Biergarten...to do or not to do

[mickey0624]

heading down to the world in August. Want to try somewhere new and fun to eat at Epcot. Was thinking of trying Biergarten. Have 2 kids ages 11 and 12.

Any thoughts? Pros and cons? Recommendations?

 

[HopperFan]

We love Biergarten and there are folks of all ages. We always do lunch to save money because there is minimal difference on the buffet. Buffet is good and I always save room for the desserts. Music is fun and they would probably enjoy it.

Only con for some is the communal eating. Most tables seat 8 and they will fill every seat before moving on to next table.

 

[ibcindyb]

Love it and love being seated with others. I have met some very interesting people at the restaurant. I have gone solo and with family. Always enjoyed.

 

[jaceraden]

LOVE it!

The kids loved the entertainment as did the adults. And the Dad loved the friggin' huge VAT of beer!!

 

[mickey0624]

LOVE it!

The kids loved the entertainment as did the adults. And the Dad loved the friggin' huge VAT of beer!!

Awesome. I think we're going to go for it.

 

[minnie mum]

We always enjoy Biergarten. Some people seem to have a problem with the idea of communal seating. I've never understood that- it's not as though you have to share the food. But then again, we lived in Germany for a few years, and this type of seating was not unusual. I love the sauerbraten and spaetzle . DH loves the beer. And we both get a kick out of the band.

 

[bphilb]

I like the atmosphere and like others have said it is nice to be seated with others. I personally like Teppan Edo better because it's not buffet food, but either one will be a fun experience for your family.

 

[mickey0624]

I like the atmosphere and like others have said it is nice to be seated with others. I personally like Teppan Edo better because it's not buffet food, but either one will be a fun experience for your family.

We have done Teppon Edo a few times and loved it. Wanted to try something new.

 

[Pinkgirl]

We've only done it once about 8 years ago when DD was 4. Its back on our list for August this year, as we think at 12 our DD will love the entertainment. We were slightly put off on our first visit not so much by the communal seating, but that the family at our table were part of a bigger party that had been split so we had no interactiion with them as they always had their backs to us talking to the rest of their party, the only time they really spoke to us was when their 2 year old launched soup across the table, and bread, and sausage and ........

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Biergarten: (*rev 12/12/15*)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . characters: B (entertainment, not characters)
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Tomato Salad, Wurst Salad
. . . entree:.. Sauerbraten, Beef Rouladen
. . . dessert:. Bavarian Cheesecake
.
NOTE: Seating is on long beer-hall tables, so other families will be seated with you.
Though WDW likes to Americanize its food, Biergarten remains quite authentic. Above
average German comfort food. This helps when trying to accommodate those picky eaters
in your family. The "beer hall style" tables mostly have 8-seats, but, there are 3-seat
and 4-seat tables along the upper mezzanine wall. However, one cannot ask for nor reserve
these tables, as they are used as "overflow" as the floor-level seats are taken. In all cases,
tables are pretty close to each other, thus access is tight when standing up. There are minor
differences in food from lunch to dinner. Even "picky people" and kids seem to find items to eat.
.
NOTE2: There is entertainment at both lunch an dinner. However, the dinner "shows"
seem longer with more audience participation. Great for adults AND KIDDIES.
Show Times are daily at 1:15, 2:15, 3:15, 4:45, 5:55, 7:00, 8:05pm.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

LOVE IT! A MUST EVERY TRIP.

AKK

 

[Dis703]

We LOVE Biergarten! It's a must do for every family trip. The food is always good with lots to choose from, the ambiance is really fun with the community style seating, and the entertainment is always fun as well. The kids love the band and have a great time on the dance floor.

I'm actually planning a few very short trips this year and am considering planning on an Epcot day almost entirely so we won't miss out on Biergarten.

 

[GillianP1301]

We really like Beirgarten as well. The food is good and the entertainment is fun. The seating is usually the one thing people note as a "con". I don't mind the communal seating, in fact travelling alone with my young son it's actually nice to have an adult or two to talk to, but I do think the proximity of the chairs at the table and the tables to each other is pretty cramped. It's not enough to have much of a negative impact on the overall experience, but if I were to list a negative, that would be the only one.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We love the "communal seating." In fact, we were for a while in touch with the family seated with us.

What a great way to make a few friends.

(Unless of course, your table mates don't want to meet or talk to you.

 

[michelepa]

Micky0624 and Pinkgirl,

I too have a DD 12 and we are also going to Disney in August (girls only trip).

We are planning on dinner at Biergarten for around 6:15 on August 29th.

If either of you are there maybe we can commune together!

 

[Karlius]

Personally I prefer Dinner as the Oompah Band performs then.

 

[velvetsqueeze]

Highly recommend it! We scheduled our dinner reservation 15 minutes before a show started so we would already be seated with our first plate of food. Kiddos are invited to dance when the Oompah band is playing. Food was delicious but very rich. My stomach was glad the next day was a rest day. lol

 

[goofy4prez]

Another one here who enjoys Biergarten. I would not call it great food, but surprisingly as a buffet it is still pretty decent. I enjoy the atmosphere, the food and I have no problem with the communal seating. I'm not shy or introverted and actually enjoy meeting new folks. If they are not as engaging as I am then no problem either, I let them eat with no interference from me.

 

[TravelingTotMom]

It's one of our family favorites, and we think the food has actually improved compared to previous years.

Beer cheese soup and pretzel bread... mmm...

 

[DSLRuser]

Love it. It has been our go to place the last 6 years or so. This March, I am forcing us to try something new, and my daughter (14) is not to happy with me.

The food is awesome. We have had good luck sitting with other families. And the show on stage is good.