Biergarten Question

[houseomouse4us]

Are you always seated with other people not in your group? We have a possible group of 5, will there be other people with us or just the 5 of us? What if it is a party of 2??

 

[megsher]

Not sure about always. We were a party of 2 and were seated with a party of 4.

 

[catne]

they do tend to just fill in tables before moving on to the next table...when we were there at least 1/2 the tables were empty (early dinner) but they still filled in all the tables around us. We were a party of 3, and they sat another party of 3 and then a party of 2 at our table (table for 8)

Did not see any tables with empty seats. I have seen reports on here of people sometimes getting seated by themselves but wouldn't count on it...bottom line, if you don't want to sit with strangers, probably better not book it.

 

[FireDancer]

I have never not been seated with someone else. On one occasion when I was solo I was seated with a party of 9. I have always spoken with the people I have been seated with and don't feel uncomfortable around strangers so it isn't a big deal for me but for some people it would be.

As a PP said, unless you have a party of 10 you will likely be seated at a table with someone else. Getting a table at a shoulder time that is less popular and being there at slower times of the year will increase the likelihood you sit alone but I wouldn't just assume you won't be.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

We've always been seated with other families, and while we're not an overly gregarious family, we're friendly and always either enjoyed our table mates (most of the time) or simply ignored each other (once, when the other family clearly didn't want to talk). It was never uncomfortable, although one family did refuse to sit with us (or with anybody, according to our server later) and ended up leaving.

We love the Biergarten and highly recommend it. The food, entertainment and service are all first class in our minds. The seating really isn't a big deal, so don't worry about it!

 

[hildarumpole]

We're a family of 5 and have always been seated with others, usually a group of 3. The CM who checks in makes a point of telling people they'll be seated with another party. Some people must not listen or don't believe it, because we've witnessed some unhappy situations. We've never had bad tablemates. They usually tend to keep to themselves.

 

[CruznLexi]

In Oct the 2 of us were seated with a family of 6.

 

[MSLRAC]

they do tend to just fill in tables before moving on to the next table

There were empty tables all around us but they seemed to be filling a handful of tables before moving on to the next set to tables.

But we enjoyed our meal with total strangers. We were seated with an older brother and sister duo from NY but they were originally from Germany. They shared so much of their wonderful culture and heritage with us. It was a great lunch and I didn't even really like the food.

 

[michellejed]

One time it was the 3 of us and we were seated with a family of 5, they were very nice and we had a great time.

Some times you may feel apprehensive about sitting with strangers but it almost always turns out great

If you find it easy to talk to people while you are waiting in line, then you will be fine sharing a table, besides you are up and down getting food and enjoying the music and dancing.

 

[ntsammy5]

We've always been seated with other families

Us too and we've been there over 20 times at least!

 

[HopperFan]

Was just there in May for lunch and they were fairly busy. Our party of four was seated at a table for eight on the lowest level by stage. When we were seated he told us "You may sit wherever at the table because we are not going to put anyone else with you, but I would sit in seats closest to the stage for the show." I was prepared to share, was surprised not to since they were busy, but very happy I am guessing that is rare .....

 

[Tricia1972]

We were a party of 6 in January, and were seated with a party of 2. Absolutely adorable couple who was celebrating their 50th anniversary. It was a delightful lunch!

 

[DeborahA]

We went for the first time in May. We were a party of 2 and they sat us with another party of 2, and then came a party of 4. We enjoyed the company and the food. As stated by a pp the music, dancing and the up & down getting food, there isn't alot of time to visit--no awkward silence time

 

[leebee]

Also, this is a fairly noisy restaurant, with the band and all, so it's not really like you are spending your entire meal time trying to carry on a conversation with strangers! Usually people share info about hometown, where they are staying, vacation plans, etc. and then become involved with eating with their own family- at least, that's been our experience when we've been to Biergarten. It's really a wonderful time, and very European if you consider that sharing tables like this is the norm in much of Europe!

 

[CathieArms]

We were there last year during a late lunch with A TON of tables open, and I noticed that they made a point to fill up each table before moving on to an empty table. So, my guess is, yes.

It's really not a big deal. Have you ever eaten at a banquet where you didn't know people? It's the same idea. Just put those people most uncomfortable with it on the inside of the table, and those more comfortable meeting new people on the outside and just go with the flow.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

I just wanted to add that there are a few...very few...tables that seat just 4. Our family of 4 was sat by ourselves at a small table last year.

 

[tookie]

We are a family of 4 and were seated with another family of 4. At first I thought it was going to be awkward but it ended up being a really positive experience for all of us! Remember that most people are there for the same reasons you are: to create great memories and experience joy in life. Keep an open mind and I think you will reap great benefits! We even ran into the family 2 days later at MK and we were all so excited to see each other. In today's society we are so closed off from real human interactions with others and this is a great opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and get to know someone that you would have never met otherwise. Disney is such a great place to do this! I can't tell you how many great people we met doing the simplest things such as riding the bus and standing in lines waiting for rides. The Biergarten is so much fun so please don't think that it would be a negative to sit with strangers. Who knows, you could make lifelong friends, or at least people that you will remember for a lifetime!

 

[sewingmolly]

I'm surprised by the hesitation to sit with others. We like to cruise and meeting people at meals is a big part of the experience. Usually it's very positive and when it's not it makes a great story to laugh at later. I think it's a good example for the kids of how to be courteous, friendly and meet new people. We ate at the Biergarten and sat with a family who was not having a completely magical time. They ate fast and left, we lingered and had a good time discussing them atfer they left. Sometimes you can use the behavior of others to re-enforce your values.

 

[ntsammy5]

we lingered and had a good time discussing them atfer they left. Sometimes you can use the behavior of others to re-enforce your values.

I thought we were the only ones who did that

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

...we lingered and had a good time discussing them atfer they left...

We did this with the other family during the trip when the first family refused to sit with us, or with anybody, and ended up leaving. Both my family, and the family who was eventually seated with us to replace them, were incredulous that a family would choose to not eat at all rather than be seated 18 inches closer to another person than is typical in an American restaurant.

I agree that it's a great opportunity to try something new and talk to people. I fear that we're becoming far too isolated as individuals, and virtual friendship, while wonderful, should be a supplement to actual face-to-face interaction and not a replacement for it.