Biergarten Seating ?

[SydneyFalco]

The wife and I love the idea of getting to sit at a table with new folks... and I'm desperately shy otherwise. You're on vacation, you could meet anybody, it's cool.

Of course, at Biergarten AND Teppan Edo we had unwelcoming duds both times. We didn't even try to start up a conversation. And they didn't with us, either (but my sister in law and mother in law going at full speed in French might've had something to do with it the first time at Teppan Edo).

We're also non-drinkers, but for nerdy, not moral reasons. We wouldn't glare at people if they had a row of hookahs at the table... unless they got rowdy or rude, that is.

 

[Fizzmom]

We are another group who experienced the wrath of our tablemates when DH and I each ordered a glass of wine! The 2 couples seated with our group of 4 gave us such looks that DD11 leaned over and whispered "Mom, you shouldn't drink here." Wow, it was so uncomfortable! The food and entertaninment were great, so we would definitely return, just hopefully next time we'll be seated with a less judgemental bunch!

 

[Tinkerbelle9980]

Wow, we had the opposite experience. We were mocked by our tablemates because we didn't drink. It was the first day of our honeymoon and we didn't have time to get breakfast or lunch. Neither of us felt like having a drink so we didn't. The others at our table we not very nice about, they wanted to know why we weren't drinking. I thought it was very rude, because we had said nothing about it. They mocked us about other things too. Needless to say we hurried up ate then left.

I would go back but my husband isn't sure because he is worried it would happen again. That was in 2007, now I would say something to the other couples. We had every right to choose if we wanted a drink and it really should have been none of their concern. Oh well, lesson learned.

 

[VAfamily1998]

We went in mid November 2009 with our family of 6, and were seated with an older couple. There were plenty of empty tables, but they still had us share. It wasn't awful, but honestly I would have preffered our own table. We have 4 young sons and I spent most of the meal fretting that if my kids weren't "perfectly behaved", this older couple was going to think we were terrible parents. Also, the man in the couple made a few comments when I went up for multiple desserts. Other than that, I LOVED Biergarten and would go again!

 

[Rosetta89]

You never know at Biergarten, but they do try to fill all seats. I do not see why it is such a big deal though. We go to Biergarten every trip to WDW and have never been seated with a couple we didn't like. Last trip I was seated with a really nice italian family. It really isn't that bad! I promise it isn't bad at all!!
Magical Wishes

 

[catne]

I won't go to Biergarten alone because so many object to sharing the table with a solo. At Teppan Edo they don't seem to mind as much. Have also been to Biergarten with a group when a couple objected to being seated with us. Apparently they thought they would get their own table. They also didn't like that we were drinking beer. They wanted a teatotaling table. They were not moved, they had to sit with us, so we ordered more beer. (would have done that whether they were present or not) They looked like they had been seated with the Charles Manson family.

Short answer for the OP - if your husband is dead set against having tablemates, then there isn't a huge chance that his requirements will be taken into account by Biergarten. It might be a possibility if you arrive early, if you tell the person doing the seating that your party cannot accept a shared table, and are willing to wait for a smaller table (I understand there are some but not many) - but you can't count on it.

It never fails that we end up sitting with anti-alcohol teetotalers at Biergarten... every time. They always seem so judgmental at my 32 ounces of beer at lunch!

What is with the anti-alcohol people going to eat at a Beer Garden? Or do they really, seriously not understand that is what "Biergarten" means? Do these people normally eat at places with Bar & Grill in the name and then object to cocktails being served in the place? Same thing happened to us at Biergarten -- our group of 3 was having a jolly time chatting with a family of 3 sat with us. UNTIL our beer showed up -- never saw the frowny faces come out so fast...I swear the Dad stopped talking to us in mid-sentence. And I thought the two adult daughters were going to faint at the sight of those foamy mugs. Worst part was, the Dad had just finished telling us all 3 of them spoke German...so they KNEW they were eating in a Beer Garden. Cheers!

 

[luvdumbo]

On our first visit We were a party of 7 and we had a single diner sat with us, at first I was a little cautious but we got lucky and had the nicest man who must have been a Disney World veteran because he explained specifically where we could find every character at Disney world, as he overheard our character hunt conversation.
I used to live and Germany and thats how alot of places there are a shared family style seating, I think they do it that way at Biergarten to keep it authentic.
If your husband is not wanting to seat next to people just have him sit on the end dont leave any empty chairs by him.

 

[HunnyJar]

The first time my husband and I went together we were seated with a group of four people around our ages - unfortunately, they were already pretty rowdy and more than tipsy when they first came to the table. I don't care if people drink, but when they get too loud, I'm not so happy about it. We were also made fun of for not drinking.. Wasn't the perfect meal, but whatever.. It wasn't going to stop us from going back.

This past trip our family of four was seated with two senior couples. They were very nice, but were not all that thrilled about sitting with a 1 year old. I felt badly for them.. I just couldn't understand why the CMs couldn't try to seat people with young children together. I'm sure that would make a lot more of the diners happy.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

What is with the anti-alcohol people going to eat at a Beer Garden? Or do they really, seriously not understand that is what "Biergarten" means? Do these people normally eat at places with Bar & Grill in the name and then object to cocktails being served in the place? Same thing happened to us at Biergarten -- our group of 3 was having a jolly time chatting with a family of 3 sat with us. UNTIL our beer showed up -- never saw the frowny faces come out so fast...I swear the Dad stopped talking to us in mid-sentence. And I thought the two adult daughters were going to faint at the sight of those foamy mugs. Worst part was, the Dad had just finished telling us all 3 of them spoke German...so they KNEW they were eating in a Beer Garden. Cheers!

We had the same experience! My husband and I had beer flights, and the older couple we were seated with had giant mugs. The trio seated with us just stared and whispered. The five of us had become instant friends, and we tried to be friendly with our newcomers, but they wouldn't even speak!

 

[Disnydad]

I enjoy the seating. I've met some really nice people from all over the USA, England, Germany and Italy there. Hey, that's how they seat in German beer halls. One time back several years ago we got seated with Jennifer and Dave, the authors of the PassPorter Guide. They were really nice, took a photo of the group and it was in the next years PassPorter.

 

[Chloesmom]

I got grief from an older couple at Biergarten for having a beer flight while there with my DD. She was probably 8 or so at the time. They told me I shouldnt drink with my daughter around . Had I been pounding beer to the point of being sloppy I could understand it. But they said something right after I ordered. I decided to mess with them and told them the beer was nothing.. I had been drinking mararitas all day and was on my way to France after lunch for some Grey Goose Slushies.. Thankfully they just shut thier mouths after that and ate and left.
I don't mind the shared table and DD is a little social butterfly so she always makes buddies lol... she even talks people into dancing with her.

 

[Tropigal]

Wow, I didn't know we may be sat with others.

We have a ADR there for May and our 3 kids will be with us, one a baby. Oh well, if they don't like us then OH WELL!

 

[disneyfan55]

Wow, I didn't know we may be sat with others.

We have a ADR there for May and our 3 kids will be with us, one a baby. Oh well, if they don't like us then OH WELL!

don't worry. Were were there in Feb with a 22 month old no problem. In WDW I would expect babies/small children. Have fun. The food is really good.

 

[siskaren]

One time back several years ago we got seated with Jennifer and Dave, the authors of the PassPorter Guide. They were really nice, took a photo of the group and it was in the next years PassPorter.

How cool! I've eaten at Biergarten several times (and I always go to WDW solo) and I've never had a bad experience with tablemates. I agree though with the people who've had bad experiences with non-drinkers - seriously, what part of Biergarten do they not understand?

 

[RMulieri]

We had our 6 yr old with us and had beers, and no one at our table batted an eye and they had beers too and they had an infant..

 

[Spacepest]

I agree though with the people who've had bad experiences with non-drinkers - seriously, what part of Biergarten do they not understand?

This.

I don't understand why people have objections to their tablemates drinking beer in a freaking BEER GARDEN. I'm not saying its an excuse to get sloshed, fall down drunk, but you shouldn't be ostracized by your table mates because you dared to have a beer. These are probably the same killjoys who take their kids to Octoberfest somewhere in the USA and get all up in arms when they see adults drinking beers.

I know beer halls are a German cultural thing that most Americans never experience, but yeesh! The place only has BEER in the name. Maybe there should be an additional disclaimer in multiple languages on the door of Epcot's Biergarten."The name of this restaurant means "Beer Garden" in German. We proudly serve alcohol in a communal table setting accompanied by a live band."

 

[PammieJ]

I've lived in Germany, and this is how they seat you in some restaurants there....so the group seating is pretty authentic. Last time we were there, we chatted with a nice couple who had actually been to our (New England) hometown! And another couple with a young child were actually from Germany, and it was fun to watch the little girl sing and dance with the Oompah band.

I'm pretty talkative, so it didn't bother me to sit with others and introduce myself, but I'll agree, it's not for everyone. However, you'll probably need to expect that unless you are a party of 8, you'll likely be seated with others.

But....don't knock it until you've tried it! Have fun, the food there is fabulous! (and don't forget to try the bier). PammieJ.

 

[Sinderelly]

We went in mid November 2009 with our family of 6, and were seated with an older couple. There were plenty of empty tables, but they still had us share. It wasn't awful, but honestly I would have preffered our own table. We have 4 young sons and I spent most of the meal fretting that if my kids weren't "perfectly behaved", this older couple was going to think we were terrible parents. Also, the man in the couple made a few comments when I went up for multiple desserts. Other than that, I LOVED Biergarten and would go again!

You should have offered to bring Gramps some dessert or a big ole dish of ice cream

 

[luvthemouse71]

I was very surprised to see quite a few people get upset when getting seated at Biergarten, because they had to sit with other people. I thought it was kind of fun, we met a real nice family who turned out to live fairly close to my sister and I, and they were Red Sox fans to boot.

 

[mccathy]

I was very surprised at the seating at Biergarten. I guess when you don't expect it plus the people are right next to you and across from you. In Japanese dining you surround the cook and it just seems a little more space. Plus, all dining for Japanese dining is like this no matter where you go.

Well... the seating at any true beer garden in Germany is just like that - big tables - you sit with strangers. You make friends.