Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea

One of the highlights of our Orlando trip for me was afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  It is such a beautiful Victorian style complex and their flagship resort.

Shown above is a small section of the grand lobby with the Garden View Lounge at the back.  There are wonderful old fashioned ironwork elevators on both sides of the room, a grand piano in the center and also an elegant staircase.  The scent of flowers from the many enormous floral displays permeates the room.  The tea lounge itself is quite small.  There are comfortable chairs and benches and a wonderful view on two sides of the gardens and lagoon.

The Old Country Roses bone china is very pretty.  I liked the silver tea strainers for the loose tea and dainty sugar tongs.  This time there were no tea cozies to cover our teapots, as there were in the past.

My Grand Tea was much as I remembered it, with a glass of Domaine St. Michelle, tea sandwiches, scone and jam tart, and a choice of tea pastries or English trifle.  I can never resist the trifle with fluffy cake, rich custard, tart raspberry sauce and whipped cream.  My favorite sandwich is still served – basil poached pear with gorgonzola cheese on pumpernickle bread.  There was also delicious cucumber, curried chicken salad, shrimp, egg salad, onion tart and a slice of pate.  I’m afraid I sampled before taking the photos, hence the empty spot on my plate.  

The raisin scone was very good with a nice flavor and texture.  I forgot to photograph my luscious English trifle.

  I would love to be able to visit this tea room more than once a year, but it is fun to note what has changed since the last visit.  The wait staff have different uniforms for one thing. 

Do enjoy afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian Garden View lounge if you have the opportunity.  My hubby recommends the Eros tea – a medium bodied Ceylon with sweet Mandarin orange and vanilla.  Check out the full tea list and afternoon tea offerings here.