Disney Shares NEW Behind-the-Scenes Details of Grand Floridian Tea Room Ahead of Reopening

A long-awaited Disney World experience is finally reopening soon!

Opening to guests of all ages and occasions on March 19, 2026, The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to bring guests on a whimsical afternoon tea extravaganza. This reimagined offering blends the elegance of the Victorian era with the playful charm of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Alice in Wonderland, bringing the timeless story from the silver screen to the heart of the newly refurbished Grand Floridian, sure to leave guests feeling enchanted.

After a nearly six-year-long closure, the Garden View Lounge Tea Room Experience at the Grand Floridian Hotel will reopen on March 19th. We recently got the chance to chat with some of the brilliant minds behind the reimagined space, including a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation!

The Garden View Lounge Tea Room Experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort will reopen on March 19th with a brand-new Alice in Wonderland theme. When we spoke with the team behind the new transformation, they said it was easy to go with this theme because of, well, you know, the whole Mad Tea Party thing.

Each of the Cast Members we spoke with brought their own unique specialties to the Tea Room:

Alessandra Rogers, Chef de Cuisine-Pastry
Michelle Schutte, Chef
Amber Trafford, Proprietor; Tea Professional
Suzanne Szak, Senior Interior Designer, Walt Disney Imagineering

The new space has been redesigned to match the resort’s updated aesthetic while preserving the gracious atmosphere that 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.

Suzanne Szak, Senior Interior Designer with Walt Disney Imagineering, said that the space is inspired by Victorian conservatories, which is reflected in the expansive, arched glass windows and views of the garden. Expect to see repeating floral patterns throughout the space in the carpet, murals, and the stained glass.

There are also birds seen around the space, primarily wrens and sparrows, which are both native to Florida. There are Mickey Mouse silhouettes hidden in the carpet as well!

The full menu, which costs $79 per adult, plus tax and gratuity, includes the following:

Teas:

Orangery of Lady Grey – Light and fragrant black tea with bright citrus notes of orange and bergamot. A refreshing twist on classic Earl Grey, inspired by sunlit English orangeries
London Strand Breakfast – Bold and malty Assam black teas with golden-tipped leaves for richness and a full-bodied finish
Nutty Chocolate Flavoured Assam – Rich Assam black tea meets the flavours of smooth chocolate and roasted hazelnuts. A blend inspired by the timeless pairing of tea and chocolate.
Spicy Chai – A blend of African black tea and Rooibos with a blend of fragrant spices for a rich and delicious Chai.
Exotic Mango & Ginger – A rich, fragrant blend of glorious mango and ginger layered over a base of green tea.
Lemongrass & Peppermint – Refreshing lemongrass blended with sweet peppermint, creating an upliftingly smooth herbal citrus infusion.
Redbush Caramel Velvet – A vibrant copper-red herbal infusion made from South African redbush leaves. Flavoured with caramel and safflowers for a smooth, comforting cup.
Blackcurrant & Lavender – Rich and fragrant, this herbal blend delivers the essence of autumn-fiery golden leaves, vibrant holly berries, and fields of amber harvests.

Tea-Based Cocktails:

Mint Tulip: featuring Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Kentucky Straight Whiskey, Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea Instant Beverage, and mint
Mar-TEA-ni: with Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, lemon, and honey.

Non-Alcoholic Specialty Teas:

Curiosi-TEA: with Twinings Refreshers Strawberry Raspberry Herbal Tea Instant Beverage with a touch of shimmering magic
This Way, That Way: with Twinings Refreshers Peach Mango Tea, Herbal Tea Instant Beverage, and mint

Food

Orange-Cranberry Scone – A classic English scone with orange and cranberry for a starter
Curried Chicken Salad Playing Card Tart – Savory curried chicken salad filling topped with cherry gelée
Footman’s Feast: Wonderland Salmon Crisp – 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
Matcha Mad Hatter – Sponge cake with apricot jam and yuzu buttercream
Tea Party Tart – Vanilla tart, coffee custard, and chantilly cream
Flamingo Croquet Choux – Choux pastry filled with passion fruit cream and a raspberry crunch
Painting the Rose – Earl Grey-flavored teacake painted tableside

There are also additional enhancements available, including a Seasonal Cheese Selection or Royal Osetra Caviar with Mini Chive Biscuits and Traditional Accompaniments, along with a plant-based menu option as well.

For younger visitors, Disney is offering a $49 Children’s Afternoon Tea featuring savory minis like the Queen of Hearts Cheese Toastie, a Fanciful Turkey Wrap, and a Sunflower Seed Butter and Jelly Bun. For dessert, kids can have the Cheshire Cat Raspberry Macaron, the Chocolate Brownie Branch, and don’t be late for the vanilla White Rabbit Cupcake.

Disney also gave us a closer look at some of the menu items in this new video:

Don’t be late for a very important tea date at The Garden View Lounge – Tea Experience reopening Mar.19 in Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 🐇✨ #DisneyEats pic.twitter.com/fveLQpsltp

— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) March 16, 2026

We’ll be bringing you our full review of the Garden View Lounge Tea Room Experience after it opens. In the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney news and more!

Check out more Disney World news at the links below!

Will you be booking a table at the Garden View Lounge Tea Room? Let us know in the comments below.

Disclosure: We were invited by Disney World to attend a media panel about the Garden View Lounge Tea Room. This did not affect our reporting of the event — our opinions are our own.