Is Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea Worth It? What This Review Helped Me Realize
A reflective look at the return of afternoon tea at Disney's Grand Floridian, and why one honest review helped me think about it differently.
We spend a lot of time at the Grand Floridian.
It is one of the Disney resorts we return to most, and the one we probably spend the most time in across a year. Part of that is because we bought more Disney Vacation Club points there a few years ago after realizing how different our first stay felt in the best way.
We also own at Copper Creek, another favorite, but Grand Floridian became the resort we pay closer attention to.
So when afternoon tea came back, it caught my attention right away.
Especially with the Grand Floridian Cafe expected to be closed during one of our upcoming stays, it felt like the return of something people had missed since it disappeared when the pandemic changed so much around Walt Disney World.
Still, one thing about Disney is that something can look amazing in pictures and land very differently in real life.
That is why I wanted insight from someone we trust.
Quick Answer
Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea looks most worth it for adults, couples, and special occasions, especially if you enjoy slower resort moments. For families with younger kids or travelers focused on maximizing value, it may feel more like a beautiful extra than a must-do.
Why Kristen's Review from @WrightDownMainStreet Stood Out
We have watched Kristen from WrightDownMainStreet for years, and her channel has built a following on honest Disney food reviews.
In her Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea review, she opens with a simple question: "Is it actually worth it? Let's go find out."
That was exactly the question I cared about too.
Years ago, our daughter got to do the Alice and Mad Hatter tea at the Grand Floridian, a kids-focused experience that was one of the coolest and most affordable things we had done there. That experience also disappeared along with the Afternoon Tea Service at the Garden View Tea Room. This new version of tea time looks polished and definitely pricier.
Kristen's review helped put that into perspective.
What She Noticed About the Experience
She points out that the tea service now costs $79 plus tax and tip per adult and $49 plus tax and tip per child, with extra add-ons available beyond that.
She also noticed what many Disney World fans would probably notice right away: the space feels refreshed. She says the reopened tea room looks "more modern, bright, and in a way more refreshing," and that it matches the updated Grand Floridian lobby better than the old version did.
That part matters at a resort like this.
The Grand Floridian has always been about more than just food. The atmosphere is part of the appeal. And Kristen seemed to feel that too, describing the room as "really nice, elegant, bright."
Where the Value Question Changes
What I appreciated most is that her review did not stay in the glow of the room.
By the end, she gave the kind of answer that feels much more useful than hype. After sharing that her total came to $98.36 including tax and tip, not counting add-ons, Kristen said, "Do I think what I received was worth $98.36? Probably not."
That line says a lot.
Not because it means the experience is bad, but because it helps frame what this really is.
In the same review, she explains that she would recommend it for a birthday, a special celebration, or a relaxing resort day between long park days.
That feels like the most honest version of the answer.
So, Is Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea Worth It?
I think the fairest answer is this: it depends on what kind of Disney vacation you are trying to have.
If you are looking for a relaxing resort experience in a beautiful setting, Kristen's review makes it clear why this could be worth considering.
If you are measuring it mostly by food value, her review also makes it clear why some people may walk away less impressed.
If you are trying to decide whether Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea is worth it, her vlog makes one thing pretty clear: this is probably best for someone who wants the setting and the pace just as much as the food.
Support Kristen's Channel
If you enjoy Disney Cruise Line content, Disney theme park content, and thoughtful reviews that help you make better decisions before you spend money, WrightDownMainStreet is absolutely worth supporting.
Kristen does a great job showing what an experience actually feels like beyond the polished photos, and that is exactly what makes her channel so useful. She covers a lot of Disney Cruise Line, Disney World, and other Disney travel experiences in a way that feels informative, honest, and easy to trust.
If this review helped you the way it helped me, take a few minutes to explore the Disney Cruise Line playlist below. It is a great way to support her work while also finding more helpful videos for your own Disney cruise planning.
More from Kristen
If you enjoyed the video above, I really recommend supporting Kristen’s work.
One of the things I appreciate most about WrightDownMainStreet is that her content is not just helpful for Disney food reviews, she also shares a lot of great Disney Cruise Line and Disney theme park content that is thoughtful, detailed, and genuinely useful when you are planning a trip.
If you want to support the kind of content she is creating, consider joining her Patreon.
