Think we're going to do Beaches & Cream

[brymolmom]

We are going in August with Free Dining. I'm not very into the whole 'most bang for your buck' aspect of the dining plan (especially since it's free for me this time - so whatever we get is a lot of bang for that). I realize this is a horrible deal as a TS option...But I think we want to do it.

We are going to DHS on that day and want to have a dinner that will be quick enough to get back to DHS to get in line for F!. So we don't want a long wait or a place that will be too long for service. It will only be our 2nd full day there so we won't be 'burgered' out yet (in fact, the turkey sandwich sounds good to me, I get sick of eating huge meals when on the DP). So, can you tell me if you've been here on the basic dining plan:
1) Menu says sandwiches come with chips....can you get fries? Are there any other side options (fruit, salad)?
2) Since there are no ressies - if we go for an early dinner at about 5:00 - 5:30, is the wait usually significant for a family of 4?
3) I realize we can't get the kitchen sink...but I believe we should be able to get any other dessert included, correct?

TIA! We are looking forward to trying this - our first time!

 

[Ro Z]

Haven't eaten there myself but I know people who have and they like it. I have been inside and it is VERY small. So it may not be easy to get a table during dinner times. Allears menues page lists fries as an option on the kids menu so I guess they have them. Wish I could be more help on this but......... Just a suggestion maybe pay OOP and use your TS for breakfast at Cape May or Captains Grille? Have a great time!

 

[disneymom06]

I would not count on getting in and out quickly, especially during dinner time. When we go I usually try to get there at opening time and even then we sometimes have had a wait. The place is real small, only 3 booths, a number of small round tables and the counter seats.

I don't know about french fries and for dessert we were always able to get any dessert, (not the kitchen sink). No Way Jose is a favorite in our house.

Have a great time.

 

[midori sweet]

Honestly, I can't remember how B&C worked with the dining plan. We might have paid OOP for that meal.

I really enjoyed it there, but I agree with PPs. There is no way to guarantee being in and out quickly.

There are no ressies, and we waited quite a while for a table even at an "off" time - around 3:00 pm - at a slower time of year. The restaurant really is very small.


It wasn't a big deal to us, since we were staying at BC anyway and had some time to kill. But I could see it being a problem if you had time constraints.

 

[maggiew]

I have never used the dining plan, so can't say anything about that. But, every time we have gone to Beaches and Cream we have gotten french fries with our burger, steak sandwich and chicken sandwich. DD actually got a side of fruit instead of fries with her sandwich. But we haven't tried the turkey sandwich specifically, so don't know about that.

If you go around 5 pm, you should be ok to get to Fantasmic. What time is it on the day you visit? If there is a second, late show, you will have absolutely no problem.

Maggie

 

[SPOERLX3]

We were there last trip, Oct '09 (slow time of year- I think the parks were a 1-2 on touring plan). We went at 3pm (non peak) and had a 40 minute wait just to get a table. We did get french fries with our meal. The food was ok but nothing that I would wait in line for. Standard sandwich and fries. There are soooo many better places to eat. If you want a great burger and onion rings/fries go to Sci Fi at DHS instead of leaving the park. That is our favorite burger in all of Disney and the atmosphere is amazing! 50's Prime time is a great place at DHS as well. Have fun wherever you end up!

 

[MamaDrama]

We were there last trip, Oct '09 (slow time of year- I think the parks were a 1-2 on touring plan). We went at 3pm (non peak) and had a 40 minute wait just to get a table. We did get french fries with our meal. The food was ok but nothing that I would wait in line for. Standard sandwich and fries. There are soooo many better places to eat. If you want a great burger and onion rings/fries go to Sci Fi at DHS instead of leaving the park. That is our favorite burger in all of Disney and the atmosphere is amazing! 50's Prime time is a great place at DHS as well. Have fun wherever you end up!

IMHO it's more about the dessert than the meal itself!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

We've gone multiple times and the biggest problem is the wait. It is VERY VERY small inside. Add to that it is right in front of one of the best pools on property and you are going during the summer and I'd say your wait at a meal time will be incredible long. We normally only go when we are staying there and it is a free evening. Personally if you have other options I'd not go for a meal. It could be a very long wait or you might not decide to even stay. You can always go and get ice cream to go though. That line is normally shorter... although there is normally still a line.

 

[brymolmom]

Thanks for the replies.

I like Sci Fi too - but my kids don't enjoy it - they don't like the movies that play!

So I was trying for something different. Maybe we'll go pretty early if we're done at the park by then and just see what the wait is. If too long - I made a backup reservation at Captain's Grille - we can always head over there.

I'm hoping to make the 8:30 F! show....Want to be back and in line by about 7:00.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

I think that's a good plan. I don't think there is anyway to get there at 5 and be back in DHS by 7 in all honesty. If you get there a bit earlier you might have better luck and that back up ADR is the way to go! Pixie dust for a short wait and some yummy ice cream!

 

[leebee]

Yes, plan on at least an hour's wait to get into B&C... better safe than sorry! I wouldn't get to B&C any later than 4 if you want to be back to DS by 7. Seriously, although we have been several times, B&C really is just burgers, fries, hot dogs... not worth the hassle of getting there and back in time for F!

 

[brockash]

I would not count on getting in and out quickly, especially during dinner time. When we go I usually try to get there at opening time and even then we sometimes have had a wait. The place is real small, only 3 booths, a number of small round tables and the counter seats.

I don't know about french fries and for dessert we were always able to get any dessert, (not the kitchen sink). No Way Jose is a favorite in our house.

Have a great time.

I agree about the getting in/out quickly, especially at dinner time. We went last Sept. for lunch. We got there right when they opened and didn't have to wait, however the 3 booths were already taken and so we had to sit at one of the little round tables....I've never seen tables so small. It was really hard to eat (but there was 5 of us, but even with just 4, it's going to be a pretty tight fit.)

I can't remember about the chips/fries, but I know you can get any dessert (besides Kitchen sink.) The food was okay, but honestly I doubt we'll ever go back. It's just so darn small. It's hard to move at all, and I'll never do it if I have to sit at the little round table thing again. When we left there was already a waiting list, and that was at probably around noon.

I would guess that Aug. would be a bit busier, and that dinner time in general would be more crowded there.

If it were me, I'd try for somewhere else, maybe ESPN zone, or Big River Grill??

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Let me also add that while there is air conditioning we found it to be rather warm in the restaurant when we were there. It is small, lots of people, and the grill is open air so it gets rather toasty to boot.

 

[kmedina]

Since you have a backup reservation at a TS restaurant anyway, have you considered booking the Fantasmic package at HS. It allows you to arrive only 30-45 minutes early in the preferred viewing area. Since you are still almost six months out, you may be able to get one. If you must have a QS, I would suggest one inside the park. That gives you more freedom to check on the stand by line. You can either get in line sooner if necessary or do something else in the park while you wait if it is not.

 

[MichaelColey]

We stayed at Beach Club Villas for a week earlier this month, and went to Beaches and Cream (just for dessert) three times. This was one of the slowest times of the year, and our waits were anywhere from 20-45 minutes to get a table. We tried to go back in December (the one slow week in mid-December, between the Thanksgiving and Christmas crowds) and it was going to be a 45-60 minute wait.

We only got dessert (and I agree that "No Way Jose" was awesome!), but we saw many others with meals. The cheerleaders were at Disney for competitions, and one day there were about 30 of them rotating in and out at a couple tables, and it seemed like all of them were ordering chicken strips, fries and a shake. (Boy are they in for a surprise when their metabolisms slow down!)

If you're not on the dining plan, one nice thing about Beaches & Cream is that they take the Tables In Wonderland card.

We loved it, and will be going back. Definitely going to try the Kitchen Sink next time!

 

[5westbrooks]

I thought that I read somewhere that Beaches & Cream has a take-out window and that the purchase would be a CS instead of a TS. We will be staying at BC in Sept. and it would be nice to have this option. Anyone know?

 

[emmysmommy]

I thought that I read somewhere that Beaches & Cream has a take-out window and that the purchase would be a CS instead of a TS. We will be staying at BC in Sept. and it would be nice to have this option. Anyone know?

The take-out window is only for ice-creams and beverages. Some of the items are snack credits but since they don't off the full menu at take-out it is not a CS.

My opinion on B&C, I would go if I was staying at the resort again (we were there last August) since you can't make an ADR but if you have plans and don't have a lot of time, I would probably skip it.