>Who doesn’t like ice cream? I like Ice cream.

>

After dinner last night, I asked John, “Tell me something you’d like people to know about in Walt Disney World.”

His Response, “There’s a mouse, some princesses, some rides.” Then Quickly- “Don’t write that.”

So, I try again, John Tell me something you’d like people to know about in Walt Disney World.Maybe an Unknown Magic in Disney World.

A blank stare. Uh. Uh. Uh. I actually don’t know. This is a tough week.

How about a favorite attraction? A favorite place to hang out? A favorite restaurant? A place you’d like me not to put my foot in your ***.

Trying to help, (I think) my wife whispers, “Ice Cream,”

John says “I like Ice Cream!” Then enthusiastically, Beaches and Cream. Again- Don’t write that.

What is Beaches and Cream John?

It is an Ice Cream Parlor, at the Beach Club, that is open to the public.

Who else would it be open to?

It is open to everyone even if you are not staying at the resort. There are some that are like that aren’t there?

No, there aren’t.

No, well, then cut that out. Strike it from the record.

Why do you like, Beaches and Cream John?

Who doesn’t like ice cream? I like Ice cream.

Do they only serve Ice Cream?

I believe they have small lunch items, I believe.

Actually Beaches and Cream is a Soda Shop type restaurant that offers sandwiches, soups salads and many ice cream treats.

What’s so great about this place?

It is hard serve, isn’t it? Yes, it is it comes out of the buckets, so it is hard serve. It is difficult to find good hard serve and they have many different flavors. It is like a 50’s styled pop-shop.

He was asking and answering his own questions throughout our interview. It was as if it was a stream of consciousness or something. I think he meant Soda Shop, which is funny, because I have never heard him say pop to mean soda.

So the inside is…

Bright and colorful, rather retro.

At this I pointed out that a 50’s soda shop would have to be retro and once again he said- cut that out; of course I didn’t cut out anything he said to.

So, you recommend sitting inside?

Usually, but is it is near the pool, so you can walk around. It gets messy.

What does?

Ice Cream, it melts.

My 15 year old honor student ladies and gentlemen, sharing with us that ice cream melts and gets messy. His mother and I are so proud.

So where do you recommend sitting?

Inside, so it doesn’t melt as fast.

Is there anything really special that they serve or have?

The Kitchen Sink.

What pray-tell is that? (he’s not the only one who can be witty)

They give you a kitchen sink, and fill it with lots and lots of ice cream, it is best shared with a group. We haven’t had one yet, but I plan on it.

Have you ever seen a Kitchen Sink?

Yes, once. They make a pretty big deal out of it when they are serving it.

So, was it Huge?



Me and My Kid!



Yes, it was a good size Kitchen Sink; you could do a few dishes in it.

At that I gave him a look and he responded with,

“Hey I’m your kid.”

Touché

So, is there anything else you want people to know about Beaches and Cream?

When the kids are upset take them there it will make things better.

His words not mine. I personally wouldn’t share that part with your kids.

Thanks John.

Sure Dad.

>Sittin’ on the Dock of Bay Lake

>I was driving in to work this morning and Otis Redding came on the radio:

*”The Very Best of Otis Redding” released by Elektra November 24, 1992

**Sittin’ in the mornin’ sun

I’ll be sittin’ when the evenin’ come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch ’em roll away again, yeah

I’m sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I’m just sittin’ on the dock of the bay
Wastin’ time

I love this song. Not many  people I know do, but I do. It is a peaceful song to me. In my mind, I can see the sun setting and the ships passing by as I sit out on a pier and enjoy the beautiful weather. I used to go to the Jersey shore in the fall and you can watch the tankers float down the coast to get to the mouth of the Delaware Bay. I enjoyed sitting and watching the water and the ships go by. There aren’t any real piers in Walt Disney World, but there is a Bay Lake, and there are plenty of ships that go by and what a peaceful way to spend a little time, after a morning in the park or even before you head into the crowds? If you need some relaxation, watching the boats is a great way to do it. So, I offer you the Unknown Magic of Sitting and Watching the Boats.

You can enjoy this Magical Experience throughout Walt Disney World. Bay Lake is probably the best place to see many different types of boats. They have the small enclosed yacht-looking boat and then they have the African Queen Design boat. You can see these boats from the beach behind the Contemporary Resort and relax as you watch them. Over at the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness, you can watch them

come and go if you sit out on the boat dock area.

Both of these boats can be found along with the huge ferry boat (the General Joe Potter) in the Seven Seas Lagoon, transporting people to and from the Magic Kingdom. Watching from the Polynesian or Grand Floridian can be a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon, as the kids play in the sand, on the beach that can be a Magical Experience.

One of my favorite places to watch the boats come and go is at the Boardwalk. Here the Friendship launches cruise Crescent Lake and make their rounds from the Epcot Resorts to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot. I especially like sitting at Big River Grille & Brewing Works and watching the ships roll in, while enjoying a Burger and a beer. If you prefer the view from the Beach and Yacht Club Resorts, you can get Ice Cream from Beaches and Cream and sit on the dock or on the beach and watch from that side of Crescent Lake and enjoy an equally relaxing time.

I have also spent time in Epcot sitting and watching the Friendship launches ferry people around the World Showcase. If you sit in the areas set aside off the side of the bridge leading toward France from Great Britain, you can enjoy a very peaceful time of sitting and watching the boats.

These may not seem like very Magical Experiences, but anytime our family can take a moment to not rush through our vacation, and actually sit and enjoy each other’s company, I consider it a Magical Experience.

So, now you know, you can take a break from the rushing around during your vacation and enjoy a relaxing time, by watching the ships roll in, and watching them roll away again. It doesn’t seem like much, but every relaxing minute spent with the family is a Magical Experience.

**Lyrics to (SITTIN’ ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY

– written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper

>I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for…

>So, you’re in Walt Disney World over the summer.
It’s hot.
You’re sticky.
The Kids are getting whiney.
You all need a cool refreshment.
You think, “Where’s the ice cream man when you need him?”

Don’t fear, Ice Cream is Near!

There is Ice Cream to be found, all over Walt Disney World. They sell it from carts in the parks. There are shops that sell different styles of it in the Different Parks, from The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom, To the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain, and Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney. Even the Resorts sell the chocolate covered Mickey Mouse head Ice Creams, YUM!

So there is Ice Cream when you need it, and sometimes in Disney World, you need it.

I hear you saying, “But Ice Cream isn’t a Magical Experience.”

That’s true, but there is a somewhat Unknown place in Walt Disney World, that makes having Ice Cream a Magical Experience. This place is Beaches and Cream. Beaches and Cream is located at the Beach Club Resort. More precisely, behind the Beach Club resort. To get to it, you need to cut through the lobby, go out the back door, then stay alongside the building and go past the pool, toward the Yacht Club Resort. Or you can get there from the International Gateway in Epcot. After you leave Epcot, walk to the right and you will pass the Beach Club Resort Villas, as you get to the pool, look for Beaches and Cream at the back of the building.

This wonderful little 50’s themed soda fountain is decorated in pinks, corals and blues and is the perfect seaside ice cream shop. It is open from 11am to 11pm, they serve lunch and dinner with a children’s menu. For food, it’s your basic sandwich shop, with burgers, dogs, and chicken sandwiches. They do take the Disney Dining plan, (It counts as a table credit).

But the reason people come to Beaches and Cream is the deserts! They have hand dipped cones and cups, or you can get a Float or a Hot Fudge Sundae, or perhaps a Strawberry Shortcake and a Brownie A La mode would be more to your liking? They also have Old Fashioned Sundaes and Classic Banana Splits. But the signature item here is THE FAMOUS KITCHEN SINK.

The Famous Kitchen Sink is just that, a Small Kitchen sink, used as a bowl. Then they add Scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, and mint chocolate chip Ice Cream. To that they add all the toppings in the house and a whole can of whipped cream. It says that it serves 4, It is HUGE!

The food here is good, the Ice Cream is Very good, but the Atmosphere, once again, is Magical. Disney knows how to make you feel that you are in a different place than you are, if only for a little while. While you are here, you are in a 1950’s seaside ice cream parlor. With the Juke-Box playing and the soda jerks working the counter, you sit with your family and enjoy a sundae and some smiles. This is a Magical Experience, one that your kids will remember even after you go home.

So, now that you know, make a special trip to Beaches and Cream and have yourself some Ice Cream and a Magical Experience.