Please welcome back guest poster Kristin! She is becoming a frequent guest poster here on Disney in your Day, and due to our sometimes different approaches in Disney I always love to hear what she has to say. Today she is going to share her experience of the Royal Garden Tea Tour in Epcot.
The Royal Garden Tea Tour is very similar to the standard tea tour. Both are offered only during the Epcot Flower and Garden festival. In both cases, a UK cast member leads you around the pavilion’s tea garden, explaining the different varieties and the plants used to make them. However, because the “Royal” tour is longer (45 minutes as opposed to about 25 for the standard), they discuss all of the teacups rather than just a selection. The cast members are very knowledgeable about the teas, and questions are encouraged. However, since the garden and tour are sponsored by Twinings, all of the information is geared toward that tea brand.
At the end of the tour, they have a selection of teas for you to sample, as well as a biscuit and scone. The food is accompanied by clotted cream, whipped butter, and jam. It was hearty enough that I considered it “breakfast.” They do have a few stand-up tables in the shop, but you’ll be sharing with other people. Use it as an excuse to make new friends and ask them which teas they recommend! 😉
You can stay as long as you want and sample multiple teas. This is definitely a place where it would be great to go with a friend – you can each select different teas to try and then sample each other’s as well! They Cast Members didn’t seem to mind that a few of us wanted to linger over our tea, and by the time we were done World Showcase was just about to open.
Overall I’d definitely recommend this experience if you enjoy tea. The Royal tour is at 9:30 AM, so World Showcase isn’t even opened yet, and the pavilion is empty except for those on the tour. It’s also a lot cooler in the morning; the standard tours are in the mid-afternoon and are often sweltering! And while the standard tour is free, for the extra $15 you get enough food to serve as breakfast and as many samples of tea as you’d like. I felt it was well worth the money, and would absolutely consider doing it again next time I go to the Flower & Garden Festival.
Note: Since World Showcase isn’t open when the tour runs, you’ll need to make a reservation ahead of time. This is done through WDW-TOUR, not WDW-DINE. They do ask you for a credit card to hold your reservation.
Did you know about Epcot’s Royal Garden Tea Tour? Is it something you’d be interested in doing?
I have never been to any of the Disney parks but I am a tea lover and this sounds right up my alley. How fun!!
I love tea too! If you ever get the chance to visit Disney World they do an afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian that is a really amazing experience too.
This sounds like so much fun. I’m definitely more of a tea than coffee person, so this would be perfect.
Me too. I do coffee in the morning just to get me through, but tea is for enjoyment!
Sounds like something I would like to do.
I was thinking that – if we ever visit during Flower and Garden festival again you and I should totally do it!
This sounds like so much fun! Disney has the coolest events.
I agree, I love all of the little extras that they do!