Disney villains are taking over afternoon tea at London Hilton on Park Lane for a limited time. The seasonal “Once Upon a Villain” edition of the Disney Princess Afternoon Tea brings a darker twist to the experience at Park Corner Brasserie, with themed sandwiches, villain inspired sweet treats and a royal voting card.
If you’re looking for a Disney afternoon tea in London, here’s what to know about the menu, prices and booking before visiting. I’ll add my own review once I’ve experienced it.
What is the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea?
The experience follows the story of the Royal Recipe Book, a collection of creations from Disney Princesses. Guests become honorary Princess Consultants and taste testers, helping decide which dishes deserve a place in its next chapter.
For this limited time edition, Disney’s villains want their creations included too. Guests can taste the themed menu, cast their vote using a royal voting card and take home a certificate recognising their royal duties.
Where is the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea in London?
The afternoon tea takes place at Park Corner Brasserie inside London Hilton on Park Lane, in Mayfair beside Hyde Park. The restaurant also hosts the official Disney Princess Afternoon Tea.
Address: Park Corner Brasserie, London Hilton on Park Lane, 22 Park Lane, London.
Is it available for a limited time?
Yes. “Once Upon a Villain” is a seasonal edition of the Disney Princess Afternoon Tea, rather than a permanent menu.
The booking banner advertises the experience until 16 November. Check availability for your preferred date when booking, particularly if you’re planning a visit around Halloween or the school holidays.
What is on the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea menu?
The menu combines sandwiches inspired by Disney stories with a sweet finale inspired by some of Disney’s best known villains.
The artwork features the Evil Queen, Jafar, Ursula and Mother Gothel, setting the theme for this seasonal afternoon tea.
Disney inspired sandwiches
The savoury menu includes four sandwiches:
- Gus inspired cheese sandwich: Cheese and sweet onion marmalade served on tomato bread, inspired by Cinderella’s mouse companion.
- Ma Cherie Sandwich: A smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich.
- The Carriage Awaits: Chicken with pumpkin butter, inspired by Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage.
- From the Bayou: Roast beef, mayonnaise and lettuce, shaped like a floating lily pad and inspired by Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog.
The Wickedly Sweet Finale
The Disney Villains Afternoon Tea menu includes sweet treats inspired by some familiar villains, with designs that bring their stories to the table.
- The Forbidden Apple: Apple crumble sponge with caramelised apple and custard mousse.
- Between Two Thorns: Vanilla cheesecake with blueberry compote and a chocolate buttery biscuit.
- Deep Sea Swirl: A chocolate shortbread tart with salted caramel crémeux, blackberry gel and vanilla mousse.
- The Fairest of Them All: Black carbon biscuit with single origin chocolate ganache and cherry compote.
- Mystic Top Hat: Black velvet cake with banana ganache and toffee, inspired by Dr. Facilier’s hat from The Princess and the Frog.
- The Scones of Mischief: Black cherry and blueberry scone, alongside plain scones.
There’s also a touch of Cinderella magic with “If the Shoe Fits”, featuring chocolate truffles presented in a glass slipper.
How much does the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea cost?
The advertised afternoon tea prices:
- £70 per adult.
- £45 per child.
Hilton also lists these adult and child prices for its Disney Princess Afternoon Tea.
The supplied menu states that prices include VAT and a discretionary 13% service charge will be added to the bill.
The booking information does not specify the age range for the child price, so confirm this with the restaurant before reserving.
How do you book?
Reservations can be made through Park Corner Brasserie’s online booking page.
Card details are required to secure the reservation. According to the booking information, the card will not be charged unless the late cancellation policy applies.
Guests must give at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel. Cancellations within that period incur a £40 charge per person, taken from the card on file.
Dietary requirements and allergies
Guests should include any allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements in their booking notes at checkout. The venue states that it will contact guests by telephone and email to confirm these ahead of the visit.
The menu also explains that food is prepared in an area where allergens are present. Anyone with an allergy should discuss the ingredients and preparation arrangements directly with the restaurant’s management team.
My thoughts on the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea in London
Much like the Moana version, my understanding during our visit was that none of the afternoon tea food was made with nuts, so it already gets a massive thumbs up from me!
As someone who has lived with a nut allergy for 32 years, it’s refreshing to enjoy an afternoon tea without nuts featuring throughout the menu. Of course, cross contamination is still a consideration. So much of what I eat carries a “may contain traces” warning, and that’s something I’ve had to navigate for years. This isn’t a guarantee that the afternoon tea is suitable for everyone with a nut allergy, so always discuss your own requirements with the restaurant before booking.
The food and tea
I was a big fan of the “Don’t forget to warn him about the cat!” sandwich. I do love cheese, so the Gus inspired cheese sandwich was always going to be a strong contender for my favourite.
The menu we had listed it with sundried tomato butter, and it was definitely one of the highlights for me. Sometimes, with themed afternoon teas, you’re so focused on the elaborate cakes that the sandwiches almost become an afterthought, but this one deserves a mention.
I also had an absolutely delicious red tea. I’ve completely forgotten its name, which is frustrating because I would happily order it again! If I manage to confirm which one it was, I’ll update this post.
The Disney villains theming and attention to detail
I loved the designs and the attention to detail. The apple presented on the mirror was such a lovely nod to the Evil Queen, while Dr. Facilier’s top hat was another detail I really appreciated.
The top hat creation, called Mystic Top Hat on the menu, combines black velvet cake with banana ganache and toffee. It’s those recognisable touches that make a Disney themed afternoon tea feel special, especially when you know the films and can spot the references.
My one little niggle was the restaurant decorations. I had expected the Disney Princess statues to be replaced with Disney villains for this edition, but the princesses were still there. It didn’t take away from our experience, though. That’s just me being picky and wanting the villains takeover to go a little further!
Would I recommend the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea?
Overall, I really enjoyed the Disney Villains Afternoon Tea at London Hilton on Park Lane. The themed food and thoughtful presentation make it a lovely way to enjoy a little Disney magic in London.
I’d recommend it to big Disney fans who fancy something special without travelling to the Disney parks. Just remember that this villains edition is available for a limited time, so check the dates and availability before planning your visit.
