The Garden View Lounge Opens at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

This week saw the opening of an elegant new addition to the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the much-awaited Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience! This reimagined offering blends the elegance of the Victorian era with the playful charm of Alice in Wonderland, bringing the timeless story from the silver screen to the heart of the newly refurbished Grand Floridian, sure to leave you feeling enchanted.

Disney just shared some breathtaking images of the new lounge, so join us we take a tour of this new retreat that’s brimming with Victorian elegance!

 

 

A Whimsical Welcome to the Reimagined Lounge

 

As you step into The Garden View Lounge, it feels like you’re walking into a sunlit conservatory. No matter the time of day, natural light pours into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the entire space a warm, inviting glow.

 

 

As you look closer into the space, the furniture strikes a balance between modern comfort and classic Victorian, making the lounge feel fresh while honoring the beloved Grand Floridian style that we know and love.

 

 

Details That Bring the Space to Life

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As with all things Disney, the magic is in the details. The floral patterns, plush fabrics, and gentle hues of green, blue, and gold create a serene atmosphere that feels connected to nature.

 

 

Organic shapes appear throughout the room, portraying the flowers and leaves you’d find in a flourishing garden, creating a lush escape for anyone who enters.

 

 

The brass-framed mirrors resemble flower petals, reflecting an outdoor garden, while the stained-glass windows featuring native Floridian birds add color, character, and warmth.

 

 

Looking down, the gorgeous carpet inspired by winding garden vines will have you stop in your tracks. Do you see anything “hidden” integrated into the design?

 

 

 

 

A Timeless Tradition Returns

This long-awaited Afternoon Tea Service returns with a delicious menu inspired by the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland, of course served with a unique presentation of loose leaf teas from Twinings. Adults are welcome to choose between a traditional tea service or a plant-based option, while younger Guests can enjoy a special children’s tea. It’s a thoughtful approach that makes the experience feel welcoming for families, couples, and solo tea lovers alike.

 

 

A Scrumptious Menu

With new touches from the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Alice in Wonderland, you will have an unforgettable experience. From small bites, both sweet and savory, to a selection of teas, you’ll be on quite the journey with each sip and bite amongst the elegance of this beloved location, now with a whimsical touch. There are options for both adults and the little ones, making this an outing the whole family can enjoy together.

Our beverage and culinary experts have gone down the rabbit hole and are ready for you to join them with this lineup of flavors. Here is a peek at the new menu:

Beverages

Let’s begin our adventure with the beverages! We’ll start with the tea selection. Disney worked with Twinings to hand-select premium tea blends that offer something for everyone.

Delight in the Twinings Loose Leaf Tea Selections, including special flavors and classics like London Strand Breakfast and Spicy Chai, as well as more unique flavor combinations like Orangery of Lady Grey, which is a unique black tea featuring bright, orange notes that is exclusive to the Walt Disney World Resort. The Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam black tea is a must-try with smooth chocolate and roasted hazelnut flavors and if you are looking for something caffeine-free, enjoy the Blackcurrant and Lavender herbal tea.

After selecting your tea with the guidance of expertly trained cast members who serve as your own tea guide, you’ll be able to create a tea that is customized for you. Next, you’ll choose an aromatic designed to accompany the tea which is added during the steeping process. And feel free to add some extra sweetness!

   

   

And that’s not all. There are also two signature tea-based cocktails – the Mint Tulip featuring Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey, Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea Instant Beverage, and mint, and the Mar-TEA-ni with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, lemon, and honey.

You can also enjoy non-alcoholic specialty teas – the Curiosi-TEA with Twinings Refreshers Strawberry Raspberry Herbal Tea Instant Beverage with a touch of shimmering magic, and the This Way, That Way with Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea Herbal Tea Instant Beverage and mint.

And yes, the Lounge also offers a selection of champagne and sparkling wines.

Delicious Bites

We’re late! We’re late! For a very important plate! The culinary creations bring to life the ultimate afternoon tea experience. Before getting to the tea tower of treats (yes – you read that right), your taste buds will be delighted with the Orange-Cranberry Scone with traditional accoutrements.

 

 

Now for the three-tiers of food. The savory selections include:

Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart: Savory curried chicken salad filling topped with cherry gelée
Footman’s Feast: Wonderland Salmon Crisp with a salmon rillette on a miso brown butter crisp
Tweedledee Egg Salad Sandwich: A traditional egg salad on beet bread
Caterpillar Cucumber Roll: A delicious combination with butterfly pea-infused cream cheese and cucumbers on pumpernickel

 

 

 

Then, enjoy a sweet finish with the following:

The Matcha Mad Hatter: Sponge cake with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream
Tea Party Tart: Vanilla tart, coffee custard, and chantilly cream
Flamingo Croquet Choux filled with passion fruit cream and a raspberry crunch
Painting the Rose: Earl Grey-flavored teacake painted tableside
And for those looking for plant-based options, there’s also an afternoon tea selection for you too.

For some added delights, there are also enhancements you can indulge in – the Seasonal Cheese Selection or Royal Osetra Caviar with Mini Chive Biscuits and Traditional Accompaniments.

 

 

For the little ones, the Children’s Afternoon Tea features adorably delicious bites, including savory minis like the Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, a Fanciful Turkey Wrap, and a Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Bun. For dessert, we have the Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron, the Chocolate Brownie Branch, and don’t be late for the vanilla White Rabbit Cupcake.

With these tasty adventures, the possibilities are endless at the new Garden View Lounge. Enjoy!