Beaches and Cream- PS or not?

[xterratri]

As my countdown timer gets ever closer to 90 days, I'm trying to plan our PS for our next trip to the World. Cast is my 76 yo grandmother, my mom, my 18 yo sister and myself. The 4 of us had a great time in Dec and are looking forward to this trip(and the next and the next). The one must do this trip is surfing lessons at TL. We looked into it too late for our first ever trip last April and TL was closed for refurb in Dec. I do want to make a few dining PS though and this is my tentative plan:
Wolfgang Puck Cafe- around 1 or so, 5/29- arrival day, staying at OKW, get PAP activated
Boma- 1st dinner seating, 6/1- want to visit AKL and Boma looks/sounds great
Crystal Palace- 0800, 6/2- Pooh and MK before opening
Chef Mickey's- last breakfast seating, 6/4- Grandma's request, favorite from Dec

Due to the Flower and Garden stuff we will spend quite a bit of time at Epcot and our favorite place(s) to eat are in the Land. Oh oh, Houston we have a problem- not reopening til later in June(that's okay, just have to go in Dec) so I'm thinking of trying Beaches and Cream. What you see above is the extent of my planning though and likely will be. We tend to park hop and have vowed not to commando this trip so I'm uneasy about making any more PS than what's listed(partially true, will likely do Fantasmic package again but will wait to book til at the World when I can check the forecast). So when we get ready for lunch on an Epcot day will we be able to just head out the International Gateway to Beaches and Cream and eat or am I likely to curse my lack of PS? I notice that the to go menu is very similar to the other- is that a way around the PS issue?

 

[jenjersnap]

Well, you're in luck if you don't want to have to plan ... B&C doesn't take PSs. It's pretty small and you are likely to have a wait during any peak meal times. That said, we've gone at 11:15 (they open at 11 am) and 4:30 pm and didn't have to wait either time.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Though it is technically a sit-down restaurant, much of their business is carry-out. It is more dessert and snack oriented; they have wonderful hamburgers. They do accept DDE for sit-down but not for carry-out. They do not take PS and seating a groups larger than four is extremely difficult. Here is a recent menu from B&C.

However, if you are looking more for a real meal you might look at the menu for the Yacht Club Galley, which does take PS.

 

[maggs]

The Yacht Club Galley might be a better option as Beaches and Cream is pretty small. We had a horrible meal there last summer. It was so bad that it goes at the top of my list for disappointments. I would go back for ice cream but Im very wary now and may well give it a miss next time.

Maggs

 

[angel's momma]

We really enjoyed B&C, I think we ate there 4 times during our trip and we never had to wait - it was around 2-3 o'clock during Dec.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

I'm a bit confused by a poster saying B&C isn't a "real" meal. Yes, it is sandwiches and fries, no green veggies, but who says you have to have that every meal. They do have fruit, soup, and grilled sandwiches if you want something healthier than a cheeseburger. But ... you will find me eating one of their wonderful burgers every trip!

Just don't go during peak meal times and you will be fine. If you have to wait, sitting at the tables overlooking the pool is a nice way to pass the time.

 

[gabbygrennell]

Not really using my head... on our last trip, I took 10 of us! haha what was i thinking? to beaches and cream at 8pm!
I know, I am an idiot right?
Well, they said our wait would be 45 mins or so...
It was actually an hour and 20 mins!
We all agreed it was well worth it! We love B&C! Will definitely be going back this time! But my rough idea is that when we go to the boardwalk, to stroll around, we will head over to b&c for a late lunch around 3.. hoping to avoid a crowd!
The food is great though!
Gabby

 

[26555]

We ate there a couple of weeks ago (at B&C) and I found the burgers only ok. I might get a hotdog next time. The server seems a little annoyed too. The ice cream was great, though. It was freezing out but we still saw 3 kitchen sinks ordered.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The servers at B&C do tend to get "frazzled" during peak times. With the place being so small and so crowded, it's easy to see why.
Was talk for a long while of them expanding, maybe even into where Ariel's used to be. Nothing ever came of it tho--

 

[sanibelover]

We really enjoyed Beaches and Cream. We were there during a slow time and had a wait and still had to sit at the counter. Can't imagine what it would be like if it were busy.

The CMs definitely had some issues there. Something was going on - some attitude problems, etc. but I think I would probably kill someone if I had to work in the close quarters that they have there.

Why don't they shut down that dumb arcade and expand into that space???? Seems like they would have no trouble filling the place up.

 

[disneysteve]

We love B & C. We always try to get there for lunch one day, usually when we're in Epcot so we can just walk over. Definitely get there early. I think they open at 11. Otherwise, be prepared for a wait.

I also disagree with the comment about it being mainly for dessert. We've been there many times and never did we go just for dessert, though we have certainly had dessert while there - yum.

 

[crisi]

I wonder if with the extinction of vouchers it this place will remain as popular as its been. I haven't been, but it seems like once you start paying what the sundaes are worth, there are other choices for a decent burger and ice cream......

 

[disneysteve]

I wonder if with the extinction of vouchers it this place will remain as popular as its been. I haven't been, but it seems like once you start paying what the sundaes are worth, there are other choices for a decent burger and ice cream......

Do you really think the vast majority of guests were using vouchers? We've eaten at B&C many times and never used vouchers. I'm sure plenty of other folks are no different. On this board, the number of voucher users is high but I don't think it is in the general public.

 

[crisi]

I think in such a small restaurant, the value that vouchers had there was a significant contributor to its popularity. They really only needed a few voucher users eating there each mealtime to take up a significant percentage of tables - and I think a significant percentage of people who used vouchers ate at least one meal there. We know that voucher use there caused a few changes to policy (no kitchen sink on the vouchers, vouchers were apparently part of the reason the prime rib sub was changed), which leads me to believe voucher users had been a significant portion of their business. As well as stories coming back when they dropped the kitchen sink from the vouchers that occationally all the sinks were in use - and the waitstaff blamed the vouchers. I also suspect that not everyone who thought feeding two people for $11.50 at B&C was a great deal will be so eager to spend $9 on a burger, $2 on a pop, $4 on onion rings and $8 on a sundae to get the same thing. As I said, in such a small restaurant, it isn't going to take a huge quantity of people to change the dynamics.

Since "post Illuminations" ice cream can be had at the Dolphin or the BW as well - or over at Gheridellis, since they have apparently changed their burgers over and many people say they aren't as good, and since this is no longer such a great deal with vouchers, I'm just wondering if it will continue to be a long wait for a table at mealtimes.

Which leads off topic - I wonder how MYW dining programs will change PS popularity....will non-participating restaurants be easier to book? Will many of the restaurants we are used to "walking into" become harder as people learn to make the most out of their meal plans? Will Disney sell more meal plans than seats in theme park restaurants and end up with unhappy customers (particularly over holidays)? Will there be longer hold times for Disney Dining - or will they need to add staff. Seems like Disney is making a LOT of dining changes - and I just wonder how it will change things.

 

[maux]

I know this has probably been asked many times before, but exactly where is Beaches & Cream? I'll be there in less than 2 weeks and I want to try eating there, but have no clue where it is.

Also, what's the best wayto get there? i'll be staying at POR Riverside and can either use Disney buses or drive.

Thanks,
maux

 

[crisi]

Its at the Beach Club. You can either leave Epcot by the "back door" (the International Gateway) and walk to the BC (five minutes) - walk or take a boat from
MGM (15 minutes?), or you could drive and park at the Y&BC. A lot of people like to do it as a midafternoon break on an Epcot or MGM day.

 

[TwinMom7]

You can't see it from the sidewalk along the lake. You have to actually walk back in behind the Beach Club/Yacht Club pool area.

 

[jarestel]

Unless you're planning to go to B&C at an off peak eating time, I wouldn't bother with it. The wait times ( no PS taken ) can be high for what are essentially hamburger and french fry meals. The small round tables aren't exactly comfortable either when they crowd the family around them. They have a few booths, but again, comfort level is minimal. Counter seating is available, but I've seen more than a few small children fall from the stools, so if you have wee ones, beware. You can get hamburgers of the same or better quality at most of your hometown's regular ( non-fastfood ) restaurants, IMO without having to waste a vacation meal on it.

 

[sanibelover]

Drive to B&C. Drive whenever you are going from resort to resort. Disney transportation takes waaaaaaay too long. Driving is so easy.

 

[disneysteve]

I think in such a small restaurant, the value that vouchers had there was a significant contributor to its popularity. They really only needed a few voucher users eating there each mealtime to take up a significant percentage of tables - and I think a significant percentage of people who used vouchers ate at least one meal there.

Very interesting. I wouldn't have thought that vouchers were that popular to affect things that much. I don't know anyone who ever used vouchers (I mean outside of folks on DIS).