German Biergarten

[Weegl]

My family and I did a day trip to Epcot this past Satuurday (we have a 50 mile drive to Disney, so this is not an uncommon event for us) and had a great meal at the Biergarten. Interestingly, we had no ADR and walked right in at about 5:30PM. The meal was great (I love German food) and my wife and kids were also coverted into German food lovers!

There were some rain storms in the area around the time we ate and I'm sure that might have keept some folks from fulfilling their ADRs. However, the place was about 50 - 60% full at the time so it must have just been a slow day. The dining experience was definitely better without the additional congestion.

Has anyone else ever eaten in this restaurant when its not packed to the gills? Its a first for me.

 

[Uncle Servo]

We usually do lunch at Biergarten when we're down there (and usually not long after it opens) so it's almost never crowded then. We have been there for dinner when it was pretty full too -- but personally I prefer having all the bratwurst and tomato salad to myself.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Uncle Servo...is that you in that picture? How cool!

Weegl-We tried Biergarten for the first time on our last trip and we wondered why we waited so long! We were very impressed also. So much so, that we have an ADR for our upcoming trip also. We need to make up for lost time!

 

[grumpy.uncle]

My family took me to the Biergarten on my birthday during our first trip to WDW. It is still one of my favorite meals ever. I really believe that this restaurant is one of the hidden gems in WS. It doesn't get the attention that alot of the other restaurants do, but it is consistently great. By the way, the little bakery area in the shop next to it has the best pastries. Love to take something back to the room to snack on later.

 

[WildGrits]

I agree. I think the Biergarten is a hidden gem. We have never waited to be seated and the place is usually only 50% full. This year is our first time going for dinner. I can't wait. I haven't had Sauerbraten in years.

 

[klineyqueen]

I can't wait to try this restaurant! We are pennsylvaina dutch people and my grandmother made many of these types of foods. MMMmmmm, can't wait!

 

[jimmytammy]

We have been to Biergarten several times and it has been hit or miss on the crowds. It seems dinner may be a bit more crowded than lunch, at least what we have experinced. Last time we had ADRs there, we waited at least 30 mins to be seated.

 

[grannyminnie]

How about a comment on the noise in the restaurant? The show seems to be very loud, from what I saw when we peeked in one day. I've never been but would like to experience the food, however, if it's terribly loud, that would be a negative to me!

 

[crzy4mk]

Not too loud, IMO. Obviously, if you sit close to the stage, it's a little louder. But if you're back a little bit, it's not much noisier than any other restaurant.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We ate dinner there (around 6 ish) in April and it was not that busy. When we went up to the buffet there was not that many people around. It was great!

 

[Uncle Servo]

Uncle Servo...is that you in that picture? How cool!

Thanks! Yep, that's me on the right (I was on the show two days in July '06). The guy on the left is some Canadian goob they brought in to read the clues.

How about a comment on the noise in the restaurant? The show seems to be very loud, from what I saw when we peeked in one day. I've never been but would like to experience the food, however, if it's terribly loud, that would be a negative to me!

Well it is live entertainment, so it's going to be a bit louder than your average restaurant where you can barely hear the piped-in muzak... but the noise level has never been a problem for us. We've never had a problem hearing people at our table or the server.

Also, the band is only out there a certain part of each hour; you can check with the front desk to find out when and schedule your reservation/dining time to minimize your exposure if you feel it would be too noisy.

 

[KLL]

We eat here every time we visit Disney. A great meal with entertainment. By the way, "klineyqueen" it looks like we are neighbors.

 

[disgram]

We usually eat here on each trip. And usually for Dinner. We have yet to be there when it has been crowded! We have gone in March, October, and August. Not crowded. I agree, it is a hidden gem in WS! The food is good and everyone finds something that they like. Also that bakery is fabulous!!!!!! Love the black forest cake!!!!!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks! Yep, that's me on the right (I was on the show two days in July '06). The guy on the left is some Canadian goob they brought in to read the clues.

Uncle Servo-That is so awesome! I guess I need to ask...how did you make them talk like pirates? You gotta be a "smarty" to get on that show, so kudos to you!

About the noise...funny, I don't think of it as much noisier than most WDW restaurants. But I guess there is a lot of activity...between people coming and going to the buffet and the entertainment, my DD (she was 7 at the time) just could not stay seated. She made lots of other friends her age on the dance floor, and it was great, because we could see her from our seat, yet we got to have some one on one time together.

Well...except for the other family seated with us! I do think sitting with other people is awkward. I am glad we were seated with a family with 2 young kids also, I would hope the CMs would try to seat you with other people in the same "situation" as you. I know someone on this board was miffed, he was a solo diner and male, and he couldn't understand why the family with young kids he was seated with didn't really talk to him. I guess the husband should have chatted with him, but I think it would feel odd to include a man that we have never met before in our meal. I hope that makes sense...trust me, I am super friendly, but if someone is solo, it is kind of hard to automatically take them in and treat them as part of your party. They should save a table for solo diners, I bet that would be a fun table!

 

[Liliyana]

I can't wait to try this restaurant! We are pennsylvaina dutch people and my grandmother made many of these types of foods. MMMmmmm, can't wait!

You'll love it! Another PA Dutch girl here (but moved away in '90) and that's why I wanted to eat at Biergarten. It's totally the kinda food I grew up on, right down to the meat sticks they have on the cold buffet.

Someone mentioned noise. It's louder than average but not enough to be bad- for example, I can't eat at Rainforest Cafe without major anxiety due to the noise and overstimulation.

 

[Uncle Servo]

Uncle Servo-That is so awesome! I guess I need to ask...how did you make them talk like pirates? You gotta be a "smarty" to get on that show, so kudos to you!

I'll never reveal my 'pirate-talk-making' secrets... But thanks again!

I forgot to mention earlier, but for a while there we kept getting the same server (she considered us some of her 'regulars'). The next time you go, ask for Renate ("rhen-OTT-uh," I believe she pronounced it that way) -- she's a wonderful person!

 

[Golf4food]

I'll never reveal my 'pirate-talk-making' secrets... But thanks again!

I forgot to mention earlier, but for a while there we kept getting the same server (she considered us some of her 'regulars'). The next time you go, ask for Renate ("rhen-OTT-uh," I believe she pronounced it that way) -- she's a wonderful person!

Renate would be closer to rhen-OTT-eh, but that's the general idea - the "e" at the end gets pronounced.

We love the Biergarten. It is a must do whenever we stay for more than one day.

Uncle Servo: As someone who has twice missed the Jeopardy test by just one question , I'd love to hear your secrets (18th Century East Asian literature?!?!? WTH is that?!?!?!?)

 

[AllSaints]

My husband and I have grown up in Milwaukee, WI all of our lives. We KNOW what good German food is like as this town is HEAVILY German oriented. I have to say that Biergarten has some of the best GErman food I've ever had...anywhere.

 

[Hollymom1229]

I've been to Germany, and DH has studied German culture intensely including some of the best German food in our country. Biergarten holds it's own against all I've ever had. Can't wait to eat there in just a couple more months.