Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian Hotel

Having Afternoon Tea in the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian Hotel [at Disney World] has been on my wish list for some time, and I finally got to go during our Florida vacation. As you may recall, my thoughtful children gave me money for Mother's Day to have Afternoon Tea there.

The resort hotel is beautiful, and their Afternoon Tea was lovely. Tea is served in traditional British style, daily from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Lori [my daughter] and I had reservations for 3:45 on Wednesday, June 25th.

  ~ The Resort Hotel Entrance ~

~ Driving onto the Hotel Grounds ~

The Grand Floridian website says "Victorian elegance meets modern sophistication." It truly is elegant, sophisticated, and beautiful!

 [L-R] Me, a Hotel Greeter, and Lori 

~ Close-up ~ 

We got there a little early, and our reservation ran 15 minutes behind, so we had time to admire the beautiful hotel lobby, listen to the entertainment, and look in two gift shops.

Live entertainment is provided from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m.

The soloist was taking a quick tea break. She wanted to hide her teacup for the photo, but I told her the teacup was perfectly fine. She sang songs requested by hotel guests.  

Below is the waiting area for the Garden View Tea Room at the far end of the hotel lobby.

~ Tea Signage ~

Beauty and the Beast character, Mrs. Potts, is inlaid into the tile floor near the tea room. There was also one of Chip, but I didn't photograph it.

At 3:59 our name was called, and we were seated at table #10.  Our server was Patricia J. [I received a print-out with this info, which is how I can be so specific.]  

Patricia took the burgundy linen napkin from our teacups and placed them in our lap. Then she put the strainer into the cup.

~ Menu ~

Both Lori and I ordered the Buckingham Tea because it didn't come with champagne. Since we don't drink alcohol, we didn't want to pay for it. ;-) Our tea was $25.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The tea we selected was Mad Hatter's Tea Party blend. It was so good that I bought a tin in the gift shop to bring home. The tea strainers were just for aesthetics and ritual, because the tea was decanted before it was brought to our table. [I peeked inside the teapot. ;-)]

  

I was amazed how hot the cozy kept the tea.

At one time the tea room used Royal Albert Old Country Roses china, but they've switched to a different pattern that is similar.  Don't tell, but I peeked at the bottom of the teacup too! ;-)

~ The Teacup Station ~ 

I thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with my sweet daughter.

We each got five tea sandwiches. Curried Egg Salad on Marble Bread; Regular Egg Salad on White; Salmon Salad on White; Pear and Gorgonzola Cheese on Wheat, and Cucumber on White.  There was also an Onion Tart that I wasn't sure I was going to like, but it was very good.

Scone station with warmer, so the scones came to our table deliciously warm.

 Dishes of Lemon Curd, real  Devonshire Cream, and Strawberry Jam for scones.

A Strawberry Tart and Currant Scone were brought to us after the tea sandwiches.

Now for desserts! We got to select two.

I chose to Lemonade Cream Swan and a White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry.

Lori chose an Orange Torte and Chocolate Eclair.

Our tea was unhurried, and we finished at 5:30 p.m.  By now patrons were winding down, and tables were being reset for the next day. Patricia said the tea room has a seating capacity of 50. I feel so fortunate that we where able to have tea there, because their website says the tea room has been temporarily closed for enhancements, and Afternoon Tea has been relocated to Citrico's Lounge in the hotel. The tea room will reopen Aug. 30th. I would have been bummed if I had missed going to the Garden View Tea Room.

Across the hall from the tea room was a gift shop where I purchased a commemorative teacup and tin of tea.  

This was the first time I ever saw teacups and saucers individually priced. The teacup was $20.95 and the saucer was $10.95. They sold matching teapots too.

The backstamp was covered with the price tag in the gift shop, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover the teacup was made in England when I got home.

The 3.08 oz. tin of tea was $11.95. When the tea is gone the tin will be a nice keepsake.

This post concludes my vacation activities. I was happy to be able to visit four tea rooms on this trip, and I hope you've enjoyed going along with me vicariously.