By: Pixie Hollow Diva
I always wanted to do something with just my older daughter and myself. She recently turned seven years old. I also have a three-year-old daughter which can make it hard at times to do something with just my older one and myself. We were in Disney World this past April around her birthday, so I thought I would book something special for just her and I to do. I chose to do Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian. You can see information here and choose your booking date and time
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The afternoon tea takes place in the Garden View Room at the Grand Floridian Resort. It begins at noon and concludes at 4:00 pm. I recommend making a reservation at the 180-day time period so that you can book a convenient time for yourself. There is no time limit on how long you stay and enjoy your tea for. I liked this because we did not feel rushed at all. At one point I think my daughter was getting a little antsy after being there well over an hour. I mean, she is seven and an elegant and quiet atmosphere in Disney was somewhat short lived!
We had a 2:15 reservation for the afternoon tea. We arrived a little early so that we were able to walk around the grand lobby. The lobby is beautiful and elegant and does set you back in time. I wanted her to experience how elegant it really is, even though we have been there before. This time, since it was just her and I she held my hand and was able to really look at a lot of the décor and ask me about it all. I loved to see her interest in this, especially since it is not something she is familiar with. We walked around for about fifteen minutes and headed over to check in for our reservation. We only waited about five minutes and were quickly seated.
My daughter and myself were handed menus. The menu listed the several packages offered along with all the specialty tea choices. Prices for adults start at $35 and go as high as $150 per person. The higher packages include champagne and caviar and other expensive food options. The children’s Mrs. Pott’s menu is $23.00 per child. My option was called the Bedfordshire which consisted of my tea choice, finger sandwiches, assorted jams and pastries which you chose from a strawberries and crème or an English trifle. I chose the trifle pastry to go along with my other options and it was delicious! My daughter received a smaller, similar platter.
She had finger sandwiches including egg salad, tuna, ham and cheese and peanut butter and jelly. She is a picky eater but did eat most of the sandwiches, with only leaving a few bites of each. She also received some pastries and her choice of tea. Children can substitute the tea for a soft drink. She chose to try a fruity tea and loved it! (the few cubes of sugar I’m sure helped with her liking it more)
When you choose your tea, you are given your own small tea pot. This tea pot consists of several cups of your chosen tea. To help keep your tea warm, they pour your first cup for you and cover it with a warming sleeve. Your waitress then brings out your finger sandwiches. Once you start eating they bring our you own dessert samples on a tiered dish. This is great because you can eat at your own pace. You can take your time and then you also do not need to wait if you are finished with one course and looking to speed things along. It nice to relax but remember you’re in Disney and to me I had more things I wanted to do that day.
I would love to do this again with both of my girls. It is something entirely different and I know my younger daughter would also enjoy it, but maybe next year when she’s just over four. I feel like at three she would not have understood the concept, nor would she have eaten anything on the menu. My seven-year-old kept telling me how good the food was and how much fun she was having. I think part of it was the afternoon tea made her feel a little older and she likes that sometimes. I also think she really enjoyed the one on one time her and I had together. You do not necessary have to do this with your children or any children for that matter. The afternoon tea is offered to anyone. I chose to do this with my daughter for a nice Mommy and Me experience.
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