There is no lack of options when dining at Disney World. There is something for every palate and every budget, but how exactly do you decide what is right for your family? That is where we come in! We have eaten everywhere in Disney World and aren’t stopping there. We are constantly reviewing new food items and revisiting locations to make sure you have all the information you need to have the best dining experience at Disney World. 

We recently stopped by Garden Grove at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel to see what was cookin’, and now we’re bringing you our FULL review. Is it worth an adventure out to this hotel for the food? We are giving you all our thoughts!

Atmosphere

If you are hoping to dine at Garden Grove, you will want to pay close attention to its hours! It is currently open only for breakfast from 7 AM until 11:30 AM and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That gives you a 4 1/2-hour window from Thursday through Monday to chow down on breakfast here! Also, be aware that the Swan Hotel is owned by Marriott, not Disney World, and is not a part of the Disney Dining Plan, nor can you charge your meal to your room.

The centerpiece of this restaurant is a 25-foot oak tree that towers in the center of the dining room. The tree is adorned with twinkling lights and gorgeous lanterns for an impactful first impression.

Garden Grove is designed to make you feel like you are dining in an eatery in New York’s Central Park. Not only is the 25-foot oak tree the centerpiece, but the restaurant is covered in green, with tree murals surrounding you. The restaurant itself is round for a natural look. There is a decent-sized waiting room with a sofa and seats for about 12 people.

This restaurant used to serve more meals than just breakfast and offered character dining. However, as of January 2020, character dinners are no longer held. But maybe one day, character dining will return to Garden Grove!

Now that we have seen the restaurant, let’s see what’s on the menu!

Menu

While breakfast is the only meal available here, the menu offers a wide variety of breakfast favorites. If you want something lighter, they offer Continental offerings like Steel Cut Oatmeal, Southern Grits, or Fresh Fruit. 

You can also choose from some Brunch options like a Three Egg Omelet, Eggs Benedict, or Steak & Eggs. 

There are also plenty of other Entrees you can select from, with lots of breakfast classics. You can get Buttermilk Pancakes, Smokin’ D’s Biscuits & Gravy, or Avocado Toast. 

If you aren’t super hungry or want to add a little something something to your meal, there are also lots of side options. From bacon and sausage links to a short stack of pancakes or a bowl of berries, you can finish off any meal with one of the sides.

There are also a few options for Kids’ Meals. They can choose from Mickey Mouse Belgian Waffles, Kids All-American Breakfast, and Pancakes. 

Finally, there are plenty of drinks to choose from as well. You can pick from a classic like milk, juice, coffee, or hot tea. Or, you can opt for a cocktail like a Mimosa or Pomegranate Red Wine Sangria. There is also an option for Bottomless Drinks for 90 minutes!

And now, the moment we have all been waiting for, let’s get to the food!

Eats

First up, we grabbed the Belgian Waffle for $19. This is a waffle topped with house-made berry compote, sweetened vanilla butter, cinnamon sugar, and maple syrup. Now, we found that the waffle was crispy, if not just a litttle dry on the inside. With the toppings, it all evened out, though.

The berry compote is quite sweet, but it does have juicy notes of ripe berries. We found that the compote was similar to what you might find inside a pie, but we almost wish it were less sugary and more focused on the berries (especially when paired with the maple syrup, which adds even more sugar). Despite our minor complaints, we wish there were a bit more berry compote with this dish. The butter is soft and fluffy, but it is super easy to spread on the waffle.

Next, we tried the Croque Madame for $22. This sandwich is made with thinly shaved ham, gruyere cheese, sourdough bread, sunny-side up egg, mornay sauce, petite greens, and balsamic dressing. If you are looking for a savory and filling breakfast option, this is it.

The ham is salty and smoky, and thinly sliced, which gives it a great texture. The cheese is melted on top of the slice of bread. The cheese is Gruyère, so it has a slight nutty and creamy texture that is the perfect complement for the ham. The bread was wonderfully crispy even after it sat for a bit and was covered in toppings. It was buttery, carby goodness. The mornay sauce tasted like a creamy mustard, which was just what we needed with the smooth cheese. This dish had two eggs on top, one was cooked perfectly to a sunny side up egg, while the other had a gel-like yolk, but we’re just gonna chalk that up to bad luck.

Oh, and the salad had a tangy vinaigrette on it that worked really well with the fresh lettuce. We tasted bright lemon notes, complemented by olive oil, onion, and a hint of balsamic.

Drinks

To drink, we picked up the Pomegranate Red Wine Sangria for $12. This wine is a great combination of fruitiness, sweetness, and some tannins. However, it is not a pucker-your-face level of tannins.

It tastes fruity, although we wouldn’t say pomegranate is the most prominent flavor. There is definitely a lot of citrus flavor, and we would also suggest an apple-y flavor. This was very tasty, but if you really wanted to taste pomegranate, you would probably be disappointed. However, we thought this sangria was a wonderful blend of sweetness, tartness, and acidity.

Nosh or Not

This Disney World restaurant is a must-visit if…

• You’re staying at Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resort — If you are staying nearby, the dining room is really something worth seeing in person. That said, we don’t think you should go out of your way to dine here; Disney World has a LOT of great breakfast restaurants to choose from. 
• You want to dine somewhere with a unique atmosphere — Let’s be honest — the giant tree is really the big “wow” factor at this restaurant. It’s a great spot for pretty photos and a nice meal.
• You want a nice, filling breakfast — Skip the fast-food meal! If you want a hearty, filling meal, this is a great option!

You should skip this Disney World spot if…

• You’re looking for a quiet, relaxing breakfast to start your morning — If you are looking for a quieter breakfast spot, this probably won’t be it. It echoes quite a bit in the restaurant, so the sound levels can get a bit loud.
• You’re in a rush — The speed was a little on the slow side, so we would say it’s probably best to avoid this spot if you have other places to be.
• You are NOT walking or taking Disney World transportation — Note that this restaurant does not validate for parking, and it costs $38 before tax, so if you aren’t staying at the hotel, walking, or taking free Disney transportation, it makes the meal extra expensive.

Overall

We had a nice meal at this restaurant! We will admit, the dining room gets a little loud when it fills up, but you can’t deny that the New York Central Park vibe is pretty breathtaking. This would be a great choice if you are staying in one of the Swan and Dolphin hotels.

In the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for more restaurant updates from Disney World and beyond. Make sure you stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest Disney news and more!

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Have you eaten at this Disney World restaurant before? Tell us in the comments!