A quick Epcot Prom Picture as we depart: (insider info. I am at that very moment pinching my DH's behind!
NEVER without an opportunity to make him blush or roll his eyes!)
We had a bus to catch to Magic Kingdom to jump on the Monorail to take us to the Grand Floridian. Remember how easy it is to hop or jump onto Disney Transportation of any kind with our fam-dam-alama of 6 plus a small arsenal of necessities? This time was no different, only we were in a hurry. It was 2:45 ish and our Tea was for 3:30. I hate to be late. So we had to hustle our bustles.
On the special resort monorail, my DH asked me if I was sure I wanted to meet a bunch of potentially psycho strangers. Theyre not strangers. I KNOW them, kinda. See, a few weeks ago via Personal Messaging on the DIS, Eeores Tiara, invited me to the Grand Floridians Grand Tea. I was overjoyed and accepted her invitation. She was inviting several other DIS peeps I was excited to meet. These peeps included, Glendamax and her mother, Cherokeemama, and MickeyGirl76.
When we arrived at this very fancy-shmancy resort, we were instantly struck by its grandeur. Trudging through with my family, I felt like the Beverly Hillbillies. Geez! Eeyores Tiara must be wealthy! I exclaimed. We (as in I) tried to fit in as we made our way through the lobby. The décor is in the Victorian period with ornate chandeliers and metal scrollwork and a beautiful grand piano. The highlight of the 5 story lobby is a massive dome shaped stained glass work of art. Disney was showing off when they designed this resort. It is a masterpiece!
I think by the time we made it to the Garden View Lounge, we were talking with British accents a little (like Madonna). Our social bracket had skipped a few rungs on the ladder of success.
I was the first one to arrive and I chatted with the host. I mentioned that our group had only met on the internet and were meeting for the first time today. I MAY have mentioned I was doing a trip report which would include this-here-tea-thingy. All I know is we were treated REALLY well. The male host was my buddy by the time we were done, Im just sayin!
The other ladies arrived one by one. In no particular order, the hostess with the mostest, Eeyores Tiara with her cute shy friend MickeyGirl76, CherokeeMama with her big beautiful smile, and finally GlendaMax with her cutie-patootie mama. Now, Glenda and I had known each other for a while and meeting face to face seemed funny. Funny as in I totally knew her and loved her like we grew up together or something. The mother/daughter relationship is the cutest. Like,they cutely quarreled over minor details and you could just tell they are the best of friends.
We were seated by the host and introduced to our server, whom we named Smiling Mean Lady (we have no proof other than a feeling of Glenda that she was so sweet to us but she secretly was bugged by our enthusiasm???) She was very helpful in explaining the box of teas she presented to us to smell and make our choices. The little wooden box of teas was passed around and Smiling Mean Lady helped me select a peppermint tea to aid in my forthcoming head cold. It was lovely!
Eeyores Tiara, is one of a kind. I cannot express to you with words her sweet spirit and generous heart. She just lights up any room. She delights in giving. After we were seated, she presented us with gorgeous lime green velvet drawstring bags which included a real tiara! Of course all of us put on our tiaras and from that moment on were called the Tiaras! GlendaMax, GlendaMaxs Mom , CherokeeMama, and Eeyores Tiara all wrote TRs which including this day. Theres were done months ago, by the way! We all exchanged gifts (unplanned!) My gift was a little home-spun scrapbook/autograph book.
CherokeeMama was very warm and funny! I didnt know her prior to our afternoon tea. What a treat she is!
MickeyGirl had been ill but she was very sweet! I havent had any contact with her since the tea but Id love the opportunity. She would be fun to get to know!
I sat between Glenda and Cherokee and Im pretty sure we NEVER had any feared awkward silences or moments! I think my laugh-muscles hurt and there was never any alcohol involved!
From left to right, Me, CherokeeMama, MickeyGirl76, Eeyore's Tiara, Glenda Max's mom, and Glenda Max...
The food was danty and tasty. The genteel tradition of supping on teas and tea cakes should really catch on, I think! Glenda and I chose the sparking cider and the rest chose champagne to accompany our finger shamitches and tarts and duck pate.
For dessert, I chose one I didnt realize was dairy and full of sugar
so I tasted it and wanted to rub it all over me, it was so delicious (and forbidden!). There were also petite éclairs and chocolate covered strawberries among other choices.
As if all the good friends, good food, good tea, desserts, gifts, and laughter wasnt enough, the host joined us at one point to present us with beautiful silver charm bracelets!
The whole experience is one I will never forget. Every detail was exquisite and I will never forget this fabulous time. It was definitely the high-light of MY vacation, I tell you what! I look forward to playing Tea Party with my daughter some day at the Grand Floridan!
We said our good byes and I met back up with the rest of my family who had been busily exploring the grounds. Since we had access to the resort monorail once again, we chose to head back to the Magic Kingdom. Well???? DH enquired as we traveled back. I gave him the short version and told him what a fabulous experience it was!
NEXT TIME: Here is a clue
.
I took it for Mel as in 1000th Happy Haunt but she is MIA lately ((so sad!)) I intended to say HA! to her because shes so competitive.
) and protest. And even if it rained and hailed and tornadoed I would still sit there in my 12 dollar Mickey trashbag/poncho and hold up my sign "I demand a re-count! Utah Mama is the bomb!" until they gave in. The end. 
Too bad there's no snooty dancing banana!
((((( 
Have you checked into the American Girl tea? I may be mistaken but I believe it comes with an American Girl doll? There were no children present and there's alot of manners and weird (for kids) food. Call GF and see what they suggest. It would be fun to duplicate a Tea at home to see if they are able to hold a tea cup with extended pinkie fingers and eat watercress and cuccumber sandwiches and talk about the Queen (I just made that last part up. We never once mentioned the Queen.)
)
) you all had the opportunity to do this. AND to tell us all about it 
to you GM!
