Garden Grill, Biergarten or Teppan Edo?

[Smbmoyers]

Garden Grill was our families favorite table service meal the last trip we took. I can not recommend them enough!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We didn't like the food at Biergarten. We had a funny/horrible experience. My husband got sick on Mission Space. It was his first time on, and he took our girls. He didn't realize the difference between the two options, and took them on the version that spins. He came off so uncomfortable and miserably sick. We rode our FP on Living with the Land right after and I left feeling so hungry because the Garden Grill smelled so unbelievable. He was still sick, having basically curled up in a ball during LWTL. We headed over to Biergarten for our reservation and it was not a welcome smell for him, or me. I had just smelled all the amazing smells of a fresh garden, and walking into Biergarten smelled a bit like smelling corn beef and cabbage (my only comparison I could come up with since we are Irish). He was so sick, and the smell and noise were absolutely brutal for him. He spent half the time in the bathroom getting sick, and I couldn't find anything at the buffet that would interest anyone in our party of 8 (5 kids and my sister-in-law). We paid roughly a $250 buffet bill (we stayed offsite so no meal plan), and all anyone ate were cold, slightly stale dinner rolls. Never again!!!

On a brighter note, my kids really enjoyed the entertainment and everyone in the restaurant was very friendly!

That sounds awful! Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[goofyintoronto]

We didn't like the food at Biergarten. We had a funny/horrible experience. My husband got sick on Mission Space. It was his first time on, and he took our girls. He didn't realize the difference between the two options, and took them on the version that spins. He came off so uncomfortable and miserably sick. We rode our FP on Living with the Land right after and I left feeling so hungry because the Garden Grill smelled so unbelievable. He was still sick, having basically curled up in a ball during LWTL. We headed over to Biergarten for our reservation and it was not a welcome smell for him, or me. I had just smelled all the amazing smells of a fresh garden, and walking into Biergarten smelled a bit like smelling corn beef and cabbage (my only comparison I could come up with since we are Irish). He was so sick, and the smell and noise were absolutely brutal for him. He spent half the time in the bathroom getting sick, and I couldn't find anything at the buffet that would interest anyone in our party of 8 (5 kids and my sister-in-law). We paid roughly a $250 buffet bill (we stayed offsite so no meal plan), and all anyone ate were cold, slightly stale dinner rolls. Never again!!!

On a brighter note, my kids really enjoyed the entertainment and everyone in the restaurant was very friendly!

Out of ALL of the food options there, the only thing your party of 8 managed to eat were dinner rolls???

 

[Penmac]

Out of ALL of the food options there, the only thing your party of 8 managed to eat were dinner rolls???

Yes, the food was gross! To each his own, right?!

 

[Haley R]

Yes, the food was gross! To each his own, right?!

We thought the food was gross too. I think we figured out that we aren’t Disney buffet/AYCE people. Tried ohana, Liberty tree, and tusker house and were not impressed by any of them.

 

[PinkMagnolia]

I also loved Biergarten (food, atmosphere), but our dining experience was strange.

As you know, you are seated with another group, but the group we were seated with looked SO disappointed to be sitting with us! I said hello and they didn't even respond. It was very strange.

I wouldn't NOT eat here based on my experience, but just be aware that if you find it odd to sit with other people, it may affect your enjoyment.

I've not eaten at GG, but the family-style meal here looks really good and relaxing - I'd have a hard look at the other buffets you have already chosen and think about if you'd like to be "served" instead of making your own plate.

 

[Penmac]

We thought the food was gross too. I think we figured out that we aren’t Disney buffet/AYCE people. Tried ohana, Liberty tree, and tusker house and were not impressed by any of them.

Agree. We are not really picky eaters and enjoy a variety of foods. On any given night in our house we may eat Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Italian, "meat & potatoes", among others. My husband is probably the least picky and maybe would have found something on that buffet menu to interest him, but he was too sick to eat. My oldest (7 at the time) is a very good eater-- she will eat Sushi, and stuff I won't even eat, and she didn't like anything on the menu, either. I think we can do breakfast buffets, and that's about it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Yes, the food was gross! To each his own, right?!

Yes to each their own. Different strokes. Its too bad you had to spend all that money. It aint cheap!

 

[Minnesota!]

Biergarten has SO much for all palates. German food is, by nature, meat and potatoes. With some other fantastic things thrown in - the tomato salad, soup, sauerkraut, desserts, schnitzel, etc. The show is great, too. And...the beer. Nothing more needs to be said, ha ha!

Everyone in my family loves it - it appeases all tastes!!

We did not like the chow at GG - the food was bland and everything tasted like fish (and we love fish, but fish with beef texture is not appealing). The characters and seating were great, though (we had a booth on the lower level - very private!)

 

[Penmac]

Yes to each their own. Different strokes. Its too bad you had to spend all that money. It aint cheap!

It was an expensive, but also good, learning experience for us. My friend had recommended it, but she stayed onsite & never mentioned it was pricey. She would normally mention a detail like that so I didn't concern myself with checking the price range. Realized after that for her it didn't matter since she was on the meal plan, so we should have checked the cost ourselves. That was a huge mistake of inexperience on my part (the meal planner in the family), given that we had never eaten German food before. I also assumed that the buffet would maybe have some basic american fare shoved off in a dark corner that the kids would eat if the authentic German food was too much for them. This isn't the case as far as I could see. I can appreciate the Biergarten sticking with the authentic theme and keeping their menu in line with that concept. The atmosphere was amazing and the band was great. My family (outside my husband's motion sickness complicating everything) actually appreciated the fact that it was noisy and chaotic in there, since that is how a family with 5 little kids rolls every.single.day.

We have figured out that we basically afford Disney with 5 kids (more than once in a lifetime) because we have since limited the number of ADR we book. We save money this way. We miss out on some of the experiences the park has to offer in terms of character dining and the beautiful atmosphere in some of these restaurants (and I am sure great food), but it's a fair trade off to get back there more than every 5 years. I did really love Belle's Castle in Fantasy Land though and thought the breakfast was delicious so I would eat there again for breakfast anytime.

 

[JimmyBean42]

We really enjoyed both places. GG has the characters, so if you have children that's a bonus. Biergarten entertainment is great too. So if it comes down to food: are you more for American style dinner (roast, turkey, mac and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes) or German style food (with some American style mixed in for picky eaters). For me the tie breaker was the beers at Biergarten. I got a great flight there and got to try a bunch of different beers. And the kids got to dance when the show started. Win win!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

It is German food, but I would think even the pickiest eaters could find something. I have never been to Disney and not eaten at Biergarten, love, love, love it. The seating can be off putting if you let it. Sometimes you get some really friendly table mates, other times not so much. Once we were seated with a family from Japan and they spoke no English, it was a little tough to talk to them, lol. Another time we sat with a CM and his Mom and they were so much fun.

As for the food, I dream of those salads! Having grown up with a Grandfather and his sister who were German, the food is pure comfort and nostalgia for me.

 

[sbd78]

We didn't like the food at Biergarten. We had a funny/horrible experience. My husband got sick on Mission Space. It was his first time on, and he took our girls. He didn't realize the difference between the two options, and took them on the version that spins. He came off so uncomfortable and miserably sick. We rode our FP on Living with the Land right after and I left feeling so hungry because the Garden Grill smelled so unbelievable. He was still sick, having basically curled up in a ball during LWTL. We headed over to Biergarten for our reservation and it was not a welcome smell for him, or me. I had just smelled all the amazing smells of a fresh garden, and walking into Biergarten smelled a bit like smelling corn beef and cabbage (my only comparison I could come up with since we are Irish). He was so sick, and the smell and noise were absolutely brutal for him. He spent half the time in the bathroom getting sick, and I couldn't find anything at the buffet that would interest anyone in our party of 8 (5 kids and my sister-in-law). We paid roughly a $250 buffet bill (we stayed offsite so no meal plan), and all anyone ate were cold, slightly stale dinner rolls. Never again!!!

On a brighter note, my kids really enjoyed the entertainment and everyone in the restaurant was very friendly!

Sorry about your bad experience! Regarding the food/smell, I like some of the traditional German foods like schnitzel and spaetzle. The thing that worries me is the sauerkraut. I hate the stuff, hate the smell of the stuff. If the restaurant has a strong sauerkraut smell, that could be an instant turn off for me, LOL!

As far as sitting with others, we are a family of 5. (2 adults, 3 kids.) I assume we will be seated with a couple or a family with 1 kid if they typically do 8 to a table. That doesn't bother me, however I can't necessarily say the same for whomever gets seated with my crazy kids! The beer selection does sound amazing though!

 

[areno79]

I'd personally pick Biergarten over Garden Grill. GG dinner felt like Thanksgiving all over again, whereas Biergarten has a better variety of food and is a more unique experience.

 

[klacey1]

Definitely Biergarten! So much fun and delicious food. I've been there with eaters of varied palates and all have loved it.

 

[Marc D]

We headed over to Biergarten for our reservation and it was not a welcome smell for him, or me. I had just smelled all the amazing smells of a fresh garden, and walking into Biergarten smelled a bit like smelling corn beef and cabbage (my only comparison I could come up with since we are Irish). He was so sick, and the smell and noise were absolutely brutal for him.

The opposite happened to me a few years ago. I got really sick. I ended up staying in my room for 2 days without eating. Anyway, before giving up touring the parks, I decided to try small easy rides like LWTL. The smell entering the Land pavillon was overwhelming and I couldn't stand it. I still remember it to this day. When you are nauseous, even the most ordinary smells can get you.

 

[mslhb]

Love Biergarten! It was my 9 year olds favorite meal on our last trip. Thought the food was good md the atmosphere was super fun!

 

[rosiebean]

We went to GG (for breakfast) a few years ago and were so disappointed that we’re reluctant to go back for lunch or dinner. Biergarten isn’t my favorite Epcot TS meal, but the variety there was head and shoulders above what we got at GG. My sons loved the food at Biergarten...they aren’t huge eaters usually but went back to the buffet three times before giving in and having dessert!

 

[cgh]

We are doing all of them on our trip in April. How old are the people going? I'd probably skip Teppen Edo if you can do that at home.

Then, I think it depends on (1) do you want a character meal (there's LOTS of character attention) (2) Do you like the menu at Garden Grill (does that satisfy the picky eaters) (3) shared seating okay or not and (4) would you like buffet/band.

All that is personal preference. I haven't gone to Biergarten since I was 5 and we booked it the last 2 trips but canceled just due to wanting to eat back at the resort. (germany is a bit of a trek). I'm really hoping we do it this time around.

 

[davper]

I have done all 3 and Biergarten is at the top of my list.

BTW, I am a picky eater.