Where to Find “Real” Sweet Tea at Disney World
If you’re from the South, you know that there’s a big difference between sweetened tea and “real” sweet tea; and if you have been to Disney World, you also know that it can be quite a challenge to find this Southern staple.
Now for those of you who don’t know, “real” sweet tea is Black Tea that is brewed with sugar while it’s still hot, as opposed to adding the sugar later. This process creates a smooth, blended sweet taste and consistency that can’t even compare to fruit flavored tea or the Gold Peak Tea found throughout the parks and resorts.
But if you’re like me, and sweet tea is your go-to refreshment after spending the day trekking through the parks, I have uncovered a few places at Disney World where you can enjoy a Southern-style Sweet Tea!
Starbucks – Starbucks locations have been opening up all throughout Disney World this past year, beginning with the Main Street Bakery at the Magic Kingdom, then Fountain View at Epcot, followed by two locations at Downtown Disney, and soon, a new location at Hollywood Studios. Now I know that Starbucks is all about coffee; but for me, it’s also a go-to for a sweet tea fix. Each Starbucks at Disney World now serves a Shaken Sweet Tea, which has all the flavor of real, Southern Sweet Tea. Plus, the variety of Starbucks locations means that I can grab a sweet tea almost anywhere at Disney World now with prices ranging from the smallest size at $1.99 to the largest at $3.29. Check out the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery’s menu here!
Trails End – The Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is one of my favorite corners at Disney World; and I always try to stop by the resort’s restaurant, Trails End, at least once during my vacation for the cozy, rustic setting, a home-cooked style meal, and, of course, sweet tea. Trails End is not just one of the only restaurants at Disney World to have real sweet tea, but it goes the extra mile in serving the beverage in old fashioned canning jars! Trails End is a buffet at breakfast at $20 per adult and $11 per child, and then $25 per adult and $14 per child at dinner. However, for lunch, Trails End has been offering an a la carte menu with dishes ranging from $12 to $20 with sweet tea at $2.99.
Trails End To Go – Fort Wilderness’ Trails End Restaurant has a to-go section if you’re looking to bring a meal back to your cabin or are in the mood for something to take with you. I personally like to drop by Trails End To Go to grab a Sweet Tea after spending an afternoon at the Fort Wilderness Resort. It costs about $2.99 and is so nice to sip when I’m ready to cool down or when hopping aboard a boat heading for the Magic Kingdom.
So now you know where you can go to find “real” Sweet Tea at Disney World. Are you a sweet tea fan? Do you know of any places to get a Sweet Tea while at Disney World?
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I had sweet tea at Olivia’s a couple years ago. It tasted fresh-brewed and not like Gold Peak to me, although it could have changed since then.
Not that you would actually do this in the parks, but you can make your own simple syrup by mixing 1C sugar with 1C water, and heating it until the sugar is dissolved. You can add the syrup to regular tea, to get that “sweet tea” taste. Much better than adding sugar to a cold drink, which never really dissolves. Like I said, you wouldn’t necessarily bring your own simple syrup into the parks with you, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. (And obviously you could only whip up the simple syrup if you have a kitchen, like in a DVC resort!)
If you finish a mio type flavor, you can insert your simple syrup into that.
It’s a good article. It highlights the limited choices even though there’s a big improvement in Disney choices.
We just got back from our first trip to Disney! We had sweet tea at both The Garden Grill and 50’s Prime Time Cafe. All the other places we went only had unsweetened.
Thanks for the info, Kathryn! So glad more restaurants at Disney World are offering sweet tea. Thanks for your comment!
I’m laughing because I’m sipping a McAlister’s sweet tea while catching up on the blog for the day, waiting for my carry-out dinner. 🙂
I’m a tea snob and usually bring my own tea bags along to WDW or DCL. I will steep a cup in my refillable mug and sweeten it, then put in the fridge overnight so I have “real” tea for the morning or whenever.
I love McAlisters sweet tea too! It’s probably why I’m so picky at WDW too. Great tip on how to make your own. I’ll have to try that on my next trip!
You left off the best locations. Boatwright’s does sweet tea, and Victoria and Albert’s does too.
Good point, Jeff. Boatwrights had always been on my list for Sweet Tea locations; but this summer, when I visited, I was told that they no longer served it. This was the same answer I received at Whispering Canyon Café at Wilderness Lodge. I wasn’t aware that Victoria and Albert’s offered sweet tea so I’ll have to remember that. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks so much Savannah. Just came back from the World and every time I asked for sweet tea I was offered a bottle. At table service restaurants like Chefs de France, I was given “fresh brewed” that had an after taste like dirt. Coming back in December and will definately go to Trails End.
If you love it that much, and you bring stuff in the parks anyway, bring a thermos full of warm concentrated sweet tea in with you and get cups of ice for free. Unlike soda, it is not fizzy and it’s intended to be watered down by ice. So it packs much better than most drink choices.
The monetary savings can make up for the hassle factor.
The specialty coffee stands at dhs and epcot have tea too i think. And there’s a whole cart/ snack location near the raft ride that has nothing but different kinds of tea.
Great tips, Ron. I usually fly so it’s difficult to bring liquids with me; but for those who drive or live locally, your suggestion is very helpful! Also,during my recent visits, many of the stands only offer traditional teas instead of Southern sweet tea; but maybe this will change! Thanks for your comment!
You can make hot water in your coffee pot in your room (except for value resorts). Make the tea, add the sugar, and pour into thermos the night before.