Biergarten fans... tell me about it

[ArmyVet80]

You can also check out the Winekellar to the left of the entrance to Sommerfest/Biergarten. It has different wines (including a wine flight) and beers. This is where my DW and I go before we check-in for our ADR at the Biergarten.

 

[mickeygirl78]

This is a must do for our family every year. We've always enjoyed the food, even our very picky eater. The Mac and cheese is really good. We are a group of 7 so we never sit with others (tables hold 8) but my first time there we were only 3and sat with another party of 3, it was nice.

 

[Lisa F]

Every country has multiple cocktails to choose from. Right outside the entrance you will have may German choices, beer, wine and shots... You can definitely get medicated. Grapefruit Beer would be my choice. At the restaurant pretzel bread, beer and sausage, you can't go wrong.

I am not much of a beer person but I am betting a shot or two before sitting next to strangers would help

 

[Lisa F]

You can also check out the Winekellar to the left of the entrance to Sommerfest/Biergarten. It has different wines (including a wine flight) and beers. This is where my DW and I go before we check-in for our ADR at the Biergarten.
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Confession: Would you believe I have never really done much more than walk past germany? in ALL the years I've been to WDW. Crazy. I knew the caramel place was there so planned to stop by but I guess it is a good time to explore it. Definitely thinking a glass of wine will take the edge off.

This is a must do for our family every year. We've always enjoyed the food, even our very picky eater. The Mac and cheese is really good. We are a group of 7 so we never sit with others (tables hold 8) but my first time there we were only 3and sat with another party of 3, it was nice.

I figure it will be like being on a cruise or something. I am REALLY looking forward to it now and so is the kiddo. It's exciting when you can try something new that you've always wanted to but never got around to trying!

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

Germany has the best pretzels in WDW. Maybe not on your way to dinner but a different day. Also I think it's one of the best countries with all the details but I've always wanted to go so I'm a little biased.

 

[crabbygal902]

My family loves Biergarten! We like dinner more than lunch because there are more choices on the buffet. My favorites: tomato basil salad, cucumber dill salad, apple strudel, and pretzel rolls. I love the tomato basil salad so much that I make it at home at least a couple times a month. My DH and DSs love the meats and potato dishes.
The service has been stellar each time we've visited.

As a family of (mostly) introverts, we were kinda worried about sitting with others and making small talk. Honestly, it is now one of our favorite aspects of the restaurant. It is fun to talk about your day and compare notes with your table mates. Even when we've been seated with folks who won't talk to us, we still have a great time enjoying the show during our meal. Having something else to focus on helps with communal seating.

 

[HopperFan]

interesting that you listed dining with others. this was one of my reservations but I would love to take the kiddo on a cruise and realized we'd be dining with others so why not. He is on the spectrum and has some social issues and is right now very focused on how to make friends, so he is really hoping that he can "make new friends" at this experience. I hope we don't get duds for table mates or at least people who are willing to talk to a sweet, inquisitive 8 year old. I did tell him maybe they will not be very friendly and he said that's ok, they might just get distracted by the food and the show. At least we have each other. awww. Since we are only 2 there is a chance there will be more than one other party at our table, hopefully some friendly!

Oldest DS is fully involved disabled so this was a concern for us too. We now go often and he loves it! With the show, the eating and the beer - there is a lot going on even if your table mates are not talkers. We have found every trip they fill the table. So we have been with 1 other group, 2 other groups and 1 couple plus two singles. We've had great conversations and amazing how many times we found a common thread. I once had a Mom and two kids (plus a couple) who didn't want to sit with us. I took it personal that it was because of my DS. Hostess gave her no option. Once we got talking she was concerned her boys would be disruptive to us and turned out she was in same sports business as my DS (and our family has always been involved). Great convo and the boys were fine.

ALL our times there we had one couple who showed up, didn't speak to us or each other, ate and left. The other couple of ladies and us just busted out laughing that they had so wasted their money there. Just be bold and talk to them first ... it may be they are shy to strangers but would be glad for convo.

ENJOY! If folks don't want to talk that is their loss.

 

[MCC Retired]

Go for the entertainment and atmosphere .
It is pricey ,even by Disney Standards , for a buffet , especially a dinner buffet .

 

[ars0525]

OP--I would love to sit by your child. He's got a great attitude about meeting people & willing to try new things.

I have sat with tables where it's more chatty & others not so much. Nobody has ever been outright rude or anything. As others have mentioned between the "show" & volume there's a lot to take in so sometimes I'm just sitting there watching (and letting food settle lol) & not necessarily trying to be non-social. I was around some very authentic German cooking for awhile so I am sure it varies in quality, but I love the food they serve & enjoy coming here. I go for lunch (like the very last seating time) to save $$$ & eat enough it carries over for dinner too. They offer a discount if you have the Disney VISA I think or an AP.

Definitely go for a walk inside the Werther's shop...the smells...oh my!!!!!! And just looking at all the yummy treats on display is a sugar overload. And the all the Swarovski crystals...another amazing spot I spend time just looking. Try to be in the courtyard when the clocks go off too...your son would probably enjoy that. My dad likes watching that part.

 

[BattyKoda]

We are looking at adding this ADR for late Aug for lunch. Is there a time that you recommend? Is noon good or should we aim for earlier/later?

 

[steg]

Can anyone describe the types of "antics" that take place?

 

[Lisa F]

My family loves Biergarten! We like dinner more than lunch because there are more choices on the buffet. My favorites: tomato basil salad, cucumber dill salad, apple strudel, and pretzel rolls. I love the tomato basil salad so much that I make it at home at least a couple times a month. My DH and DSs love the meats and potato dishes.
The service has been stellar each time we've visited.

As a family of (mostly) introverts, we were kinda worried about sitting with others and making small talk. Honestly, it is now one of our favorite aspects of the restaurant. It is fun to talk about your day and compare notes with your table mates. Even when we've been seated with folks who won't talk to us, we still have a great time enjoying the show during our meal. Having something else to focus on helps with communal seating.

We are doing dinner because it fits into our schedule. Also doing the DxDDP so saving a little money is not an issue. I'm glad to hear about the tomato basil salad, THAT is more my style than the mayo based ones. I was beginning to wonder where I'd get a little fiber with everything else they serve, lol.

I was thinking about it and thinking about how when we stake out spots for parades half the time we end up chatting with the people next to us. I think it will be fine too. I do think on some other thread I labeled this situation "hell on earth" but that must have been on an extremely introverted day

Oldest DS is fully involved disabled so this was a concern for us too. We now go often and he loves it! With the show, the eating and the beer - there is a lot going on even if your table mates are not talkers. We have found every trip they fill the table. So we have been with 1 other group, 2 other groups and 1 couple plus two singles. We've had great conversations and amazing how many times we found a common thread. I once had a Mom and two kids (plus a couple) who didn't want to sit with us. I took it personal that it was because of my DS. Hostess gave her no option. Once we got talking she was concerned her boys would be disruptive to us and turned out she was in same sports business as my DS (and our family has always been involved). Great convo and the boys were fine.

ALL our times there we had one couple who showed up, didn't speak to us or each other, ate and left. The other couple of ladies and us just busted out laughing that they had so wasted their money there. Just be bold and talk to them first ... it may be they are shy to strangers but would be glad for convo.

ENJOY! If folks don't want to talk that is their loss.

This is a good reminder to not make assumptions about other people's motivations. My kiddo has his stuff but it is pretty much hidden most of the time (unless he is having a meltdown like a 3 year old only he is an 8 year old the size of a 10 year old, and then people do stare) and no one can really tell anything on casual interaction. He actually relates VERY well to adults and is smart and funny and they usually find him pretty charming. But he is EXTREMELY straightforward with absolutely no filter but I don't in general worry about him. One time he was at his friend's house and his friend was being a brat, having a tantrum about something he wanted and was told no about. His mother told him that he had no right to be having a fit over this as pretty much gets what he wants and that it made him ungrateful. Mine pipes up in the middle of the yelling "well why do you?" friend's mom: "why do I what?" kiddo: "why DO you give him everything he wants?" OY. I have had frank talks with him about why he can't have everything he wants and I should have known he would use that to try to parent someone else's kid.

Mine also tries to order me adult beverages when we go out to eat so I'm sure he will be ordering me a glass of wine. "and make it a big one, my mom has a lot of edges" (made the mistake of telling him I was having a glass of wine after work one night to take the edge off). lol. My child is not one bit shy so I'm sure he will be telling them my life story in embarrassing detail within 5 minutes of sitting down

Go for the entertainment and atmosphere .
It is pricey ,even by Disney Standards , for a buffet , especially a dinner buffet .

We are doing DDP so not concerned about cost. It's just another dinner choice. They are all pricey. I like to say if I wanted to eat $40 worth of food I'd go spend $100 at the CA grill

We are looking at adding this ADR for late Aug for lunch. Is there a time that you recommend? Is noon good or should we aim for earlier/later?

I haven't been but I have read that it is a good idea to show up 30-45 minutes before the start of the "next show." The shows occur at: 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:45, 5:55, 7:00 and 8:05pm, so if you want to eat around noonish I'd be looking for a 12:30-12:45 ADR. Luckily Biergarten is one of those that doesn't seem to fill up so quickly. Those in the know may have other comments.

Can anyone describe the types of "antics" that take place?

I don't think there are "antics", it is just a show. But someone will correct me if I am wrong!

 

[anniebean]

We love the food. My husband is German, and he said, from what he remembers, it taste similar to what his grandmother used to make.

However, we are both introverts. We are polite and talk to the others, but we mainly like to keep to ourselves so we've skipped it the last couple of trips we've taken. I think if we had a large group of friends or family with us, we'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

[crabbygal902]

My DS16 is an Aspie kid. We've been going to WDW since he was 4, usually once a year. Disney has always been freeing for him...talking about your obsessions (Buzz Lightyear and PUSH the trashcan when he was little, the realm of Disney/Star Wars/Marvel movies now) is acceptable behavior and even encouraged! Disney was/is our sanctuary where he can be just a kid, not that kid with Asperger's. He is doing great at age 16, has a nice group of friends, makes good grades, teachers love him...but it hasn't always been easy.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread with off-topic conversation. Just wanted to offer some support from another parent and a teacher who has a soft spot for kids on the spectrum.

 

[Carolina Beth]

I believe mama should get her German wine flight if she wants it!
The atmosphere is unique and fun, you will both enjoy it.

 

[Minnesota!]

We love it. I am NOT a people person, but I handle the strangers simply because I love the food, atmosphere, and the beer.


I would pay their prices for the tomato salad, “mac n cheese”, and cheese board. And the German potato salad which tastes just like my (VERY German) great-grandma’s.


The food is good, hot, replenished quickly, and when we do WDW vacations that include the parks, we make sure Biergarten is on the list.

 

[Lisa F]

My DS16 is an Aspie kid. We've been going to WDW since he was 4, usually once a year. Disney has always been freeing for him...talking about your obsessions (Buzz Lightyear and PUSH the trashcan when he was little, the realm of Disney/Star Wars/Marvel movies now) is acceptable behavior and even encouraged! Disney was/is our sanctuary where he can be just a kid, not that kid with Asperger's. He is doing great at age 16, has a nice group of friends, makes good grades, teachers love him...but it hasn't always been easy.

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread with off-topic conversation. Just wanted to offer some support from another parent and a teacher who has a soft spot for kids on the spectrum.

Not off topic for me. It's great to hear! I'm sure I don't have to tell you that it can be a rough road with a lot of worry so I love to hear about kids who were similar but doing great. When I took him in 2014 it was the best trip of my life (and I'd probably been well over 20 times before - we used to go 3-4 times a year when you could get a deluxe AP for $375!) Disney does it right! When his milk "went poom" after setting it down on the corner of a round table? It was cleaned up and replaced before I could even get my waiter's attention. For a mom, that is TRUE magic, lol. I hope our next trip can live up to our last one!

 

[ZellyB]

We also love it. And it's got some reasonably good authenticity I think. My mother is German and I've been there several times and many of the food items are much like what I've eaten when there. It's a pretty extensive buffet too so there's usually something there that will appeal to almost anyone. I love the sour/vinegar taste to a lot of German food so that's a winner for me, but there are lots of other items that don't have that. Count us as another group who loves the communal dining aspect and we've also had a variety of experience in terms of lots of interaction with table mates and none at all. In all cases though, it never felt awkward or uncomfortable. I'm sure you and your son will have a great time!

 

[Lisa F]

I believe mama should get her German wine flight if she wants it!
The atmosphere is unique and fun, you will both enjoy it.

oh she will have it. I can't wait! (not just for the wine, i can get a nice bottle here.) it looks like so much fun, and everyone's positive comments are making me feel really happy about choosing it!

We love it. I am NOT a people person, but I handle the strangers simply because I love the food, atmosphere, and the beer.


I would pay their prices for the tomato salad, “mac n cheese”, and cheese board. And the German potato salad which tastes just like my (VERY German) great-grandma’s.


The food is good, hot, replenished quickly, and when we do WDW vacations that include the parks, we make sure Biergarten is on the list.

I'm glad to hear good reviews on the food too! now I am getting hungry and I just had lunch!

 

[smiths02]

The inside is beautiful. The band is fun. However, we were sat up near the buffet and 3 people were already at the table (near the rails). I don't know what their deal was but they didn't say ANYTHING to us. I mean I guess it could be worse, but it was a little weird. They were 3 adults and we were 2 adults, 9 year old, and twin toddlers. I mean you think they would sit us next to someone like OP or a family of 3...not 3 adults.
There was enough to eat, but the food itself wasn't memorable at all.

I know you said you don't drink beer, but the grapefruit beer is so good (and not very alcoholic).

Anyhow, it wasn't bad and it was cheaper than our counter service meal in France that night (thanks to TiW and under 3 year olds being free at the buffet), but it was not something we would need to repeat every trip.

ETA: If I was an adult in my 20s with 2 other adults, I'd be a little annoyed to sit next to twin toddlers. To be fair, though, my kids were well behaved, they didn't scream or throw food or anything.