First a Little Pomp & Circumstance,then a Whole Lot of Disney Dining! COMPLETE

[jabead]

BACKGROUND: Beaches & Cream was one of only a handful of non-character restaurants frequented by my family during our early trips to Disney World. The food there was both good and kid-friendly. It was also relatively inexpensive (for Disney World food), the '50s style decor was fun, and they served 8 different flavors of ice cream with about 10 different toppings to choose from. So, what more could you ask for, right???

Our First Visit to Beaches & Cream - July 2001
​

But then as the kids got older, I wanted to try more and more new places so some of the old stand-bys like Beaches & Cream seemed to have gotten lost somewhere in the shuffle. Consequently, we had not been there in more than 6 years.

Our Last Visit to Beaches & Cream - March 2006
​

As you can see, I still had my trusty, old fanny pack then, so my kids hadn't yet hidden it from me. I think it may have even been along for a few more trips after that, before it was forced into retirement by my sneaky children. Oh well, enough said about that I guess, moving on now to the more important topic of food, and more specifically Beaches & Cream food!


Anyway, my last few trips I had really wanted to return to Beaches & Cream, but just didn't have enough time to squeeze a visit there into our dining schedule...not even a quick stop for ice cream. So I was determined that on this trip we would have...

Lunch at Beaches & Cream

Beaches & Cream - May 2012 (Still looks exactly the same)​

We had taken advantage of Extra Magic Hours at DHS the night before so had gotten to bed late. So I decided that this morning could be another sleep-in morning for the girls. I got them up and going just in time to get to B & C at opening time, 11:00 a.m. This, however, was not nearly late enough to be considered sleeping-in, according to my daughters.

Anyway, we were one of the first groups there and were seated in one of the few booths that they have along the wall. Which was new for us, as we had never gotten to sit in one of their booths before.

We first chose our drinks from among these options:

Sodas flavored with syrup, which made them more Heavenly (just like the menu says)​

DD1 and I each had a Coke with Vanilla syrup added. DD2 had a Sprite with the more unusual flavor of Raspberry syrup added. All were "Very Good".

Then we all ordered from the "Hot Off the Grill" section of the menu:

DD2 and I shared this...

Burger Heaven - A juicy Angus Beef Patty topped with Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Bacon added (for an extra $.99) served on a Fresh-baked Bun (baked fresh daily at the Yacht & Beach Club Resorts Bakery).
We had a choice of Fresh Fruit or French Fries for the side, and we chose French Fries.
This was already split in half for us and brought to our table on two plates.
​

After a week of "fancy" food , this cheeseburger and fries really hit the spot and we both gave this a rating of "Very Good".

DD1 doesn't like hamburgers, so she went a different route with this...

Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Tomato Bisque
Six-Cheese blend on Fresh-baked Sourdough Bread
She chose the Fresh Fruit for her side.​

Now we specifically asked our server what the six cheeses were and I noted it somewhere, but for the life of me I can not find that note. I can tell you, however, that DD1 loved this and gave it a "Very Good" rating. Since that time, she has been experimenting with different cheese combinations in the Grilled Cheese sandwiches she makes at home.

DD1 and I also shared an order of these...

Onion Rings​

I thought these were great and gave them a rating of "Very Good". DD1 thought they were a little too greasy and gave them only an "Okay". So the onion rings receive the average of our two ratings, which is "Good".

And now it's time for dessert, so let's take a look at the menu...

And we chose this...

"The Famous" Kitchen Sink - Scoops of Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Coffee, and Mint Chocolate Chip smothered in Marshmallow, Strawberry, Pineapple, Peanut Butter, Hot Fudge, Caramel, Chocolate Syrup, Whipped Cream, Toasted Almonds, and Cherries.
Serves Four - $25.99​

Actually, I'm just pulling your leg. This was on its way to the table behind us (that's why the picture is so blurry, since I had to take a quick shot of it) and I'm happy to report that the five of them managed to eat it all.



DD1 and I decided to share a dessert. While our choice was a wee bit smaller than the Kitchen Sink, it was still equally delicious.

No Way Jose (smaller version with only 2 scoops of ice cream)
Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge delight featuring Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Morsels, Whipped Cream, & a Cherry. (We were charged the price of a Regular Two Scoop Sundae for this - $5.99)
​

I had never had this before, but had seen (and coveted) this delicious-looking ice cream treat in many of your pictures. Well, I'm happy to say that the No Way Jose does in fact taste as good as it has looked in all the pictures. I don't know who Jose is, but if I ever do meet him, I would definitely not tell him "No". So anyway, you can count DD1 and I among the members of the "No Way Jose" Fan Club, as we both gave this a rating of "Very Good".

DD2 ordered a Single Scoop Ice Cream Cone, which she was expecting to be served in just a cone but instead was served this way...

Single Scoop Chocolate Ice Cream Cone served upside-down in a small bowl​

Although she didn't like the fact that it was served this way, she still said it tasted "Very Good".



And so overall our rating for this meal was:

A Nearly Unanimous "Very Good" (with the only exception being the Onion Rings)



NEXT UP: Dinner on the Boardwalk - Part I (My Expectations)

 

[smile4stamps]

Are the burgers there juicy? I can't really see the burger in the picture so can't tell!

The grilled cheese sounds so good!! I am a fan of grilled cheese and tomato soup!

The No Way Jose looks and sounds so yummy!! That would so be my reason for going to Beaches & Cream!

 

[jabead]

Are the burgers there juicy? I can't really see the burger in the picture so can't tell!

The grilled cheese sounds so good!! I am a fan of grilled cheese and tomato soup!

The No Way Jose looks and sounds so yummy!! That would so be my reason for going to Beaches & Cream!

Hmm...I wouldn't really describe their burgers as juicy. I usually think of a juicy burger as being a thick one, and the ones at B & C are on the thinner side I think. (Maybe 1/4 lb. patties, I'm guessing???) So definitely not the best cheeseburger I've ever had, but seemed to be exactly the kind of food we were craving that day.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.
- Alexander Graham Bell


I think that with your positive attitude, you will definitely see that open door.

And I bet that your dinner at Jiko will be wonderful. You will probably choose great entrees and I will be totally jealous. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Thank you for that great quote! I am not looking at the closed door at all ... I am going to miss the people I worked with a great deal, but not the job. I know that there is something better out there for me!

 

[emmysmommy]

Yummmmmmy!!! I love Beaches & Cream! I was excited to see your review. I thought the onion rings were very good when we had them. That grilled cheese and soup combo looks like a wonderful alternative to a burger (which I personally loved there.) I'm glad to see that they still have the strawberry shortcake on the menu - it was one of the better desserts from one of our trips a couple years ago.

Did they really seat your family of 5 in 2006 at one of those small round tables? Or was one of your DDs with a friend at a separate table?

 

[smile4stamps]

Hmm...I wouldn't really describe their burgers as juicy. I usually think of a juicy burger as being a thick one, and the ones at B & C are on the thinner side I think. (Maybe 1/4 lb. patties, I'm guessing???) So definitely not the best cheeseburger I've ever had, but seemed to be exactly the kind of food we were craving that day.

Thanks! That's what I was thinking they looked like. I'm more of a thick juicy burger gal... BUT if I get tired of all the fine dining I know where to try and go!

 

[jabead]

Did they really seat your family of 5 in 2006 at one of those small round tables? Or was one of your DDs with a friend at a separate table?

You know I wasn't sure myself, since it appears like the 6 of us (DD1's boyfriend was with us on that trip) are crammed into one table from the angle at which that picture was taken. So I went back to check if we had another pic, and sure enough...here it is!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Beaches and Cream is so much fun to eat at! I couldn't eat there every day, but for a fun atmosphere and some comfort food, it's a fun spot. And I can't believe you have another set of "retro" dining pics from 2001! At that point in time, I hadn't even stepped foot in any Disney resort aside from Poly, GF, or CR (and maybe the Villas at the Disney Institute).

 

[Linda67]

Mmm - you have to love the "No Way Jose" don't you?

Love the photo of your family back in 2001. Isn't it funny how 2001 sounds such a short time ago but when you look back at photos it looks like a totally different era!

 

[jabead]

Beaches and Cream is so much fun to eat at! I couldn't eat there every day, but for a fun atmosphere and some comfort food, it's a fun spot. And I can't believe you have another set of "retro" dining pics from 2001! At that point in time, I hadn't even stepped foot in any Disney resort aside from Poly, GF, or CR (and maybe the Villas at the Disney Institute).

Mmm - you have to love the "No Way Jose" don't you?

Love the photo of your family back in 2001. Isn't it funny how 2001 sounds such a short time ago but when you look back at photos it looks like a totally different era!

I'm so glad that you are enjoying the "retro" dining pics. I sure have had fun going through my old Disney trip scrapbooks to find them.

Oh, and Linda, I wanted to tell you that I just discovered that you will be making a cameo appearance of sorts in my next review.

 

[Linda67]

I'm so glad that you are enjoying the "retro" dining pics. I sure have had fun going through my old Disney trip scrapbooks to find them.

Oh, and Linda, I wanted to tell you that I just discovered that you will be making a cameo appearance of sorts in my next review.

Do I have to sign a release form?

 

[jabead]

I hope you don't mind if I take a break from my regularly scheduled programming for some...

Pool Time with Frozen Drinks​

After our early lunch at Beaches & Cream, we hopped on a boat for DHS, where we spent a few hours seeing the shows that we had not been able to see the night before during EMH. We then decided it was time to relax by our pool, back at the Boardwalk.

Luna Park Pool Area (Picture taken from the balcony of our villa)
​

And of course, when relaxing by the pool on a hot afternoon, you must have a delicious frozen drink from the pool bar. Now it was about this time though that I realized that I had forgotten my phone (and therefore my camera) back in the room and my DDs did not want to break away from their "relaxation zone", even long enough to snap a few pics. Actually their exact response to my plea to do so was, "Can't you just use some google pics in your review"? And so that is what I have done...please forgive me.

The first picture is of the pool bar, Leaping Horse Libations. As you can see, it follows the circus theme of the Boardwalk pool area.

This picture just so happens to be from the Dining/Menus section from this website.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=5


When looking at the drinks listed on the menu here (dated June 2012), I see cocktails with fun names like Carousel, Ferris Wheel, and Tilt-A-Whirl. Whereas, when we were there in May they had only the standard Disney Pool Bar Drink Menu posted:

So now I'm wondering if they in fact are now offering cocktails which are unique to the LHL pool bar??? So your mission Brenda, if you choose to accept it, is to check out the Drinks Menu at Leaping Horse Libations while you are staying at the BWV next month. And if they should be serving these new cocktails, could you please try one or two or all of them out??? Purely for the sake of disboard research, of course.


Anyway, these were the frozen cocktails which we had to choose from:

Frozen Drink Section from the Standard Disney Pool Bar Menu​

And we chose two Pina Colavas (one of them a Virgin ) and a Mango Margarita. Now I happen to have a picture of the Pina Colava smoothie (aka Virgin Pina Colava) that I had at Coral Reef last year. So just picture this drink in a plastic cup and with a pineapple on the rim (instead of a strawberry). Also it might of had a cherry or two on top.

Pina Colava (pictured on right)
Bacardi Razz rum, blended with Pina Colada mix and raspberry puree - $8.25​

For the picture of our Mango Margarita, I did a search on Google Images and this very professional-looking photograph stood out to me above all the many others...

Mango Margarita - Patron Silver tequila blended with mango puree - $10.25​

Now something looked very familiar about the professional and unique style of this picture. So I was not completely surprised when I clicked on it and it took me here to this Disboard Dining Report...


http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41424434&postcount=102


Yes, this lovely photo of a Mango Margarita was taken by our very own, Linda67. This was actually from the pool bar at the Poly, but I'm pretty sure ours looked the same. Anyway, I should have known to look through her reviews first for the Mango Margarita, as Linda has recently been awarded her Masters Degree in Margarita. So of course, she had to have done extensive research in the past in order to receive such a prestigious title and degree of higher knowledge.


Anyway, while this frozen margarita was not quite up to La Cava standards, it tasted mighty fine while sitting (actually we were reclining ) poolside on a hot, sweaty Florida afternoon. Oh, and I'm happy to report that it did not give my DD1 a "brain freeze".


NEXT UP: Our Dinner on the Boardwalk - Part I (My Expectations)

 

[jabead]

Oh, and Linda, I wanted to tell you that I just discovered that you will be making a cameo appearance of sorts in my next review.

Do I have to sign a release form?

I'll get right on that release form now, Linda. I wouldn't want to be sued for Copyright Infringement.

 

[Tracerr00]

First of all I'm lactose intolerant but I do believe that I will end up taking 5 lactaids and trying to eat that No Way Jose anyway! I'll be torturing myself (and anyone else near me) but it looks so good!

Next, those margaritas look lovely! I'd had one (or two or three) of those pina colavas on our cruise and it brings back fond memories. I shall just make some more memories on our next trip!

 

[jabead]

First of all I'm lactose intolerant but I do believe that I will end up taking 5 lactaids and trying to eat that No Way Jose anyway! I'll be torturing myself (and anyone else near me) but it looks so good!

Next, those margaritas look lovely! I'd had one (or two or three) of those pina colavas on our cruise and it brings back fond memories. I shall just make some more memories on our next trip!

I read your pre-edited post earlier, but didn't have a chance to respond until now. I had remembered reading some B & C reviews where people were able to have sundaes (like the No Way Jose) made with a non-dairy alternative. Here is an article I found about this:

http://glutenfreedairyfreewdw.blogspot.com/2011/07/beaches-and-cream-table-service-beach.html

Oh, and no worries concerning what you originally said. If that sort of thing grossed me out I would have never married my DH. Oops, perhaps that was TMI!

(Just kidding, honey...if you happen to be reading this )

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Creative use of pics to complete this review! I know you posted it earlier in the report, but the view of Luna Park from your room is awesome. I have no issue with the clown face (and the Keister Coaster slide is one of the most fun at a resort!). A (virgin) piña colava sounds great right now.

Can't wait to see what happened for dinner!

 

[jabead]

Dinner on the Boardwalk - Part I (My Expectations)
​

So as I was sipping my Pina Colava by the Boardwalk pool, I was also happlily daydreaming about the delicious dinner I was planning to have at the Flying Fish Cafe that evening.

My dream went something like this...

It began with one of their Wine Flights.

Riesling Wine Flight



Then next came one of my favorite Disney restaurant appetizers.

Crispy Maine Coast Jonah Crab Cake



Followed by this delicious entree.

Potato-wrapped Red Snapper and Leek Fondue
​

Now so far this meal was an exact replica of the one which I had last year at Flying Fish. But I wasn't crazy about the dessert I had that evening nor the one I had on my first visit to Flying Fish in Nov. 2010. So I had planned to try a different dessert.

PB & J Creme Brulee



Described as being a mild peanut butter flavored custard with a blueberry confiture at the bottom of the dish, which complemented the peanut butter and made it a PB&J.
(This sounds delicious to me! )​

(This picture and description are borrowed from a Dining Review done by ocdisney08 of her dinner at Flying Fish Cafe on May 18, 2012...just a few days before I had planned to dine there. )


Oh, and here is a link to her wonderful review, in case you are interested in reading all about her Flying Fish dinner:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45058778&postcount=9



And so this was the dinner on the Boardwalk which I was expecting to have that evening. What would be the reality?

Stay tuned to find out.


NEXT UP: Dinner from the Boardwalk - Part II (The Reality)

 

[jabead]

Dinner from the Boardwalk - Part II (The Reality)​

Okay, so where did I leave off?

Ahhh yes, with me dreaming about the delicious dinner that was to be mine that evening. But little did I know that my mutinous daughters had been secretly conspiring against me and had hatched their own plan for that evening. They had been waiting for just the right moment to inform me of said plan...a moment when I was totally relaxed, perfectly content, blissfully happy. Yeah, I guess you get the picture.


So anyway, that moment came right about now...

"Mom, would it be okay if we don't go out for dinner tonight? We want to rent a movie and get a pizza from that place on the Boardwalk. You know, just stay in and chillax."


Now I could have told my daughters that it was too late to cancel our reservation without paying the $10/person penalty. But the truth was, I had actually not yet made a reservation for the Flying Fish that evening. So not having a valid excuse to put the kibosh on their plan to "chillax", I did what most parents would do in this situation and DEMANDED!!!...




...that we be done watching the rented movie in time to catch American Idol on TV. Because if I wasn't going out for dinner that night, then I was NOT going to miss Phillip Phillips (or Phillip squared, as we liked to call him) perform in this season's final competition.


And so my friends, that is how I went from having a (no doubt) wonderful Signature dinner at the Flying Fish Cafe to having dinner out of a cardboard box from the Boardwalk Pizza Window.

Now I did have a somewhat interesting encounter with the man working at the pizza counter. It went something like this...


Me: Do you have sausage pizza? (after seeing that there were only Pepperoni, Cheese, & Veggie Pizzas listed on the menu, but the girls wanted both pepperoni & sausage so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask)

Pizza Man (completely straight-faced and serious) : No, but if you ask for sausage then I have to give you sausage.


Ummm...what???, I thought to myself. Then after taking a few seconds to process this information...

Me: So you are saying that if I ask you for a sausage pizza, or better yet a pepperoni and sausage pizza, then you would have to make it for me?

Pizza Man (again completely straight-faced and serious) : Yes, we can not tell the customer no.

Pondering this statement for a few seconds, then...

Me (totally not straight-faced and/or serious): Well, okay then, I'd like a chicken and bacon pizza with a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Oh, and barbecue sauce instead of pizza sauce and maybe some ranch dressing on the side.

Now of course I was just teasing this guy, trying to get him to crack a smile. But instead this was his response...

Pizza Man (still completely straight-faced and serious):

Yep, the Pizza Man just looked at me for what seemed like a very long and incredibly awkward moment.

Me: Umm...actually if I could get a pepperoni & sausage pizza that would be great.

Pizza Man: That will be $22.36 with tax. Please pay now. Your pizza will be ready in 15 - 20 minutes.


And so I paid and quickly retreated to the less uncomfortable refuge of the bakery next door.



At the Boardwalk Bakery I picked up a couple of these for the girls to have for dessert:

Chocolate Chip Cookie from the Boardwalk Bakery



Then thinking that the one pizza might not be enough for the three us, I decided to check out the "Boardwalk to Go" kiosk to see what they had to offer.

And I was actually surprised by the variety of things that they served from this relatively small kiosk. Things like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, corn dogs and nachos and several other foods that you can typically find at a carnival, but they are usually not all sold at one booth.


This is what I ended up ordering...

Fried Ravioli - $4.75 (plus tax)



After returning to the room with our dinner, I discovered that the girls were not yet back from the Boardwalk Community Hall, where they had gone to pick out a movie to rent. So I went into the bathroom to freshen up before dinner. When I came out just a few minutes later, they had not only returned to the room but had each taken a slice of the pizza and begun eating it. So my sincere apologies for the following picture of our pizza with slices missing...

Pepperoni & Sausage Pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window - $20.99 (plus tax)



While the Fried Ravioli was given a unananimously "Good" rating, there was a difference of opinion regarding the Pizza. DD2 thought it was really great and gave it a "Very Good". To me, however, it tasted no better than the $6 frozen pizza that we just had for dinner tonight. I gave it an "Okay" rating. DD1 took the middle road and gave it a "Good", and so that is the average overall rating for the Boardwalk Pizza.


And so we all squeezed onto the couch and ate our pizza and fried ravioli while watching "Tangled", the movie which the girls had rented for $5.00. After the movie, they had their chocolate chip cookies for dessert while I had this tasty treat, which I had picked up from the Starring Rolls Bakery at DHS earlier that day...

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake from Starring Rolls



Believe or not, this is the first time I've had this cupcake, or any other cupcake from Starring Rolls for that matter. So just in case there is anyone else out there who has never had it, this is a Red Velvet cupcake covered with a pile of white frosting. In the middle of all the frosting, there is a small dollop of cheesecake. Then the whole thing is drizzled with chocolate and covered in Heath candy bar (toffee) pieces.

While this was good and I definitely ate every single bite of it, I would have to say that I am still partial to the Boardwalk Bakery cupcakes.

My favorite one that I've had so far there is the...

Smores Cupcake from the Boardwalk Bakery - Nov. 2011

This was a chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate chunk frosting then topped with a vanilla-buttercream-marshmallow frosting, and dusted with graham cracker crumbs. Then drizzled with chocolate and topped off with a few toasted marshmallows. I love campfire s'mores so this was cupcake perfection for me!


But coming in a close second is another cupcake from the Boardwalk Bakery...

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cupcake from the Boardwalk Bakery - May 2011


This was a chocolate cupcake which was both filled with and topped by peanut butter frosting.



And so, our overall rating for this Junkfood Dinner Buffet was:

Good, but nothing special




Oh, and by the way, I did get to watch my Season 11 American Idol favorite, Phillip Phillips, sing "Home" and thereby clinch the title as this year's winner. Any other Phil Phillips fans out there???

Seeing him perform that song almost made up for missing out on my dinner at Flying Fish Cafe.


NEXT UP: Breakfast at Kona Cafe

 

[emmysmommy]

So now I'm wondering if they in fact are now offering cocktails which are unique to the LHL pool bar??? So your mission Brenda, if you choose to accept it, is to check out the Drinks Menu at Leaping Horse Libations while you are staying at the BWV next month. And if they should be serving these new cocktails, could you please try one or two or all of them out??? Purely for the sake of disboard research, of course.

Yes, this lovely photo of a Mango Margarita was taken by our very own, Linda67. This was actually from the pool bar at the Poly, but I'm pretty sure ours looked the same. Anyway, I should have known to look through her reviews first for the Mango Margarita, as Linda has recently been awarded her Masters Degree in Margarita. So of course, she had to have done extensive research in the past in order to receive such a prestigious title and degree of higher knowledge.


NEXT UP: Our Dinner on the Boardwalk - Part I (My Expectations)

You are so hilarious!! Before I even saw my name I was already eyeing the Banana Cabana.

[raising right hand] I, future BWV guest Brenda, do solemnly swear to uphold the duties and expectations of my fellow Disboarders by sampling a few frozen libations on or about 26 days from todays date. I will fulfill these obligations with all enthusiasm....and a photo or two!
What an honor to accept this mission!!

Linda's mango margarita sounds oh soooo wonderful and I'mm quite impressed with her Masters in this specialized field!

 

[jabead]

You are so hilarious!! Before I even saw my name I was already eyeing the Banana Cabana.

[raising right hand] I, future BWV guest Brenda, do solemnly swear to uphold the duties and expectations of my fellow Disboarders by sampling a few frozen libations on or about 26 days from todays date. I will fulfill these obligations with all enthusiasm....and a photo or two!
What an honor to accept this mission!!

Linda's mango margarita sounds oh soooo wonderful and I'mm quite impressed with her Masters in this specialized field!

I noticed you didn't use the phrase, "being of sound mind and body" in your oath. Nonetheless, I am very pleased that you have accepted this mission. And so on behalf of Master Linda and all of us ordinary Disboarders, I say...

May the Force Be With You! ​