Walt Disney World Garden View Tea

Every afternoon from 2:00-4:30, the Garden View Lounge in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is the home of Walt Disney World's afternoon tea. Served as a proper English tea should be, guests can enjoy a variety of teas, pastries, tea sandwiches and more. Whether the tea is an oasis of calm and elegance amidst the Disney magic or a location to host a bridal shower or family event, the traditional tea is a can't miss Disney secret!

The Garden View Lounge is a light, open and airy location overlooking the beautiful gardens behind the Grand Floridian lounge. Guests can make reservations for the brunch by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE (1-407-939-3463) in advance. The tea is only available from 2:00 - 4:30 every afternoon, and can range from an excellent late lunch to a light afternoon snack.

Once guests have checked in and have been led to their table, the first selection is which tea to order. The Grand Floridian has a wide variety of hot teas including herbal, white, green, black and custom blends. They have light and refreshing lemon verbena herbal tea, a delicate jade leaf green tea, a rich Oolong tea and their own Mad Hatter tea, which blends fruit and vanilla for a delicious tea served best with sweets. Teas are served either in a lovely tea pot or a French press and are accompanied by sugar cubes, sweeteners, lemon, cream and anything else guests take with their tea.

After the decision of which tea you would like to enjoy comes the decision of the food options. Guests can order a full offering that includes tea, sandwiches, cheeses and specific combinations of pastries and fruits, or they can choose to order a la carte. Tea sandwich options include cucumber watercress, almond chicken salad, dill shrimp salad, grilled pear and gorgonzola and egg salad. If you have selected a tea service that includes the sandwiches, feel free to substitute your preferences. Don't like gorgonzola? Ask for an extra chicken salad. Shrimp is not a favorite? Substitute another cucumber watercress. The tea sandwiches are all delicious and served properly, with the crusts removed.

Other savory options include a caramelized onion tart, a delicious combination of sweet and savory, a selection of British cheeses, terrines, pates, and roulades. Next to the savories on the menu, guests will find sweet treats as well. Sally Lunn cake, English trifle, chocolate éclairs, mousse fill cream puff swans, chocolate dipped strawberries and fresh strawberries with real whipped cream vie for attention in the center of the lounge.

This is, of course, Walt Disney World and children are welcome in the Garden View Lounge. Mrs. Pott's Tea is a tea selection tailor made for them, featuring chocolate milk or hot cocoa "tea", ham and cheese, tuna salad and peanut butter and jelly tea sandwiches and choice of two pastries. Again, if the young guest prefers all PB&J or no tuna salad, the substitutions are made.

Other beverages are also available to have with your tea. Champagne, sparkling wines and ciders and gourmet coffees are on the menu and can be enjoyed next to all the other offerings.

The Garden View Afternoon Tea is truly an elegant getaway while on your Disney vacation and makes an excellent diversion from the stimulation of the parks. Call ahead and book, and then pack your elegant tea party best for an experience you'll always remember.