Grand Floridian afternoon tea ...

[bajanswife]

It sounds wonderful for our October trip (it will be 4 ladies in our mid-30s). Any experiences to share? Was it as great as it sounds? We all love tea and typical English tea foods (one friend is already salivating over the cucumber sandwiches! LOL).

 

[babybunrab]

Mom and I went in January and it was very good, I thought. Be advised that there is quite a lot of food depending upon what you choose, but it was all made there and was tasty. They do bring a pot of hot water to dilute the tea when it starts to get to strong, which is where lots of places that serve "traditional" tea fall down in my opinion. The service was very attentive and quick, but we never felt rushed. It was lovely and I'd certainly do it again.

 

[Buzzfanmom]

I went with my Mom back in April. We did the Buckingham Palace tea package. I wasn't thinking it would it would be as wonderful as it was. First we were brought our tea, I had the black currant and my Mom had the Hot Cinnamon Spice and they were both delicious. Next we were brought the tea sandwiches which were watercress and cucumber, a smoked salmon, an egg salad, a chicken salad, a pear and port wine something, and lastly an caramelized onion tart.. They were all VERY tasty. I HATE egg salad and even I liked the sandwich which was on a potato chive bread. Then we were brought the scone and jam tart. The scone comes with Devon Cream which is sort of like a cross between unsalted butter and whipped cream. Its hard to describe and really delicious. I tried to recreate the scone at home, I'm still working on that one. Last, we chose the pastries instead of the strawberries and cream which did not look ripe. The pastries were our least favorite part. They were still tasty but didn't come close to the tea sandwiches and scone.
I hope everyone who is sceptical gives this a try because it was such a pleasant surprise to us.

 

[slimplaw]

This is a very enjoyable event to attend. It is a wonderful way to relax. Sometimes the piano and orchestra are playing during the tea time and it adds to the atmosphere. I was disappointed in their cucumber sandwiches. It was just thinly sliced cucumbers and watercress. I have had much better at showers when the cucmber is diced and mixed with something such as creamcheese.

 

[dahirsh]

I did the Tea solo last October and loved it. It was a great break from a hot day at the parks.

I also had the Buckingham Palace, but with the strawberries, which were wonderful that day. The onion tart and the scone were other highlites. I would absolutely go again.

Deb

 

[megrod74]

me, DH, and my mom ate there last September and it was delicious and really fun! It is SO much food.
Even my DH enjoyed it (I think it seems like it might be a girl thing
Have a great time!

 

[tinkerbell81284]

I've already have a PS for my birthday (8/12)! It'll be so nice to try this for once! hehe!

Tink

 

[tinkerbell81284]

I've already have a PS for my birthday (8/12)! It'll be so nice to try this for once! hehe!

Tink

Oops! Double post! sorry!

 

[GlennandAnn]

This sounds really nice. Some friends will be joining us on the tail end of our trip, and it seems like the tea would be good for me and the "other mom" to do by ourselves. Anyone know the costs, or where I can find the menu choices? Is this an event that fills up quickly? We're leaving Wednesday , do you think I could still get PS's- or are they even necessary?


Ann

 

[aynt79]

Anyone know the costs, or where I can find the menu choices? Is this an event that fills up quickly? We're leaving Wednesday , do you think I could still get PS's- or are they even necessary?

You can check out the menu here .
I wouldn't think you would have a problem getting a PS as long as you're flexible. I would book a PS if you really want to do it, just in case.

 

[bajanswife]

Glad you had such great experiences - I was hoping it would be worth it. I think because of the amount of food, we will probably order 3 different things for the 4 of us and split them all - some savouries, some sweets, and those must-have scones!

Thanks all!

 

[jennymouse]

Thanks for posting this thread! You gave me an idea for something I haven't tried so I made a PS for the six of us on June 8th! My friend and I are taking 4 little girls and it should be a wonderful treat for all of us girls!

 

[Belle5]

jennymouse,
You will have such fun with the girls! I took 2 of my younger sons to the tea in December (ages 6 and 11) and we all enjoyed the experience immensely! (Makes for wonderful scrapbooking pages!) The boys "tea" was really a lovely teapot full of chocolate milk which our server, Izzy, poured through the tea strainer for them so they would feel as if they were having the grown-up kind of tea! I ordered the Buckingham Palace for me with the hot cinnamon spice tea. Sooooo good! I also ordered the pastries and found that if I asked Izzy to suggest a pastry I liked his choice much better than the ones I chose on my own. Don't pass up the chocolate covered strawberry. It's fudgey! My older boys went shopping in the gift shops while the younger ones and I had tea. As a surprise for me, they purchased an Alice in Wonderland "Tea Time at the Grand Floridian" pin for me as a keepsake. I never saw that pin anywhere else. (I treasure it.) It would make a sweet souvinir for the little girls (or yourselves) to remember your special tea. Have a wonderful time!

 

[KFISCHER]

She's always hinting ( well, it's actually a lot stronger than hinting)that she wants to have afternoon tea.

My question is........do any men attend?

 

[aynt79]

She's always hinting ( well, it's actually a lot stronger than hinting)that she wants to have afternoon tea.

My husband is going with me for my birthday next month. When I went with my mother I think there were probably about 5 or 6 guys there with their wives/families.

I'm pretty sure that if you don't like tea you can order a "manly" beer or something like that.

 

[Buzzfanmom]

There were quite a few men there whe I went in April. They have one menu option designed specifically for men:

Gentleman's Tea Platter - house-made duck and cherry terrine, chicken & pork roulade, country pate en croute, accompanied by marinated berries, cumberland sauce and English Blue Stilton $10.50

Thats just one option. You shoudl check out the menu to see if you would like it. Here's the link: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_gft.htm

Have fun!!!

 

[JANIE G.]

My husband and I do the afternoon tea at least twice when we vacation at WDW. It's very relaxing and a welcomed break from the parks. The food, staff and atmosphere are wonderful. You won't be disappointed. We just love it.

 

[Belle5]

My step-dad (a MAN'S man) attended with my mom and enjoyed the tea immensely! When I was there in December there were men at about 1/4 or more of the tables.