Disney World is home to tons of different restaurants. Some of them we love, some of them we strongly dislike, and others…well some others we haven’t been able to experience in years.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic park closures, there have been some Disney World experiences that have yet to return, such as Restaurant Marrakesh in EPCOT and Voyage of the Little Mermaid (which is going to house a new show later this year). And there’s one of our favorites we’re really starting to get worried about, if we’re being honest. So Disney, are you ever bringing the Garden View Tea Room back?

The Garden View Tea Room used to be offered over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Before the 2020 closures, you could experience British-style Afternoon Tea packages complete with tea and tea time bites (like cucumber sandwiches, fruit tarts, and petit fours) from noon to 4PM each day.

Garden View Tea Room

You could also experience the Perfectly Princess Tea Party, which was a morning tea where “Rose Petal,” a magic rose from Princess Aurora’s garden, came alive to join tea party guests. Rose Petal would tell stories, sing-along to songs, and host a Princess Parade — it was a big hit for kids who loved princesses, for sure. 

Grand Floridan Tea Offerings

The sad part is that we haven’t heard ANYTHING about this location since the 2020 closure. Seriously, not a single word. So does this mean it’s closed forever? Is Disney going to replace it? Right now it’s just been sitting there empty for 4 LONG years, and we hate to think about a once beloved place sitting unused for so long.

In 2023 the room opened back up, but not for tea

However, there is some good news here! Earlier this year, 1900 Park Fare finally reopened at the Grand Floridian after not hearing anything about its status for over 3 years. It’s a different experience than it was before — it’s still a character dining meal, but you’ll get to experience Wish Makers Enchanted Dining with Aladdin (in his Prince Ali outfit), Tiana in her new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure outfit, Cinderella, and Mirabel from Encanto. So could this mean that we WILL see the return of the Garden View Tea Room and that all hope isn’t lost?

Hey, Aladdin!

Over at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn though, we expect to see The Cake Bake Shop open soon, which will not only feature sweet and savory items for brunch, lunch, and dinner but afternoon tea service will also be offered! Disney has had to push back the opening timeline of this restaurant a few times already, but when it does open, there will be an afternoon tea service spot once again — does that mean that the Garden View Tea Room will be considered replaced?

It’s coming along slowly but surely!

Disney is always throwing curve balls when it comes to many different aspects of their parks, but especially dining. Not to worry though — we’ll be there to cover all the changes so YOU can make informed decisions when deciding what to book on your next trip. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on any and all news we hear about the Garden View Tea Room, so stay tuned to DFB!

5 SNEAKY CHANGES Disney World Thought We Wouldn’t Notice

What do you think about the Garden View Tea Room? Tell us in the comments!