BREAKING: First Look at Disney World's NEW Afternoon Tea Restaurant!

It’s finally happening — one of Disney World’s most beloved tea experiences is coming back.

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After being closed for years the Garden View Lounge at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is FINALLY reopening with an all-new tea experience, and Disney has just shared our first real look at what’s coming! Now that most of the hotel’s lobby transformation is complete including the addition of a swanky bar, this latest chapter will be the final piece we’ve been eagerly waiting on while it undergoes its full transformation. From whimsical menu items to elegant updates to the space, here’s everything we know so far.

After more than five years of remaining closed, the beloved Garden View Lounge (formerly known as the Garden View Tea Room) is finally set to reopen at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort with an elegant new tea experience that blends Victorian charm with whimsical Disney touches. The lounge, which had been shuttered since the pandemic began in 2020, will begin welcoming guests again on March 19th with reservations opening a month earlier on February 19th.

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Part of the extensive lobby refresh at the Grand Floridian, the renewed space has been redesigned to complement the resort’s updated aesthetic while preserving the gracious atmosphere longtime Disney guests remember. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the resort’s gardens, and the new decor incorporates subtle nods to the Main Street U.S.A. elegance and refined Victorian sensibilities that make the Grand Floridian one of Walt Disney World’s most iconic resort hotels.

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The new tea service isn’t just a resurrected classic, it’s been reimagined as a fully immersive culinary experience with something for everyone. Drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, the tea experience blends Disney storytelling with the refined traditions of afternoon tea. You’ll begin by selecting from a curated lineup of premium loose-leaf Twinings teas, and additional offerings will include traditional favorites like London Strand Breakfast and Spicy Chai, alongside more inventive blends like Orangery of Lady Grey, a bright, fruity tea exclusive to Disney World Resort as well as Nutty Chocolate Flavored Assam, which pairs rich roasted hazelnut and chocolate notes for an indulgent twist.

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You’ll then work alongside with your expert tea guide to personalize your selections with aromatic additions during the steeping process and optional sweeteners. The beverage lineup extends beyond classic tea, too, with signature tea-based cocktails like the Mint Tulip (featuring Kentucky Straight Whiskey, peach mango tea, and mint) and the Mar-TEA-ni (a gin- and Earl Grey-based cocktail with lemon and honey). Non-alcoholic specialty teas such as the Curiosi-TEA and This Way, That Way round out the menu, along with champagne and sparkling wines for those who want to toast the occasion.

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What truly elevates this tea experience is the multi-tiered culinary presentation that accompanies it, a hallmark of traditional afternoon tea. Disney’s giving us a sneak peek at a few of the foods you’ll expect to find here including an Orange-Cranberry Scone with all the classic accompaniments and a three-tiered tower of savory and sweet creations. Savory offerings include inventive bites like the Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart and Footman’s Feast salmon crisp, as well as classic selections such as the Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich and Caterpillar Cucumber Roll with butterfly-pea-infused cream cheese.

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Desserts show equal creativity, with playful items like the Matcha Mad Hatter sponge cake, the Tea Party Tart with vanilla and coffee custard, the passion-fruit-filled Flamingo Croquet Choux, and the Painting the Rose Earl Grey-infused tea cake painted tableside for a sprinkle of Disney theater. For plant-based diners, there are also dedicated tea selections available, ensuring the experience feels inclusive and thoughtful for a range of dietary preferences.

Enhancements including a Seasonal Cheese Selection or Royal Osetra Caviar with Mini Chive Biscuits, can be added on to elevate the experience even further, perfect for special occasions or guests looking to indulge.

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Disney’s also making sure the little ones aren’t left out either! The Children’s Afternoon Tea menu features whimsical, kid-friendly bites like a Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, a Fanciful Turkey Wrap, and a Sunflower Seed Butter & Jelly Bun. Desserts include a Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron, a Chocolate Brownie Branch, and a Vanilla White Rabbit Cupcake, delightful touches that bring playful character theming to the tea table.

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For those who remember the original Garden View Tea Room (known for its classic British style and afternoon tea service) this reopening is a nostalgic moment. Past iterations offered tiered treats, finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, and desserts alongside a curated tea selection, but the refreshed space and themed menu bring a new layer of storytelling and creativity that feels both elegant and playful.

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Even before its pandemic closure, the experience was considered a special occasion stop for many Disney visitors. Now, with its updated design and expanded offerings, the Garden View Lounge’s return feels like both a celebration of tradition and a chance to create new memories, whether you’re indulging in a sophisticated afternoon with friends or introducing younger generations to the wonder of tea service Disney-style.

We’re very excited that this restaurant will be reopening soon and will be taking you along with us for our first review when it opens! Stay tuned with us right here at DFB so you don’t miss a thing.

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Will you be booking your next tea experience at this reopened Disney World restaurant? Leave your thoughts about it in the comments below!