Afternoon tea at Grand Floridian

[june@imsarc.com]

We (2 moms, 3 girls ages 3,8,11) need info on the afternoon teas at the Grand Floridian. We're not interested in the character tea, but the one where the adults and children participate together. Does anyone have any information or good/bad experiences they'd like to share with us? The guys are going to Universal one day and we'd like to do a "girly" thing together so any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[figmentvi]

Check out Deb Wills' site:

www.wdwig.com

Under the "Dining" category you can find reviews and a menu for the Grand Tea.

This past Dec., a group of us DIS'ers attending DISCON went to Tea. We had a blast !!! It is a very proper tea with all of the traditional fare and fine china. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

I think it would be a lovely way for you and your girls to spend some time together. They even have a children's "tea" available for the little ones.

 

[kdibattista]

We did it (me - 26, friend - 23) and it was okay. It was nice to experience but won't do it again. You do not need to be dressed up but the setting is very "prim & proper".

 

[DisneyKidds]

Do you need priority seating for afternoon tea at the GF?

 

[figmentvi]

If you're going during a peak period, I would say yes. I've read here on the boards that some folks have just walked up with no problem at slower times.

If you're planning on going, I always say "Better safe than sorry", you can always cancel the PS.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Thanks. I didn't know if they took them or not, but I guess they do. We will definitely make a PS. I assume I can make it 120 days in advance. Do you know if that is correct?

I have another question for you. If you do the Tea for Two, how much food do you get? I am thinking of making this our lunch (before we head to the airport) on the last day of our next trip. What is the selection of tea sandwiches like, and do you get one plate or will they bring more? How many scones, tarts, and pastries do you get? Thanks again for the help.

 

[figmentvi]

One thing I found out during our tea last year, The Tea for Two can also be for three, or four, or in our case five. We also ordered a fruit and cheese platter (very yummy).

Anyway......it was a lot of food for us. The sandwiches were very tasty and were 4 different types. I'm sorry I can't remember exactly what the fillings were, but I do remember that I loved them all. Each sandwich is about the size of a quarter of a full sandwich. I don't think you could get seconds on the sandwiches. The scones and jam came in a basket and were fabulous (the Devonshire cream is to die for). I do believe we could have gotten more if we asked. We were offered our choice of either pastries or berries with cream for dessert. I took the berries with fresh whipped cream. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful that dessert was. The pastries that were offered were brought out on a lovely three tiered serving plate and looked wonderful (my dining mates confirmed they indeed were). You could take more than one if you wanted to.

Hope this helps.

 

[june@imsarc.com]

Thanks for all the info!!

 

[Atlantis~crystal]

Hi,it's always safe to book a PS for high tea at GF.We had a wonderful time.I was truly pleased.I think we ordered gentleman's platter/strawberry's & whip cream.I had Jasmine Tea.& capachino too.go figure.The cheese platter very good.The service good overall.I would do it again in the right moment with the right company.It was elegant,fun & relaxing.Alittle like yoga/zen or just plain joyful.Maybe that day happen to be extra special & magical.After we left the Tea room , we saw a huge Rainbow.

 

[ducklite]

Mmmmm..high tea..yummy.

This is leisurely and elegant although I wouldn't suggest it for most three year olds.

They do offer a children's menu, and I think the older two would love it, but the average three year old would be bored.

It's a very quiet atmosphere. If the younger one is a quiet girl, then maybe, but if she's like most three year olds, it's probably not appropriate for her

As the other poster suggested, you don't need to dress up, but most people that were there when we were had on "nicer" casual clothing.

Anne

 

[PatriciaH]

The iced rasberry tea and the strawberries and cream are soooo good.

 

[dandelion]

Besides the menu on WDWIG, be sure to read the two reviews they've posted.
http://wdwig.com/rev_gftea.htm
and http://wdwig.com/pete2.htm

The second one is by a teen-aged boy, and it will give you a great idea of what really goes on at the tea.

I am considering taking my 6YO dd to the high tea in May. Either that or the Wonderland Tea Party http://wdwig.com/grandadven.htm which is an option for the 3YO girl mentioned previously.

 

[figmentvi]

dandelion.....Thanks so much for posting that link to young Pete's review. That was such a delight to read. What a very witty young man !!!! And, a very sweet one to go to tea with his Mom.

 

[dandelion]

Figment, do you subscribe to the AllEars weekly newsletter? Pete has another great piece this week. He is a sweet (and handsome) young man, and a great babysitter.

More of his articles are archived here:http://wdwig.com/pete.htm

 

[figmentvi]

I don't subscribe, but I'm so glad that you mentioned it. I've been reading Deb's site for years and keep telling myself to sign up for the newsletter. You've just given me great motivation to do so.

 

[Aurora3]

This has worked really well for me with a younger child: sign your young child up for the Wonderland Tea then take your older party to stand in line and be one of the first seated at the regular tea. You'll then have 1/2 hour to eat the sandwiches and sip tea at a leisurely pace and chat with your older daughters. At 2:30 you walk over to pick up your youngest and bring her back to sit with all of you during the dessert portion of the tea. She can then share some of your dessert and you can order her some milk or apple juice or soda to drink with you. She'll have a blast with Alice and the Mad Hatter at the Wonderland Tea and will also get to spend some time at the big people's tea. Meanwhile, you'll have some time to chat with your older daughters, then later bring in your youngest.

 

[simonmunro]

Ducklite could you explain more about it being inappropriate for a 3 yr. old? We have a 2 yr. old in our group and we'd planned on the tea... I'll so rethink this if everyone thinks she'll be a distraction or a problem. She's very well behaved, but I don't want to put her mom in an uncomfortable situation. She'll be in a highchair eating right, so she can't escape and run around or anything but I think I may be overlooking something obvious, HELP!