I’ve got some tea-riffic news! My fellow tea lovers, I hope you’re ready for this exciting announcement. The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience will be opening its doors once again at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to bring guests on a whimsical afternoon tea extravaganza starting March 19, with reservations opening on February 19.
With new touches from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Alice in Wonderland, you will have an unforgettable experience. From small bites, both sweet and savory, to a selection of teas, you’ll be on quite the journey with each sip and bite amongst the elegance of this beloved location, now with a whimsical touch. There are options for both adults and the little ones, making this an outing the whole family can enjoy together.
Our beverage and culinary experts have gone down the rabbit hole and are ready for you to join them with this lineup of flavors. And I’ve got an exclusive first look at the menu for you.
Beverages
Let’s begin our adventure with the beverages, shall we? The first step of this experience, or should I say sip, includes the tea selection. We’ve worked with Twinings to hand-select premium tea blends that offer something for everyone.
Delight in the Twinings Loose Leaf Tea Selections, including special flavors and classics like London Strand Breakfast and Spicy Chai, as well as more unique flavor combinations like Orangery of Lady Grey, which is a unique black tea featuring bright, orange notes that is exclusive to the Walt Disney World Resort. The Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam black tea is a must-try with smooth chocolate and roasted hazelnut flavors and if you are looking for something caffeine-free, enjoy the Blackcurrant and Lavender herbal tea.
After selecting your tea with the guidance of expertly trained cast members who serve as your own tea guide, you’ll be able to create a tea that is customized for you. Next, you’ll choose an aromatic designed to accompany the tea which is added during the steeping process. And feel free to add some extra sweetness. We don’t judge here.
And that’s not all. There are also two signature tea-based cocktails – the Mint Tulip featuring Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey, Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea Instant Beverage, and mint, and the Mar-TEA-ni with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, lemon, and honey.
Visitors can also enjoy non-alcoholic specialty teas – the Curiosi-TEA with Twinings Refreshers Strawberry Raspberry Herbal Tea Instant Beverage with a touch of shimmering magic, and the This Way, That Way with Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea Herbal Tea Instant Beverage and mint.
Did I mention there’s also champagne and sparkling wines?
Food Items
We’re late! We’re late! For a very important plate! The culinary creations bring to life the ultimate afternoon tea experience. Before getting to the tea tower of treats (yes – you read that right), your taste buds will be delighted with the Orange-Cranberry Scone with traditional accoutrements.
Now for the three-tiers of food. The savory selections include:
- Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart: Savory curried chicken salad filling topped with cherry gelée
- Footman’s Feast: Wonderland Salmon Crisp with a salmon rillette on a miso brown butter crisp
- Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich: A traditional egg salad on beet bread
- Caterpillar Cucumber Roll: A delicious combination with butterfly pea-infused cream cheese and cucumbers on pumpernickel
Then, enjoy a sweet finish with the following:
- The Matcha Mad Hatter: Sponge cake with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream
- Tea Party Tart: Vanilla tart, coffee custard, and chantilly cream
- Flamingo Croquet Choux filled with passion fruit cream and a raspberry crunch
- Painting the Rose: Earl Grey-flavored teacake painted tableside
And for those looking for plant-based options, there’s also an afternoon tea selection for you too.
For some added delights, there are also enhancements you can indulge in – the Seasonal Cheese Selection or Royal Osetra Caviar with Mini Chive Biscuits and Traditional Accompaniments.
For the little ones, the Children’s Afternoon Tea features adorably delicious bites, including savory minis like the Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, a Fanciful Turkey Wrap, and a Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Bun. For dessert, we have the Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron, the Chocolate Brownie Branch, and don’t be late for the vanilla White Rabbit Cupcake.
With these tasty adventures, the possibilities are endless when you visit Disney Parks. To stay in the know on all the yummy items on the way, check out our Disney Eats topics page and follow us @DisneyEats on Instagram and Facebook.
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
