For families who are looking for something special to do that the entire family will love during their Walt Disney World Vacation consider visiting the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop to take on The Kitchen Sink!
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is located in the Beach Club Resort which is a short walk from the International Gateway for Epcot and Disney's Boardwalk.
It is a relatively small, old fashioned, Soda Shop that serves burgers and sandwiches, along with a variety of ice cream creations. There is one item on their menu that brings families and groups of friends together and makes this a favorite evening location: The Kitchen Sink.
The Kitchen Sink
The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Signature Creation is called the Kitchen Sink, because this behemoth ice cream concoction is literally served in a kitchen sink!
After you order the Kitchen Sink be prepared for the fanfare and excitement to follow. After it is prepared, the staff turns on the flashing light and asks for the attention of the entire shop. Then they loudly announced that your table has ordered the Kitchen Sink and start to detail all that goes into this monstrous ice cream creation: 8 scoops of ice cream, all of the toppings in the house (all I do mean all), and an entire can of whipped cream. Finally they deliver it to your table and it is time to dig in.
By all means have your server take a family picture before you dig in. This also gives you a moment to let the daunting task in front of you sink in. It is all smiles before the real work begins. The gauntlet has been laid down and the entire place is curious to know if you have what it takes to consume this dessert masterpiece.
This is where the fun begins. It is time to begin the challenge. It is also time to discover what "all the toppings in the house" really means. We discovered: maraschino cherries, hot fudge, angel food cake, brownies, oreo cookies, peanut butter, pound cake, a banana, sprinkles, 3 Musketeers Candy Bar, Strawberry topping, and more.
Don't attempt this right after dinner. You do not appreciate how much food this is until you get into it. Make sure you have fun while you are eating it! This really is a great family activity. Enjoy the ice cream and the family togetherness time.
You can either eat directly from the "Sink" or transfer a portion to your personal bowl and then refill when you are ready for more. Technique is entirely up to you. Remember the fun is in the journey, not the destination.
Hopefully you will finally reach the bottom of the sink. We were amazed that there were no fewer than 7 families or group that were in some process of conquering their own Kitchen Sink while we were there.
Other Kitchen Sink Items Of Note
Here are some other items to keep in mind when planning your own Kitchen Sink Experience:
- Beaches & Cream does not take reservations. Waits can be lengthy in the evenings, so plan accordingly. They do have a pager system so you can wonder around a bit while you wait.
- The Kitchen Sink costs a whopping $23.99, but that is no more than a family of 4 coming in and each ordering a hot fudge sundae.
- They do accept the Tables & Wonderland Discount which will save you 20% off your entire bill.
- If you do have allergies make the staff aware and they will review the entire topping list with you.
Tackling the Kitchen Sink is a great family activity to do during your Disney World Vacation. If you are not staying in one of the Boardwalk Area Resorts, then you may wish to stop by when you are visiting Epcot. It is a short walk from the International Gateway Entrance to Epcot located between the Great Britain and France Pavilions. Any Disney Cast Members would be happy to give you directions to Beaches & Cream.
Lastly, don't worry if you don't eat it all. Enjoy the experience. Take lots of pictures, and don't forget to share plenty of laughs while you enjoy your Kitchen Sink. The memories will last long after the ice cream has all melted.
What a fantastic experience and memory!
I just did a blog post on the same topic...
http://idisneyplan.blogspot.com/2011/07/311bring-on-kitchen-sink.html
Same lady served us too! You can see her in the bottom left of the first picture. Love the Kitchen Sink!