Garden Tea Room Afternoon Tea

[MsMagical]

I am considering taking my family to the Afternoon Tea the the Garden Tea Room. If you have been, what were your thoughts on it? Was the food good? Best things about it? Worst things about it? My family consist of me, my husband, 21 year old, 6 year old, and 3 year old. Any thoughts on this venue would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Afternoon Tea at GF: (*rev 09/16/14*)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: C
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: D
. . . seating comfort: A
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C (if "Dottie" is your waitress = A)
. . . character interaction: n/a

Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... British Cheese Plate
. . . entree:.. Prince Edward's Tea
. . . dessert:. Lemon Pound Cake

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; exception 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. Those itty bitty sandwiches include
curry chicken salad, egg salad, open faced tomato, open faced yellow beet & goat cheese,
and cucumber.

NOTE2: This is not up to the par of either High Tea or the Afternoon Tea at The Savoy,
or the Drake in Chicago, so our Brit friends might be slightly disappointed, 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 is about the same price for their "Royal Tea".

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

 

[figmentedfollies]

My mother and I went to an afternoon tea in 2013 and loved it. So much that we're booking it again for our 2015 trip. Though we enjoyed it, I would not compare it to a service you might find at the Waldorf-Astoria or Savoy. It is at Disney and we found it a great way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the Magic Kingdom at the height of the afternoon. We had a first reservation at 2:00 PM.

As for the amount of food, we used it as a late lunch and then had a small dinner later than we normally would. If I remember correctly, we both had the Prince Edward's tea, which came with 3 courses: a variety of sandwiches (3 or 4 quarters), a variety of tarts/scones, and then a dessert (trifle?). It came with a pot of tea. There is a tea service offered for younger guests that is Alice in Wonderland themed that your 6 year old might enjoy. I don't know if your 3 year old might have the same amount of enjoyment or get bored.

My mother and I took Tea at a leisurely pace. I don't think we got back to the MK until after 3:30 or 4 that day.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I am considering taking my family to the Afternoon Tea the the Garden Tea Room. If you have been, what were your thoughts on it? Was the food good? Best things about it? Worst things about it? My family consist of me, my husband, 21 year old, 6 year old, and 3 year old. Any thoughts on this venue would be appreciated. Thanks!

I have been a few times before the menu change. Planned to go back this last vacation, but being pregnant and sensitive to unfamiliar things, I cancelled and will return after I am no longer pregnant.

I enjoyed if when we did go as I do love a good tea time.

My issue--extremely expensive for a tea time. When I can find a good tearoom serving a proper tea, more bang for the buck and likely more authentic. But since those gems are hard to find, I do find the GF to be suitable though not perfect. But due to cost, we do treat it as a meal--either a late lunch or early dinner. I can it justify it otherwise.

When I went when my girls were younger, they let my kids use the "real China". CM asked me first and I was like--um, if you don't mind, I guess I don't. Kids loved that.

I would read recent reviews on the new changes just so you are familiar with how flexible or not things are.

Be advised that due to a short serving window and a rather small establishment compared to others, reservations can be a challenge to get. So the sooner you can book, the better.

 

[Sandy321]

I have been a few times before the menu change. Planned to go back this last vacation, but being pregnant and sensitive to unfamiliar things, I cancelled and will return after I am no longer pregnant.

I enjoyed if when we did go as I do love a good tea time.

My issue--extremely expensive for a tea time. When I can find a good tearoom serving a proper tea, more bang for the buck and likely more authentic. But since those gems are hard to find, I do find the GF to be suitable though not perfect. But due to cost, we do treat it as a meal--either a late lunch or early dinner. I can it justify it otherwise.

When I went when my girls were younger, they let my kids use the "real China". CM asked me first and I was like--um, if you don't mind, I guess I don't. Kids loved that.

I would read recent reviews on the new changes just so you are familiar with how flexible or not things are.

Be advised that due to a short serving window and a rather small establishment compared to others, reservations can be a challenge to get. So the sooner you can book, the better.

I think this is a good summary.

Its been so long since I've been, that I don't think I can be as helpful, we booked it again for our June trip, as DD is now 17 - but her first trip she was looking forward to tea - but obviously didn't enjoy it - and bless the server who noticed, (we went with friends, the other friends her age had the Mrs Potts) asked and swapped out with the Chocolate Milk - but, that year at home, my dd was determined to find a tea she would enjoy our next year! And she did!! ( a darjeeling) She was always a fan of tea partys, and did enjoy the china...

We book this knowing full well its a laid back atmosphere, a slower pace a nice contrast to the heat and running around the parks...

 

[PoohsFan1]

Both of my DDs (ages 13 and 11) and I love the tea. We do this every trip while DH finds himself something else to do . There is really not one thing that we don't like about the tea, and what is really nice is that if there is something that someone in your party doesn't like (for instance, a certain type of sandwich served) they will gladly substitute it with another type. Have a great time.

 

[allie_to_you]

My DH & I do the afternoon tea every few years and we really enjoy it. Not sure if we'll like it as much this year if it's true that we have to order a package. My DH will eat most anything, but I tend to be more picky, which is why I liked being able to order ala carte. But, we'll see...

We love the tea and highly recommend the British cheese plate. The strawberries and cream are also good.

While it's not cheap (but what at Disney is?) t's a nice, relaxing and cool way to spend a couple hours and you can definitely get your fill.

This year, I'll be surprising my husband with a mini cake baked by the Grand Floridian at our tea time to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

 

[francis6306]

My best friend and I went to Tea in July (when it was temporarily in Citritos) and we enjoyed it. I am unable to eat pork and they allowed me to make some substitutions to Princess Kate tea package. I would do it again in a heartbeat and I'm thinking about taking my oldest daughter (6) when we go back in March.

 

[leebee]

We had done tea at the GF three times. The last time we were there, we were the last customers seated for the day. As we lingered over our tea (nobody was trying to hurry us or anything), some of the staff started to clean up. Our waiter came over and offered us each some trifle or a pastry- free- as they were just going to have to throw it all out. It was yummy!

 

[Humphrey1227]

I always went to the tea and loved it. they had the old fashion tea pot and cups (rose). they used modern tea set now. i still went - i loved the pear sandwich. went in october and they redid the menu as far as the food. the size of the sandwiches where each cut into a one bit piece. did not fill you up. you still got the scone and cream. i have an allergy to chocolate and was offer strawberries and cream. which is ok if you like strawberries, if felt rushed. i don't think i would come back. I think they raised the prices too.

 

[michellelovesthemous]

So much so that we willingly pay for it twice on our trip each summer!! Call us drugged on Disney Magic and Tea but it is our favourite way to start and end our holiday!

 

[karensi]

Is there someplace I could get a look at the packages that are offered before I book?

Thanks,

Karen

 

[TheRustyScupper]

GARDEN VIEW TEA ROOM MENU: (February 2015)
Note: No ala carte items may be ordered until a package is ordered for EACH person.

The Yorkshire Tea (Created to share for two) - $175 for two
First Course - North American Caviar with Traditional Accompaniments
Second Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
Third Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by Two Pots of Tea, charge for additional pots of Tea

The Berkshire Tea (Created to share for two) - $150 for two
First Course - North American Caviar with Traditional Accompaniments
Second Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
Third Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by Two Pots of Tea, charge for additional pots of Tea

The Cheshire Tea - $48/person
First Course - Selection of Exotic Fruits and Imported Cheeses
Second Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
Third Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert
House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea

The Derbyshire Tea - $45/person
First Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
Second Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert
House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne

The Bedfordshire Tea - $30/person
First Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
Second Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert
House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea

Mrs. Potts Tea (For Guests Ages 3-9) - $13/person
First Course - Assorted Tea Sandwiches Tuna Salad, Ham and Cheese, and Peanut Butter & Jelly on White Bread
Second Course - Jam Tart
Finale - Delicate House-made Pastries
Accompanied by our special "Dark Tea" (Chocolate Milk)

 

[karensi]

Thank you so much TheRustyScupper.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

My sister and I love the tea! We did it for our trips in 2012 and 2013, and plan to do it again in 2015. It's a nice, laid-back break from the park hustle and bustle, and we thought the food was tasty. I think your server could really make or break your experience here, but we've had great luck both times. I highly recommend giving it a try!