Biergarten seating

[Yooper Writer]

I'm going to Epcot in a few months and would like to try Biergarten restaurant during dinner hours, which is probably their peak time. If you've been to the restaurant during the last few months, what is the seating like now? There will be 5 people in my party, and we would prefer our own table. The communal-style seating just doesn't appeal to us.

 

[kanerf]

With 5 people your are very likely to get your own table. I go solo all the time and usually get a table to myself.

 

[leebee]

We miss the communal seating, as we've always enjoyed the company and conversation with other guests- but don't mind if they indicate they'd rather not socialize.

5 of us went to Biergarten in May 2025 and had our own table.

 

[pezgirlroy]

You will probably get your own table. I love the communal seating. Makes it feel more authentic to me.

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, I like the communal seating too. It's always nice when others want to engage. It's easy not to though - I've been with some parties that really just kept to themselves, and others who were happy to chat. It really works either way.

 

[Darklord77]

Meal time at Disney is my time to relax and cool off from the heat. I would prefer not to get involved in a dull nonsensical conversation with strangers about where I'm from, what I do, how many times have we been to Disney, have we rode Guardians of the Galaxy, etc. So agreed, I prefer my own table also. The last few times we have went, 2023 and 2024, it appears they have went away from the communal seating. They had dedicated tables for just 4 people throughout the restaurant.

 

[LilyWDW]

You will probably get your own table. I love the communal seating. Makes it feel more authentic to me.

I agree if feels more authentic. Having been to an actual Biergarten in Germany, it is all communal tables.

That said, that is the reason I don't go anymore. I often travel solo and my meal times are for me to decompress and reregulate. So having random people talking to me does not mix well. Which is okay. Not every restaurant will work for everybody.

 

[reddog21]

Meal time at Disney is my time to relax and cool off from the heat. I would prefer not to get involved in a dull nonsensical conversation with strangers about where I'm from, what I do, how many times have we been to Disney, have we rode Guardians of the Galaxy, etc. So agreed,

1000000000% agree. The problem is that by not talking to people you feel like a jerk regardless if people care or not.

 

[tetera]

We were there with a party of 4 this past December and expected to have our own table based on what we had read here on the disboards; however, we ended up at a communal table with four other people.

 

[crazycatlady]

I wish they would ask your preference, at least at non-busy times. As we can see from this thread, there
are definitely preferences on both sides. DH and I prefer to sit alone and have been seated with others and
alone in the past few years. We go every trip (2 or 3 times a year).

 

[pooch]

DB and I loved the communal tables! We had a fascinating conversation with a young couple from Germany about Octoberfest and the authenticity of the food we were eating. Of course we are talkers and very outgoing people.

 

[Simba's Mom]

With 5 people your are very likely to get your own table. I go solo all the time and usually get a table to myself.

Thanks for the info. I like the food at Biergarten, and when DH and I go to WDW, we frequently eat there (he lived in Germany for a while, so it's nostalgic). However, when I go solo I avoid it because I had a very bad experience once with communal dining solo. This makes me willing to try Biergarten solo

 

[pens4821]

I’ve always avoided it because of the shared tables. I thought they stopped that, and was considering it for January. But seeing it’s still a possibility leaves me out.

Dinner was always family time growing up, and I just can’t stop to think that way. I don’t want to make small talk with people that aren’t my family, I want to enjoy my meal with my family. I know it’s only an hour or so of my life and one meal, but I just don’t want to eat dinner with someone I don’t even know.

 

[smile145]

Can you make a request to have your own table when checking in?

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I've met some of the coolest people at the communal tables and love Biergarden because of them (that and the beer of course) but I'm also super extroverted and am likely a reason people don't like them.

 

[japanese maple]

We went as a party of 2 a couple years ago and we were seated at a big table, but we were up front of table by railing and they sat another party of two near end of table. Felt like we were at own table!

 

[HopperFan]

Can you make a request to have your own table when checking in?

I have been there several times when people have asked and always been told no. One couple in front of us then left rather than share. Everyone else each time stayed and shared.

I know COVID brought on lots of change but it sounds like it is now a mixture of share and not. I think it likely is tied to how many are in your party, how much staff is working, how many ADRs they have. So you just have to be prepared to share.

The whole point of the seating there is communal.

 

[smile145]

I have been there several times when people have asked and always been told no. One couple in front of us then left rather than share. Everyone else each time stayed and shared.

I know COVID brought on lots of change but it sounds like it is now a mixture of share and not. I think it likely is tied to how many are in your party, how much staff is working, how many ADRs they have. So you just have to be prepared to share.

The whole point of the seating there is communal.

Understood. We will just leave and get quick service somewhere if they say no. We went 2 years ago and had our own table, I didn’t know it was back to sharing when I made this years reservation.

 

[HopperFan]

Understood. We will just leave and get quick service somewhere if they say no. We went 2 years ago and had our own table, I didn’t know it was back to sharing when I made this years reservation.

It is hard now since they went to no sharing .... and seem to be gradually going back. I get it, I am pretty anti-social and avoided there for years. I just wish they would make a commitment to either you share or you don't so folks know when they book what to expect. The website only says "biergarten-style tables" which are communal - but if you don't know that you would have no idea until arrival.

Hopefully you get lucky!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have been there several times when people have asked and always been told no. One couple in front of us then left rather than share. Everyone else each time stayed and shared.

My first thought is to wonder if they were charged the $10 no-show fee. Yes, they technically showed up, but they didn't eat.