Editor’s Note: We’ve amended this earlier post to reflect that Beaches and Cream does now accept Advance Dining Reservations.
There are plenty of places to grab a milkshake in Disney World, but there are a few that are spectacular. Pulled from an informal reader survey taken earlier this year, here are the top contenders:
50’s Prime Time Cafe
The 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is well known among Disneyphiles as the place where television, formica, and fun reign supreme.
At this clever cafe, the focus is on food straight from Mom’s Kitchen, and your meals are served by your “cousins,” “aunts,” and “uncles.” You can choose from 1950’s favorites, including meatloaf, fried chicken, and pot roast.
And after your meal, the dessert menu comes to your table. But this is your normal dessert menu — it’s a viewfinder. You remember, those pictorial toys that you used to view images of the Grand Canyon and Disneyland when you were a kid? That’s the one! Except, this time, you get to see the yummy desserts available at the restaurant. (Almost as good as the Grand Canyon, no?) One of those desserts is arguably the most delicious malted milkshake I’ve ever had. Very thick and served in a tall glass, with the extra in the shake cup on the side, you might just need that spoon…
50’s Prime Time Cafe Malted Milkshake and Viewfinder
Beaches and Cream
One of our favorite restaurants is Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club Resort near Epcot. This place is reminiscent of a mid-century soda shop, complete with mirrored walls, a long counter for seating, pastel tiled floors, and wrought-iron tables.
What you order here is burgers, fries, hot dogs, onion rings, and a french dip sandwich if you’re feeling fancy. But the real reason to head to Beaches and Cream isn’t for the fried food (though it’s delicious); it’s for the ice cream! Beaches and Cream is famous for its giant sundaes, including the Kitchen Sink, which includes scoops of every flavor of ice cream, every single topping, candy bars, oreos, and a whole can of whipped cream.
We usually intersperse our sundae orders with an occasional milkshake order. Served in a soda fountain glass (you get the extra on the side here, too), you’ll be instantly transported back in time to your days at the drugstore.
Beaches and Cream Milkshake
Sci-Fi Dine In
This is a restaurant like no other. You sit in a car. It’s dark — very dark. There are hilarious, old-fashioned B movies playing on a massive screen in front of you. Yet you’re eating spinach and artichoke dip? Indeed!
This place, found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is true Disney Imagineering at its best. You’re meant to feel as though you’re sitting in your convertible at a 1950’s drive-in, and, amazingly, it all works! Well-trained CMs weave in and out of dozens of parked cars — in the dark — taking orders, bringing food, bussing tables, and never getting in the way of the movie trailers playing on the screen. It’s a fun, interesting, and exciting meal, to be certain.
And though I can highly recommend the cheesecake for dessert, the truly authentic dessert is the milkshake! Any flavor is delicious, and a wonderful ending to a delicious meal.
Sci Fi Milkshake
Let Us Know Your Thoughts
Have you tried one of these milkshakes, or do you have an idea for a contender for the top three? Let me know by leaving a comment on the post! Would love to hear from challengers!
Photo Credit: SanctumSolitude
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I was wondering how you were gonna pull this off, but now, that I have read and see the post, YOU ARE ON TARGET!
All three are GREAT! Yep, I’d have to agree. You just hit the proverbial nail on the head!
Also at the 50’s Prime Time, the peanut butter and jelly milkshake! My husband and I thought it was ingenious and oh so delicious the first time we encountered it.
My family’s goal is to one day be brave enough to order the kitchen sink 🙂
Sadly, I have tried none of these, but if I were to base my choice on photos alone, I’d go for the Beaches and Cream shake. Looks divine.
I love, love, love the milk shakes at Sci-Fi! I’m not a big milk shake fan, but always order one at Sci-Fi. We’re staying at Beach Club on our next trip (22 days and counting!), so I’m looking forward to trying Beaches & Cream. Just look at all that chocolate!
Debbie — So fun to see a twitter friend on the food blog! Thanks for the kudos!
Heather — YES! PB&J shakes are legendary! Thanks for the reminder!
Gray — It’s delicious. And such a fun place to eat if you haven’t been there.
Shayne — You’re so lucky to be staying at the Beach Club! I love that resort. Enjoy!
I have to say, for a quick service, ms tea pot, Loved loved it
Good point, Emily! Thanks for the comment!
How about the never-ending shakes at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge. Chocolate, vanilla or strawberry – keep them coming! 🙂
Yee-um! Thanks for the comment, Amie!
My favorite? Whispering Canyon – Vanilla Milkshake…….thick, creamy and endless refills! Yum!!!!!!
Karen, someone put an awesome photo of a WL milkshake on our Facebook Fan page — check it out!
Crazy question, but are any of these milkshakes vegetarian? I know that typical fast-food milkshakes almost always contain gelatin, but being so special dietary conscious, you’d think Disney wouldn’t…
Max — Great question. I’m almost certain that if you ask your server to ensure that the shake is vegetarian, they’ll be able to make it that way — even if it’s not normally so. Disney’s great about special dietary concerns. Never be afraid to ask!
I definitely need to try these three, but my absolute favorite has been the chocolate shake from Ghirardelli in Downtown Disney. The chocolate flavor is just amazing.
I have yet to try any of these milkshakes, but mine would have to be the chocolate milkshake from the Pinocchio Village Haus located in Fantasy Land in the Magic Kingdom. They all have a very nice presentation to them though!
Lisa — Ooh! Haven’t tried that one, yet! Will definitely put it on the to-do list.
Josh — Thanks for the Pinocchio suggestion! Will get that on on the list, too!
Hello from a newbie passholder. Do you know if you can take boat shuttle transportation from Epcot to the Beach Club Resort? I know this is probably a dumb question to you “disney scholars” but I really can’t seem to find the answer. We are going to Epcot this evening and I wanted to know if getting to Beaches and Cream was a possibility for dessert. 🙂
Thanks!
Michael
Michael — You bet you can! You can catch the “Friendship” boat from the International Gateway (i.e. “back entrance”) of Epcot right over to the Beach Club. However, it will probably be faster to walk! You can get to Beaches and Cream from Epcot in about 5 minutes 🙂
I would definitely say Ghiradelli Cafe in Downtown Disney has the thickest and best vanilla milkshake in Disney.
The milkshake at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe was one of the best I ever had. I love their dessert menu.
While these shakes are are all very good, something can be said for the shakes at Whispering Canyon. When you get one with your meal they are unlimted. So clearly they win by shear volume alone!!!!!
We love the shakes at Sci-Fi!
It’s worth noting that if you’re on the dining plan then you can get shakes at Sci-Fi and 50’s PT as your drink but at B&C as well as the Plaza in MK (which are also very good) you have to use your dessert credit if you want a milkshake.
I must say, I have been using your blog for years while planning my trips back to WDW. Now, finally I am a member! As a an ex-cast member I remember my favorite shake from the Tune In Lounge (connected to the Prime Time). They used to have a shake called the Chunky Munky (granted it was an alcoholic shake) – with bananas, cocoa powder and kahlua, banana liqueur, vanilla liqueur , vanilla ice cream. Truly addictive. I used to work with the bartenders so I know that it was labor intensive but it was the best way to spend a good hour when those flash rain showers would pop up. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture to post and now they have been removed from the bar menu.
I’ve had milkshakes at all 3 of your suggestions. My favorite has to be the peanut butter and jelly milkshake at 50’s! When you first hear of the shake, it doesn’t sound too apetizing. Give it a try, because it may be the best you ever put in your mouth. It is YUMMY! I’m not a big desert fan, or have a big sweet tooth, but I get one of these every time I go…which is basically every trip. 50’s is a must do everytime we visit WDW.
The black and white shake from Beaches and Cream is how I start out every vacation.
Another vote for the PB&J milkshake here! My favorite!
The Frozen Sunshine at Beaches & Cream needed its own shout-out!
For those who want an extreme milkshake, go to Prime Time Cafe and order the pb & j with chocolate! Our “cousin” suggested it and it is INCREDIBLE!
Cookie Magic at the Brown Derby(Hollywood Studios)!!!!! Comes with a Mickey twisty straw and everything.
I love the Frozen Sunshine shake at Beaches & Cream. Nothing else like it!
beaches and Cream does take ADRs now, thankfully.
Nob Hill Chill at Ghirardelli is wonderful!
Beaches does take ADRs now. I just booked one for April!
Corrie and Jane — Thanks for pointing that out! We’ve updated this post to reflect that Beaches and Cream now takes Advance Dining Reservations. 🙂
My hands down favorite is Ghiradelli’s in Downtown Disney. It is the best shake I have ever had. Not much for ambiance though.
The PB&J milkshake at the Prime Time Cafe is the absolute best. Sorry for your other picks (which I’ve sampled), but they do not compare. Surprised the PB&J was not on your list.
If you don’t mind the dirty looks your “sister” will give you, go ahead and have that shake WITH dinner at 50’s Prime Time Cafe. There’s always room for more dessert later.
Just be sure to clean your plate, or you may not get dessert!