Garden View Tea at the Grand Floridian

[JodyLynC]

Has anyone done this lately? We did this 9 years ago and enjoyed it. The reviews over the last few years have been mixed. Anyone gone recently? How was it?

 

[ShellieMimi]

We did this in October & had a wonderful time.

Some do feel the price is prohibitive because they require each person to order a full tea. I don't find it any more expensive than teas at home in NYC. We went to the Palm Court last weekend & paid $95/person. A comparable tea at the GF would be $175 for two. Is the food as good? I would say no. But it's Disney, and it's a nice experience, especially if your daughters are interested.

 

[kpearl]

I did it with my DH in Sept and highly recommend it! Like the post above states, it wasn't that far off price wise from high teas/afternoon teas around where I live. We did the The Derbyshire Tea ($50 pp before tax) which includes the Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a nice celebration during our Disneymoon. There was plenty of food, I enjoyed the lengthy list of tea options, and the atmosphere made my inner Downton Abbey fan girl happy.

We're going again next month on Mother's Day as a surprise for my MIL, SIL, and niece who will get the princess tea and I am super excited to experience it again!

If your daughters are going with you for this experience I think they'd enjoy it. It's fun to feel fancy!

 

[danikoski]

We did the tea in February this year. We really enjoyed it. We both did the Bedfordshire tea which cost $35 each, which I thought was a good price. We were quite full after the tea and didn't really need dinner that night.

 

[MermaidMommy]

The thing that drives me crazy about the Grand Flordian tea, though, is the fact that you only get ONE pot of tea. You have to pay if you want any more. I've been to lots of teas around the world, and the GF is the ONLY place that does that. It's really cheap.

 

[TheInvernessie]

I'm actually pretty excited about this myself. The prices are hard to find, as Disney doesn't list them and I can't figure out which site has the correct prices.
I hope its fun...never had the opportunity to go to Tea when in Disney.

 

[loves to dive]

I do it just about every trip. It's normally my lupper and I just have a light snack later in the night. My mom and I used to play grown up once a month when I was a little girl, I have 5 older brothers and they weren't allowed in the room with us when we were having our monthly tea. Some houses we lived in had a formal living room and we would do it in there, some it would be in the kitchen. Mama always brewed whole leaf tea in a pot and sometimes all we could afford would be a bag of cookies and sometimes she would make little sandwiches and bake scones. We did this every month until I left home. As an adult, my 9 year old at the time son, Mama and I stayed at the GF and Mama and I had tea (my son didn't want no tea and crumbets as he put it). It was just perfect. Ever since then, I go every trip, my now grown son loves to go with me.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I was there last month and enjoyed it. The dessert (banana trifle or something like that) was the best of my whole trip. The dessert changes seasonally, and sometimes they have a seasonal tea flavor. I'm going again this fall.

 

[Amunet]

Does anyone know if sandwich substitutions are available (no meat)?

We did the tea in February this year. We really enjoyed it. We both did the Bedfordshire tea which cost $35 each, which I thought was a good price. We were quite full after the tea and didn't really need dinner that night.

May ask what time you finished tea? Are you light eaters?
I'm curious because I'm trying to figure out if we will need dinner later or not

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Yes, I always end up substituting for some type of sandwiches with another type.

I've done the tea starting around 4:45PM twice. Once I got hungry afterwards and the other time I didn't. My advice is don't make a dinner ADR for that evening. If you get hungry again then get quick serve food.

 

[Nikki K]

We did but it was 2 years ago. One of our best experiences there so we're doing it again in 2 weeks.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I was there last month and enjoyed it. The dessert (banana trifle or something like that) was the best of my whole trip. The dessert changes seasonally, and sometimes they have a seasonal tea flavor. I'm going again this fall.

I'm going next weekend and hope they have the banana trifle...sounds a bit like banana cream pie filling! Love going to tea there, so relaxing and enjoyable to do with the hubs.

 

[danikoski]

Does anyone know if sandwich substitutions are available (no meat)?



May ask what time you finished tea? Are you light eaters?
I'm curious because I'm trying to figure out if we will need dinner later or not

We had tea around 3:45 and finished around 4:30. We were staying at WL and just went down to Roaring Fork for a snack at like 7.

 

[luvdisney73]

We are going the day before Mothers Day! So excited! We think we will be doing the cheshire tea selection.

 

[cruisin5]

The mixed reviews have given me a cause for concern too. Nevertheless, I'm booking again! Our last visit was before the changed the menu, and like others I prefer the previous menu but it is an absolutely lovely way to spend an hour or so.

 

[4DisPrincesses]

Thanks for the info on the tea! I just want to confirm a few things... Each person in the party is expected to order the full tea? No sharing? Nothing a la carte? I want to treat my mother, grandmother, and two daughters to a special experience and I thought this tea may be perfect, but I'm dealing with several picky eaters and my grandmother is vegan. Wondering if our $$ would best be spent elsewhere. Thoughts?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian: (*rev 10/16/2016*)
. . . 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 - and keep raising them, as is not covered under DDP, so prices can "float" with no notice. 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.

 

[4DisPrincesses]

Thank you! Now convinced that maybe it's not for us this time. Hoping to try it one day if they decide a menu/price change is in order.

 

[danikoski]

Our Ratings of Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian: (*rev 10/16/2016*)
. . . 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 - and keep raising them, as is not covered under DDP, so prices can "float" with no notice. 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.

We didn't find the prices overly outrageous, especially for Disney. We paid $35 a piece. I was concerned, initially because I thought the cheaper tea package had disappeared, but it was still on the menu. With that, we received a plate of sandwiches with some cheese and fruit, a scone with cream and jam, a small jam pastry, chocolate covered strawberry, and a swan pastry, and a pot of tea for each of us.

 

[ohana1221]

Does anyone know if sandwich substitutions are available (no meat)?



May ask what time you finished tea? Are you light eaters?
I'm curious because I'm trying to figure out if we will need dinner later or not

Of course, disney will always try to accomodate vegetarians/vegans/food allergies. Last time I requested only certain sandwiches and it was no problem. My mom and I were full all evening from our tea and I am not a light eater. I think I remember us sharing a popcorn during fantasmic later that night, but other than that, we were not hungry after tea.
I disagree with those saying it is a poor value or bad experience. I enjoyed everything, thought it was spectacular food, and more than enough to keep me full (we couldn't finish everything). The GF atmosphere is lovely and the pianist and band are very relaxing. I will be returning this summer with my boyfriend who is a big tea drinker, we are very excited! Overall, afternoon tea is a perfect midday break from a tiring park day, very close to the Magic Kingdom, wonderful way to regain some energy for the rest of the day.