What is afternoon tea like at GF?

[JenB1104]

Is it just desserts or other foods too? Wondering whether this would be something for 5 year old DD and I to do one day.

 

[mchelle77]

My daughter and I went back in 2009 (she was almost 5) and we loved it. Just ordered a la carte, went at about 230pm on a weekday off-season. The room was so open and quiet, we were seated by the window, and everything was good. They do have more than just desserts - we got tea sandwiches and a cheese/cracker plate.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

It's a wonderful place to have a special lunch together, you can get tea-sandwiches, scones, etc. My sister and I dressed up and went one year and it was very special, just quiet and cozy....like when we played tea when we were young, only grown up!! I think it'd be a wonderful thing to do with your five year old....hope I have a grand daughter to take one day!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

GARDEN VIEW TEA ROOM MENU: (February 2015)
Note: No ala carte items may be ordered until a package is ordered for EACH person.

The Yorkshire Tea (Created to share for two) - $175 for two
1st Course - North American Caviar with Traditional Accompaniments
2nd Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
3rd Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by Two Pots of Tea, charge for additional pots of Tea

The Berkshire Tea (Created to share for two) - $150 for two
1st Course - North American Caviar with Traditional Accompaniments
2nd Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
3rd Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by Two Pots of Tea, charge for additional pots of Tea

The Cheshire Tea - $48/person
1st Course - Selection of Exotic Fruits and Imported Cheeses
2nd Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
3rd Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea

The Derbyshire Tea - $45/person
1st Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
2nd Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne

The Bedfordshire Tea - $30/person
1st Course - Medley of Finger Sandwiches accompanied with Berries, Cheese, and Lavosh
2nd Course - Buttery Scone and Jam Tart
Finale - Choice of Dessert House-made Pastries, Strawberries and Crème, or English Trifle
Accompanied by your choice of Tea

Mrs. Potts Tea (For Guests Ages 3-9) - $13/person
1st Course - Assorted Tea Sandwiches Tuna Salad, Ham and Cheese, and Peanut Butter & Jelly on White Bread
2nd Course - Jam Tart
Finale - Delicate House-made Pastries
Accompanied by our special "Dark Tea" (Chocolate Milk)

***********************************************************************************************

Our Ratings of Afternoon Tea at GF: (*rev 02/15/2015*)
. . . 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:.. Berbyshire 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; exception
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 is less expensive than the WDW Tea, even for the better selections. We have enjoyed "Tea
at The Savoy and The Claridge's. Th GF Tea does not rise to the quality of either. Take a cab to The
Waldorf on property.

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.

NOTE4: Disney changed the menu and prices, again. 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. Do not expect to
return to it.

 

[soar2014]

I went to afternoon tea and really enjoyed it. There were savory items as well as sweet. Very well worth it.

 

[Ember]

As a tea lover, the GF is "play" tea. It's fine for children (who are well mannered, there's no screaming at tea) and the food is good, if over priced. Disney tea should not be more than the Ritz in London!! Also, charging for additional tea is not cool. I've done it before, but with the pricing structure now in place, I wouldn't do it again.

 

[loves to dive]

I do it every time I go, which lately has been at least twice a year. I'm a tea snob and only drink loose leaf tea at home so I love that they don't use bags. They have some of their own blends, which are nice and the atmosphere is great. I usually go by myself because I like the alone time but have been with my mother when she was alive and even took my son when we were staying there, he was about 9 or 10 at the time. It reminds me of being a little girl. My mother and I would "play grownup" and make little sandwiches and a pot of tea and sit in the "formal" living room and have tea parties, those are special memories that the afternoon tea brings back for me. It gets booked up fast so if you want to go I would suggest making a reservation as soon as you can. If your daughter has the patience I would say do it, you can't beat the bonding time and for her to get to play grown up with mama.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

My sister and I have gone twice and LOVE it. They no longer allow you to order a la carte, which is a bit of a bummer, but we eat a few extra snacks and skip lunch so it all seems to work out. It's a fun experience and it's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the parks. I would certainly recommend trying it once!

 

[dcassetta]

I used to really enjoy this, but feel the prices have gone up while the quality has gone down. That being said it would still be a special treat on a mother/daughter day.

 

[enchantingodin]

I've gone a few times and enjoyed it. But seeing the new price set up... probablly won't go again. They jacked those prices WAY up! SHEESH!!!

 

[cadale]

My daughter (30) and I just did this last week. We really enjoyed the whole experience. Yes it is pricey but it was a very nice way to spend an afternoon to have some "us" time. There was plenty to eat and they were very accommodating since my daughter is a vegetarian. We would do it again but probably not every trip.

 

[vettegirl]

Holy cow $$$$

 

[MermaidMommy]

As a tea lover, the GF is "play" tea. It's fine for children (who are well mannered, there's no screaming at tea) and the food is good, if over priced. Disney tea should not be more than the Ritz in London!! Also, charging for additional tea is not cool. I've done it before, but with the pricing structure now in place, I wouldn't do it again.

The charging for an additional pot of tea is ridiculous. They don't do that ANYWHERE else, even at much finer establishments than WDW. And, it's certainly no London Ritz!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

If you have had tea at other "fine" establishments, this one isn't great. However,if you have never had tea elsewhere, you may enjoy it.

 

[Cee]

It's wonderful and affordable since there are multiple options. Don't miss it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The charging for an additional pot of tea is ridiculous. They don't do that ANYWHERE else, even at much finer establishments than WDW. And, it's certainly no London Ritz!

1) Now, now, now.
2) EVERYONE knows that Florida water filtering costs are skyrocketing.
3) The cost has gone from approx $0.000000001 per cup to $0.000000002 per cup.
4) After "added profit" for Ogre (I mean, Iger), that means a $14.00 difference per table.
5) Thus, they MUST charge for extra hot water for additional pots of water.

 

[MermaidMommy]

1) Now, now, now.
2) EVERYONE knows that Florida water filtering costs are skyrocketing.
3) The cost has gone from approx $0.000000001 per cup to $0.000000002 per cup.
4) After "added profit" for Ogre (I mean, Iger), that means a $14.00 difference per table.
5) Thus, they MUST charge for extra hot water for additional pots of water.

Rusty, you are so right. With Disney profits being so dismal, they really have to squeeze the life out of every nickel. Thanks for setting me straight!