Biergarten-not so fun for couples?

[Shell54]

My DH and I have a dinner ressie for Biergarten for our upcoming trip in Sept. I made it based on a tip from my SIL who is German and like to eat there when in WDW. Now after joining this board and reading that Biergarten has communal tables and a loud noise level I wonder if this is such a great idea. Any couples have a good, bad experience there? Should I change my ressie? It is for the last week in Sept (no free dining). I think I still have time to book something else.

 

[mickeymousemom]

Dh and I were just there in June. We had some time away from our girls, and the first place we chose to eat was Beirgarten. Its one of our favorites. We had a seat on the lower level. We shared a table with six others. Two were Japanese girls who we didn't really speak with...they were very nice, though. Another couple was from the states and lived in Florida. Very nice to talk to. We also had a wonderful time talking with 2 women from England who were about our age. Very nice and we learned tons from them. I'm only sorry we didn't get their contact info!
If you want someplace romantic, I don't recommend Beirgarten. If you're looking for a good time, great food and wonderful entertainment with a chance to meet some very cool people, then this is your place!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I don't like the communal tables idea!

 

[Andi]

My husband and I actually went to the Biergarten for our anniversary dinner in 2006. We had a blast! We shared our table with another couple and a family of 4. Everyone was super-friendly and within a few minutes we were all chatting like old friends - very unlike me - I'm usually pretty quiet and shy until I get to know people.

That being said, if you're looking for a quiet, intimate dinner, you should probably try someplace else.

 

[chepic]

It all depends on what you are looking for. We like to interact with others, and don't mind meeting new people, so we love eating in Germany. However, as others have pointed out, if you are looking for a quiet, intimate dinner, this is not the place to have it.

have fun

che

 

[lilyv]

It's fine for a couple. I think people make way too big a deal about the communal tables. If you're really chatty, and your table mates are too, great. If you're not (I'm not) smile, say hello, and then talk to your dinner partner. The other people at your table will talk to their friends. It's fine either way.

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I love this place and have been going forever, way back when it was a regular menu place not a buffet.

We dont feel out of place but sometimes we sit at a table with non talkers and sometimes we get seated with a bunch of fun people.

We usually book a 5pm table and most often we are seated by ourselves.

 

[hmdavid]

I don't like the communal tables idea!

I think a lot of people are somewhat intimidated by the idea of this. We lived in Germany for 6 years and this is quite common in the restaurants there. Many times in quiet, "romantic" restaurants we were seated at a table with another small group. In germany, when you have a table reservation, the table is yours for the night. It is not like the U.S. where they herd as many people in and out as quickly as possible. By seating groups togther and using all of the space, they accomodate more diners. I have to say that at first the concept made me uncomfortable, but I learned to love it and we met many interetsing people from all over the world. It is not for everyone, but if you are chatty, it can be a lot of fun!

If you are looking for an intimate setting, Biergarten is not the restaurant to choose. If you are just looking for a fun meal, definitely eat here!

 

[honeymo78]

We've never had an issue with the communal seating and we've gone as a party of 2 or 3. Sometimes our table mates are friendly and talkative, other times some, or all keep to themselves. We've never had a bad or uncomfortable experience with this.

However, this is not the place for a quiet romantic dinner. Even if your table is not loud (as can happen with the influence of good german beer), the show is partially interactive and people will be joining in on songs and beer toasts.

 

[Hollymom1229]

My DH and I can't wait for Biergarten on our upcoming trip. As the trip is just the two of us, we'll get to eat every other meal together. This one we'll get to share a table with some potentially interesting people. And we'll no doubt be on the dance floor and singing along with the band. This is not meant to be a quiet dinner for two, but a wonderfully interactive experience with some great German food thrown in.

 

[crisi]

How uncomfortable are you by the communal dining? How much "talking with each other" time do you need. Personally, when travelling with just my husband, we like to find experiences that will get us talking to other people. We went to Vegas and ate at a Teppan restaurant and spent the evening talking to a young woman and her mother. There were other opportunities on that trip for more intimate dining experiences. While we don't get bored talking just to each other, when we travel together without kids we don't lack for time to do so. Talking to other people just gives more fuel for further conversations between ourselves. However, we are both fairly social (my husband more so than myself) and don't find small talk with strangers burdensome.

 

[Shell54]

DH and I love this place and have been going forever, way back when it was a regular menu place not a buffet.

We dont feel out of place but sometimes we sit at a table with non talkers and sometimes we get seated with a bunch of fun people.

We usually book a 5pm table and most often we are seated by ourselves.

Love all of your reviews. Have been reading them since I joined the Board actually. We have a very early ressie of 4pm..maybe we'll get a table by ourselves. We hadn't considered that possibility.

 

[Shell54]

We've never had an issue with the communal seating and we've gone as a party of 2 or 3. Sometimes our table mates are friendly and talkative, other times some, or all keep to themselves. We've never had a bad or uncomfortable experience with this.

However, this is not the place for a quiet romantic dinner. Even if your table is not loud (as can happen with the influence of good german beer), the show is partially interactive and people will be joining in on songs and beer toasts.

We're not looking for a romantic meal here, we just don't want to feel out of place or get stuck with a bunch of loud, obnoxious people at our table. Thanks for giving a balanced review..it sounds like most folks are just looking to chow down like we will after a day of touring Epcot

 

[Shell54]

I don't like the communal tables idea!

I don't either

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH and enjoy eating there. And occasionally friends and I eat there too. I have a gathering planned next month even at Biergarten.
Never had any issues of any kind.

 

[suzimar57]

the idea of sharing a communal table with strangers - the "ewww" factor is really high on that one - plus, we're a bit anti-social at meals....

(all i can imagine is being seated at a table with a family with loud kids, or people who spit food when they're eating, or use their own utensils instead of the serving utensils - i could go on and on....)

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have shared many a table at Biergarten and have not had bad experiences or felt odd. If anything people keep to themselves or are very pleasant to be with.

 

[eeyoresnr]

though we have never been there yet, we have an ADR for our first day at Disney in Dec this year...we are really looking forward to it...my husband was in Germany twice as a child for several years and he loves the idea of eating together with others like they did when he lived there...I wait tables for a living so chatting with strangers comes easy to me

 

[crisi]

the idea of sharing a communal table with strangers - the "ewww" factor is really high on that one - plus, we're a bit anti-social at meals....

(all i can imagine is being seated at a table with a family with loud kids, or people who spit food when they're eating, or use their own utensils instead of the serving utensils - i could go on and on....)

I've had communal meals dozens of times - in Europe, on cruise ships, at Biergarten and Teppan tables - and everyone I've ever eaten with has had acceptable manners.

On the other hand, anyone easily grossed out by other people's table manners probably shouldn't be going near a buffet line anyway - which is what Biergarten is. While the people I've been seated with during communal dining have always had acceptable manners, the behavior I've seen at buffets hasn't always been to the same standard (and other DISers have seen WAY worse).

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I have not done this restaurant for years....but I do like the communal seating at Teppan Edo.. it just breaks up the time to be seated with others who are enjoying Disney.. you get to talking and it is amazing how interesting it can be..

However, if you are looking for some quiet couple time, then I would suggest other dining...