If B&C is too crowded, other good options w/o PS?

[jenjersnap]

Ok, we are leaving soon - you should see me, I am vibrating with excitment right now - so I think these will be my last questions (ha, famous last words ...). Thank y'all so much for your great advice to this newbie. When I return I will post dining reviews and will, hopefully, get to contribute my opinions aka no longer a WDW newbie! Yahoo! Anyway onto the question -

We are staying at AKL in the early part of our trip and have a ressie for a sleigh ride at WL at 6:30. We're all ice cream fanatics in my family and hoped to experience B&C that day for a late lunch/early dinner. However, we're concerned that we'll trek over there and find it's too crowded to get in right away. How are crowds around 3:30-4:00 pm normally? Should we go even earlier to guarantee a spot? If it is too crowded, are there other good spots to eat near the Epcot resorts that do not require PSs? How is Spoodles pizza, for example? Are there places to eat the "to go" pizza? Or, would it be better just to go on to WL and eat at the counter service restaurant there? We have to eat at an odd time right between regular lunch and dinner hours so not sure if that is a factor (*sigh* should have planned that one better!).

As always, I welcome other options. Oh, it just occurred to me that we could snack before and make a PS for after the sleigh ride ... but we still wanna try those sundaes and I bought Q&C vouchers just for that meal so I think that is our first choice.

Thanks again!

 

[jel0511]

At that time of day, you shouldn't have a problem getting a table, and a wait wouldn't be all that long anyway. Most of the restaurants around the Boardwalk are closed at that time anyway, with the exception of ESPN. Most of the Boardwalk restaurants (and BC and YC for that matter) don't open up until 5:30 for dinner, so if Beaches and Cream is unusually busy for that time of day, your options will be severely limited.

 

[jkmmah]

We did B&C twice last week b/c it was such a steal with the vouchers. Be warned--the sundaes are huge! Our family of 4 couldn't finish one of the sundaes!

We arrived both times before B&C opened at 11am as did several others. We were seated as soon as the doors opened, but within 1/2 hour of opening every table was filled. We did try to go one other time, around 5:30 pm and was told the wait was around 45 min. We left and went to Epcot to eat instead.

Enjoy!

 

[lovethattink]

Several times we have left Epcot to get icecream at Beaches and Cream. I'd say half the time we had to wait for a table. One option to look into if they are busy is the counter service. Many times those counter seats are available. There is also a carry out line too. A couple times we ordered in that line and ate outside at those tables. It was fun to sit there and watch the people walk by and the people swimming. The No Way Jose is a very good sundae! The wrap sandwiches are good too, I like the Cape Cod. The ESPN place has decent food. We've eaten there 3 times. The desserts aren't as good as B&C, of course!

 

[BCV23]

If B&C is too crowded, try the bar by Yachtsman Steakhouse on the YC side.....not far from B&C at all. It's called the Crews Cup Lounge. Sandwiches, soups, nachos etc. are served. There are several booths and some seating areas by low tables (sort of like a real Irish Pub) as well as the bar itself.

The last I knew they stop serving sandwiches at 5:00. Just appetizers after that so your timing might be perfect.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

If it were me, if we couldn't get into Beaches & Cream, I'd go on to WL and have a snack at Roaring Forks, then check out the holiday decorations, and maybe sit by the fire until time for your sleigh ride. I'd then return to B&C for a dinner. If that's where you really want to eat, then I wouldn't waste my vouchers elsewhere, or eat at an alternate sit-down. You'll probably regret eating anywhere else, no matter how good it is, if you've already got your heart set on B&C. JMO Have a great trip!

 

[Ilovestitch]

We ate at Beaches n Cream this past May around 2:30-3pm. We walked in and were seated right away. If there was a short wait (less than 30 mins) I would probably just explore the resort, or there is an arcade next door. -Steph

 

[Ralph&Pam]

If B&C is too crowded, consider walking over to the Dolphin and eating at the Dolphin Fountain. It's another five minutes walk on past the YC/BC to the Dolphin. I think the food is just as good as at B&C and the ice cream is also first rate.

Ralph

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

As a Beaches and Cream veteran, I believe you will be just fine. One thing in your favor is that there will not be the huge crowd of swimmers spilling out of Storm along Bay. Granted, if it is a pretty day there will be some, but nothing like other times of the year.

We will be there next week for at least one of their yummy burgers!

 

[jenjersnap]

Thanks everyone! We're going to attempt B&C but I went ahead and made a "just in case" PS at Boma for after the sleigh ride. I was astonished that Boma has availability for this Sunday but the CM said they were "wide open". Considering I have also snagged PSs for CG and Chef Mickey's in the past week, maybe (hope, pray), the world is not gonna be too busy next week!