Illuminations & Beaches and Cream?

[ErinInCT]

Dh & I are thinking of parking at the Beach Club & walking over to EPCOT to view the fireworks & then walking back for ice cream afterwards. Is Beaches & Cream still open after Illuminations? Where would we watch the fireworks & still be close to walking to Beach Club afterwards? We figured it would be easier to drive back to the hotel (VWL) after Illuminations from BC vs EPCOT parking lot. Any advice is appreciated! Trying to finalize all the details now!!

 

[3for Me]

I could be wrong, but I don't think they are going to let you park at the BC unless you are a registered guest or have a PS at one of the restaurants there, but I could be wrong?

 

[madalex]

If you tell the guard you are going to Beaches & Cream, you may be able to get a temporary parking pass (3 hours max, I think). In addition, if you take the car to the valet, you can probably stay longer if you need to.

 

[K9pal]

I think you have to be a guest to park there also. And I can tell you from experience that B&C will be PACKED immediately after Illuminations. Unless you're willing to wait in a long line, you'll need to leave Epcot before Illuminations is over.
Sorry, I know this isn't what you wanted to hear...

 

[NCombs]

I don't know about the parking part but be prepared that Beaches and Cream is a very busy place even later in the evening. It is very small. It only has about 9 tables and a counter. We were there in late May/early June and the wait to actually sit inside was 2 hours at times.

However, they do have a line where you can order ice cream and take it out with you. This can take a while also but it's nothing like waiting for a table.

 

[ErinInCT]

Well, I guess we'll be parking in the EPCOT lot with the rest of the world & fighting the crowds to get out after Illuminations! Oh well, that's half the fun, right?

 

[Cobra B.]

You will have absolutely no problem parking there. Just tell the guard you are having dinner at B&C. Go through the back entrance and right up to one the best viewing areas on the top of the bridge. Take in Illuminations then take in the Kitchen Sink.

 

[disneyfreak2127]

If you are staying at VWL on points and have your DVC member card with you, you are entitled as one of our perks to valet park for free at any DVC hotel that offers valet (BCV, VWL or BWV) .

 

[TammiMcMan]

While staying at a Disney resort, we have never had a problem parking at other resorts. (They do adjust their policy for certain holidays, like 4th of July) We love to check them out and grab a bite to eat or a drink. Sometimes the guard will ask why we are there and sometimes we're waved right through. If you're not a DVC member, valet parking is just $6 plus the tip. Not a bad deal at all.

You might want to plan on getting there about an hour before Illuminations and check out the wait at B&C. As another poster mentioned, it's very small. It sounds like you're not planning on going into Epcot, just looking for a spot to see Illuminations. I know that you can walk up as far as the Int'l Gateway entrance, but I'm not sure how good the view is from here. You'd still be within a few minutes walk of the Beach Club. If you don't get into B&C, the Boardwalk area has plenty of spots for full meals and snacks.

Perhaps an Epcot resort pro can help out better with a view recommendation.....

Tammi

 

[ErinInCT]

We rented points from a DVC'er so I do not have a membership card. We are going to EPCOT earlier that day but bringing kids back, leaving them with sis to watch while dh & I get some time to ourselves. 9pm Illuminations is just too late for dds 4 & 11 mo. So I was looking for somewhere fun for dh & I to go right after the fireworks to avoid the traffic of everyone leaving at once. We do not need to go in to EPCOT unless that is the best place to watch & hear Illuminations. If we need to go in to EPCOT I wanted to be as close to the resorts exit as possible so we could just zip right over after the fireworks! We can probably grab B&C take out & wander around the resort to kill some time!

 

[old lost boy]

We've never had a parking problem either. You certainly could park at Boardwalk and walk from their to EPCOT and Beaches.

 

[TammiMcMan]

That sounds so nice, what a great sis you have. You have lots of choices. Unless, as I mentioned before, you're going to be there on a crowded holiday, you should have no problem parking at either the Boardwalk, Beach Club or Yacht Club. All 3 are within a few minutes walk of the Int'l Gateway, which brings you into Epcot between France and the United Kingdom. A popular choice is eating at the Rose & Crown pub. You could get lucky enough to have a patio seat with incredible view of the fireworks. You are right on top of them. There's also a bar that has limited food service inside the restaurant and you can pop out and view Illuminations. Or if you're early enough, you can snag a patio table in the UK Beer Garden, grab some takeout fish & chips and a tall frosty cold one. The Beer Garden does get very crowded though, so probably not a good choice if you're looking for something quiet.

Have you checked out what's available at the Boardwalk area? There's a couple of clubs, restaurants, galleries, snack places. It's a wonderful spot to spend a few hours after Illuminations. We do this on nearly every trip. You're not just limited to what's at the Beach Club, although I love Beaches & Cream, so that's always a good choice.

So much to do and so little time....