I'm bumming about tea at Garden View Lounge

[k-wa]

This is something I always wanted to try and figured my girls-only (mom, me and sister) trip would be the perfect time. Called today and got no availability for our length of stay, Aug. 16-22. We are now thinking about trying our luck as walk-ins with the hope that a party has canceled. Has anyone had any success with this?

 

[Veritaserum]

i am also doing the same thing this trip with my mom! we have never done it and have always wanted to. we are going aug. 13-20. we just made the ADR today for the tea. we couldnt get the time we wanted but we got it 40 minutes earlier. my advice would be to try to be flexible and keep calling. it can get fustrating, but sometimes things open up. we could not get ADR for coral reef, my fav but we are just going to keep trying and crossing our fingers.

good luck!

 

[k-wa]

That's great news! What day were you successfully able to book the tea?

 

[Veritaserum]

we were able to book it on aug. 16 at 2:20.

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Best thing for now is to keep calling back. You may well have more luck as it gets very close to your trip. We went in May (and loved it), and on the morning of our first full day had Wilderness Lodge's Concierge Desk print out our ADRs for us. Well, somehow we had been booked for 3 teas, two of which were on the same day and only an hour and a half or so apart. We love tea, but not that much! So, there were 2 different party of 3 ADRs that opened up several days in advance; who knows how many more were canceled by other folks. Not saying this is the norm, but you just never know what will happen.

Good luck!

 

[k-wa]

Best thing for now is to keep calling back. You may well have more luck as it gets very close to your trip. We went in May (and loved it), and on the morning of our first full day had Wilderness Lodge's Concierge Desk print out our ADRs for us. Well, somehow we had been booked for 3 teas, two of which were on the same day and only an hour and a half or so apart. We love tea, but not that much! So, there were 2 different party of 3 ADRs that opened up several days in advance; who knows how many more were canceled by other folks. Not saying this is the norm, but you just never know what will happen.

Good luck!

Thanks for your kind wishes. We will definitely keep trying!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I would definately keep trying before you go, walk-ins are really tough because of how small the place is.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Walk-ups at the GF Tea are very unlikely if they are booked.
2) I would not plan on it.
3) If all booked, take a cap for an off-site Tea.
. . . Peabody (true English High Tea, with exquisite service)
. . . Ritz Carlton (very elegant)

 

[stitchlover]

Everything you read about ADR's tells you be patient and be flexible. Keep calling back, often, and try to be as flexible with your time slot as possible. Good luck! It really is a very nice experience. We went in '07 and in '08, the whole family enjoyed it.

 

[Mickeefan]

I've been trying to get an ADR for a trip in early December. This thread has given me some hope that I'll eventually get one. I try to call 3-4 times a week. I'll keep trying. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I go to the garden view tea frequently.
Recently I needed a table of four and was not able to book one. Instead I opted for 2 tables for 2. We were lucky enough to have our table for 4 when we arrived. (But consider the table for 4 was really 2 small round tables side by side.) What was puzzling was the place was near empty. We could have had any choice of tables we wanted. I don't know if they had several no shows or dining just did not show a table for 4.
From personal experience I have found availability for dinner time. The tea is on from 2 - 6 p.m. Booking at 5 is usually do-able, and at least more do-able than mid afternoon.
Good luck. The tea is something everyone should do at least once! But I bet you will be a return tea guest.