You’re walking through the airy, pastel-soaked lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The smell of saltwater and expensive cleaning supplies hits you first. Then, the vanilla. It’s that specific "Disney morning" scent. If you’re heading toward the Cape May Cafe menu, you probably have one of two things on your mind: the Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast or the massive evening seafood spread.
But honestly? Things have changed.
If you haven't been since 2019, you might feel a little lost. The days of characters roaming around every single meal are gone. Nowadays, the characters only show up to crash your breakfast. Dinner is a whole different vibe—quieter, steamier, and much more focused on how many crab legs you can actually handle before your flight home.
The Morning Situation: Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast
Let's talk about the eggs. Actually, let's talk about the Salted Caramel Beach Buns. These things are dangerous. They arrive at the table before you even hit the buffet line, dripping in this gooey, salty-sweet glaze that makes standard cinnamon rolls look pathetic. Most people fill up on these before they even see a Mickey Waffle. Don't do that. Pace yourself.
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The current Cape May Cafe menu for breakfast is a full-blown buffet again. For a while, it was family-style, but the people revolted. Now, you’ve got the heavy hitters back in their rightful places.
- The Classics: You’ve got the Mickey Waffles and Minnie Waffles. They’re fluffy. They’re iconic. They’re basically the law.
- The Savory Side: There’s a carving station with ham, usually accompanied by some very solid cheddar grits. The grits are surprisingly creamy for a high-volume buffet.
- The Oddballs: Look for the Beef Hash or the seasonal crepes. Sometimes they do a lemon-curd filling that is genuinely bright and sharp, not that fake plastic-tasting fruit stuff you find at the airport.
Character-wise, you’re looking at Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy in their finest "I’m going to the beach but I’m still a cartoon" outfits. It’s loud. It’s high energy. If you’re nursing a headache from a late night at Epcot’s World Showcase, this might be a lot to handle at 8:00 AM. But for kids? It’s peak Disney.
Dinner at Cape May: The Seafood Strategy
Dinner is where the Cape May Cafe menu gets serious. Gone are the characters. In their place? Steamer buckets and a lot of melted butter.
This is an all-you-care-to-enjoy situation. The star of the show—the thing that justifies the price tag for most people—is the Snow Crab Legs. They used to charge an extra fee for these during the "family-style" era, but now they are back on the main buffet line. You’ll see people piling their plates high with clusters of crab, sprinting back to their tables like they’re winning a marathon.
What’s actually on the buffet?
It isn't just crab. You’ve got the New England Traditional Steam Bake. This includes clams, mussels, shrimp, corn on the cob, and red bliss potatoes. The seafood is seasoned with a decent amount of Old Bay, though it’s definitely "Disney mild" so it doesn't offend anyone's palate.
The Paella is hit or miss. On a good night, the rice has that nice bite and the saffron comes through. On a bad night, it’s a bit mushy from sitting under the heat lamps. That’s the reality of a buffet. You have to timing it right. Watch for when the chefs bring out a fresh pan. That’s your window.
For the landlubbers—or the children who refuse to touch anything with a shell—there’s usually a slow-roasted strip loin or prime rib at the carving station. It’s fine. It’s a solid piece of meat. But you’re really here for the ocean stuff. The fried seafood options, like the calamari or fried shrimp, stay surprisingly crunchy. Most buffet fried food turns into a soggy sponge within ten minutes, but they seem to have the airflow figured out here.
The Pricing Reality Check
Let’s be real. Eating here isn't cheap. You’re paying for the convenience of being a five-minute walk from the International Gateway entrance to Epcot.
As of early 2026, breakfast will run you about $47 per adult and $30 per child. Dinner jumps up significantly because of the crab legs, usually landing around $48 to $55 depending on the season. Is it worth it?
If you are a seafood person who can eat your weight in crab? Yes.
If you are someone who just wants a piece of grilled chicken? Probably not. You’d be better off walking over to Beaches & Cream or grabbing a quick bite at the Yachtman’s Crew’s Cup Lounge.
A Note on Dietary Restrictions
One thing Disney objectively nails is the allergy-friendly version of the Cape May Cafe menu. If you’re gluten-free, don't panic. They have GF Mickey Waffles that actually taste like waffles, not cardboard.
When you check in, the chef will usually come out and walk you through the buffet line. They’ll point out exactly what is safe and what isn't. They can even bring "clean" portions of seafood from the back to avoid cross-contamination in the communal steamers. It takes a little longer, but it’s the safest way to eat at a buffet if you have a serious shellfish or gluten allergy.
Tips for Getting a Table
Reservations for Cape May Cafe open 60 days in advance. They fill up fast, especially for breakfast. If you’re staying at the Beach Club or Yacht Club, this is your "home" restaurant, but it draws crowds from all over the Boardwalk area.
- Check for late-night cancellations. People drop their reservations the night before to avoid the "no-show" fee. Check the app around 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM for the next morning.
- Use the Walk-up List. If the app says there’s nothing available, literally walk to the podium. Sometimes the "Join Walk-up List" feature on the My Disney Experience app is more accurate than the reservation calendar.
- The "Middle" Times. 10:30 AM for breakfast or 5:00 PM for dinner are usually your best bets for a quieter experience.
The Dessert Table: Don't Forget the Oreos
The dessert section is tucked away and often overlooked. Look for the Cape May Flourless Chocolate Cake and the seasonal cheesecake. They also have a dessert that looks like a tiny beach—complete with graham cracker "sand" and blue frosting "water." It’s cute. It’s sugary. It’s exactly what you expect.
But the real pro move? The bread pudding. It’s dense, warm, and usually served with a vanilla crème anglaise. It rivals the version over at 'Ohana, though people will fight me on that.
Final Thoughts on the Cape May Cafe Menu
This isn't fine dining. It’s a loud, bustling, beach-themed buffet that serves high-quality seafood and classic character breakfast staples. It’s reliable. You know what you’re getting.
If you want a quiet, romantic evening, go to Shula’s Steakhouse next door. If you want a fun, chaotic meal where you can eat fifteen clusters of crab legs while wearing a paper bib, Cape May is your spot. Just remember to wash the butter off your hands before you head back into the parks.
Your Next Steps
- Book early: Set a calendar alert for your 60-day window at 6:00 AM EST.
- Check the app: Download My Disney Experience to monitor the "Join Walk-up List" in real-time if you missed a reservation.
- Plan your park day: Schedule your meal for a day you are visiting Epcot or Hollywood Studios, as the Beach Club is a short walk or Skyliner ride away from both.
- Dress comfortably: It’s a casual "beach" vibe. Shorts and tees are totally fine, even for dinner.