The Best Spot for Afternoon Tea at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Published February 10, 2024 at 1:13 am
Experience the charm and elegance of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort as we guide you to the best spot for a delightful afternoon tea, complete with an array of delicious treats and enchanting ambiance that can add a dash of magic to your day.

A Day at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Experience the Magic of Afternoon Tea
Imagine taking a break from the excitement of the theme parks to step into an oasis of Victorian elegance.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort offers such an escape, particularly through the delightful ritual of afternoon tea.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to add a touch of sophistication to your Disney adventure, the resort’s afternoon tea service is truly a memorable experience.
Where to Enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
The famed afternoon tea takes place at the Garden View Tea Room, overlooking the beautiful grounds of the resort.
Here, guests can gaze out at lush landscaping and the tranquil waters as they savor a variety of teas and delicacies.
The ambiance of the Tea Room, with its classic decor and airy atmosphere, perfectly complements the elegance of this time-honored tradition.
Selecting the Perfect Blend
One of the highlights of the tea service is the extensive selection of teas, each promising its own unique flavor profile and benefits.
Should you fancy a traditional black tea or something more exotic like a jasmine green, knowledgeable staff are on hand to offer recommendations.
They might suggest the Grand Blend, exclusive to the resort, for a truly regal tea experience.
Not Just Tea: A Feast for the Senses
Afternoon tea isn’t just about the beverage; it’s also about the accompanying treats that make the experience a feast for the senses.
From freshly prepared scones with Devonshire cream to a sumptuous selection of pastries, there’s something to delight every palate.
Delicate finger sandwiches offer both traditional fillings and innovative twists aligned with the Disney magic.
Creating Memories with Specialty Teas
Beyond the standard offerings, the Tea Room hosts themed events aligning with seasons or holidays, adding a sprinkle of Disney uniqueness to the ritual.
Celebrations are made even more special with teas themed to an occasion, like a seasonal holiday or Mother’s Day.
These specialty teas can feature character encounters, themed treats, and often, a memorable takeaway gift.
Booking Your Tea Time
Partaking in afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is immensely popular, and for good reason.
Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and it’s advisable to secure your spot early to ensure you get a table.
It’s especially important for those wanting to celebrate a special event, like an anniversary or birthday, in this unique way.
Dress Code and Atmosphere
Although Disney’s theme parks are all about casual comfort, afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is an opportunity to dress up a bit.
The dress code here is smart casual, allowing guests to indulge in the elegance of the surroundings and event.
While not overly stringent, this nod to tradition elevates the tea service to a more distinguished affair.
Tea Services and Packages
The Tea Room offers various packages, so visitors can choose a tea service that meets their desires and budget.
Options range from the Bedfordshire Tea, which includes the classic tea service staples, to the opulent Prince Edward Tea, featuring champagne.
Each tier brings with it an array of treats and enhancements to your tea experience, like a selection of cheeses or caviar.
Focusing on Special Diets and Preferences
Worried that dietary restrictions might hinder your tea time? The Grand Floridian has you covered.
Vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly options are available upon request, ensuring all guests can enjoy this delightful experience.
Staff are incredibly accommodating and work to make sure every guest feels included and catered to.
Souvenirs to Remember Your Tea Time
And what better way to remember your afternoon tea than with a charming souvenir?
The Tea Room offers a selection of keepsakes, like fine teas and custom teapots, that guests can purchase as mementos of their visit.
These items also make wonderful gifts for the tea aficionados in your life who couldn’t join in the experience.
Capturing the Essence of Afternoon Tea at Home
For those looking to capture the essence of the Grand Floridian’s afternoon tea at home, consider the ‘Tea-Time Chest’ from Twinings.
With an array of tea flavors, one can reminisce about the elegant atmosphere and perfect pairings experienced during the visit.
Online reviews praise the variety this set offers, making it a delightful gift or treat for oneself.
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The Art of Accompaniment: Scones, Sandwiches, and Sweets
The artistry of afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian extends beyond the tea itself.
Each food item is carefully crafted to complement the tea selections, tempting guests with both sweet and savory options.
Scones: The Heart of Afternoon Tea
A proper afternoon tea is incomplete without the classic scone.
At Disney’s Grand Floridian, these soft, fluffy delicacies are a centerpiece, often served warm and ready to soak up the heavenly Devonshire cream and fruit preserves they’re paired with.
Savory Finger Sandwiches: A Delightful Variety
No tea service can truly be complete without the dainty finger sandwiches.
They offer a deliciously light contrast to the sweets and are often the first to disappear from the tiered serving platters!
Sweet Treats: Ending on a High Note
And for those with a sweet tooth, the pastries and confections are pure bliss.
Imagine nibbling on petite cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and macarons, each bite a testament to the culinary expertise of Disney’s chefs.
Seasonal Offerings: A Dash of Magic
Disney’s adeptness at theming is on full display with seasonal offerings during afternoon tea.
It’s said that guests have been delighted by special treats like heart-shaped sandwiches for Valentine’s Day or pumpkin-spiced scones during autumn visits.
Bringing a Touch of Disney Home: Specialty Teas and Accessories
Perhaps you’d like to take the magic of Disney’s afternoon tea home?
Gift shops around the resort offer enchanting teas and accessories, like the Alice in Wonderland themed tea set, which hold the promise of recreating the grand experience in your own living room.
Afternoon Tea with a View: The Ambiance of the Garden View Tea Room
It’s not just the food and tea that charm guests at the Grand Floridian, but also the enchanting views and genteel atmosphere.
The melodic strains of the lobby pianist might drift over as you sip your tea and enjoy the serene environment.
Disney High Tea Traditions: More Than Just Drinking Tea
Afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is steeped in tradition, with thoughtful touches that pay homage to the high tea ceremonies of yesteryear.
Might you be visiting on a quiet evening, the tea room becomes a tranquil haven for relaxation and conversation, much akin to the social teas of the Victorian era.
Having Diet-Specific Needs Met with Grace
Exploring special diet accommodations at Disney is quite reassuring.
From non-dairy milk alternatives for vegan visitors to low-sugar sweets for those with dietary needs, the Grand Floridian’s team ensures inclusivity is served with every cup.
Family-Friendly Tea Time: Delighting Guests of All Ages
Children are embraced with their own tea-time delights at the Grand Floridian, such as whimsical sippy cups and child-friendly tea sandwiches.
There’s even talk among online reviewers about ‘Mrs. Potts Tea’ for kids, which makes the experience perfectly enchanting for young princes and princesses.
A Perfect Venue for Special Occasions
Many have chosen the serene setting of Disney’s Grand Floridian for celebrating milestones like graduations or engagements.
The staff’s attention to detail and commitment to making every event magical has time and again created long-lasting memories for guests.
Teatime Treats to Savor and Share
The Grand Floridian’s tea room’s offerings extend to more than just beverages and bites; they offer the feeling of sharing in something truly special.
Luxurious tea blends, like the ‘My Disney Fairy Tale Tea’, available for purchase, become gifts that keep on giving happiness and warmth.
Reservations and Recommendations: Tips from Guests
Guests often recommend booking reservations for afternoon tea right at the 60-day mark, particularly if you’re visiting during peak travel seasons.
It’s also suggested to inquire about window seating, which enhances the experience with a sunlit backdrop of the Grand Floridian’s immaculate gardens.
Park Afternoon to Evening: Transitioning with Tea
Following a park morning, transitioning to the serene afternoon tea service can redefine your day at Disney.
Taking a break before returning to the parks for evening festivities can be the pause that refreshes, according to enthusiastic park-goers.
Connecting Over Cuppas: A Social Experience
Afternoon tea might start with strangers at nearby tables, but conversations often spark over shared love for Disney and the timeless tradition of tea.
Many have forged unexpected friendships during this communal yet personal dining experience.
Recommendations for the Tea Connoisseur
For those who take their tea seriously, experts often recommend trying the resort’s exclusive blends or asking the cast members for their ‘secret menu’ options.
Strong relationships with tea vendors allow the Grand Floridian to offer tea varieties that might not be found anywhere else on Disney property.
Afternoon Tea as a Reflective Pause
In the midst of the hustle and excitement of Disney World, the afternoon tea service at the Grand Floridian provides a much-needed respite.
Take a moment to breathe, sip slowly, and absorb the finer nuances of this exquisitely crafted experience, suggest avid Disney fans.
Value in the Experience: Understanding the Cost
While the tea service at the Grand Floridian isn’t the least expensive dining option at Disney World, the quality of service and experience justify the expense, narrate satisfied guests.
As one reviews the grandeur and detail of the tea-time offerings, it becomes clear that the Grand Floridian provides not just refreshments but lasting memories.
Making the Most of Your Visit to the Grand Floridian
After enjoying your tea, take advantage of the resort’s other amenities.
Perhaps a stroll through the immaculate grounds, a visit to the shops, or even a spa treatment could be the perfect complement to your day.
Planning Ahead: Afternoon Tea as a Highlight of Your Disney Trip
When planning your Disney itinerary, consider afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian a highlight not to be missed.
Pencil in this quiet, majestic moment amid the excitement, ensuring your visit to the most magical place on Earth includes a touch of Victorian elegance and charm.
Enriching the Magic: Bringing Victorian Elegance to Your Disney Adventure
Disney World brings out the child in all of us, but who says a touch of elegance cannot be part of the enchantment?
The Grand Floridian’s afternoon tea is like a page out of a Victorian tale, replete with fine china, silver teapots, and impeccable service, they say.
A Quiet Respite from the Theme Park Energy
For those who find the constant buzz of the parks overwhelming, the quiet ambiance of the tea room offers a peaceful respite.
It is a place to recharge not just with a cup of tea but also by soaking in the calm and collected atmosphere, many guests appreciate.
The Harmony of Flavors: Tea Pairings and Palate Pleasers
Connoisseurs of afternoon tea often note the importance of pairing the right tea with the right flavors, a delicate balance that the Grand Floridian masters.
Their menu is designed to bring out the best in each brew, elevating both the tea and the accompanying bites, as enthusiasts often remark.
The Elegance of High Tea: A Heritage Preserved
The Grand Floridian has been heralded for preserving the heritage of high tea within its walls.
Incorporating elements of history and tradition into each element of the tea service, the resort ensures this elegant pastime continues for generations to come, historical aficionados observe.
Personalizing Your Experience: Engaging with Expert Tea Masters
For a more tailored tea experience, guests recommend engaging with the tea masters, who bring a wealth of knowledge to the table.
These experts can help personalize your selection, ensuring that your tea choice is as unique as your Disney experience, as many have shared.
Afternoon Tea Etiquette: A Lesson in Cultural Sophistication
Parents have found that afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian also serves as a gentle lesson in etiquette and cultural sophistication for their children.
It is an opportunity for young ones to learn table manners and the art of conversation in a setting that is both fun and formal, they express with delight.
The Waltz of the Teacup: A Dance of Delicacy and Strength
Taking tea is like the waltz of the teacup, a dance of delicacy and strength.
Savoring the flavor as it washes over your palate, guests experience the robust power and subtle nuances of each blend, as tea lovers describe.
A Plethora of Pastries: The Delights of an Artisan’s Touch
When the afternoon tea cart rolls by, your eyes are greeted with a plethora of pastries, each with an artisan’s touch.
Chocolate éclairs, petit fours, and fruit tarts beckon with their intricate designs and lush flavors, as many foodies report with enthusiasm.
The Joy of Being Pampered: Exceptional Service at Every Sip
What truly sets the tea experience apart at the Grand Floridian is the exceptional service guests receive with every sip and every bite.
Attentive waitstaff and ambient music create an atmosphere of being pampered in luxury, as several guests fondly recall.
A Garden Party Every Day: The Lure of the Grand Outdoors
While the indoors of the Garden View Tea Room envelops guests in its luxury, its namesake garden view lures the eyes to the grand outdoors.
Tea time is thus transformed into a garden party every day, where moments of beauty are as plentiful as the tea itself, enthuse nature lovers.
Admiring Tea Ware: The Mesh of Beauty and Function
At the Grand Floridian, the tea ware itself is a feast for the eyes, a perfect mesh of beauty and function.
Admiring the intricate patterns on the china is a pastime for some, who appreciate the attention to detail and craftsmanship in every piece, as art enthusiasts have observed.
Tea as a Sensory Journey: An Olfactory and Visual Experience
Many guests talk about tea at the Grand Floridian as a sensory journey that extends beyond taste.
The wholesome aromas that rise from the cup combined with the visual elegance of the surroundings contribute to the holistic experience, they share with a sense of wonder.
Transform Your Mood: The Therapeutic Benefits of Tea Time
There’s something inherently therapeutic about taking tea amidst the grandeur of the Grand Floridian.
Visitors often mention the transformative effect the tea service has on their mood, with its calming and rejuvenating powers on full display.
The Connection Between Tea and Creativity
For the artistically inclined, the connection between tea and creativity is palpable at the Grand Floridian.
The serenity and sensory delights of tea time inspire moments of creativity, encouraging guests to perhaps sketch or pen thoughts in their journals, as the creatively minded suggest.
A Celebration of Milestones: Teatime as a Rite of Passage
For many, a visit to the Grand Floridian’s afternoon tea marks a rite of passage – a celebration of milestones traveled and journeys to come.
It acts as an affirmation of life’s special moments, savored sip by sip and bite by bite, express those commemorating special occasions.
Discovering a World of Teas: The Educational Aspect
Beyond mere refreshment, the Grand Floridian offers an educational deep dive into a world of teas.
Guests can learn about tea origins, processing methods, and the lore surrounding this ancient beverage, as some inquisitive minds have pointed out.
A Tapestry of Tastes: International Teas at Your Fingertips
The Grand Floridian introduces guests to a tapestry of tastes with its collection of international teas.
This is a chance to travel the world in a teacup, with blends hailing from the far corners of the globe, as seasoned travelers attest.
The Grand Finale: Leaving on a High Note
As you prepare to leave the Tea Room, the lasting impression is one of a grand finale, a moment where excellence in food, service, and atmosphere leaves you on a high note.
Guests often leave with a smile, a satisfied palate, and dreams of their next visit, relishing in the knowledge that the Grand Floridian’s afternoon tea will welcome them back to the magic of Disney with open arms.

Avery Ingram
Contributor