potato tots, french fries, cookie fries with dipping sauce, strawberry shortcake, brownie à la mode, kids' appetizers (à la carte), garden salad, kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), grilled chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich, macaroni & cheese, cheeseburger, kids' create-your-own selections (choose two), strawberry yogurt, mickey mouse sundae, specialty shakes, mickey confetti shake, chocolate brownie shake, strawberry minnie shake, shakes & soda, frozen sunshine, malts & shakes, ice cream soda, coca-cola® or barq's® root beer float, sundaes on the beach, kitchen sink (serves four), fudge mud slide, snickers® sundae, old-fashioned sundae - two scoops, old-fashioned sundae - three scoops, no way josé, ice cream creations, double hand-scooped ice cream, waffle cone, souvenir shake, non-alcoholic beverages, resorts refillable mug, freshly brewed joffrey's coffee™, twinings® hot tea, assorted fountain beverages, nostalgia coca-cola® bottle, hard floats and shakes, baileys sundae, s'mores shake, the classic root beer float, stout float, tropical sunrise float, grasshopper float, beer, hard cider and hard seltzer, heineken lager - 16-oz can, yuengling lager - 16-oz can, schöfferhofer grapefruit hefeweizen - 16-oz can, guinness stout - 14.9-oz can, ace pineapple hard cider - 12-oz bottle, bud light lager - 16-oz aluminum bottle, truly wild berry hard seltzer, benvolio pinot grigio, friuli, benziger chardonnay, sonoma county, columbia crest h3 merlot, horse heaven hills, specialty cocktails, allergy-friendly entrées, guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request, allergy-friendly sweet endings, allergy-friendly kids' appetizers (à la carte), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own selections (choose two).

About our allergy-friendly menu items: Guests may consult with a chef or special diets trained Cast Member before placing an order. We use reasonable efforts in our sourcing, preparation and handling procedures to avoid the introduction of the named allergens into allergy-friendly menu choices. While we take steps to prevent cross-contact, we do not have separate allergy-friendly kitchens and are unable to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens. Allergy-friendly offerings are reliant on supplier ingredient labels. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents of each food item. Allergen advisory statements (e.g., "may contain") are not regulated and therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. It is ultimately our Guests' discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs.

Menu items and prices are subject to change without notice.

* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Our plant-based menu items are made without animal meat, dairy, eggs and honey.

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Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Dinner menu.

Casual Dining

• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Lunch
• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Dinner

Angus Beef Burger*

French dip sandwich, impossible™ burger, cheddar-bacon-ranch chicken sandwich, beaches & cream grilled cheese, reuben sandwich, chili and cheese tots, cheese and bacon tots, bowl of chili, bowl of tomato bisque, onion rings, potato tots, french fries, cookie fries with dipping sauce, strawberry shortcake, brownie à la mode, kids' appetizers (à la carte), garden salad, kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), grilled chicken sandwich, turkey sandwich, macaroni & cheese, cheeseburger, kids' create-your-own selections (choose two), strawberry yogurt, mickey mouse sundae, specialty shakes, mickey confetti shake, chocolate brownie shake, strawberry minnie shake, shakes & soda, frozen sunshine, malts & shakes, ice cream soda, coca-cola® or barq's® root beer float, sundaes on the beach, kitchen sink (serves four), fudge mud slide, snickers® sundae, old-fashioned sundae - two scoops, old-fashioned sundae - three scoops, no way josé, ice cream creations, double hand-scooped ice cream, waffle cone, souvenir shake, non-alcoholic beverages, resorts refillable mug, freshly brewed joffrey's coffee™, twinings® hot tea, assorted fountain beverages, nostalgia coca-cola® bottle, hard floats and shakes, baileys sundae, s'mores shake, the classic root beer float, stout float, tropical sunrise float, grasshopper float, beer, hard cider and hard seltzer, heineken lager - 16-oz can, yuengling lager - 16-oz can, schöfferhofer grapefruit hefeweizen - 16-oz can, guinness stout - 14.9-oz can, ace pineapple hard cider - 12-oz bottle, bud light lager - 16-oz aluminum bottle, truly wild berry hard seltzer, benvolio pinot grigio, friuli, benziger chardonnay, sonoma county, columbia crest h3 merlot, horse heaven hills, specialty cocktails, allergy-friendly entrées, guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request, allergy-friendly sweet endings, allergy-friendly kids' appetizers (à la carte), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own entrées (choose one), allergy-friendly kids' create-your-own selections (choose two).

About our allergy-friendly menu items: Guests may consult with a chef or special diets trained Cast Member before placing an order. We use reasonable efforts in our sourcing, preparation and handling procedures to avoid the introduction of the named allergens into allergy-friendly menu choices. While we take steps to prevent cross-contact, we do not have separate allergy-friendly kitchens and are unable to guarantee that a menu item is completely free of allergens. Allergy-friendly offerings are reliant on supplier ingredient labels. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the contents of each food item. Allergen advisory statements (e.g., "may contain") are not regulated and therefore not taken into consideration when developing allergy-friendly meals. It is ultimately our Guests' discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs.

Menu items and prices are subject to change without notice.

* Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.

Our plant-based menu items are made without animal meat, dairy, eggs and honey.

Use CoBrowse to Share Your Screen?

Even as the Disney Cast Member guides you around our site, they will be unable to access or view any files or information on your device or anything you type.

To stop the session, click the X in the screen-sharing window at any time. You can remain on the phone with the Cast Member.

Enter the code provided by the Cast Member and Accept to get started.

Invalid code. Please reenter

Not on the Phone with a Cast Member?

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Dining at beaches & cream soda shop.

Posted by: Caitlin Kane February 10, 2022

Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a favorite destination of many Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort thanks to its charming and bright theming that is styled to feel like a seaside resort along the Atlantic coast. Guests can enjoy charming nautical details, pastel colors, crisp white molding and accents, the expansive Stormalong Bay pool area, views of Crescent Lake, shopping, and more.

RELATED: Dining at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Credit: Disney

One of the most popular experiences to enjoy at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, a table service restaurant that transports Guests back in time to a vintage seaside diner with over-the-top dishes of American favorites. Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is open each day for lunch and dinner, and Guests who would like to enjoy a meal there definitely need to make reservations in advance, as it is nearly always full.

RELATED: Late Night Dining at Walt Disney World

Guests immediately feel the charm and theming of Beaches & Cream Soda Shop when approaching the main entrance, as there are a series of small tables outside that are shaped like ice cream cones. Guests can enjoy to-go ice cream treats and more at these charming tables and soak in the views of nearby Stormalong Bay and Crescent Lake.

RELATED: The Crescent Lake Adult Beverage Crawl at Walt Disney World

Once inside Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Guests are immediately transported to the Atlantic seaside with pastel pops of color on the walls and chairs, beachy molding along the walls, comfortable booth seating, mosaic tile floor, and an open-air kitchen. The subtle touches all come together to evoke the feeling of a diner from the 1950s, and Guests can’t get enough of the inviting theme.

Those who take the time to check out all corners of the dining room at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop can also spot some great artwork and details that tie in some beloved Disney characters. Mickey, Minnie, and the gang can be found in a series of paintings decorating the space and each work showcases a different seaside diner scene including a vintage jukebox, classic counter stools, and vintage cars driving on the boardwalk.

The lunch and dinner menus at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop are identical, and the items featured focus heavily on American diner classics, with some over-the-top portions. Guests absolutely need to make sure that they arrive at the restaurant hungry, because they will not want to miss a single bite of their orders!

Credit: Scott Thomas Photography

To begin any meal at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Guests can choose from a beverage menu that features Joffrey’s Coffee, soft drinks, Twinings of London Tea, beer, and wine. Those who are looking to indulge even more can order up a hard float or shake, which takes classic options and spikes them with beer, cider, or liquor. Guests are sure to love options like the S’mores Shake, Tropical Sunrise Float, Grasshopper Float, Stout Float, and The Classic Root Beer Float.

The entrées at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop are all amazing, and Guests might find it hard to choose just one option! One of the most popular choices is the classic Beaches & Cream Grilled Cheese, which features buttery toasted bread and perfectly melted cheese and is served with a cup of creamy tomato soup and the option to add bacon or ham for an additional fee.

RELATED: The Best Grilled Cheeses in Walt Disney World

Another sandwich option at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is the Cheddar-Bacon-Ranch Chicken Sandwich which is served on a multigrain bun and topped with sautéed onion, lettuce, and tomato for a very filling and hearty meal. Guests also love enjoying the French Dip Sandwich featuring thinly sliced roast beef, Swiss cheese, au jus, and crispy-fried onions on a toasted French roll or the Reuben Sandwich served on marbled rye bread with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop also features several entrée options for Guests who are looking to indulge in over-the-top burgers, and the classic Angus Beef Burger with cheddar, lettuce, and tomato is the perfect option to quench any burger craving. Also available is the Plant-based Burger which tops a multigrain bun with plant-based patty, mayonnaise, and caramelized balsamic-onion jam.

RELATED: The Best Burgers in Walt Disney World

While the entrées at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop are amazing, it’s the sides that elevate every meal to be completely indulgent. Guests love to dig into the perfectly crispy and fried French Fries, Onion Rings, and Potato Tots. A hearty side that Guests can enjoy is the Bowl of Chili which is topped with the perfect amount of cheese and green onions for texture.

RELATED: The Best Onion Rings in Walt Disney World

Sure, plain tots are delicious, but Beaches & Cream Soda Shop offers up some unique twists on the classic that are too good to pass up. The Chili and Cheese Tots are topped with chili, cheese, sour cream, and green onions — there is even a plant-based version! While the Cheese and Bacon Tots are served with cheese sauce, bacon, red onions, and a creamy garlic-peppercorn ranch.

With so many indulgent entrée and side options at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, it can definitely be hard to save space for dessert, but Guests absolutely need to try because the restaurant features some of the best ice cream options at the Walt Disney World Resort. Classic dessert options offered include the Brownie A la Mode, Strawberry Shortcake, and Cookie Fries with Dipping Sauce which are plant-based and served with an assortment of dips.

RELATED: Plant-based Cookie Fries Recipe from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

Guests who are milkshake fans can choose from several options including the Mickey Confetti Shake which blends vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and rainbow sprinkles and tops it all with a rainbow confetti cupcake. Also over the top are the Chocolate Brownie Shake, Frozen Sunshine Milkshake, Ice Cream Soda, and an assortment of Malt & Shakes with the option of any flavor ice cream that is available.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is perhaps most well-known for its ice cream sundaes, in particular the Kitchen Sink which is served in an actual sink bowl and is so large, it can easily feed four Guests. There is also the option of ordering the treat in a souvenir Mickey or Minnie sink. The Kitchen Sink features vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies ‘n cream, and mint chocolate chip ice cream scoops, hot fudge, peanut butter, Snickers pieces, a fresh brownie, and literally every other topping served in the restaurant right down to the cherry on top.

RELATED: OH. MY. GOODNESS! The Recipe for Kitchen Sink from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Walt Disney World

Credit: wdwbasics.com

Some other amazing sundae options found at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop include the Snickers Sundae, Classic Banana Split, Fudge Mud Slide, and Old Fashioned Sundae. Peanut butter lovers will go nuts for the No Way Jose which tops vanilla and chocolate ice creams with peanut butter morsels, chocolate chips, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

RELATED: The Best Peanut Butter Snacks in Walt Disney World

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is one of the most popular table service restaurants at the Walt Disney World Resort, and it is no surprise why with its charming interior and over-the-top meals and ice cream treats. Guests who find themselves at Disney’s Beach Club Resort definitely need to stop by Beaches & Cream Soda Shop to enjoy the ultimate lunch or dinner any day!

About Caitlin Kane

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March 19, 2024

REVIEW: Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is a Hidden Gem at Walt Disney World

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney is THE place to be!

Figuring out where to eat at Walt Disney World is one of my favorite parts of planning a big vacation to the parks or just a short weekend getaway.

There are literally hundreds of places to choose from, each with unique menus and fun themes that transport diners into the world of make believe.

One of the best places to eat at Walt Disney World is Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, which is located right next to the big pool between Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.

The small restaurant is turning out great food, but beware, dining reservations are hard to get, even at 60 days out.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

What is Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Walt Disney World?

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is an adorable restaurant that’s themed after a 1950s beachside diner.

The restaurant is popular with families because of its approachable menu for adults and kids, with an entire section dedicated to ice cream sundaes!

I love going to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop on days I’m visiting EPCOT and I don’t want to eat festival food .

This is because it’s just a short walk from the International Gateway entrance to the park to the restaurant.

ORDER NOW to secure your Walt Disney World theme park ticket!  GET MY TICKETS.

What is the vibe like inside Beaches and Cream Soda Shop?

Once you actually sit down at a table inside Beaches and Cream Soda Shop you’re transported to a brightly colored 50s style diner with a big retro vibe.

Besides tables and booths, there’s a full counter bar where you can sit and watch ice cream sundaes, burgers, and more being made right in front of you!

All the Cast Members at the restaurant are dressed in cute beachy pale colored uniforms which only helps to bring out the diner vibes.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a waiter or waitress who is willing to play jokes or gossip with you about what’s been going on at the restaurant, just like at a real diner.

REVIEW: Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant is the Hardest Magic Kingdom Reservation to Get For a Reason

How do I get a reservation for Beaches and Cream Soda Shop?

The best way to get a reservation for Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is to make a reservation through the My Disney Experience app , or online on the Walt Disney World website.

Reservations are available 60 days before the start of your trip and they do fill up quickly.

So, you’re going to want to prioritize making this reservation before less popular restaurants like Boma at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park.

What’s The Best Counter Service at Animal Kingdom? These 5 Will Help You Decide!

What if I can’t get a reservation for Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Walt Disney World?

If you’re unable to get a reservation before your trip, the restaurant does take some walk-up seating, especially first thing when it opens for lunch, or later in the evening.

The best way to get a walk-up reservation is to be a guest staying at any of the Boardwalk Inn or Swan and Dolphin Resorts to be able to walk to the restaurant and not deal with self-parking at the hotel.

This is because you can be turned away by the security guard on some busy days.

REVIEW: Sanaa is Disney’s BEST Kept Secret at Animal Kingdom Lodge

What’s on the menu at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop?

The lunch and dinner menus at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop are the same, so there’s no need to worry about missing out on something at one meal time versus another.

Grilled Cheese

A few of my favorites from the menu include the Beaches and Cream Grilled Cheese, which is a perfectly crisped sandwich with plenty of cheese and is served with tomato soup.

For something a little more hearty consider the rueben, which is loaded with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and thousand island dressing on top of marbled rye bread.

Loaded Tater Tots

If you’re taking a friend with you or if you have a big appetite, be sure to get a side of loaded tater tots, which can be topped with:

• Green onions
• Cheese sauce
• Garlic-peppercorn ranch

The later of the two is my favorite.

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Kitchen Sink

Most people come to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop for the ice cream too, which you can get as a sundae, cone, or milkshake.

Groups of friends or family will definitely want to consider trying their hand at the Kitchen Sink, which has eight scoops of ice cream, every topping in the house, and an entire can of whipped cream.

The ice cream sundae is even served in an actual sink , and when it’s ordered a big deal is made by the waitstaff, including sirens and horns going off.

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Does Beaches and Cream Soda Shop take any discounts?

As of the time of writing this post, Annual Passholders can get up to 10 percent off at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.

Top 3 Tips for Your Visit to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Walt Disney World

• If you just want ice cream from the restaurant , there is a small walk-up window where you can get cups, cones, milkshakes, and some sundaes. However, if you’re really wanting to try the Kitchen Sink you’re going to need to eat inside the restaurant though.
• Don’t be afraid to ask about counter seating. When the restaurant isn’t busy it’s often the area that’s reserved as first come, first served.
• If you don’t get a reservation for Beaches and Cream, keep checking.  Everyone changes plans at some point during their  vacation planning for Walt Disney World,  which leads to dining reservations getting canceled.

What’s the Best Buffet in Disney World (These 16 Will Help You Decide)

My Final Thoughts and Review on Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is worth fighting for a reservation for.

The restaurant is a fun place to get away from the parks, with a unique atmosphere, and plenty of great dishes to enjoy.

For more theme park tips and tricks,   follow ThemeParkHipster on YouTube.

Until next, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love these:

• What’s the Best Quick Service at Magic Kingdom? These 7 Will Help You Decide!
• 8 BEST Restaurants in the Magic Kingdom YOU CAN’T MISS!
• What’s the BEST Lunch at the Magic Kingdom? Try These 7 To Decide!
• Disney World Dining: Don’t Go Unless You Know These 3 Tips

About the Author

Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.

She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.

(Original Article Date: February 2, 2022/Updated on March 27, 2023)

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Beaches & Cream Review

Beaches & Cream is a budget table service restaurant and ice cream dining spot themed as an old-fashioned soda shop at Walt Disney World’s Beach Club Resort. This review features some food & sundae photos, thoughts on the ambiance, and our take on whether it’s worth a stop here. ( Updated October 3, 2019 .)

We’ve long proclaimed the virtues of Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, and have visited countless times enjoying a range of menu options–both food and ice cream. Before we delve into that, it’s worth noting that Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is now closed until (at least) December 2019 for expansion.

We cover the details in our Beaches & Cream Refurbishment: Temporary Location & Ice Cream Alternatives . In that, we suggest three ice cream options within a 10 minute walk of Yacht & Beach Club that are worth your time over the temporary Beaches & Cream shop. You should stop reading this review and instead check that out if you’re visiting Walt Disney World before early 2020…

Although Beaches & Cream is technically a table service restaurant in that it has a menu with a number of basic entrees, most of which are solid, the real star of the show is the ice cream. This is why the full name is Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Much like a classic soda shop, it’s the bubbly charm, jukebox, and dessert menu that puts Beaches & Cream on the map.

The dessert menu here is second to none at Walt Disney World, and the restaurant is famous for its behemoth Kitchen Sink dessert, which has garnered mainstream buzz and attention with features on the Travel Channel, among other pop culture sites.

This review could be pretty short and sweet: go to Beaches & Cream. It’s an excellent restaurant with a fun theme and the reasonably prices 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). Note that Beaches & Cream now accepts Advance Dining Reservations and as a result, it can be difficult to eat here now without an ADR.

In terms of ambiance, Beaches & Cream is a deceptively simple soda shop, styled with pastel tiles, and a vintage look that gives it an old-fashioned charm.

Like all good soda shops, there’s a jukebox with classic tunes that guests can play. The restaurant feels like an old-timey soda shop meets a small beach town meets an ice cream motif. If you could pull a Back to the Future style move and revisit your parents’ (or grandparents, depending upon your age) first date, this is like the place it might’ve been.

It’s the kind of place where the Father in Carousel of Progress would “meet the boys for a cold sarsaparilla.”

Very Americana. Much ice cream.

Now let’s turn to the food options…

I recently deviated from my go-to Beaches & Cream entree and ordered the Beaches Seafood Salad Sandwich.

The croissant was fresh and buttery, and the avocado vinaigrette gave the seafood salad a nice flavor, but the seafood was not plentiful. It was fine, but far from memorable, and not something I’d order again.

For a while, every visit to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop meant ordering their Angus Beef Burger. The nice toasted and buttery bun, fresh-grilled meat was fantastic.

That has changed as of late for 2 reasons. First, the price of the burger has increased steadily, going from about the price of a counter service meal to a few dollars more. Second, we discovered the nearby Crew’s Cup Lounge, which has the best burger at Walt Disney World . A burger that actually costs less than Beaches & Cream’s burger. Now, we do a progressive meal, visiting Crew’s Cup Lounge for food and Beaches & Cream Soda Shop for desserts.

The Beaches Patty Melt is a different twist on the burger, and definitely a worthwhile option if you want something different.

Still, I think the best choice is just going to Crew’s Cup Lounge. It’s a 5-minute walk from Beaches & Cream.

As we turn to the stars of the menu–the desserts–we’ll start with our story of ordering the Kitchen Sink back when we were young and reckless. This was during the “Weekend of Deliciousness” on our Walt Disney World honeymoon which also included stops at Victoria & Albert’s and California Grill , among other restaurants. (What a time to be alive!)

While planning, I had mentioned the Kitchen Sink to Sarah on several occasions, but 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. When we ordered it, our very courteous server seemed as if she was trying to dissuade us from the gargantuan dessert, which is not meant for only 2 people.

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. Well…that was true for us until we learned about the Chocolate Lover’s Kitchen Sink , which we also just had to try to conquer . But now that we’ve done that Kitchen Sink, we swear we’re done. (Probably. Until Disney comes up with another.)

The Kitchen Sink is cooler in principle than it is in practice; eating it was a really cool experience, but I’ve had better desserts at Beaches & Cream. Nevertheless, it made our list of the Top 101 Tips for Walt Disney World simply for the novelty of the experience.

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. 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.

We’ve been several times since, and although we (wisely) haven’t done the Kitchen Sink again, we have tried numerous other desserts on the menu, a few of which rate as my favorite desserts at Walt Disney World.

Options like the floats, cones, and cups are good, but we highly recommend getting one of the larger sundaes instead. (Pro tip: don’t share–even if you think you aren’t hungry enough for a sundae.)

Pretty much all of the sundaes–the Milky Way, Fudge Mud Slide, and No Way Jose are incredible.

I think the best of the sundaes is the No Way Jose, which is a giant sundae with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, topped with hot fudge and peanut butter sauces, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, whipped cream, and a cherry. Unlike the Kitchen Sink, this is in no way a hodgepodge, as all of these flavors work together tremendously well.

Continuing on the peanut butter hype train, my new go-to dessert at Beaches & Cream is the Grilled Banana Bread with Peanut Butter. This is basically the peanut butter sandwich of the gods, adding caramelized bananas, whipped cream, and ice cream to the mix. While it’s tough to beat the No Way Jose, I’d say this is the more unique dessert, which gives it the slight edge in my book. Plus, it’s super-healthy given the bananas, peanut butter, and whatnot. Bonus!

This currently ranks as my favorite dessert at Walt Disney World. Please excuse any typos in this post…I’m busy daydreaming about eating the Crew’s Cup Lounge burger and truffle fries, this dessert, and then beaching myself on an inner tube in Stormalong Bay. Best day ever.

Overall, Beaches and Cream is a quaint (as far as Disney goes) little restaurant located in the Beach Club Resort with fine food, and beyond exceptional desserts. Seriously, this is the best ice cream at Walt Disney World, so even if you don’t go for the food, go for the ice cream. Even if you hate ice cream for some reason (do you also hate freedom and bald eagles?), we are certain this ice cream will make a convert out of you. Beyond that, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop’s charming and laid back atmosphere make it a great spot to go after a tough morning of lounging around Stormalong Bay. You cannot go wrong with Beaches & Cream. Pencil it into your plans now.

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…

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? Any questions about Beaches & Cream? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

What other alternatives do you recommend now that ample hill has closed?

I am confused. This article raved about beaches and cream. But I also read something by you that said the Ice cream place across the way at the Boardwalk had better ice cream. So, which is actually better in your opinion?

Did we get a confirmation of when exactly this is closing for remodelling?

Sorry I resubmitted this. The first reply wasn’t showing up on my end.

Have you heard a definite date for this to close yet?

Is it going to be impossible to get ADR for 8 people for Beaches and Cream? I was able to get to reservations for 4 within 10 minutes of each other. Will we be able to sit together, or only 2 booths? We’re just going to have the ice cream honestly.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street in Magic Kingdom has a Mickey’s Kitchen Sink sundae (it looks like Mickey’s pants and you get to keep the sink/pants), not nearly as big as the kitchen sink at Beaches and Cream (you can’t keep the sink that the ice cream comes in from there).

Shattered 🙁 we are coming over from Australia in October for our honeymoon and had my heart set on getting the Kitchen Sink. Is there anything similar anywhere else I could get as an alternative?

The Earthquake at Ghirardelli is probably the closest thing.

There are also some great options at Ample Hills Creamery (the ice cream there is much better, IMO).

Alternatively, if you’re looking for something that’s a bit of a “challenge” (but more delicious), the S’mores Baked Alaska at Boathouse is tough to beat.

I’m gutted we are booked into the beach club in November and were looking forward to the arcade and Beaches and Cream! I’m hoping there won’t be too much disturbance while we are there.

We feel the same way. We’ll be there for a week in November and was using it as an excuse to visit Beaches and Cream more often. We had intended to make a number of reservations and use it as essentially as a quick service seeing as there isn’t much else in the area.

I may be the only one sad about the arcade closing. But I have childhood memories of going there and to beaches and cream. Nothing can replace those two places, but it does need an expansion. They better not mess with the grilled cheese and tomatoe soup! Seriously epic. And I’m a little salty about it getting the trendy milkshakes. They’re neat but beaches and cream has its own unique thing, it doesn’t need to be trendy.

For what it’s worth, the arcade permanently closing is not a sure thing–just my prediction.

This one ranks (for us) as one of the worst Disney restaurants we’ve been to. It joins Mama Rose and Via Napoli as “never again!” places. But it’s even worse because of the location. At least Mama Rose (Hollywood Studios) and Via Napoli (Epcot) are in parks so they’re easier to get to.

The restaurant is really small. I mean REALLY small. That’s why it’s so difficult to get an ADR there. It’s got 3 booths, not that many more small tables, and seating for 8 at the counter. That’s it.

But that’s not why it’s a “never again.” The food and the service! It’s really bad. We waited forever for our food. When we got it, my granddaughter’s food was cold. We had to then wait again for our server to reappear to send it back for some hot food.

I got the turkey club. I don’t think I even ate half of it. The turkey was suspiciously chewy in some places and hard in others.

Total waste of money and a mistake I won’t repeat.

This is totally not a typical experience for Beaches and Cream. Getting reservations ahead of time can be very difficult, and sometimes, you have to wait a little long for the food. I’ll give you that, but we have never (in 20+ times visiting) had any of the other problems that you describe. How unfortunate! Maybe you’ll try one more time, and they can redeem themselves.

Would you need a reservation to just get ice cream? Do they have anything ‘to go ‘?

They have a to-go order line in the restaurant, but through a separate door.

We r head to the Beach Club in 2 weeks. What is your recommendation on best time to get a seat at Beaches& Cream without an ADR?

We love Beaches & Cream and like to make it our first-night meal — a practical choice since it doesn’t require theme park admission.

Our best memory is our first trip: I excused myself from the table and quietly ordered one — my husband and I had agreed upon this ahead of time, but the kids had no idea such a thing existed. A few minutes later the waitress flicked the lights on and off and announced that SOMEONE had just ordered this holy grail of all ice cream sundaes. She walked around the small restaurants letting everyone have a look at the giant dish while loudly announcing all the ingredients. My girls were drooling but had no idea that the ice cream was FOR THEM, and when she plopped it down on OUR TABLE … well, I think it was one of the best moments of their childhoods. The whole restaurant was looking at us, and several tables immediately ordered Kitchen Sinks of their own. The kids talked about that sundae for a solid year, and even today — a dozen years later? — they still remember that day.

Two practical comments on the Kitchen Sink: – One kitchen sink is cheaper than individual sundaes for a family of four. – Note that they make three different versions: The Original, Chocolate Lovers, and Neopolitan.

Do you need to make an ADR to go just for dessert ?

very good info. thanks Tom. do you know B&C ice cream vendor? I have read it is either Edy’s, Haagen Daaz or maybe neither. My family are 20+ years fans of WDW and have never tried B&C because every post I have read indicate how difficult is to book time or certainly to walk-in without reservation.

Thanks for the reminder about needing ADRs for Beaches & Cream. We have a trip coming up and I’d forgotten all about it. Like you said, their Angus burger is great. However, the quality seems to vary. I ordered it in August and October of 2014, and the patty in the second burger had that noticeably strong taste you often get in lower quality beef, making it worse than the burger I had from Landscape of Flavors. Next reservation, I’m taking your suggestion and heading to Crew’s Cup then Beaches & Cream only for dessert.

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Guest Review: Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

By AJ 20 Comments

Today, we welcome Heather Jones with a guest review of one of our favorite Walt Disney World spots — Beaches and Cream!

On our last visit to Walt Disney World, my family and I had the pleasure of spending a night at the Beach Club Resort. One of the things I was most excited about was finally getting a chance to eat at Beaches and Cream .

I had heard so much about the place, from their great burgers to the unbelievable Kitchen Sink , I couldn’t wait to try it out!

Beaches and Cream

Beaches and Cream is located where the Beach Club and its sister resort, the Yacht Club, meet; and the restaurant looks out to the Stormalong Bay pool complex.

Stormalong Bay

They don’t take reservations at Beaches and Cream, and I had heard that it could get really crowded at peak mealtimes; so we decided to head over in the middle of the afternoon to avoid the lunch rush.

Beaches and Cream is a cozy (read: tiny) soda fountain and burger joint. The tin ceilings, old-fashioned pendulum light fixtures, and pastel color scheme give it a nostalgic 1950s feel. Whimsical borders and beachy details add to the charm.

Ceiling and Light Details

Dining Room

Counter and Tables

The grill area is open to the dining room so you can watch the cook in action.

Cook grilling up burgers!

We had barely started looking at the menu when suddenly the lights dimmed and the sirens went off. One of the servers loudly proclaimed that someone had ordered the Kitchen Sink!

My family knew nothing of my pure joy of being there at just the right time to see the spectacle of this dessert being paraded around the dining room.

Server whizzing by with the Kitchen Sink.

I hopped over to our neighbor’s table and I asked if I could snap a picture of this gargantuan confection.

The Famous Kitchen Sink

We took a look over the menu, but I knew exactly what I was getting. The burgers had such a reputation that there was no other choice for me.

We were eating on the Free Dining plan , so my son decided to forgo dessert and instead got the Frozen Sunshine as his drink. This orange sherbet, vanilla ice cream, and seltzer concoction was absolutely gorgeous!

Frozen Sunshine

Most of us got the cheeseburger. My son got the single with bacon and onion rings. There were no fewer than four pieces of bacon piled high. The onion rings were light and crispy.

Single Cheeseburger with Onion Rings

I also got the single with bacon, but with french fries instead of onion rings. I was a bit disappointed when I caught a glimpse of the cook dumping frozen fries in the basket; I was hoping for fresh cut, like at a certain burger joint with white and red décor. However, they were fantastic and there were plenty of them!

Single Cheeseburger with copious fries

My husband manned up and got the Double Bacon Cheeseburger. Fresh lettuce and huge red ripe tomatoes accompanied all the burgers. I did notice as I reviewed my pictures that they forgot the pickles! I’m surprised that I didn’t notice because I’m a bit of a pickle addict.

Bacon Double Cheeseburger

I had heard so many raves about the burgers here that I’m not sure I could be objective. I think I expected angels to sing when I took my first bite. They didn’t. Nonetheless, it was a very tasty burger and I enjoyed it heartily.

My daughter, who tends toward the vegetarian side, chose the grilled vegetable sandwich. I have to admit, as much as I enjoyed my burger, I believe she had the best meal on the table.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

The vegetables were grilled perfectly, not too mushy or too raw. The focaccia bread was soft and lightly toasted with a tangy goat cheese spread. All was topped with spicy arugula and ripe tomato. Fantastic! I would have never thought that a burger place would have such an amazing vegetarian option.

Vegetable Sandwich

Nobody was hungry for dessert, but of course we got it anyway! My daughter chose a dainty scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a waffle cone.

Ice Cream Cone

My husband got the traditional sundae also with mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Hot Fudge Sundae

In my mind peanut butter comes second only to bacon as the most perfect food, so I was very excited to finally try the No Way Jose. It was incredible! Though I didn’t get very far, I was not let down by this peanut butter and chocolate delight.

No Way Jose

No Way Jose Close-Up

We had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch at Beaches and Cream. The food was terrific and the quaint atmosphere was a pleasant departure from the huge dining rooms found at most Disney property restaurants.

The service was a bit slow (our waiter had way too many tables and was running around flushed), but he was friendly and apologetic for the wait. I would recommend anyone to take the jaunt over to enjoy the Yacht and Beach Club area and a great meal at Beaches and Cream.

Heather Jones is a wife and mom of two teenagers who loves to travel, Disney being the ultimate destination. She is a foodie, so dining is always the most memorable part of her trips. Heather enjoys sharing her travel adventures in her blog, Maybe Someday…

What’s your favorite sweet treat at Beaches and Cream? Let us know what we should dip our spoons into next!

See the Disney Food Blog review of Beaches and Cream here !

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January 12, 2012 at 5:06 am

I absolutely LOVE this place. Been going since it opened. Whenever I want a burger, it is THE place to go. Always wanted it to be larger, but guess after 20+ years it isn’t going to happen. My favorite sweet treat is a vanilla shake. I know it’s pretty, well, vanilla, but I happen to love it Took our kids there and now our grandkids. Grandson couldn’t get enough of the excitement and the burger/fries/shake. His first time is a memory we will always cherish. Frank

January 12, 2012 at 8:23 am

I love Beaches & Cream. It’s tiny and almost hidden behind the Stormalong Bay. I think it’s the best burger on property. For those from the Northeast, it feels kind of like a Disney-version of Friendly’s restaurant. It’s simple and charming, and a very welcome departure from the very active and rushed restaurants all over WDW property.

January 12, 2012 at 9:31 am

I think their burgers are delicious, too 🙂 My mom says they remind her of burgers in the 1950’s- not too big and a good bun to pattie ratio. Plus the toasting and buttering of the bun adds a lot of taste. Did you know that they bake their hamburger buns fresh at the Beach/Yacht club bakery? And thanks for the review of the veggie sandwich- what a great, healthier option. If you can’t get a table or booth it’s fun to eat at the counter and watch them create sundaes.

January 12, 2012 at 10:18 am

Great review. Can’t wait to finally try this place! Do you know if all the dessert are accepted with the dinning plan?? (not the sink or course!!!)

January 12, 2012 at 10:20 am

I have once tried to conquer the Kitchen Sink…and failed…epic fail

January 12, 2012 at 12:07 pm

Part of our October stay was at BCV and we fell prey to B&C a few times. I’m generally a very healthy eater as I’m a distance runner but when we got there I couldn’t help myself. From the onion rings to the chocolate cake al a mode, I loved every bit of this restaurant. It’s a true winner!

January 12, 2012 at 1:28 pm

regarding the burger: I have heard they have the best burger on property as well but I can’t imagine it being better than the sci-fi burger! Granted, I haven’t tried the Beaches and Cream burger but I’d love to hear from readers who have had both which one is better. My family always eats at Sci Fi and we ALWAYS get the burgers because they are just SO good there.

One of these days I’ll make it to Beaches and Cream!

January 12, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Glad to see it gets a great review over and above the famous creation. It’s our intention to go and attempt the Kitchen Sink, well you just have to try it at least once, but I also hope to get back during our trip to sample the burgers.

January 12, 2012 at 4:28 pm

Great review! This is a big family favorite and somewhere I always recommend. I’m a fan of the Milky Way Sundae – although I pass on the butterscotch and substitute caramel.

January 12, 2012 at 6:18 pm

Do they still have the reuben hot dog?

January 12, 2012 at 7:06 pm

We always stay at the Beach Club Villas and we’ve never eaten here. I think it’s because I am a vegetarian and I thought I would get stuck with another veggie burger. But vegetarian sandwich looks delicious! Thank you for featuring a veggie meal. Veggies love to eat at WDW, too! 🙂

January 12, 2012 at 8:29 pm

marcellina the burger at Beaches and Cream is so much better than Sci Fi. I love going to Sci Fi and always get the burger but Beaches and Cream is a MUST do evey trip to WDW. It is made right in front of you if you sit at the counter. I must add the bacon to the burger and then after that we get the Brownie Sundae….. Yes I love Beaches and Cream. One thing to note is you can get take out at Beaches and Cream but only for Ice Cream no food. They have a separate door to the right for take out ice cream.

January 12, 2012 at 8:34 pm

DaGuru, the Reuben Dog is not currently on the menu. Sorry.

January 12, 2012 at 10:08 pm

Marcellina, I too always loved the burgers at Sci-Fi, but once I tried the B&C burger, I agreed with everything I had heard that it is the best on property!

We attempted the Kitchen Sink the day after Christmas. We didn’t get far, but it sure was fun to try!

January 13, 2012 at 12:21 am

Frank — That’s an amazing memory!! I cherish bringing my parents here for the first time — now they visit as often as they can!

Paul — Friendly’s! I have to say, the No Way Jose trumps the Friendly’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae, though… 😉

Canada68 — Now I wanna sit at the counter and watch them do the sundaes!!!! Awesome tip!

Mylene — I’m pretty sure you can get just about anything on the menu if they were allowed to have the No Way Jose as dessert! 🙂 YUM!

Aaron — You have one up on me. Failing at the Kitchen Sink beats not having tried yet! 🙂

Eric — It’s a trap! A trap, I tell you! 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed, though — this is really one of my favorite places. (Who said chocolate cake isn’t carb loading?)

Marci — Apples and Oranges! 🙂 The Beaches and Cream burger is smaller — they’re going for that soda shoppe feel. Sci-Fi goes big all the way! 🙂 Both great burgers, though!

Gordon — If you attack the kitchen sink while I’m at WDW, I’ll join you!

Kristin — I wonder why it doesn’t come with caramel in the first place — after all, a Milky Way has caramel, not butterscotch! (Love that sundae!)

Daguru and Jym — And I didn’t even get to try it 🙁

Jen — Woo!! Now’s the time!! 🙂

Bret — I’ve never had bacon on my burger. What in the WORLD have I been doing?!

Shayne — I wanna see pics of your Kitchen Sink attempt! 🙂

January 15, 2012 at 9:13 pm

We love beaches and cream too! As a matter of fact, that’s me and my family in the picture where the waitress is carrying the kitchen sink! Its funny to see yourself in some one’s photos.

January 15, 2012 at 10:52 pm

Love it here!! I had he same drink as posted, and it was yummy 🙂

Marcellina-add another who has tried both he scifi & b&c burgers. I like the scifi one, but the b&c burger is amazing! Not just best on property, one of the best I’ve ever eaten.

January 15, 2012 at 11:24 pm

Sandy — That’s AWESOME!!!

Heather — I haven’t tried the orange sunshine drink…gotta get me some of that! Thanks for the review on the burgers!

March 28, 2012 at 2:12 pm

I’m looking forward to trying this spot on our 2012 trip. The sundaes look fantastic and they look like they give you ample toppings. There is nothing sadder than running out of topping before you run out of ice cream. I’m planning on a Milky Way with Caramel. Yummy!

January 10, 2014 at 10:48 am

Will have to try this next time we go to Disney! Looks so good!

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Disney Eats: Beaches & Cream

There are few things better than an ice cream treat from Beaches & Cream! Before last year I’d never really ventured over to the Epcot Area Resort Hotels, so it wasn’t until September that I had my first Beaches & Cream experience. 

Beaches & Cream is a sweet little restaurant near the Stormalong Bay Pool area between Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts. Here you’ll find burgers, melts, fries, and more ice cream delights than you could ever imagine! Whether you’re dining in or grabbing ice cream to go, you can’t help but smile when you’re at Beaches & Cream. 

On my first visit, Nick and I kept it simple and grabbed a burger and fries. We really enjoyed our meals and the atmosphere and service was something special! Our server was the sweetest and we loved being a part of the excitement when someone would order a Kitchen Sink or another ice cream staple.

Angus Beef Burger

The bright colors and costumes just added to the fun! I knew that whenever I find myself near Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts again I’d need to stop in. Whether for a quick ice cream treat or a meal, three-new-milkshakes-available-disneys-beaches-cream was becoming a trip tradition for me!

One of the best things about this fun food spot is that reservations on the My Disney Experience app are pretty easy to score! (Even same day is definitely a realistic request.) If you don’t see any reservations coming up and you’re already around the resort area, feel free to stop by and ask to add your name to the list. In my past experience the wait is usually between 30-45 minutes and they always take down your number so they can text you when your table is ready!

While you wait, take some time to explore your surroundings! People watch by Stormalong Bay or grab a quick drink at Hurricane Hanna’s. 30-45 minutes is also plenty enough time to take a relaxing walk around the boardwalk area! You can check out the amenities at the nearby Epcot area resorts and plan out future activities for your trip.

Grilled Banana Bread and Peanut Butter

On your table is ready it’s time for some Beaches & Cream goodness! If you’re already hungry, I suggest looking over the menu before you’re seated so you can order faster. There’s a lot of excitement and moving parts that these servers have to manage, so getting in your order quicker will help to enhance your dining experience! Once you’re selected your meal, take a few minutes to observe all of the details of the atmosphere. You’ll be glad you did!

Just interested in ordering ice cream? I’d highly suggest ordering at the to go window! You can get on with your day and enjoy your ice cream treat somewhere outside the busy restaurant.

Whether you’re staying at Disney’s Yacht Club and Disney’s Beach Club Resorts or not, I can’t recommend checking out this restaurant enough! It’s become a low key getaway for me to just indulge in some of my favorites — burgers, ice cream, and FRIES!  

Strawberry Minnie Milk Shake

Beaches & Cream is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 AM to 11 PM! To view their full menu, click here.

Have you ever visited Beaches & Cream?

Ready to plan your vacation to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Click here to fill out a form to receive a  free  no obligation quote from The Vacationeer , an official travel partner for Kait Around The Kingdom.  The Vacationeer specializes in vacation planning for Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Universal Studios, Adventures by Disney, and beyond! The best part about their services is that they are absolutely FREE. Fill out this form to start planning your dream Disney vacation today!

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Disney has released a 28-ingredient recipe for its famous ice-cream sundae that serves up to 6 people

• Disney has released a 28-ingredient recipe for its famous Kitchen Sink Sundae.
• The dish is typically served at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop located at Disney World's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts.
• To make it at home, you'll need five flavors of ice cream, numerous toppings, baked goods, and a variety of other ingredients.
• Instead of the small sink that Disney uses to serve the dish, you can use a large bowl. 
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories .

In addition to classic theme-park snacks like churros and Dole Whip , Disney World also offers some pretty out-there dining options.

Take the Kitchen Sink Sundae, for example. The famous ice-cream dish is typically offered at the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop , located within the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and is served inside a miniature sink for $35 . Now, however, you can make it at home with Disney's 28-ingredient recipe and a large bowl.

Related stories

"If you've never tackled it before,   be warned," writer Karen McClintock said about the dish on the Disney Parks Blog. "This over-the-top indulgence includes everything and the kitchen sink – enough for your entire family to share!"

Today we are sharing the recipe for the original Kitchen Sink sundae from Beaches & Cream Soda Shop 🍨. This over-the-top indulgence, has everything and the kitchen sink, including a whole can of whipped cream (Yes! A WHOLE CAN!). Plus, It’s the perfect way to top off any family meal as it’s enough to feed everyone! Head to the blog for the full recipe (link in bio). #disneymagicmoments A post shared by Disney Parks Blog (@disneyparksblog) on May 25, 2020 at 2:03pm PDT May 25, 2020 at 2:03pm PDT

To make it at home, you'll need a wide array of food, including five flavors of ice cream, quartered cupcakes, various fruits, a candy bar, and an entire can of whipped cream, among other ingredients. A large bowl is also needed to hold the dessert, which can serve between four and six people.

Though a written recipe has been published on the Disney Parks Blog here , there's also a video tutorial available on YouTube. Both versions of the recipe were created with a "patriotic spin" in honor of Memorial Day. 

Over the weekend, Disney also released a recipe to help theme-park fans replicate the Totchos — a combination of tater tots and nachos — served at the "Toy Story"-themed Woody's Lunch Box in Hollywood Studios.

The recipe calls for ingredients like beans and sour cream, and can be found here .

Grilled cheese isn’t the only easy-to-make, at-home recipe in Woody’s Lunch Box. This week, we are sharing the recipe for Totchos! These potato barrels coated with chili, cheese, and crunchy corn chips are sure to make you say YEEHAW! 🤠 Get the full recipe on the blog (link in bio). #DisneyMagicMoments A post shared by Disney Parks Blog (@disneyparksblog) on May 24, 2020 at 2:18pm PDT May 24, 2020 at 2:18pm PDT

In addition to the recipes mentioned above, Disney has shared instructions to help you make its beloved beignets , fan-favorite grilled cheese , decadent French toast , and more.

To learn more, visit the Disney Parks Blog here .

• 20 Disney theme-park dishes you can make at home
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• 11 Disney-themed cooking tools that will make your kitchen more magical
• Disney has shared the recipe for its peanut butter and jelly milkshake, and you only need 4 ingredients

Watch: Disney World is getting so expensive that it's pricing out the middle class

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Home » Walt Disney World » Dining » Resort Dining

REVIEW: Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: April 27, 2019

A short time ago we stayed at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort , our favorite place at WDW to stay, and as a family tradition we had to stop at one of our favorite WDW restaurants, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop.   The minute you step in the doors you feel like you are transported back to a soda shop from the 1950’s where you could pop in, sit down at one of the counter stools and order up a good-ole-fashioned Ice Cream Sundae or Milkshake!

Beaches and Cream is a Table Service Restaurant , but a very relaxed and casual one.  It is on the Disney Dining Plan and requires 1 Table  Service Credit , but is a bad use of the Dining Plan because of the relatively low cost of the entrees in comparison to other places on property.  It does participate in Tables in Wonderland which gives you a %20 discount on your food and drinks.  It has to be one of the smallest Table Service Restaurants in WDW and is extremely popular.  For that reason I highly recommend getting an ADR 180 days in advance , otherwise it can be almost impossible to get into especially in the busy season and with a large group.  I waited too late, but luckily was able to snag an ADR the day before by snatching up a cancellation.  There’s also a Takeout Ice Cream Counter if you can’t get a reservation, but you can’t get everything on the normal menu.

Anyone who has stayed on the Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach Club, Swan/Dolphin Loop has Beaches and Cream on their list of favorite places!  Located at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, right by the pool and next to the Lafferty Place Arcade, it’s one of the best places on property for Burgers , Sandwiches and of course Desserts … Sundaes and Milkshakes!!   I love laying poolside all morning then wandering over to Beaches and Cream at lunchtime or even popping in for a mid-afternoon ice cream.

Let’s go on in and see what our latest experience was like…

Atmosphere:

Before going in take a look at the gorgeous surroundings of the Yacht and Beach Club Resort Pool…

This is the life…

Now that we’ve worked up an appetite from swimming, let’s get something to eat!!

Beaches and Cream entrance

They have the Full Menu on the wall outside to see before going in…

And also the To Go Menu as well…

Stepping inside is like stepping back in time…

This is really your Mom and Dad’s generation (or Grandparents even) ice cream shop and immediately invokes feelings of nostalgia and America in the 50’s/60’s!   There are pastel colors on the chairs, booths, ceiling…everywhere!

If you want to sit at the counter just grab a stool..

Here you will have a front row seat and a view of the Kitchen, as well as the waiters working up those delicious Ice Cream Sundaes and Shakes!

I like sitting in the booths myself.  And I love the added touches like the Ice Cream Cone lights, the beach balls on the booths, the gigantic mirrors on the walls.  The border on the top of the walls are incredible with paintings of all of the eats you can find here…

Then the best decoration in the place…The Jukebox!!

It still works too!

Our table is set and we are ready to chow down!

We were super hungry after a really exhausting morning of sunbathing and the occasional game of Water Volleyball so we grabbed our menus and had a look..

One of the awesome touches is you can even order a Coke in a Nostalgia Bottle:

The Malts, Milkshakes and Floats here are amazing too and are served with hand-scooped ice cream.  Get a Shake however you like, either with your meal or as a dessert.

We’re no rookies…we would never have a Milkshake as a dessert!  We got it right where it belongs, with our food!  Dessert will be after!!

Cookies and Cream Shake

We all got Cookies and Cream Shakes , and they were HUGE!!  This thing can easily be split by 2 people!

It wasn’t just all show either, it was really good!  The consistency was really nice, not too liquidy where you couldn’t use a spoon, and not too solid where you couldn’t use a straw.  Just right.  It was very filling, full of Oreo chunks throughout and on top and topped off with fresh whipped cream and a cherry.   Very good, full of flavor!

Wanna dive right in…

To eat we ordered a classic Bacon Cheeseburger:

Bacon Cheeseburger with Onion Rings

The Burgers at Beaches and Cream are some of the best on property even though now the official crown has been given to D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs.  This Burger comes with an Angus beef patty, Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, a side Pickle and of course Bacon!   To me what makes this burger really special is that it’s served on a house-made bun which is buttered and grilled!

Bacon Cheeseburger inside

I had asked for my burger to be cooked Medium-Rare, this came out more medium.  But even so you can see how juicy the burger is and you can see the griddle marks on the inside of the bun where it was buttered and grilled!  Just awesome!!

The others got a burger too, but they weren’t up to task and had to split it…

Dan and Steph couldn’t handle it on their own so they split it 😉

The nice thing you find in most Disney Restaurants is they don’t have a problem if you ask to split something.  That makes it nice for when you aren’t super hungry (which never happens to me) or just want to try a lot of things on the menu.

Usually the Burgers come with fries as in the above photo.  Right now the fries at Beaches and Cream are Steak Fries , where as in years past they have been thinner normal sized fries.  They were good, nice flavor and everything, but I tend to go for the thinner classic fries.  That’s why I instead chose the Onion Rings for a small extra charge.

Perfectly cooked Onion Ring

The Onion Rings were fantastic, second I’ve had at Walt Disney World behind only those at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe !  Perfectly golden brown and well seasoned.  They had nice strands of onions inside too:

Nice big chunks of Sweet Onion

I really really loved them, my only complaint is there were only 4 of them and I really wanted to keep eating them!

No trip would be complete to Beaches and Cream without Dessert (no the Milkshakes don’t count!) as they are some of the best in WDW, and so before finishing our Beaches and Cream review we tempted to tackle the King of all the Desserts…..the Kitchen Sink!   Sirens go off, the whole room goes dark and out comes the waitress with one of the best desserts in the history of the world:

Oh yes….here it comes!! 😉

This is not for the feint of heart and by no means should be attempted alone!  In fact it says it serves 4 but it could easily feed more than that!

What’s in the Kitchen Sink?  Everything you can think of: 10 scoops of Ice Cream (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream and Min Chocolate Chip), smothered in Chocolate Fudge, Peanut Butter, Butterscotch, Pineapple Topping, Strawberry Topping, Brownies, Angel Food Cake, an Entire Banana, Muffin, a Milky Way Bar, Oreos, Sprinkles, Marshmallow Topping, Chocolate Syrup tons of Cherries and an Entire Can of Whipped Cream!!

The King of Ice Cream Sundaes…

The Sundae itself is very good, but just on taste alone I prefer some of the other Sundaes they do over this one like the No Way Jose or the Banana Split , but this is truly one of the great “dining moments” you can have at Walt Disney World because of the whole presentation and everyone should experience it at least once!  Your kids will absolutely love it!!

Sadly to say, the Kitchen Sink was too powerful and it won the battle:

Before you judge, you try and finish it! 😉

Beaches and Cream is one of my favorite dining locations in Walt Disney World , especially if you are looking for a place where you can be casual, eat good food and desserts and feel like you’re being transported back in time to another age.  The location is great if you are staying at the Yacht and Beach Club Resort or near by also because of its proximity to the Best Pool in WDW, not that I’d encourage swimming on a belly full of burgers! 😉

The Burgers and other Sandwiches are awesome, as well as the Onion Rings!   The Desserts are King here and literally every Sundae on the Menu is amazing !  If you are feeling extra daring you can try to conquer the Kitchen Sink , just don’t attempt it alone and don’t say I didn’t warn you! 😉

Beaches and Cream remains one of my favorite places for a good burger and similar fare and is a place that everyone should try where you are for sure guaranteed a good time!  Book it for your next trip and you won’t regret it at all! 🙂

Beaches and Cream is a Lunch/Dinner restaurant and is open from 11:00am-4:55pm and from 5:00 to 11:00pm Daily.  The Disney Dining Plan is also accepted, it is a one credit dining restaurant.  Reservations can be made via the Disney World website or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.

I love to write Restaurant Reviews of Walt Disney World and I hope you found this one to be informative and helpful.  If you liked this review then please visit my Disney Dining Reviews Page where I have many other Restaurant Reviews .  I’m happy sharing with you what I love doing best…eating! I try to bring you the most thorough and unbiased reviews about the food and restaurants at Walt Disney World, so that as you are planning your vacation, you know the “can’t be missed” places, and where you shouldn’t waste your time.  Hope you enjoyed this one and will enjoy many others in the future!! ?

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to Walt Disney World, and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

Your Thoughts:

I want to know what you think about our Beaches and Cream review and your experiences there.  What’s your favorite food there?  Do you think they have the best burgers on property?  Have you ever had the Kitchen Sink?  Let us know in the comments section below! 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

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Disney's Beach Club and Yacht Club ice... - Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

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“Disney's Beach Club and Yacht Club ice cream shop” Review of Beaches & Cream Soda Shop

they do food here too like chili dogs and burgers, but we always take the kids to the side walk up line for ice cream after a day at the parks and then the Beach Club's Stormalong Bay Pool. The kids love to watch them scoop and put sprinkles on their ice cream. The Beach Club used to have a walk up ice cream and gelatto bar inside the hotel at the inside grocery store and did away with it this year. The is a nice option.

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The cast members are very friendly and inviting, and we didn't have to wait to be seated. However, it took a very long time for our two sundaes and side of french fries to come to our table. When we were finished, it took even longer to receive our check and pay for it. We were in the shop for over an hour, which is a very long time when you take into consideration what we ordered. The sundaes were very good, and highly recommended. So if you're in a rush, don't bother trying to sit inside, get the take out. If you have time to kill, there are worse options.

This very small restaurant at Disney's Yacht Club resort has a great, old-school soda fountain feel and serves up great burgers and shakes. They have a separate to-go counter. I would highly recommend this place for anyone staying at one of the Epcot/boardwalk hotels, but it is not really worth the trip for anyone else.

We were glad to find seats for four of us at this popular cafe on Memorial Day. We were told seats at the counter will be faster, about 30 mins, while the tables will take more than an hour. I knew about the long wait time, and was planning to wait for it myself while sending my wife and kids to either the arcade room or the swim pool in the meantime. I was surprised to find the arcade room just next door (doesn't look that way on the map), and the cafe staff actually gives out electronic buzzer while recommending you to spend time in the arcade! I shouldn't have bothered to worry about alternative things to do while waiting for a seat in this cafe. They have it all planned out. We enjoyed some arcade games in the next door Lafferty Arcade Place while waiting for our table. Time flies, and our buzzer sounded soon. The food were decent, with kids meal served in Mickey-shaped plate and ice-cream was Mickey-shaped too. Serving staff was friendly and obliging. We experienced the kitchen sink ceremony thrice that night, as it seems popular among guests.

We have made a number of trips to Disney, and have always stayed in the Epcot area. This is where we have our traditional arrival meal, after driving in from some point north. Amazingly, we always manage to get a table, even though there are not many tables and booths (there are also counter seats). The food is limited to burgers. hot dogs, sandwiches, deserts, drinks, etc. but the food is vey good and the portions are large. The service is also good, as they have lots of servers and cooks relative to the size of the place. It should be noted that this is a very noisy place, given the small size, the lack of carpet, and a lot of kids, so don't go there if you are looking for a quiet meal.

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What it's like staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort — and why it's now my favorite place to stay

• Every hotel at Disney World has something special to offer, but it's hard to beat Disney's Beach Club, which is within walking distance of two theme parks and has what is essentially a miniature water park.
• Stormalong Bay is shared with neighboring Yacht Club but easily comes in as the nicest pool at Disney World with waterslides, a sand bottom and a lazy river.
• On top of all of that, it also has some of the most entertaining places to eat, including an on-site character meal experience and an ice cream shop with sundaes as big as the kitchen sink.

Walt Disney World Resort has more than 20 on-site hotels, and each one has its own brand of Disney magic. I've loved my stays at value resorts like Disney's Art of Animation Resort with its movie-themed rooms and massive "Finding Nemo"-themed pool. I've also equally loved staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort for its proximity to the Magic Kingdom and abundance of Dole Whip.

However, after my most recent Disney World vacation, you'd have a hard time convincing me to go back to any of those hotels rather than my new favorite Disney hotel: Disney's Beach Club Resort.

What is Disney's Beach Club Resort?

Disney's Beach Club Resort is one of Disney World's top-tier Deluxe resorts. Disney Deluxe resorts are often in prime locations, have larger rooms and offer more activities and amenities than other Disney resorts. This resort is designed to resemble a classic coastal New England-style resort, with Colonial architecture, a muted color scheme and a nautical flair.

When you stay at Disney's Beach Club Resort, you also have access to the restaurants and amenities at Disney's Yacht Club Resort , which is just next door. The resort is also within walking distance of both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well as the dining and nightlife along Disney's BoardWalk.

How to book Disney's Beach Club Resort

As with other Disney World hotels , it's sometimes best to book direct through Disney. You can do this through Disney's website, over the phone or by using an authorized Disney vacation planner . Disney vacation planners can help you get the best price by searching for available discounts at the time of booking and up until your trip.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

In addition to booking through Disney or a vacation planner, you can also use miles from your Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card .

As a Walt Disney World annual passholder, I took advantage of a special offer of 30% off the regular room rate for a resort view room at Disney's Beach Club Resort. I paid $391 per night (plus taxes and fees) instead of the regular rate of about $660 per night (plus taxes and fees).

This is near the high end for a standard room at Disney World, and the rate can climb even higher during holidays or busy times of the year. Disney's Beach Club Resort also offers club-level rooms with lounge access.

But notably, it is also bookable for studios, one- and two-bedroom suites via Disney Vacation Club . Even if you aren't a DVC member, you can rent DVC points at a rate that can be much lower than what you'd pay in cash by booking through Disney. Studios here start at 14 DVC points per night, which would be $294 to $322 using points rented from David's Vacation Club, depending on how far in advance you book.

Related: Rent DVC points via David's Vacation Club

Easy access to Disney's theme parks and more

Disney's Beach Club Resort is conveniently located between Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios. From the hotel lobby, you can walk to the Epcot International Gateway (near the back of the park) in about five minutes or head in the other direction and be at Hollywood Studios in 10 to 15 minutes.

With all the walking you do during a day at Disney, it's also worth noting Disney's Beach Club Resort offers complimentary boat transportation to Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, too, plus bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and Disney's water parks. There's also a Disney Skyliner station near the Epcot International Gateway, which can get you to Disney's Hollywood Studios or to four of Disney's other resort hotels if you want to sample the dining and amenities across Walt Disney World.

Spacious, upscale rooms

I've stayed at every tier of Disney resorts, and you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to room size. Our room at Disney's Beach Club Resort was spacious enough for our family of five, with plenty of storage for our luggage and a sofa bed where we could relax during the day and one of our children could sleep at night.

Related: How Disney renovated more than 22,000 hotel rooms in 5 years

The Disney theming was limited to a few paintings on the wall that portrayed Disney characters enjoying the resort. Otherwise, the room had a "lived-in luxury" vibe with comfortable, understated furnishings. Outside, there was a wrought-iron patio set where we spent many mornings and evenings before or after a day of Disney fun.

The bathroom had a large double vanity with a door that separated the vanity area from the shower and tub combo and the toilet. In the entryway, there was a minifridge, a coffee and tea station and a closet with an iron and an ironing board. The flat-screen TV sat atop a large dresser with plenty of storage for our three-night stay.

A variety of dining options

Disney's Beach Club Resort has dining options that range from character meals to poolside dining to the best ice cream shop at Disney World (and probably beyond). Character dining takes place during the breakfast buffet at Cape May Cafe ($45 per adult and $29 per child, plus tax and gratuity). Cape May Cafe also serves a seafood-forward, New England-inspired dinner buffet without character appearances.

The Beach Club Marketplace is a quick-service dining location with staples like eggs, bacon and Mickey waffles for breakfast and soup, salad, sandwiches and pasta for lunch and dinner. The marketplace also sells snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. It's adjacent to the hotel gift shop, where you can stock up on souvenirs or forgotten necessities like swimsuits, sunscreen and toiletries.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2023

Outside by the Stormalong Bay pool, you can grab a drink at Hurricane Hanna's Waterside Bar and Grill or have your food and libations delivered to your pool chair. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and an avocado spread ($12.29) and a frozen pina colada ($15.50). It was just what I needed to energize myself for an afternoon of swimming.

The highlight of our many meals at Disney's Beach Club Resort was Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This is the most popular ice cream spot at Disney World because of its unique ice cream creations and old-fashioned soda shop vibes.

At Beaches & Cream, I had the No Way José peanut butter and hot fudge sundae ($11.50), but for the ultimate Beaches & Cream experience, you must get the Kitchen Sink sundae ($36). It has eight scoops of ice cream, tons of toppings and a whole can of whipped cream. What's really fun about it, though, is the show the server puts on when you order it. I don't want to ruin the surprise, so just take my word for it and give it a try.

Take your pick of fitness and recreational activities

Guests of Disney's Beach Club Resort can use the 24-hour fitness center next door at Disney's Yacht Club Resort. It's only about a five-minute walk from the Beach Club lobby and has a variety of fitness equipment, including strength machines, cardio machines, free weights, medicine balls and kettlebells.

Related: 8 Walt Disney World experiences that don't require a park ticket

Disney's Beach Club Resort has a lot of other fun fitness opportunities, too. There's a sand volleyball court, tennis courts (tennis and pickleball equipment is available at the front desk) and a nearly 1-mile-long running trail. Disney also recently added on-demand fitness videos for kids that you can watch on the TV in your room.

The best pool at Disney World

Aside from a room that sleeps five, the 3-acre Stormalong Bay pool complex was the reason we stayed at Disney's Beach Club Resort.

Stormalong Bay is shared between the Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts and features a sandy beach area for kids, a lazy river, a hot tub, an activity pool with a volleyball net, swirling whirlpools, a 230-foot-long shipwreck-themed waterslide and two smaller waterslides for kids.

Related: Splash into fun: The 14 best hotel pools in Orlando

The hotel provides complimentary life jackets for kids to use at the pool and free tubes for the lazy river. The activities team also hosts daily poolside games and, in the evening, poolside movies under the stars. We spent an entire day swimming and playing in the water and went back for more after dinner. It's almost like having a small water park just for hotel guests.

During our visit, getting somewhere to sit in the shade wasn't a problem, thanks to the number of trees in the area to supplement the umbrellas. That said, getting there early is always a good strategy if you want first dibs on a good spot.

Family fun outside Disney's theme parks

Another bonus of staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort — or any Deluxe resort — is the wide variety of activities you can enjoy during your time away from Disney's theme parks.

Pick up a monthly activities guide when you check in to see exactly what's on offer during your stay. Guests can make crafts, attend a painting class, make s'mores at the nightly campfire, rent a boat or fishing equipment (or both) and more.

From the resort, you can easily walk to Disney's BoardWalk, where you'll find restaurants, a dueling piano bar, bicycle rentals, carnival games and other downtime activities.

Accessibility

All Disney hotels strive to be accessible to guests with disabilities.

Disney's Beach Club Resort offers both wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms. Additionally, public areas of the hotel also have accessible paths between the lobby area and restaurants, shops, meeting rooms, pools, fitness centers and laundry facilities, and pools have wheelchair lifts.

Checking out

After staying at Disney's Beach Club Resort, it moved to the top of my "favorite Disney hotels" list. I loved that my family had enough space to spread out in our room and that there was so much to keep us busy around the resort.

I have no problem staying in one of Disney's more budget-friendly hotels when we are going to go hard in the parks or water parks. However, if I want to splurge for a hotel that has just as much fun (and good food) to offer as Disney's theme parks, you'll find me booking another stay at Disney's Beach Club Resort.

Related reading:

• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• Can you really save hundreds of dollars at Disney World by renting DVC points? We tested it to find out
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

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Unilever to cut 7,500 jobs and spin off its ice cream business, which includes Ben & Jerry’s

LONDON (AP) — Unilever, the company that makes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove soaps and Vaseline, said Tuesday that it is cutting 7,500 jobs and spinning off its ice cream business to reduce costs and boost profits.

London-based Unilever said its ice cream business, which also includes Magnum bars, has “distinct characteristics” from its other brands and would benefit from separate ownership to increase growth. It said the split is expected to be completed by the end of next year.

The British consumer goods company with 128,000 employees also said it is launching a “productivity program” that is expected to lead to a reduction of about 7,500 mostly office-based jobs worldwide.

Unilever said it will invest in technology to find efficiencies and avoid duplication that it anticipates will help it save 800 million euros ($867 million) over the next three years. The company also  laid off 1,500 staffers  in early 2022.

“Simplifying our portfolio and driving greater productivity will allow us to further unlock the potential of this business, supporting our ambition to position Unilever as a world-leading consumer goods company delivering strong, sustainable growth and enhanced profitability,” said CEO Hein Schumacher, who took the helm at Unilever last summer.

The company’s shares jumped more than 3% in late-morning trading on the London Stock Exchange.

“The share price bounce goes some way in reversing what has been a difficult last year, as investors have fretted over a company with limited high growth prospects and in need of streamlining despite its reputation as a solid defensive play,” said Richard Hunter, head of markets for interactive investor, an online investment service.

The company behind Hellman’s mayonnaise, Axe fragrances and Cif household cleaners said it is targeting underlying sales growth of mid-single digits after spinning off the ice cream business.

It saw  sales volume drop  3.6% in 2022 after  jacking up prices  13.3% on average across its brands that year. In response, it raised prices just 2.8% last year, and sales rose 1.8%.

Some analysts pointed out that splitting from Ben & Jerry’s, which is known for social activism that has put it at odds at times with its corporate owner, could have an added upside for Unilever.

“A side benefit of the brand exiting Unilever’s portfolio is it might quieten the ‘go woke and go broke’ noise, but more widely the reasoning for the decision looks pretty sound,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, a financial services company.

He noted that the ice cream spinoff had not been widely anticipated by the market even if “political pronouncements from Ben & Jerry’s had provoked a meltdown among some investors.”

Ben & Jerry’s has supported liberal issues like LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter,  justice for migrants  and efforts to fight climate change.

The brand announced in 2021 that it would  stop selling its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank  and contested east Jerusalem — territories sought by the Palestinians.

Unilever later  announced that it was selling its business interest  in Ben & Jerry’s in Israel to its Israeli licensee, which would market the products with Hebrew and Arabic labels. A  U.S. judge rejected a lawsuit  in 2022 from Ben & Jerry’s to block that plan.

More recently, since the  Israel-Hamas war  broke out, Ben & Jerry’s independent board chair Anuradha Mittal has  called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza .

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Jessica Grose

A.i. is making the sexual exploitation of girls even worse.

By Jessica Grose

Opinion Writer

On Tuesday, Kat Tenbarge and Liz Kreutz of NBC News reported that several middle schoolers in Beverly Hills, Calif., were caught making and distributing fake naked photos of their peers: “School officials at Beverly Vista Middle School were made aware of the ‘A.I.-generated nude photos’ of students last week, the district superintendent said in a letter to parents. The superintendent told NBC News the photos included students’ faces superimposed onto nude bodies.”

I had heard about this kind of thing happening to high school girls , which is horrible enough. But the idea of such young children being dehumanized by their classmates, humiliated and sexualized in one of the places they’re supposed to feel safe, and knowing those images could be indelible and worldwide, turned my stomach.

I’m not a technophobe and have, in the past, been somewhat skeptical about the outsize negative impact of social media on teen girls. And while I still think the subject is complicated, and that the research doesn’t always conclude that there are unfavorable mental health effects of social media use on all groups of young people, the increasing reach of artificial intelligence adds a new wrinkle that has the potential to cause all sorts of damage. The possibilities are especially frightening when the technology is used by teens and tweens, groups with notoriously iffy judgment about the permanence of their actions.

I have to admit that my gut reaction to the Beverly Hills story was rage — I wanted the book thrown at the kids who made those fakes. But I wanted to hear from someone with more experience talking to teens and thinking deeply about the adolescent relationship with privacy and technology. So I called Devorah Heitner, the author of “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World,” to help me step back a bit from my punitive fury.

Heitner pointed out that although artificial intelligence adds a new dimension, kids have been passing around digital sexual images without consent for years. According to a 2018 meta-analysis from JAMA Pediatrics, among children in the 12 to 17 age range, “The prevalence of forwarding a sext without consent was 12.0 percent,” and “and the prevalence of having a sext forwarded without consent was 8.4 percent.”

In her book, Heitner offers an example in which an eighth-grade girl sends a topless photo to her boyfriend, who circulates it to his friends without her permission. After they broke up, but without her knowledge, “her picture kept circulating, passing from classmate to classmate throughout their middle school,” and then “one afternoon, she opened her school email to find a video with her image with sound effects from a porn video playing with it.”

That kind of situation is already sickening, but the creation of fake nude images adds another layer of transgression. In the Beverly Hills case, according to NBC News, not only were middle schoolers sexualizing their peers without consent by creating the fakes, they shared the images, which can only compound the pain.

“If you’re creating an image of someone else and doing it without their consent,” Heitner told me, “whether it’s real or fake, you are violating that person and violating their privacy, violating their safety.” In these situations, she said, girls may feel that their sense of social acceptance has been lost. They may feel a sense of torturous humiliation from not knowing who among their peers has seen these types of images and who hasn’t. In her book, Heitner describes situations in which girls stop going to school altogether.

But Heitner also cautioned against over-punishing the perpetrators when they are younger children. “It’s important to understand that a 12- or 13-year-old is developmentally different than an adult,” she said. While it may be appropriate to suspend that child or move them to a different school if their victims no longer want to be around them, they shouldn’t be indefinitely barred from all participation in school or cast out of society. They are redeemable; they can make amends and become adults who know better. (It should be noted that in the Beverly Hills case, according to NBC News, the superintendent of schools said that the students responsible could face suspension to expulsion, depending on how involved they were in creating and sharing the images.)

Kids need to be better educated, starting in elementary school, about technology and consent before things like this happen. If you think grammar school is too young to learn about such things, remember that these days it’s typical for kids to get their own cellphones at around 11 or 12, and many kids even younger than that have access to a family iPad with image creation and sharing capabilities. As Heitner writes in her book:

Teach your child the importance of never sharing an explicit message or photograph of another person — especially without that person’s consent. Explain to them that regardless of how they came across the explicit image or message, passing it on to someone else is unethical, perpetuates that person’s violation, and is very likely illegal in their state (especially if the image is of a minor).

The relevant laws apply most directly to real photos, though. In some states, A.I.-generated nudes exist in more of a legal gray area. There is no federal law that protects victims of deepfakes, and, according to reporting by Tenbarge and Melissa Chan, “Politicians and legal experts say there are few, if any, pathways to recourse for victims of A.I.-generated and deepfake pornography” — almost all of whom are women, according to a 2019 study. School districts and our legal system need to move quickly to come up with policies that deal with these issues, because they are not going away and they are only going to become more pervasive as technology evolves and proliferates.

Heitner also emphasized the importance of getting to the root of this kind of behavior. “We actually need to lean into teaching kids about empathy and respecting one another’s humanity,” she said, and also look at “the misogyny and homophobia in society that seems to be giving these kids license to bully along these very sort of gendered lines and police one another’s bodies.”

I regularly hear from people who say they’re perplexed that young women still feel so disempowered, given the fact that they’re earning the majority of college degrees and doing better than their male counterparts by several metrics. At a certain level, it’s not that complicated: Girls frequently feel less-than because they know that some of their peers have the impression that they’re allowed to be thoughtlessly degrading. And further, they know that a portion of society values them only as objects . They walk through the world with that weight on their shoulders, and it’s up to all of us to help lift it.

Jessica Grose is an Opinion writer for The Times, covering family, religion, education, culture and the way we live now.