Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
We decided on an early Mother’s day visit (the day before) and it worked out Great! I surprised my mother and grandmother and it was a nice treat. For those who don’t know the tea room does have a few steps up but no worries there is a wheel chair ramp around the corner. It is nice and relaxing overlooking the Gardens. It also has a feeling of formality, though casual wear is certainly acceptable.
(Especially since many come over from the parks)
Afternoon Tea starts at 2:00 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m., 7 seven days a week. Make your reservations EARLY! It does book up fast!
The service overall was good but getting seated was slow…..as is usually the case isn’t it?
The tea menu itself was overwhelming (in a good way!), having nearly two dozen options of black teas, green teas and herbal infusions. It was also very good….just thinking about it makes me want some!
The tea is served in elegant settings of Royal Albert china.
(Fancy Schmancy) 🙂
There is a nice variety of packages and ala carte that you can choose from.
We chose the Grand Tea for Grandma (with the champagne) and my mother and I chose the Buckingham tea. The ‘meal’ was served in three courses–first, scones with jam and cream, second, several tea sandwiches served with an onion tart and pate, and finally the dessert options–a choice of two pastries.
The Grand Tea
The classic English tradition of Afternoon Tea, Grand Floridian style. We offer you a variety of tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts, followed by your choice of our freshly baked tea pastries or English trifle, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and your choice of tea.
Buckingham Palace
Our traditional tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts complemented by fresh strawberries and cream, or a selection of freshly baked pastries, along with your choice of tea.
The food was nothing to write home about, but it wasn’t awful either. The scones were good, as was the cream, but the fruit tart that accompanied it was almost too sweet to be edible. This is by no means a “meal” but it is filling. It is enough for lunch I would say.
I do love afternoon tea, and I really love the idea of afternoon tea on Disney property. It just makes sense. I even agree that the theme of the Grand Floridian lends itself well to the experience and the ambiance. I do think they could kick up the food a notch though. There is so much potential to make it better. I also had the feeling that they were understaffed.
I overall cannot complain and I would visit again even if only for the Tea!
Disney Chronicles 