Having second thoughts. Should we skip Biergarten?

[disneymom0104]

My DH and I are very much introverts but love eating here. One time we had a very chatty family with us and it was fun talking to them. Another time we had a very quiet family- we all said hello at the beginning of the meal, but didn't talk at all after that- and that is okay, too. They had a few kids, we have a few kids and that keeps us all busy! Another time we had a couple with us and they didn't say word. We are looking forward to our 4th visit there as it is one of our favorites- there certainly is no expectation that you need to talk non stop to the people at your table.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Like others, we have had good and bad experiences.

Our first trip, we were seating with a group that wouldn't even look at us. Talk about weird. (Yes, they spoke English and they were not deaf.)

The last time we were there, we were seated with a family from Canada. We live in Alabama.

We talked almost more than we ate. And then we saw them at the Candlelight Processional and at Illuminations. We ended up exchanging email addresses and kept in contact for a while.

 

[Octoberbaby]

How did you all feel having to get back up to refill your plates? Was this uncomfortable? I don't want to climb over someone to get up and down.

 

[tomatecerise]

Go for It And You Will see! The Food is good, the show is good And if You don't want to talk with people at the table They not Will Be offend.

We have the same concept In Québec for La Cabane à Sucre. But we share the Food And pass the plates. If we want more Food we Ask.

 

[MariMama]

its a deal breaker for me. Just not interested in sitting with others on my vacation. Great for those that enjoy it, we do not

Same here.

 

[mckennarose]

How did you all feel having to get back up to refill your plates? Was this uncomfortable? I don't want to climb over someone to get up and down.

Have you looked at pictures of the tables? That might give you an idea if it's too close for comfort for you.
We had no issues whatsoever and we've eaten here quite a few times and will again next trip. Look at it this way.... you'll never see those people again and you are not going there to make friends; you're going to eat good food in a really cool atmosphere. It's what you make of it.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

My husband and I did biergarten last year and I remember this making me a little nervous as well, but it wasn't bad! We didn't really talk to anyone and most people talk amongst themselves. We did end up chatting with the couple they put across from us since they worked at universal and we were headed there a few days later, but it certainly wasn't forced.

 

[Corey127]

We have eaten here 3 times before and have reservations for our upcoming trip. I actually forgot that you sit with other families until I read this post, and I can't remember if we chatted or not. It's really not a big deal

 

[bilnsheldodisney]

when we went the last time, we were with 2 other family groups we didn't know. one was friendly and we chatted, the other didn't say a word. both were fine with us. i think it is a really fun place with good food and worth the table situation. you could have obnoxious people next to you at any restaurant...

 

[MickeyEars]

I would love to try the Biergarten but we're afraid my picky husband won't eat anything. He definitely won't eat any sausages whatsoever. Do they have chicken? How about vegetables?
My sons and I will try anything but not husband!!

Thanks for any info!!

Carla

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We never miss Biergarten, it's my favorite! We have met some great people there and I think if you go in with a smile and an open mind you will be fine. Our favorite of all time was when me and DH were on a trip by ourselves. We had lunch there and were seated with a couple from Puerto Rico, the wife was drinking shots of honey bourbon and insisted on buying me one. We all talked a long time and had drinks together. We hope to see them when we visit Puerto Rico on a cruise next year.

I also think that if you really did not wish to sit with another party that they would work with you on that. Go and enjoy , it's some of the best food at WDW!

 

[si-am]

I love Biergarten but absolutely HATE small talk with strangers. I usually say hello and a few pleasantries but then focus on my own family so I don't have to talk with other people the whole time. Mostly it's been okay, but one time we were seated with a young couple who seemed very judgey and offended about the fact that we ordered beers with our lunch, and that was pretty awkward.

 

[ahalper0227]

I love Biergarten but absolutely HATE small talk with strangers. I usually say hello and a few pleasantries but then focus on my own family so I don't have to talk with other people the whole time. Mostly it's been okay, but one time we were seated with a young couple who seemed very judgey and offended about the fact that we ordered beers with our lunch, and that was pretty awkward.

Judgey and offended? As a member of a young couple myself I feel as though I would applaud you for ordering beers with your lunch

 

[sullyfam]

For us Biergarten was a one and done. It's a fun spot but it just wasn't our thing. My family is on the picky side and I remember my kids mostly eating fruit and my husband mostly drinking beer I on the other hand found lots of things to eat but I'm not picky. But for the price it just doesn't make sense to return if 3 out of 4 (now 5) of us are not really enjoying the food.

As for seating, we sat next to another young family. We said hello at the beginning and goodbye at the end but that was it. Just because it's communal seating doesn't mean you are obligated to talk to each other the whole time. A simple acknowledgement is all that is needed and if for some reason you end up talking more, great, but I don't think it's expected at all! Most are with their own families doing their own thing so I wouldn't worry about it too much or let that be the reason not to try it.

I'm all for trying something at least once and I'm glad we did but probably wouldn't again - have a fun trip!

 

[mckennarose]

I would love to try the Biergarten but we're afraid my picky husband won't eat anything. He definitely won't eat any sausages whatsoever. Do they have chicken? How about vegetables?
My sons and I will try anything but not husband!!

Thanks for any info!!

Carla

Check out the menu on MDE. There are other things than sausages like schnitzel, chicken, roast pork (I think), macaroni and cheese, fish (can't remember what kind?), spatzle, and those are only some of the hot offerings. They have a cold section, dessert section and breads/rolls.

Mostly it's been okay, but one time we were seated with a young couple who seemed very judgey and offended about the fact that we ordered beers with our lunch, and that was pretty awkward.

My DD always orders a grapefruit beer at lunch and DH tries different beers each trip.

 

[MonaMN]

We love Biergarten! I think DD ate three berry compote desserts when we were there! We love German food, and it is so adorable - and the music is fun too. One of my favorite places to eat at WDW!

 

[Octoberbaby]

I love Biergarten but absolutely HATE small talk with strangers. I usually say hello and a few pleasantries but then focus on my own family so I don't have to talk with other people the whole time. Mostly it's been okay, but one time we were seated with a young couple who seemed very judgey and offended about the fact that we ordered beers with our lunch, and that was pretty awkward.

Small talk is the worst! Day drinking? The best!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Small talk is the worst! Day drinking? The best!

Day drinking helps with the small talk.

 

[ZellyB]

Just one more to chime in that we've never had an issue with the communal seating. We've had a mixture of experiences where sometimes there is some pleasant chit chat and others where we really don't speak other than an initial hello. I've also never had trouble getting in and out to go back to the buffet. The chairs and tables have enough space in between that it's not at all difficult to get out and back in. We really enjoy eating there.

 

[Disney Dynamite]

I'm an introvert with really bad social anxiety. Biergarten is basically my idea of a nightmare, but I finally broke down and made an ADR for our last trip because my husband really, really wanted to try it. I dreaded that ADR more than I dreaded the end of our vacation. It wasn't that bad at all. We were seated next to a really nice couple who were on vacation with their grandson. We talked mostly about Disney and where we were from. Once I made it through my German-sized beer, I was really feeling good about the whole experience.