Afternoon Tea at GF

[melana]

I have always wanted to do the afternoon tea that is offered at GF. Every time I have gone to WDW the people I have gone with have no interest at all!! So I am thinking of doing it in December when I go by myself. But i have some questions.

1. Is it on the Dining plan? If not, that is okay. I can pay OOP.. but just curious.
2. Can I book online or do I have to call?
3. Those who have done this..what service would you suggest for a solo traveller?
4. About how long of an "experience" is it?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[intricatejewel]

I'm going solo this October and can't wait! To answer your questions:
1. No, it's OOP
2. You have to call and make a reservation with your credit card
3. Any service is fine, except perhaps the ones that are intended for two people, but if that's what you want, I say go for it! Do what makes you happy
4. Expect it to take about an hour. It all depends on how how fast you eat, I guess. My experience was that the server moved through the courses as we finished them. It was very leisurely and relaxing

ENJOY!!

 

[melana]

Thank you!!

 

[DisneyBrewingCo]

My wife and I have done this experience 4 times. She absolutely loves it. Here are my thoughts about your question.
1. I don't think it is on the dining plan.
2. You can book online and I suggest you do it 180 days out.
3. I like to get The Cheshire Tea and I think it is $48. It includes basically everything but Champagne. But you are going for tea not Champagne right?
4. The experience can take as little or as long as you like. I suggest you take your time. Don't order right away review the menu make sure you get everything you want. Also make sure to ask for recommendations on the tea. Tell them what flavors you like and what you don't like. I also recommend trying several different teas throughout your experience. I think you could easily spend an hour and half there.

Have a great time!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

I, too, am thinking about doing this on our next trip, and i'm wondering what would be appropriate attire.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian: (*rev 01/14/2016*)
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: C
. . . food selection: D
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: A
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... n/a
. . . entree:.. Derbyshire Tea
. . . dessert:. n/a
.
NOTE1: The "Tea" is in a gracious atmosphere overlooking the pool and gardens of the Grand Floridian. A relaxing way to put a civilized break into your hectic park day. A negative for the true tea aficionado, is they serve only Pekoe (OP) grade for non-green tea. Reservations are almost a must. Casual "park attire" is fine, or you can "dress up".
.
You order packages. Anyone can order any package; except being no alcohol for the underage drinkers. Plan upon 1½-2 hours if you do it right and enjoy a relaxing respite. It may sound "stuffy" or "uppity", but not really. It's just people in a quite and sedate atmosphere. Hours: 2:00pm-5:00pm, except December when hours are 1:00pm-5:00pm. Now, you guys don't get discouraged or feel out of place (well, at least not TOO much). There are other gents that get-roped-into-going (I mean join their spouses). Actually, it is a pleasant experience for us dudes. After all, look at all the Englishmen that do it. OK so not the best example, but you WILL enjoy it.
.
NOTE2: This is not up to the par of either High Tea or the Afternoon Tea, but it is a good way to spend an afternoon. As an FYI, High Tea and Afternoon Tea are different. "High Tea" is a later-afternoon event with more food, including meats. Also note that the "clotted cream" isn't, and they charge for additional pots of tea. Yeah, I know, it it pretty cheap and cheesy. I actually prefer the Tea at Waldorf Astoria on property and it's less expensive than the WDW Tea, even for the better selections. We enjoyed "Tea" at The Savoy and The Claridge's. The GF Tea does not rise to the quality of either. Take a cab to The Waldorf on property; better pricing, better teas, better service.
.
NOTE3: No longer can you order ala carte. You MUST order a package. With package, you may add ala carte items. It seems lots of folks came and did not spend a lot of money. They would just do ala carte. In fact, some simply ordered tea and nothing to eat, or just a few pastries. Disney is in the biz of big revenue, hence the change. Dollars-per-chair-per-hour. The Afternoon Tea is not on the Disney Dining Plan. No sharing of plates to reduce the price per-person.
Sample ala carte items (subject to change):
. . . British Cheese Plate $14.50
. . . Gentlemen's Tea Platter (berries, cheese) $12.00
. . . Assorted Tea Sandwich Plate (five sandwiches) $10.00
. . . English Blue Stilton Cheese $8.50
. . . Strawberries & Cream $6.95
. . . English Triffle $6.95
. . . Scones with Devonshire Cream $3.50
. . . Jam Tarts $3.50
.
NOTE4: Disney changed the menu and prices, again. The prices are now OUTRAGEOUS; maybe the famous PT Barnum was put in charge of the menu & pricing. The prices are ridiculously high. I have taken The WDW Tea off my recommended list. We do not expect to return to it soon. I have taken The WDW Tea off my recommended list for guests who come to my desk.

 

[Regan117]

I, too, am thinking about doing this on our next trip, and i'm wondering what would be appropriate attire.

It's casual.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Thank you for the helpful info, Regan117 and TheRustyScupper. Will have to think about this some more. There is a really nice high tea in our area, so maybe that would be money better spent.

 

[matthewthompson87]

We Just returned, and we do Afternoon Tea at GF each trip on our non-park day.

While the service and food are still exemplary at this experience, the prices since our last visit have admittedly risen to suprising levels.

Some may not find it as good a value as it used to be. We still do. It's such a lovely break from the heat and bustle of a Disney vacation in such a unique, inviting, relaxing atmosphere.

The teas aren't the finest quality available in the world, but I dare anyone who is not a true aficionado to be able to tell the difference. They're prepared correctly and served properly.

Although the attire is technically "casual", the environment is elegant, and I would not recommend wearing beach attire, cut offs, athletic attire, or sleeveless shirts to this experience. You "can" wear park attire, but I'm not sure why you would without a compelling reason. Men generally wear collared shirts or nice t-Shirts and Bermuda/khaki style shorts. Women generally wear various "smart casual" blouses and skirt outfits and sun-dresses, on up to formal tea attire.

The comments about men being "roped-into-going" with spouses are foolish. We were a group of 6 gentlemen in our 30's, and we were right at home there. Solo travellers will feel extremely welcome at this experience.

You can book online, by phone, or take your chances for walking up without a reservation. Budget 2 hours for it.

Package choices: get what appeals to you. For a solo traveller, you'll appreciate that the presentation of the courses is one of the wordier services in Disney Dining.

You'll find the servers very engaging. (We've also frequently also struck up conversations with other nearby tea-goers.) The views into the gardens can be wonderfully conducive to being contemplative and quiet as well.

-M