ADR @ Biergarten - Solo Diner

[SnowWhiteOz]

Hi all,

I'm visiting WDW on my own in August and have an ADR for Biergarten. I've read lots of good things and love German food so I figured it would be a good fit. However I am aware that it is generally better for groups. My question is will it be an awkward experience as a solo dinner? I have no problem sharing tables and talking to others (and am equally happy keeping to myself if the other diners aren't chatty).

If it is not going to be enjoyable I'm happy to try somewhere else.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

Jess

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

I would say that depends on the individual and the folks you are sharing a table with. If you have no problem sharing with a group of strangers, it shouldn't matter. Eat & enjoy. If you are afraid of feeling awkward, then I would pass on it. As for myself, I would feel uncomfortable, but that's me. You know yourself better then anyone, so go with your gut. If you have no issue with it, I say go for it. Eat & enjoy

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I've been to Biergarten alone several times. The only time it was ever awkward was when another solo diner at my table kept hitting on me. For the most part, people are friendly, even if they aren't particularly talkative.

 

[samsteele]

I've been to Biergarten solo a number of times and its never really awkward. If possible, get yourself right behind the hostess/host when they are gathering your group to seat you. That way, you have first choice of seats at the communal table. Go to the furthest seat (if that makes sense) on the end of the table closest to the stage. That way, if the people sitting next to you & across from you don't wish to chat, you can easily watch the show & the kids dancing on the floor. The drawback with Biergarten is that most people don't understand that it is traditional communal seating. So when they get to the table, they are put off and feel uneasy. This can make it very difficult to break the ice. I once was seated across from a young couple from Tennessee who stared at me blankly for a few minutes. After I asked them how they were enjoying their day, they remarked that they were "really freaked out, right now. We can't talk to you. We don't ever eat with strangers." They warmed up after a while. I'm really not a scary person. Just a nice middle-aged lady from Canada. So the problem isn't with solo diners. The problem is that others at your table may be shocked that they don't get their own table and so are a bit stunned. If that happens, either enjoy the band (while its playing) or get up and get some different food at the buffet. But don't deny yourself the chance to see the incredible theming & experience the ambiance of the place just because you are dining solo. Enjoy!

 

[SnowWhiteOz]

Thanks for the advice. I'll cross my fingers I have friendly table mates, and if not I'm sure I'll be having a good time after a glass or two of the German Riesling

 

[RookieLady]

I have eaten at Biergarten several times, twice with solo diners. We engage our table mates, so I enjoyed the meal, and I don't think the solos felt awkward at all. Once we shared a table as a party of four with another party of four that completely ignored us the whole time. I was a little bummed. I liked visiting with people I didn't know, even though I consider myself shy. I was always taught that at dinner, it's my duty as a guest (or a host) to make others feel comfortable. So, I always initiate, even if it's hard for me. Most of the time, people respond. It's usually pretty easy to get people to talk about where they are from and their home.

 

[disnut8]

Hi all,

I'm visiting WDW on my own in August and have an ADR for Biergarten. I've read lots of good things and love German food so I figured it would be a good fit. However I am aware that it is generally better for groups. My question is will it be an awkward experience as a solo dinner? I have no problem sharing tables and talking to others (and am equally happy keeping to myself if the other diners aren't chatty).

If it is not going to be enjoyable I'm happy to try somewhere else.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

Jess

Heh. We had a meal there and my husband and I were seated with two females a bit older than us, a (we like) married couple), and then a single guy. Turns out the couple never talked to each other or anyone else, rolled their eyes when we ordered beers, grabbed a plate of food, ate it in a hurry, then left before being given the check. Meanwhile the single guy and my husband were happily talking about Germany since the single guy had lived there and my husband visited there while in the Air Force. After the couple left (thankfully), I found out the older females were from Philadelphia where I closely lived in my youth. So, the single guy wasn't the "problem". And after they left, the remaining five of us had such a great time that we almost missed Illuminations which we all wanted to see.

We've had many meals at Biergarten and that couple were the other people we've ever had a problem with. But, then again, they lasted about fifteen minutes.