Biergarten questions

[Pea-n-Me]

We generally nibble around the World, and have enjoyed quick service in Germany many times, but this month we decided to try Biergarten. We enjoyed it! We were a walk-up party of 4 around 1:30pm and had no trouble getting a reservation.

They sat us with another party of four within five minutes or so (and only because the other party had wandered away). Probably half of the tables were empty, but many of them were in the process of being cleaned off, so I think we'd just missed the noontime rush.

I happened to sit in an end seat, thus there was little conversation with the other family, as I'm generally the talker. It was fine, though, and not uncomfortable at all. My party was more interested in our food, as we were hungry! So almost as soon as they took our drink order, off two of us went to the buffet, while the other two enjoyed a beer for a while first.

The band played twice, i.e. two sets, btw, while we were there.

The buffet was still nice and full, and I liked most of the offerings. Notable that I remember were the salad and dressing, rolls and butter, macaroni salad, beets, the meatball, the salmon, the baked chicken, the pork cutlets (I forget what they're called ? pork schnitzel - DH was raving about them), the roasted potatoes, string beans, and the berry compote. There might've been a little cheesecake that was good, too. And we each took a chocolate chip cookie with us to enjoy later, not sure if you're supposed to do that.

I think if people want to be more interactive with the band, they should ask to be seated down by where they play, if possible. We were up by the doorway and it seemed pretty far away. (And some people may prefer that, too.) By the doorway, a lot of people were coming in just to look around, and I've done that myself before, lol, so I can't complain much, but it probably did take a little bit away from the experience. (And being up top on the other side, I suspect, had a similar issue by the bathrooms.)

I will mention that while we were outside waiting to go in, lots of people passed us with their Germany counter service food (Sommerfest) and it looked really good - possibly a bratwurst sandwich or hot dog, not sure, with what looked like homemade potato chips; note to self to try in the future.

 

[Lilsia]

I love Biergarten and have usually had great table mates. Your post did remind me of the time we were sitting with a group that was very obviously anti-alcohol. When we ordered our beers they made a snide comment about not being able to sit through a meal without alcohol, then I swear that every time one of us took a sip the woman would audibly sigh, she also very clearly put her kids in the seats away from us. It was actually pretty hilarious but we still enjoyed our meal and server and the band despite their best efforts.

Funny how they went to a BIERgarten to eat then. LOL

 

[JerseyJanice]

@Pea-n-Me Great review! I like the schnitzel quite a bit myself.

The soup is really good. One time, we got potato leek, and another time, it was cream of asparagus. A bowl of soup wth some pretzel rolls makes me happy by itself.

The desserts are excellent too. Black Forest cake and apple strudel with delicious vanilla sauce. It’s really one of my favorite restaurants at WDW, and nothing like any place we can go to near home.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I’ve been to Biergarten 3 times and really enjoyed it.

The only issue I had with a tablemate was when I was sitting next to a younger boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old. I asked him if he liked his food. His mom ordered him to eat and not talk. (For context, I’m a 5’3, 115 lb female, 30 years old at the time.) I honestly find it very strange when people are so against their kids talking to others at the table. Don’t book a meal at a restaurant with communal tables if you don’t want your kids interacting with other people!

 

[pattyw]

Don’t book a meal at a restaurant with communal tables if you don’t want your kids interacting with other people!

I guess a lot don't know in advance about communal seating but still no reason to be unfriendly. I mean, you're with multitudes of people all day, sitting next to them on buses, boats, rides. It's no secret that when at Disney you're going to interact with others. I personally enjoy talking to other people but I guess a lot don't!

 

[ars0525]

We were just there again early March & enjoyed it. Honestly it's one of my favs cause I like all the food, the show is cute, it's nice to sit down/relax & I get a discount with my AP or Disney Visa card.

Yes you do sit with others. Sometimes folks are more chatty, sometimes you all just say hi at the start and then go back to your own party. It's a toss up honestly. This last time was 4 groups of 2 adults & we chatted with the couple at our end mostly. If people want to chat, I am not opposed at all but I know others are so I let them dictate it. I have never been seated with poorly behaved or acting parties so not sure how that's handled if it was really bad. Really I am there for my own experience & I am not going to let somebody else ruin it so keep an open mind I guess.

They seat the group all together at once, give a brief introduction, take initial drink orders & then turn you loose to eat as you want. You do not have to leave when the other groups strat leaving. They won't sit "new" people with you mid-meal or at least I haven't seen that. They will bring out your bills, but if we are still eating we stay. The show has a play time schedule so ask your server. We take our time & relax so being there for a show hasn't ever been a problem (we are probably there an hour or so?). I would say it's not a "must do" for us, but we enjoy it if it happens during our meal.

 

[pattyw]

A good time to go is mid afternoon- about 2. The restaurant starts to empty out from lunch and the dinner crowd hasn't arrived yet, and it's very relaxing. And (important to me) they have one of the nicest ladies rooms!!

 

[StageTek]

I can see from all the replies that so much depends on the others seated with you. I have the same experience.

I've gone alone and had a wonderful time and a terrible time - because of the others seated at the table. Last trip was three of us old guys and we were seated with a family with 3 kids around 6 to 11. We had a great time - one of our group is a magician so that sure helped....

Wouldn't it be great if there was a questionnaire so they could match up table-mates? I'd love to sit at a table with solo travelers.

 

[WEDWDW]

Wouldn't it be great if there was a questionnaire so they could match up table-mates? I'd love to sit at a table with solo travelers.

My suggestion has always been just to ask Guests if their group wants to converse with other Guests or would rather just converse "within" their group.

You would have "conversation tables" and "non-conversation tables" and all Guests would know that "going in" and there would not be that awkward "sizing up process".

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I’ve been to Biergarten 3 times and really enjoyed it.

The only issue I had with a tablemate was when I was sitting next to a younger boy, maybe 7 or 8 years old. I asked him if he liked his food. His mom ordered him to eat and not talk. (For context, I’m a 5’3, 115 lb female, 30 years old at the time.) I honestly find it very strange when people are so against their kids talking to others at the table. Don’t book a meal at a restaurant with communal tables if you don’t want your kids interacting with other people!

Ha! Should we ever go, the kids will likely be purposely positioned next to the other guests (hopefully with DH and I at an end). I have no problem with them talking to strangers as long as I'm there and it would keep DH and I from having to keep up conversation. I'm not against talking to people, but am just not good at small talk. I get uncomfortable with it because I can't ever think of random conversation starters. The kids however could talk anyone's ear off!

 

[WEDWDW]

I get uncomfortable with it because I can't ever think of random conversation starters.

I think just about everyone's "go to" conversion starter is simply to ask someone where they are from.

When they respond,that info will usually "start" the conversation.

For example:

"Where are you from?"

"We are from Boston."

From there,it may turn out that you are from that area or have a relative who is or you can ask if they are Red Sox fans,if they drove to WDW or flew,etc.,etc.

The awesome thing about asking another Guest at WDW where they are from is their response could LITERALLY be ANY of the 50 States or just about ANY Country in the WORLD!

 

[GPC0321]

Only been there once, and loved it! The food was delicious, the band was fantastic, the restaurant is really neat inside. I went with my 70+ year old parents, and they're not very social with strangers typically. We were seated with a couple and their little boy (who was maybe 4?) and then another couple. We were seated right beside the dance floor in front of the stage, so we were mostly engrossed in the show and watching the kids (including the little guy from our table, who was so cute) dancing.

I worried about the shared tables, but it really was fine. I'm a natural introvert, but I can be sociable if the people around me are social.

I hope to revisit Biergarten in the future. There are just so many places I still haven't tried, so I'm forcing myself to branch out, but it was a good enough experience that I wouldn't hesitate to return.

 

[melana]

I am so in the minority, but I am not a fan of this place. It isn’t necessarily the communal dining, but I found the food lacking in flavor. I have had authentic German food before and this did not compare. It could have been an off night for the kitchen.

As for the communal dining, I knew what I was getting into with it so I really can’t complain. Being an introvert, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I only went because I have read how awesome a place it is. Yeah, the band was great but I am usually a two plate person at a buffet...I didn’t even get through the first one.

 

[Princess Hoopers Mom]

Im not much of a social butterfly, so to speak. But we all loved Biergarten. Entertainment was really fun. I didnt find it awkward to be seated with others at our table, even though I thought I might.

 

[momtwoboys]

We love love love the food here, and had decent table mates over the years... last April it was a bad seating and now we can't return. I so do wish there was an option to not sit with others. And we are friendly! We have 3 local German restaurants in our area and NONE force the communal tables. There are tables for your own party and only during certain times of the year and for celebrations they have an " option" to sit in the area of the communal tables.

 

[Judique]

We love love love the food here, and had decent table mates over the years... last April it was a bad seating and now we can't return. I so do wish there was an option to not sit with others. And we are friendly! We have 3 local German restaurants in our area and NONE force the communal tables. There are tables for your own party and only during certain times of the year and for celebrations they have an " option" to sit in the area of the communal tables.

why can't you return?

 

[BandtheBoys]

I guess a lot don't know in advance about communal seating but still no reason to be unfriendly. I mean, you're with multitudes of people all day, sitting next to them on buses, boats, rides. It's no secret that when at Disney you're going to interact with others. I personally enjoy talking to other people but I guess a lot don't!

Funny - I've been reading these posts and just said to DH that talking to people from different places is one of the things that makes Disney special to me....some of the funniest conversations I had were with strangers on the bus and waiting in line for fast passes!

 

[Mitre10]

This sounds like so much fun! I'm adding it to my list.

 

[pattyw]

Funny - I've been reading these posts and just said to DH that talking to people from different places is one of the things that makes Disney special to me....some of the funniest conversations I had were with strangers on the bus and waiting in line for fast passes!

Yes I totally agree- love talking to people from so many different places! But I think some other posters are right- the CM should let people know upon check in that there's communal seating in case they don't know. Maybe the surprise of seating with others turns some off and they seem unfriendly.

 

[StageTek]

but I found the food lacking in flavor. I have had authentic German food before and this did not compare.

Very true. The food is less than authentic. Other than the desserts and the salmon the food is prepared to please a wide selection of people.

Too bad, in my opinion. I would love it if everything were authentic. There are some things the American palate may not appreciate but it would give the adventurous something new to try.