Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been undergoing refurbishment, with construction finally coming to a close. This construction wrap-up is also tied to a fan-favorite restaurant and one of the many casualties of the pandemic era closures that never returned until now.
We just got an opening date and full menu reveal for this fan favorite Disney World restaurant as construction begins to wrap up at this deluxe Disney World resort hotel. At Mickey Visit, we report on recent news like the major changes at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the Magic Kingdom land expansions that are impacting Haunted Mansion.
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Disney’s Grand Floridian Finally Nearing End of Refurbishment
According to the Walt Disney World website, renovations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will continue in select areas through mid-2026. At this point, all of the major refurbishments have been on schedule, and the lobby is now complete with the new The Perch bar opening in November 2025.
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When refurbishments were first announced for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa guests were excited to learn the Garden View Lounge was also part of the refurbishment with plans to reopen this fan favorite experience in spring 2026.
The Garden View Lounge first closed as part of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and never reopened. It is encouraging to see experiences that disappeared after 2020 continuing to make their way back to Walt Disney World. The Children’s Afternoon Tea experience is especially beloved by fans.
Garden View Lounge- Tea Experience Opening Date
The Garden View Lounge- Tea Experience is reopening after a six-year-long closure, starting March 19, 2026, with reservations opening on February 19, 2026. The photo above is before this refurbishment. Disney has not released an up-close look at the refurbished space, but I expect it will be modernized to fit in with the rest of the hotel changes.
The Garden View Lounge will feature new touches from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film Alice in Wonderland, which is reflected in the menu that was also just released. Let’s get into this full menu reveal to see all the new offerings coming to The Garden View Lounge- Tea Experience.
The Garden View Lounge- Tea Experience Beverage Menu
Disney has collaborated with Twinings to hand-select premium tea blends. The Twinings Loose Leaf Tea Selections include 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 guests select their tea with the guidance of expertly trained cast members, you will 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.
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.
Visitors 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.
There will also be a selection of champagne and sparkling wines.
The Garden View Lounge- Tea Experience Food Menu
Before getting to the tea tower of treats, guests will be offered 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.
Children’s Afternoon Tea Menu
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.
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