A first look inside the reimagined Garden View Lounge, which will soon be reopening at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Afternoon tea is returning to one of Walt Disney World’s most elegant resorts, with a whimsical twist. Starting March 19, the Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience will reopen at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, bringing back the beloved tradition of afternoon tea with a reimagined menu, refreshed space, and playful touches inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
Reservations are open now, and the experience blends the Grand Floridian’s signature Victorian elegance with a delightfully curious Wonderland theme.
A Tea Party Inspired by Wonderland
According to Disney, the Garden View Lounge Tea Experience is designed to capture the charm of a traditional British afternoon tea, while adding just a bit of Disney magic.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Amber Trafford, a Disney tea professional involved with the experience, described the concept. “The Garden View Lounge Tea Experience… is garden-inspired with Victorian elegance—something the Grand Floridian is so well known for. What is really unique and fun about this experience is how we immerse guests in the fantastical world of Alice in Wonderland.”
The theme felt like a natural fit.
Chef Michelle Schutte explained that the film’s famous tea party scene made it the perfect inspiration. “Tea just made the most sense with Alice in Wonderland as there’s a tea party represented in the movie itself,” Schutte said. “We had so much fun pulling inspiration from the movie with all the bright colors and fun characters.”
The result is an experience designed to delight both longtime tea lovers and first-time guests.
A Fresh Look for the Garden View Lounge
The space itself has also been refreshed with help from Walt Disney Imagineering. Senior interior designer Suzanne Szak said the redesign draws inspiration from Victorian conservatories. “The new design was largely inspired by Victorian conservatories with expansive, large arched glass windows and views out to the garden,” Szak explained.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Throughout the room, guests will find floral patterns, stained glass, and design details that connect the lounge to the newly refreshed Grand Floridian lobby.
Look closely, and you may even spot hidden Disney details. “There’s a leafy vine winding through the carpet, almost like a vine growing up a trellis,” Szak said. “There are also Mickey silhouettes woven into the design.”
Photo Courtesy of Disney
The result is a space that feels airy, elegant, and unmistakably Grand Floridian.
Twinings Teas Take Center Stage
The heart of the experience, of course, is the tea. Disney partnered with Twinings to curate a selection of premium loose-leaf teas ranging from classic blends to unique flavors created just for Walt Disney World.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Options include:
London Strand BreakfastSpicy ChaiNutty Chocolate Flavoured AssamBlackcurrant and Lavender herbal tea
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One standout is the Orangery of Lady Grey, a citrus-forward blend created exclusively for Walt Disney World. And if you’re looking for something stronger than tea, the menu includes tea-inspired cocktails like the Mint Tulip and Mar-TEA-ni.
A Tower of Savory and Sweet Bites
No afternoon tea is complete without a tiered tower of treats. The experience begins with an orange-cranberry scone served with traditional accompaniments before moving on to a three-tier tower of savory and sweet bites.
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Savory selections include:
Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card TartFootman’s Feast Wonderland Salmon CrispTweedledee Egg Salad SandwichCaterpillar Cucumber Roll
Chef Michelle Schutte highlighted the salmon crisp as one of her personal favorites. “It’s a salmon rillette made with fresh salmon and smoked salmon, sitting on a miso brown butter crisp,” she said. “It’s a beautiful combination of savory, umami, and slightly sweet flavors.”
Photo Courtesy of Disney
Desserts lean heavily into Wonderland whimsy, including:
Matcha Mad Hatter sponge cakeFlamingo Croquet Choux with passion fruit creamTea Party Tart with coffee custardPainting the Rose Earl Grey teacake finished tableside
A Tradition Returns
For many Walt Disney World visitors, afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian is more than a meal – it’s a tradition. Disney leaders say they hope the reimagined experience continues that legacy.
“A lot of our guests return year after year,” Schutte said. “I look forward to families making this part of their tradition as well.”
With its refreshed space, imaginative menu, and classic elegance, the Garden View Lounge Tea Experience may quickly become one of the most charming ways to slow down and savor a Walt Disney World vacation.
Thank you to Disney for giving us the chance to speak with Cast Members behind the new Garden View Lounge tea experience.
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