First Look: Grand Floridian’s tea experience is finally back, but with an Alice In Wonderland twist
There are several worthwhile specialty dining experiences at Walt Disney World that guests love, like Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Springs, and the La Cava Experience at Epcot. But one fan-favorite upcharge offering – the tea experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian – has been notably absent for years.
Like the rest of the “Vacation Kingdom,” The Garden View Lounge — Tea Experience closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic — and never reopened, leaving fans wondering when it would be coming back. But there’s finally “tea-riffic” news: The beloved fixture, which Disney has called a “whimsical afternoon tea extravaganza,” will be returning in an entirely new way on March 19, 2026. And it’s the final puzzle piece in the iconic lobby’s revamp.
The Garden View Lounge — Tea Experience is in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa’s main building. Large windows overlook the garden outside, with bright sunshine flowing through the intimate space. For years, the tea service has been a cherished tradition for Walt Disney World guests.
We recently joined four key figures — Alessandra Rogers (Chef de Cuisine-Pastry), Michelle Schutte (Chef), Amber Trafford (Proprietor; Tea Professional), and Suzanne Szak (Walt Disney Imagineering, Senior Interior Designer) — for a virtual panel to learn more about this reimagined experience.
The Tea Experience Space
The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience will open with new touches from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Alice in Wonderland, immersing guests into its fanciful world. “Victorian elegance” is what the team was after, which perfectly fits in with the rest of Disney’s flagship resort. It’s modeled after a classic British afternoon tea service with both refinement and a dash of Mickey whimsy.
The new garden-inspired space takes design cues from Victorian Conservatories with expansive large glass windows. Gone are the darker furniture accents and instead bright white and softer Earthy tones with flower patterns. There’s new furniture, including tables and chairs, as well as upholstery and carpeting. In the carpet, you’ll spot a leafy vine and an emblem that’s also found in the lobby carpet, tying it back to the new lobby design. And there’s hidden Mickey silhouettes.
Just outside the tearoom, three new stained-glass features were added. These windows feature birds native to Florida, wrens and sparrows to be exact, that are incorporated in the design.
The Tea Experience Eats
While guests could previously pick from an a la carte menu or full experience, the revamped experience offers a set tasting experience. Think classic tea elements with a distinctly Disney fun twist. Small bites, of both sweet and savory foods, are presented in colorful and whimsical ways fitting the Alice in Wonderland theme. Food is an extension of storytelling as different dishes express moments from the film and are served on a “tea tower of treats.” And all tastings begin with orange-cranberry scones served with traditional accoutrements.
Menu highlights include curried chicken salad playing card tart, footman’s feast made with fresh salmon, the Tweedledee egg salad sandwich, and the Caterpillar cucumber roll, a twist on the classic cucumber sandwich. For sweets, there’s refined pastries, like the adorable matcha Mad Hatter, a sponge cake with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream, a Tea Party tart, the bright-pink Flamingo croquet choux with passionfruit cream, and the Painting the Rose, an Earl Grey-flavored teacake that’s painted tableside.
Enhancements, including a seasonal cheese plate ($21) and Royal Osetra Caviar ($120), and plant-based options are also available.
To make the experience approachable and memorable for all, a separate kids’ menu is offered which includes six individual bites, different from the adult options. Bites are no less adorable than the adult offerings, but more kid-friendly, like the Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, an elevated grilled cheese sandwich, and a turkey wrap. For dessert, there’s a White Rabbit vanilla bean cupcake and Cheshire Cat raspberry macaron. The brownie branch, a favorite of the team, tells the story of when Alice met the Cheshire Cat. Disney worked closely with Twinings to choose drink options that were refreshing and easy to be enjoyed by its youngest diners. There’s also an interactive element to further engage.
The Tea Experience Tea
Much like wine, tea can be intimidating. But the team worked directly with Twinings and their master blenders to offer a range of options that satisfy both the novice drinker and the well-versed tea enthusiast. The hand-selected premium tea blends include classics, like Spicy Chai and London Strand Breakfast, and bold flavors, like Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam black tea. A Walt Disney World exclusive, the Orangery of Lady Grey is a unique black tea with notes of bright orange citrus. There are also caffeine-free and herbal options. Cast members are trained in the entire tea process, including how to appropriately steep, and will assist guests in curating their tea experience.
Guests can also sip on two signature tea-based cocktails. The Mint Tulip ($19.50) combines Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey with Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea and mint. The Mar-TEA-ni ($18.50) uses Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, lemon, and honey.
Non-alcoholic specialty teas, like a refreshing peach mango herbal tea with mint, and champagne and sparkling wines are also available.
Details
Reservations are now open and full payment is due at booking. It’s priced at $79 for adults and $49 for children ages 3-9. There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for a full refund and allergy requests are required at booking. Guests are expedited to dress sophisticated for the experience and no swimwear is permitted.
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