Beaches and Cream Dinner Review
*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2018. It includes notes about dairy free options.
Dinner at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a charming table service restaurant that serves up classic soda shop fare like burgers, fries, and ice cream sundaes. Both Brandon and I love the sundaes at Beaches and Cream. Recently, we took Brandon's parents there for dinner and ice cream sundaes and to celebrate Brandon's mom's birthday.
Atmosphere
One of the things we love most about Beaches and Cream is the 1950s soda shop theme. It's kitschy and retro in such a delightful way.
Beaches & Cream - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
The only big downside we have found to Beaches and Cream is the size. It's a very tiny restaurant, so wait times to be seated can be pretty intense. On this particular visit, we waited 30 minutes past our time. And, I swear we only got seated because we asked about it several times.
Beaches & Cream Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see from the photo, the restaurant is very popular. Do make sure to make ADRs for Beaches and Cream if you're interested in dining there or be prepared for either a long wait or to go to the to-go counter.
Beaches & Cream - Jukebox / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
There are so many fun details in Beaches and Cream. I love the retro jukebox and bright colorful decor.
The Food
Beaches and Cream does have an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. But, I do highly recommend speaking to a manager or coordinator about options. That's because I have found that Beaches and Cream can accommodate with a lot of additional options or easy modifications if you ask.
On this visit, we started off with an odd interaction with our server. He asked about my special dietary need, and I noted that I had celiac disease. He asked me if I was OK with cross-contamination. Um, no. With that question, I immediately asked to speak with a manager and was brought a server who is noted as the coordinator. Because of the small space in Beaches and Cream, typically a cast member designated to assist with special dietary needs will work with you instead of a chef. Overall, I've not had any issues with this in the past. But, this visit would prove to be a challenge overall.
I asked the coordinator if I could get the gluten free reuben (which I ordered on our last visit) with fries. I was told this would not be an issue. Everyone else placed their order. Then our server came back and asked if he could bring everyone else's food out since mine was not ready. And, then I waited. And waited. And waited. A full 30 minutes later my food arrived, only after I asked our server and manager about my food.
Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free Reuben Sandwich / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
As you can see by this photo, everyone in our party had already finished their main meal by the time mine arrived. My gluten free Reuben sandwich was soggy and cold as were my French Fries. The fries come from a dedicated fryer at Hurricane Hannas -- the restaurant at the pool area of the Beach Club. While I loved this sandwich on our last visit, this time it was pretty mediocre at best.
When my food arrived, I asked if I ordered my dessert then if it would take this long as everyone else was going to order sundaes. I was advised that it wouldn't. But, I still ordered it anyway. The coordinator told me that the sandwich took so long because that's how special diets orders work there. I did note that we have eaten there multiple times and never had this issue. However, it seemed like no one working that day was very concerned about the length of the wait or the quality of the meal.
Beaches & Cream - Gluten Free & Dairy Free No Way Jose Sundae / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW
Funnily enough, my gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose Sundae arrived before everyone else's did and while I was only halfway through eating my sandwich. So, sadly, timing was a major issue at Beaches and Cream that day. My sundae, which contained chocolate and vanilla Tofutti, Hershey's Chocolate Sauce, and peanut butter sauce was delicious as always. But, the overall experience at the restaurant was just pretty disappointing. In fact, we all agreed that next time we would just order ice cream and that was it.
Overall
I have had pretty good experiences at Beaches and Cream over the years, but this one was not good. So much so that I did contact Disney Guest Services about it. My main meal was not great -- mostly due to the temperature and condition of the food when it arrived. My sundae was outstanding. But, it's also pretty hard to mess a sundae up. I would recommend being prepared for waits when you dine at Beaches and Cream if you order food besides the sundae. This is definitely a restaurant that we would skip for a while based on the service and food quality.
Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What was your dining experience there?
Beaches and Cream -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club Resort
*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2018.
Dinner at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop is a small table service restaurant located at Disney's Beach Club Resort that serves classic soda shop fare, like burgers, fries, and ice cream. It's long been one of my favorite spots for a gluten free and dairy free ice cream sundae. But, it can often be hard to get an advanced dining reservation for, due to its size and popularity. With the summertime heat here in Orlando, Brandon and I didn't feel like cooking one evening for dinner. So, we looked for openings for dinner at Disney World. As luck would have it, a random reservation was available at Beaches and Cream, which meant ice cream sundaes and sandwiches for us!
Atmosphere
One of the first things you'll notice about Beaches and Cream is its bright colors and 1950s soda shop theming.
There is both a walk-up counter for ice cream and a full table service restaurant inside, which gives you a few choices for dining options. Since the restaurant is quite small, it can be hard to get a walk-up without a long wait.
Inside, you'll see brightly colored booths alongside one wall, a large counter (which resembles the old fashioned soda shops), and table seating in the middle of the restaurant. As a two-top table, we usually get a seat in the middle of the restaurant. But, the booths always look so cozy!
Do take some time to look around too. You'll see some of the cutest decor straight out of an era gone by. There's even a vintage jukebox too.
The Food
Like many other Disney restaurants, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop does carry an allergy-friendly menu. My biggest recommendation when dining there is to be sure to speak with a coordinator or manager on duty. That's because many items that are available to special dietary needs guests are not actually listed on the allergy-friendly menu.In fact, I can't think of a visit where I haven't ordered something off the menu. Often, it's just a simple modification that's easy to do. For instance, on this visit, I asked if the Reuben Sandwich could be made gluten free. And, after investigating, we found out it was just a swap of the bread, which was great news. They also don't list French Fries as an option for gluten free and dairy free guests. But, if you ask, they can make you fries in a dedicated fryer. We were told on our most recent visit by Ashley the coordinator that it might take a bit longer to get my food due to preparing my meal in another kitchen space.
With that in mind, we did get a giant bowl full of French Fries made in a dedicated fryer served before my sandwich. These are safe for those guests who are gluten free and dairy free. Though I don't have a photo here, Brandon's fries were the thick cut steak fries, while mine were the classic thin cut Disney fries. On other occasions, I have been served the thick cut steak fries from a dedicated fryer. So, my guess it it depends on availability.These were good, as always. And, both Brandon and I nibbled on these while we waited for the rest of our meal, as these actually arrived before any other food. It was definitely nice that the coordinator was working to ensure my wait didn't feel too long.
I was super excited to try Reuben Sandwich with Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss, and Thousand Island Dressing on Gluten Free Bread. This can be made gluten free with the bread swap and might be able to be made dairy free minus the cheese. I don't think there's any dairy in the Thousand Island Dressing (at least there isn't usually). So, it's always worth asking a coordinator or manager about it.
Hands down, this is the best meal I've ordered at Beaches and Cream. The Reuben was super flavorful and tasty. I gave Brandon a bite of this, and he agreed that it might be the best sandwich we've ordered there. The only negative was that they used Udi's Gluten Free Bread, and it got super soggy. I am guessing the combination of the bread with the moisture from the meat, sauerkraut, and sauce just made it a little more soggy than it should normally be. But, that being said, I'd totally get it again, soggy bread or not! This will probably be my new go-to sandwich when we dine there.
Because we can't go to Beaches and Cream without ordering ice cream (yes, this is totally a rule in our family), I had to get my favorite sundae. Like the rest of the allergy-friendly menu, the specialty sundaes are not listed on the menu. It's always worth asking if certain ones can be modified. In fact, I've had readers share photos of dairy free and gluten free versions of the Mini Kitchen Sink. So, there's definitely some options!For me though, it's always all about the No Way Jose Sundae. I get mine with gluten free and dairy free ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and chocolate sauce. If you're just gluten free, you can get hot fudge, whipped cream, and even chocolate chips on it.
The modified No Way Jose Sundae is huge! I ordered mine with chocolate and vanilla Tofutti non-dairy vegan ice cream. But, you can also get So Delicious Coconut Milk Ice Cream or Vanilla Flavored Rice Dream too, depending on your preference and special dietary need. I just love the combination of chocolate and vanilla flavors along with tons of peanut butter sauce and chocolate syrup. The No Way Jose Sundae never fails to disappoint. And as much as I want to try other sundaes, I just can't resist this one.
Overall
If you're looking for a reasonably priced table service location or epic ice cream sundaes (or in our case, both!), you can't go wrong with Beaches and Cream. It's a great spot for a meal, and within walking or boat distance from Epcot and Hollywood Studios. We do recommend that you make ADRs prior to your visit, as this can be a popular restaurant, especially during summertime. If you prefer to just get ice cream and not sit in the table service dining area, you can also get special dietary needs ice cream options at their walk-up window too!Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What did you enjoy when you visited there?
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in July 2017.
Dinner at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, is a small tucked away table service restaurant that serves ice cream, floats, milkshakes, and burgers in an old fashioned soda shop atmosphere. It has long been one of my favorite places to grab a non-dairy and gluten free ice cream sundae. Recently, we decided to stop in for dinner on a whim when a reservation opened up. Brandon had never been before, and I was craving one of Beaches & Cream's famous No Way Jose sundaes.
Atmosphere
One of the things that I love about Beaches & Cream is the theme. It's truly a hidden gem on Disney property with unique theming and great food. The restaurant is set to look like an old fashioned soda shop near the beach.
The restaurant is bright and colorful, and I love all of the unique decorations and touches inside. You'll feel like you stepped back in time the moment you walk in.
Seating in the restaurant is very limited. It's a small space, with only 3 booths, about 6 tables, and a counter. So, reservations are definitely recommended if you decide to visit. You can try walk-up, but the wait can be really long at peak times.
I've done walk-ups before and just sat at the counter, which is a really fun and unique experience. It's perfect if you're just ordering ice cream.
And, ice cream really is the most popular dish served at Beaches & Cream. The decorations and theming reflect that too.
The Food
But, my favorite part of Beaches & Cream is the food...well, the ice cream to be exact. Of course, you can order meals here too. They serve burgers, sandwiches, and just about anything you'd expect at your local soda shop. I usually just come here for ice cream, but on this visit, we ordered dinner too.
Beaches & Cream does have an Allergy-Friendly Lunch & Dinner Menu that you can use to order. I personally like to ask for both a regular menu and allergy-friendly menu so that I can compare the two. The allergy-friendly menus are not perfect and often will not include items that are easily modified to fit your special dietary need. So, it's worth asking a chef or manager about options.Beaches & Cream always is a bit odd to me when it comes to handling special diets. I think it's because the restaurant is small and functions a bit like a cross between a table service and quick service location. Typically a manager or lead cast member will speak to you about options. I've had a few experiences were servers tried to navigate my requests, but I would recommend asking to specifically speak with a manager.There's good reason for this. I've had some hit or miss experiences here, and my friend Alexis from Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures actually had a scary experience here in 2016 when the server tried to make her sundae from the contaminated ice cream in the front of the restaurant. Always trust your gut and speak up if you're concerned about safety.The cast member who assisted me was really good on this visit. She talked through options with me and let me know that I could order other sandwiches gluten free off the menu. I also asked about fries and was told I could get baked French fries but that they might take a bit longer to make.
I decided to get the Turkey Club Sandwich with Lettuce, Tomato, Bacon, and Mayonnaise on Toasted Gluten Free Bread with Baked French Fries. The sandwich was made in the back of the restaurant using Udi's Gluten Free bread. This was made both gluten free and dairy free.Overall, I really liked the sandwich. It really wasn't anything special. But, the taste was good, and it was a hearty portion. The baked French fries were also very good. They were thick cut steak fries, which is a nice change of pace from the thinner fries most Disney restaurants serve. Brandon even tried some of the baked fries when I was done eating, and he said he thought they were just as good as the regular fried ones.
For dessert, I had to order my favorite non-dairy ice cream sundae -- the No Way Jose Sundae. This can be made both gluten free and dairy free by using non-dairy ice cream. Beaches & Cream currently offers the following brands on non-dairy / vegan ice cream:
- Tofutti - available in chocolate and vanilla flavors
- Rice Dream - available in vanilla flavor
- So Delicious - available in coconut flavor
The regular dairy filled No Way Jose Sundae comes with both chocolate and vanilla ice cream, so I always get the chocolate and vanilla Tofutti.It's also served with a peanut butter sauce and chocolate syrup (not fudge) for those who are dairy free. If you can have dairy, you will also get whipped cream too.
As you can see, the sundae is huge! The one I got was also filled with peanut butter sauce and chocolate syrup. If you love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, this sundae is a hands down must order.I always end up just getting this sundae because the a la carte sundae options actually end up costing more than the pre-priced sundae. At $9.50 this is pricey, but oh so worth it!If you want to recreate this at home, check out my recreation on my YouTube channel. It's super easy and so delicious!
Overall
While I think the food is good, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop really shines when it comes to desserts. Both Brandon and I enjoyed our meals, but we raved about the sundaes. And, we both said we'd go back again -- just for dessert. Of course, either way, Beaches and Cream offers a really unique dining experience at Disney with some of the best gluten free and dairy free ice cream options around.Have you been to Beaches and Cream Soda Shop? What's your favorite thing to order there?
Beaches & Cream -- Dessert -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in October 2015.
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop reminds me a classic 50's soda shop, complete with burgers, fries, fun atmosphere, and, of course, sundaes! This table service location is bright and cheerful and so much fun. Just wait until you see a group of guests order what's known as theKitchen Sink. It's pretty impressive.Located at Disney's Beach Club Resort, you'll find Beaches & Cream Soda Shop tucked away by the resort's pool area. It does now take reservations, which I highly recommend. The restaurant is pretty small, and if you have your heart set on a sundae or a meal, you'll want to get your spot! They do also have a to-go counter (which gets pretty busy) for those on the go!One of my favorite sundaes at Beaches & Cream is the No Way Jose Sundae (which you can read more about in my previous blog posts). Topped with chocolate syrup and a rich peanut butter sauce, there's no way you're saying "no way" to the No Way Jose!
On this visit, I knew I still wanted the No Way Jose Sundae, and the manager came out to go over the options with me. Beaches & Cream is one of the few table service locations in which only a manager comes to talk to you, not a chef. But don't worry, they are great at handling orders safely.For the No Way Jose, I received both vanilla and chocolate Tofutti (they also carry Rice Dream vanilla non-dairy ice cream), Hershey's chocolate syrup, peanut butter sauce, and a cherry on top. Beaches & Cream does have other various safe toppings for you to order depending on what sundae you get.Though I'm often tempted to try other sundaes (like a banana split), I can't help but order the No Way Jose. It's rich and decadent, and just the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It's also a huge portion, so be prepared to be very full when you're done!Though I didn't get lunch, you can find lunch and dinner options at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Check out the menus page for more information about their lunch and dinner options.You can also read reviews from Alexis at Gluten Free in Orlando on her blog about Beaches & Cream Soda Shop.Overall, Beaches & Cream continues to be a must stop for me when it comes to non-dairy ice cream sundaes. The gluten free and dairy free version of the No Way Jose sundae continues to be a favorite of mine and something I'll be getting this summer as the Florida weather continues to warm up!Have you been to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop? What did you get when you visited?
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop -- Snack -- Table Service -- Beach Club
*This dining experience took place in March 2015. Located in Disney's Beach Club Resort is Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. This ice cream parlor reminds me of those classic 1950s ice cream and soda shops -- complete with hamburgers & fries, milkshakes and amazing sundaes (and let's not forget the infamous Kitchen Sink - a gigantic serving for four of literally every sundae item the restaurant has). It's been a while since I've dined at Beaches & Cream, in fact my last review here on the blog was from 2011. That was when I discovered the awesomeness that is the Beaches & Cream peanut butter sauce! 
Beaches & Cream has two options for ice cream goers. The first is the traditional table service where you can order ice cream treats and a savory items like burgers and fries. The second is a quick service counter style, located directly next to the table service seating area and accessible by a separate door. This place is pretty darn busy, and it used to be that you could only get walk-ups to dine here. That's right, no ADRs! Luckily, that has now changed and you can make reservations to enjoy a visit here. 
On this particular occasion, we actually did not have a reservation but stopped by to see if we could get a walk-in. Luckily, we were able to get counter seating which was terrific. Before we were even seated, I notified the hostess of my special dietary needs, and she marked our ticket with "allergy." Once seated, the manager came out to discuss options for me. Since I love the peanut butter sauce, I asked if I could have a modified version of the No Way Jose ice cream sundae. She said not a problem, and offered me a choice of Tofutti (which they have in chocolate and vanilla) and Rice Dream (in vanilla only). The No Way Jose typically comes with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, so I opted for the Tofutti. When you order special diets sundaes or food at Beaches and Cream, they will prepare it entirely in the back to avoid cross contamination. Watching the servers make sundaes at the counter, I can definitely attest to the high level of cross contamination that posed there. 
After a fairly minimal wait, I was brought out a huge sundae. I was not prepared for the size of this thing! Tons of non-dairy ice cream smothered with peanut butter sauce, chocolate syrup and chocolate chips was the way to go. I'm fairly certain I didn't speak for a good 15 minutes while I ate this sundae. If you like peanut butter and chocolate this is the combo to get.*Note: A blog reader mentioned that they were told the chocolate chips were not safe to consume for dairy free special diets; however, I was told by the manager that the chocolate chips only contained soy (likely soy lecithin). I didn't feel sick afterwards, so I'm hopeful that these are indeed a safe option! The manager did not include the peanut butter morsels on my sundae, which did contain dairy (same with the whipped cream).Overall, I had a great sundae at Beaches and Cream. It's a great go-to sundae stop, and they do have a large variety of options for toppings. I'm looking forward to going back again in the summertime when I need a sweet (and cool) treat!Have you been to Beaches and Cream? What did you order when you dined there?
Beaches and Cream -- Table Service -- Beach Club
Ah, Beaches and Cream...I've been wanting to take a trip down nostalgia and head to this restaurant for a long time. I love that it doesn't take reservations and that it's tucked away at the Beach Club. It gives you that great sense of Disney history and tradition. However, I've been wary of eating there, thinking perhaps I wouldn't have many options. But, this burger joint proved me wrong! I hadn't seen so many "ice cream" options for gluten free/dairy free. I actually had choices!It was a dream come true and a visit that inspired me to visit again and again! A new must-do!To begin with, the decor at Beaches and Cream is fantastic! It's very small and takes no ADRs. My mom and I waited about 20 minutes to get a table. Most people come for the ice cream, but I encourage you to try the food. It's no frills good basic burgers and fries. It's just plain yummy. Upon being seated, we were greeted by Dolores our waitress. She quickly got the chef for me, who gave me several food options. First off, they could do burgers and chicken sandwiches with gluten free buns. I could also get fruit or fries. The fries they had to get from Hurricane Hannah's next door, as they do not have a dedicated fryer. This required a potential wait, and I was ok with that. I chose the chicken sandwich without the bun, as I am perfectly happy without the GF bun. (they aren't my favorite, and i'm used to bunless sandwiches)
What came out was quite tasty. My chicken was marinated in something that tasted like it had cumin and chili powder in it. My mom also had it (with the bun) and she said it was really good. I wanted a burger, but at the time my Crohn's was slightly flaring, and I knew the extra fat from the burger wouldn't be so good on my tummy. But, next time...i'm getting a burger! They looked and smelled awesome!!!For dessert, I was given the option of rice dream and tofutti, I believe. I got the vanilla tofutti with chocolate syrup and....peanut butter sauce!!!! This was the best part of the meal. I had been dying for something besides just boring chocolate. I had tons of options. I could have gotten the following toppings: Chocolate syrup (not fudge sauce), peanut butter sauce, sprinkles, marshmallows, strawberry topping, pineapple topping, and maraschino cherries. Essentially, I could have gotten a modified banana split, had I so desired to. There might have been a few other toppings, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.
When I got my sundae, I was beyond overjoyed. It was peanut butter sauce awesomness. I love peanut butter and rarely eat it, but this sauce was amazing!!! Between the chocolate syrup and this, it was the perfect combo. And you better believe, I scarfed it down!Overall, I can't say enough good things about Beaches and Cream. Sure the food itself isn't anything spectacular, but the ambiance and non-dairy ice cream offerings make it a must-do. Great fun and antics (watching people attempt to eat the kitchen sink is hilarious!) and good service for a fast-paced bustling 50's style diner!9 out of 10 for good service, food, and offerings. If you get the chance, definitely check it out! People with or without allergies will love it.