Biergarten: seating as of 2-20-23

[ars0525]

Was there on Monday, Feb 20th (Presidents' Day) & decided around 12:30 let's see if there was anything open for 2 people at Biergarten. Of course the app showed nothing. But we walked over there & asked if they were taking walk-ups. They asked how many (2 adults) & if we would like a table to ourselves or if we were willing to share with others. The sharing table was about a 35 minute wait & the just us table was an hour. We opted for the sharing table & only waited about 25 minutes before they texted me.

Just thought I would share this cause if you don't mind table sharing & it says on the app there is no openings you can always try a walk up. The app doesn't give a table sharing option so I assume if you have an ADR you are still getting your own table.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Was there on Monday, Feb 20th (Presidents' Day) & decided around 12:30 let's see if there was anything open for 2 people at Biergarten. Of course the app showed nothing. But we walked over there & asked if they were taking walk-ups. They asked how many (2 adults) & if we would like a table to ourselves or if we were willing to share with others. The sharing table was about a 35 minute wait & the just us table was an hour. We opted for the sharing table & only waited about 25 minutes before they texted me.

Just thought I would share this cause if you don't mind table sharing & it says on the app there is no openings you can always try a walk up. The app doesn't give a table sharing option so I assume if you have an ADR you are still getting your own table.

That's very interesting information! Thanks. I have not heard of restaurants offering a 'share' option, but it makes sense - kinda like single rider lines for dining!!

 

[ars0525]

That's very interesting information! Thanks. I have not heard of restaurants offering a 'share' option, but it makes sense - kinda like single rider lines for dining!!

Before Covid the only way to eat at Biergarten was shared tables they seated you at. After Covid it went to 1 party per table even if was just 1 person. Maybe this is their way of introducing it back as an option for walk-ups?

 

[GreatLakes]

I'm surprised they haven't gone back to the communal seeing yet. I like sharing tables like you do in a real beer hall.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm surprised they haven't gone back to the communal seeing yet. I like sharing tables like you do in a real beer hall.

I do too, but unfortunately too many other guests don’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if Biergarten remains an Americanized biergarten.

 

[mum2four]

Anymore Biergarten seating updates from the past month?

We are considering this for our upcoming trip. Have never been as we are a family that would much prefer to not share a table.

Would like to give it a try, but if they are back to sharing, we will happily go to Garden Grill instead.

 

[BrianL]

I do too, but unfortunately too many other guests don’t. I wouldn’t be surprised if Biergarten remains an Americanized biergarten.

Yeah, there were always a lot of people who didn't like the sharing. Me, I didn't mind one bit. The worst thing that might happen is some at the table didn't want to socialize, and then it's jsut like being at your own table, just a little closer. I've met some interesting people there though and had a good time.

 

[Beer Me]

I wouldn’t mind separate seating but shared seating was never a big deal. The tables are large so you don’t feel on top of each other and it’s pretty easy to just be with your own group. I’ve never interacted very much with table mates. A polite greeting is enough and anything else is optional.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Yeah, there were always a lot of people who didn't like the sharing. Me, I didn't mind one bit. The worst thing that might happen is some at the table didn't want to socialize, and then it's jsut like being at your own table, just a little closer. I've met some interesting people there though and had a good time.

Same! A lot of the fun is getting to meet other people!

Except for the time (before our son was born), we were seated next to a family where I asked the boy sitting next to me (maybe 7 years old) a question and his mom expressly forbade him from talking to me. I don’t understand booking a communal dining experience and then getting mad when someone else at the table dares to speak to someone in your party.

 

[BrianL]

Same! A lot of the fun is getting to meet other people!

Except for the time (before our son was born), we were seated next to a family where I asked the boy sitting next to me (maybe 7 years old) a question and his mom expressly forbade him from talking to me. I don’t understand booking a communal dining experience and then getting mad when someone else at the table dares to speak to someone in your party.

I've had some people who did engage and some who didn't. The weirdest was this couple who sat on the end of a table who were clearly having some kind of spat. She was eating, and he didn't eat at all. I'm not sure he even paid, and was maybe just with her. They didn't speak much at all and left pretty fast, before the show even began.

One time when I was with a friend, a father and his kid were seated with us. The kid was playign Smash Bros. on his DS, so he and I just had endless things to talk about! We talked about our mains, and favorite stages, etc. The dad and my buddy just "let the kid's talk." It was fun!

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've had some people who did engage and some who didn't. The weirdest was this couple who sat on the end of a table who were clearly having some kind of spat. She was eating, and he didn't eat at all. I'm not sure he even paid, and was maybe just with her. They didn't speak much at all and left pretty fast, before the show even began.

One time when I was with a friend, a father and his kid were seated with us. The kid was playign Smash Bros. on his DS, so he and I just had endless things to talk about! We talked about our mains, and favorite stages, etc. The dad and my buddy just "let the kid's talk." It was fun!

I don’t necessarily have a problem with people who don’t engage. I just thought it was weird that the mom told her son not to talk to me at a communal table.

 

[BrianL]

I don’t necessarily have a problem with people who don’t engage. I just thought it was weird that the mom told her son not to talk to me at a communal table.

They might have thought that he was bothering you. Some people always see it that way. It probably has to do with how they'd feel in the same situation - a little projecting.

Interestingly, I am not a highly social type and am not comfortable talking to people, but when at Disney I am much more gregarious and apt to strike up random conversations.

 

[dieumeye]

Anymore Biergarten seating updates from the past month?

Just ate there tonight. Four of us were at a table set for 8. I asked if we’d be sharing and was told “this is all for you.” In my casual observation, I didn’t see any tables that looked shared between multiple parties, but the restaurant wasn’t packed so maybe there wasn’t a need? And of course, there’s the possibility there were shared tables and I just didn’t realize.

 

[chicagodisfan]

Anymore Biergarten seating updates from the past month?

We were there on March 5. There were 4 of us and we had a whole table (for 8 I think) to ourselves for dinner. I never minded sharing but I’m the outgoing one in my family so they always put me at the seat directly next to the other groups.

I thought I read somewhere that ADRs are seated on their own and walk ups are given the option to share. I might be making that up though. We did have an ADR so that would fit if it is the case.

 

[Lilsia]

We have walked up numerous times to Biergarten. It really is strange how they show no availability but usually get you right in. Especially during off times.

 

[Lilsia]

I don’t necessarily have a problem with people who don’t engage. I just thought it was weird that the mom told her son not to talk to me at a communal table.

Communal tables are standard at Biergartens but that does not mean that everyone talks to their table mates. It is usually busy and you just go in and find any available seats. That seems to be an American misunderstanding, that you should talk to others at a shared table. I kind of wish people would stop making such a big deal about communal tables. We see so many posts from people saying that they don't like them because they don't want to talk to others. When in reality, there is no expectation to do so.