It’s Tea Time at Walt Disney World
Believe it or not, it can get a little chilly in Central Florida! The overnight temperatures have dipped into the 30’s and 40’s several times recently, and we still have a few more weeks of winter to endure. The days are sunny and warm, but when I’m in Florida, I’m expecting those 90+ degree days that leave me searching for the nearest ice cream cart to cool me off, so when I recently found myself longing for something to warm me up, I knew I had to think creatively.
In my mind, I imagined myself back home in the Northeast on a freezing January day and the answer came to me as fast as Genie emerged from that magic lamp: tea! Luckily I knew a few spots that would have everything I needed to quell my cravings. The next time you’re looking for a beverage to warm you up (or cool you down…all of the following can be served iced!) or for some souvenir teas to take home, you’ve come to the right place!
Starbucks
Since there is one on every corner of in neighborhood, I know Starbucks isn’t a Disney-exclusive coffee stop, but that doesn’t mean their Tazo teas don’t hit the spot on a chilly day, especially when served in an adorable Disney/Starbucks collaboration cup! Whenever I’m in the mood for Chai, Starbucks is my go-to spot. I find the flavor balance of Starbucks’ chai is the very spice-forward with the smoothest finish after you swallow, yum! It’s delicious with some honey too. My mother’s favorite is the passion tea; no matter the temperature outside, she orders it unsweetened and over ice.
Sip Tea While the Monkeys Swing
Located in every park and around WDW resort, Joffrey’s locations are hot spots for specialty coffee drinks and freakishly large pastries. My favorite of the Joffrey’s locations (and the one I went to when I needed that warm drink) is located right by the monkeys in Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Royal Andandapur Tea Company has a slew of tea options to choose from, and I had a really tough time choosing between the chamomile lime and lemon ginger teas. I ultimately ended up choosing lemon ginger and would absolutely recommend it to any fellow tea lover!
Nose First!
Let your nose be your guide because when you step through the doors of this shop, your nose will be sent into wonderful, hypnotizing sensory overload! The Spice and Tea exchange store at Disney Springs sells exactly what the name says: spices and teas, and the aroma of said products beg you to let your nostrils do the choosing. There are tons and tons of spices, teas, salts, sugars, and other trinkets for sale here, but the specialty teas are a real standout. From light and fruity to traditional blacks, you’ll find a tea mixture that you’re looking for without a doubt.
A Little Extra Heat
Another option for afternoon tea at Disney Springs is Tea Trader’s Café, located in the Landing. All of the tea options available at the Joffrey’s kiosks are available here, but these cold winter nights call for a little extra warmth in your cup, if you know what I mean. There are a variety of spiked teas on the menu here, but my favorite is the tea toddy. The traditional black tea/whiskey combo is the true definition of a hot beverage to this Northeastern girl!
Twinings and Tea Tours
The Tea Caddy in the UK Pavilion at Epcot is a tea lovers’ paradise. With perhaps the largest selection of tea across WDW property, this quaint, cozy tea shop is stocked with boxes of Twinings’ teas in all sizes all set for you to take home and enjoy once your vacation is over. I could list all of the different teas available here, but my fingers would probably cramp up from all the typing!
If you’re visiting during Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival, a complimentary tour of the tea gardens are available daily on a first come first serve basis. A UK native cast member leads the tour and if you aren’t too enthralled by their English accent, you’ll learn what makes tea ‘tea’; the different types of leaves, the drying, the flavor blending, where caffeine comes from, and so much more!
With so many places to raise your pinky and toast to high tea, I’m not sure I can choose a favorite! I’ve been known to frequent that cute little Joffrey’s at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and pick up an apple fritter to enjoy with my tea while my mother would probably vote Starbucks’ passion iced as Disney’s top choice for tea. No matter where you choose to toast at teatime, we want to know which option you’ll try on your next trip. Let us know in the comments below!
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Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!