Garden View Lounge Tea Experience To Reopen at Disney’s Grand Floridian
Afternoon tea is returning to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this spring. The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience is scheduled to reopen its doors on March 19, with reservations becoming available starting Feb. 19.
A Curated Tea Collection
In collaboration with Twinings, the lounge has developed a selection of premium loose-leaf teas. Highlights from the menu include:
- Orangery of Lady Grey: A black tea with bright orange notes, exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort.
- Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam: A blend featuring roasted hazelnut and smooth chocolate.
- London Strand Breakfast & Spicy Chai: Classic selections for traditional palates.
- Blackcurrant and Lavender: A caffeine-free herbal option.
Guests will work with trained cast members to select their tea and pair it with an aromatic added during the steeping process for a fully customized beverage.
Signature Cocktails and Spirits
For those seeking an elevated experience, the menu features tea-based cocktails and spirits:
- The Mint Tulip: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey mixed with Twinings Peach Mango tea.
- The Mar-TEA-ni: Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and Twinings Earl Grey with lemon and honey.
- Alcohol-Free Options: The shimmering Curiosi-TEA (Strawberry Raspberry) and the refreshing This Way, That Way (Peach Mango and mint).
- Champagne & Sparkling Wines: Available for those wishing to toast the occasion.
Culinary Highlights: The Tower of Treats
The food service begins with a warm Orange-Cranberry Scone served with traditional accoutrements. Following the starter, guests are presented with a signature three-tiered tea tower featuring a progression of flavors:
The Savory Selection: The bottom tiers focus on creative takes on classic tea sandwiches and appetizers:
- Caterpillar Cucumber Roll: A vibrant combination of cucumbers and butterfly pea-infused cream cheese served on pumpernickel bread.
- Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart: A savory curried chicken filling finished with a delicate cherry gelée.
- Footman’s Feast: A Wonderland salmon crisp featuring salmon rillette on a miso brown butter base.
- Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich: Traditional egg salad served on distinctive beet bread.
The Sweet Finish: The experience concludes with a variety of whimsical desserts:
- The Matcha Mad Hatter: A light sponge cake layered with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream.
- Painting the Rose: An Earl Grey-flavored teacake that is “painted” for the guest tableside.
- Flamingo Croquet Choux: A delicate pastry filled with passion fruit cream and raspberry crunch.
- Tea Party Tart: A vanilla tart shell filled with coffee custard and topped with chantilly cream.
For those looking to elevate the meal, the lounge offers premium enhancements, including Royal Osetra Caviar with mini chive biscuits and a Seasonal Cheese Selection. Additionally, a full Plant-Based Afternoon Tea selection is available to ensure all dietary needs are met with the same level of Wonderland-inspired detail.
Young Travelers: The Children’s Tea
The menu also caters specifically to younger guests with a dedicated selection of “mini” bites:
Sweet: A Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron, a Chocolate Brownie Branch, and a vanilla White Rabbit Cupcake.
Savory: The Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, a Fanciful Turkey Wrap, and a Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Bun.
