Garden View Tea

[DisneyCayley]

Our family has a reservation booked for October. We have been once before and have very fond memories. We have heard they have changed the china from Old Country Roses to cheap looking stoneware? Has anyone been recently and had a great experience? Or a very bad one? I know reviews will be mixed for anywhere but we just don't want our memories tarnished! Thanks in advance!

 

[NicoleLarson]

I went for the first time last week and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I honestly can't remember the exact look dishes but I certainly didn't think they looked cheap.

 

[DisneyCayley]

I went for the first time last week and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I honestly can't remember the exact look dishes but I certainly didn't think they looked cheap.

Thank you NicoleLarson!

 

[hippiechicken]

We go every trip and always have a great experience.
Here are the plates from last November.

and last March

 

[DisneyCayley]

We go every trip and always have a great experience.
Here are the plates from last November.

and last March

Thank you hippiechicken!

 

[Meriweather]

We had both......usually the nice stuff

but in 2012, we had the plain white



In 2014 and times before 2012, we had these

 

[Floridaglen]

Depending on when you last visited you used to be able to order al a carte. For instance we always ordered the Sally Lunn bread but now you must order a set afternoon tea. Our daughter used to ask for a pot of tea and a scone but again you can no longer order that. In my opinion it is not as good as it used to be (we have been visiting since 1995) and the last time we visited the prices had gone up again.
The tableware has changed, it used to be fine bone china. It's still patterned but feels more utilitarian now.
Perhaps we've been too many times that it just doesn't seem special enough anymore so I think we will be giving it a miss from now on. This is only my view, I'm certain others will have different opinions as with any restaurant

 

[Meriweather]

Yes, I stopped going when it was a full tea and not ala carte. That just doesn't fit in with my diet plan.
Haven't been back since.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We have heard they have changed the china from Old Country Roses to cheap looking stoneware? Has anyone been recently and had a great experience?

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
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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".
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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.
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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 is 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.
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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​

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NOTE4: Disney changed the menu and prices, again - and keep raising them, as is not covered under DDP, so prices can "float" with no advance 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.