Having second thoughts. Should we skip Biergarten?

[Octoberbaby]

I have wanted to try this place for a while, but I always back out. Not because of the food, because I am up for trying anything once, and I am not too picky. It's the seating that gets me! We're a friendly family, but I wouldn't really know how to strike up a conversation with people I don't know while I am eating. Is that strange? Will the show pretty much prevent any awkwardness?

 

[Jennasis]

You don't have to strike up a conversation with anyone if it's not your thing. Enjoy the food! It's great!

 

[Scott MC]

What the person above me said.

I went with my DP and our good friend. DP and my friend are very talkative (extroverts), whereas I'm a textbook introvert. When we weren't actively engaged in conversation, or with each other, the other two would chat with those near us, but it's by no means forced. It seems like a lousy thing to do, but you could also, with your body language, make it very clear if you're not up for conversation-don't be rude about it, but it can be done. It's really an experience you should have at least once!

 

[Octoberbaby]

You don't have to strike up a conversation with anyone if it's not your thing. Enjoy the food! It's great!

Thank you!

What the person above me said.

I went with my DP and our good friend. DP and my friend are very talkative (extroverts), whereas I'm a textbook introvert. When we weren't actively engaged in conversation, or with each other, the other two would chat with those near us, but it's by no means forced. It seems like a lousy thing to do, but you could also, with your body language, make it very clear if you're not up for conversation-don't be rude about it, but it can be done. It's really an experience you should have at least once!

I'm a total introvert as well. Sometimes I am a bit awkward in situations like that and I guess that's why I've always cancelled our reservations there.

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

I don't really remember talking to the people next to us last time we went. They already were eating when we were seated. The time before that I think we might have just said hi and asked where each other was from, but that's pretty much it.
I'm not a social person at all but I normally go each trip for the nostalgia factor. It was the only restaurant we ever ate at in the parks when I was a kid.

 

[pezaddict231]

How many people are in your party? We just went and as a party of 3 were seated with a party of four and a single diner. They actually placed my daughter's highchair next to the gentleman already seated, so that was a bit awkward as we had to immediately move it. It was fine but I did feel like that was too many separate parties to be seated at one table. The party of four totally ignored us, so you can always do that lol. We did try to say hi and be friendly but aren't the most chatty with strangers normally.

We've gone with four people and were seated with a party of three and that was fine because we each had our own table, they were just pushed together. . It is a fun place and one of my favorites though.

 

[Caseheidi]

We have eaten there a few times, and have never been sat with other guests. And there were only two of us. I do have to admit that we were there in lower crowd times, and tended to eat in the late afternoon, so befor the dinner rush.

I am also not a fan of sitting with strangers, but just to experience the place I believe it is worth it. I love the food, and the show is fun.

 

[Hopefully]

To answer your question, the show will not prevent awkwardness. It is intermittent and I didn't think it was that long.
We have been a few times. We have always been seated with others. Some visits everyone at the table is chatty, sometimes not. On our last visit it was clear that the family at the table didn't want to interact beyond an initial "hello" and that was fine too. I am pretty quiet and I didn't find it awkward at all.

 

[ArmyVet80]

We have been to the Biergaten on all of our trips to WDW and only 2 times have we had a person/people at our table that wanted to talk.

One was two German exchange students and the couple they were staying with. My wife speaks German so she was laughing overhearing them talking about a "blonde haired waitress". They noticed and asked if she knew German. The spoke for short period of time then were off to see the rest of Epcot.

The 2nd time was an elderly couple that was sat with us. The gentleman had a WWII veteran hat on. I thanked him for his service and we chit chatted about the military for a small portion of our meal. It was very educational.

The other 4 trips we have gone we have been sat by ourselves. 2 people at a 6 person table isn't too bad.

 

[mckennarose]

We always go to Biergarten on our trips and love the food. Sometimes we get seated with chatty people and sometimes not. Either way, we don't let it spoil our time together as a family. Here's a tip...when you're called to follow the seating person, try to get right behind her/him and follow. Then you get first pick of seats at the table and if you're seated with another (or two) parties, they fill in the remaining seats. One time our party of 4 was seated smack dab in the middle of two parties of two on either ends and neither was overly friendly. We laughed about it, but it was a little awkward. We're not overly bothered by strangers (we're all in line for rides and such with thousands of strangers in WDW anyway) and we made our own conversation with each other. Actually, now that I'm remembering, neither of those couples even said two words to their spouses they were with.

 

[nco91590]

I love Biergarten! I had never been until a last minute trip 2 years ago and we've been like 3 times since then. It's so fun and I love the theming.

Only one time did we sit with people we didn't know, and we had a blast with almost the whole table! But there was a couple at the end of the table that didn't want to chat, which was totally fine.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have eaten there a bunch of times. Sometimes we get seated with talkers, and sometimes not. You can gauge who you're sitting with pretty quickly and just adjust accordingly.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've eaten at Biergarten three times and have had awkward experiences each time. I don't necessarily have to strike up a conversation with people sitting at our table (although I can), but I think a "hello" or general acknowledgement that another human being is sitting next to you is appropriate. We sat at one table with a family of six where the mother actually told her son not to talk to mine, though they were the same age and were having a really nice conversation. Another where the family next to us was visibly hostile when we were seated next to them and then their daughter threw up next to my son. Never again. I understand they want to create a communal, Biergarten atmosphere, but, I think given American customs, it just doesn't work here. I would only eat here again if I was going with a group of 8 and we had a table to ourselves.

 

[Aeweddle]

We loved the entire experience at Biergarten except for the sharing of tables. We were next to the most dysfunctional family I've ever seen! It was like sharing a holiday dinner with a family who hates one another! The parents were fighting the entire meal about something that happened earlier in the day. Their two kids were throwing food at one another and the waitress. You should've seen the mess on the floor. My kids (particularly DS) are no angels, but these kids were clearly undisciplined. At first we were cringing, but eventually just rolled our eyes at them! I know other people have had enjoyable experiences a Biergarten, so certainly don't let it scare you away. I don't think it put a huge damper on our experience and I imagine we will be back.

 

[Shanti]

Thank you!

I'm a total introvert as well. Sometimes I am a bit awkward in situations like that and I guess that's why I've always cancelled our reservations there.

I'm an introvert, too. I know what you mean.

 

[Annadesu]

We got sat next to a couple that was also on honeymoon, during our trip. We spoke for 5 minutes, and then once we started eating, and the show started going on, we didn't talk again until they left ("Have a great trip!"). Just try the place once, it won't be as traumatic as you're making it out to be.

 

[Octoberbaby]

How many people are in your party? We just went and as a party of 3 were seated with a party of four and a single diner. They actually placed my daughter's highchair next to the gentleman already seated, so that was a bit awkward as we had to immediately move it. It was fine but I did feel like that was too many separate parties to be seated at one table. The party of four totally ignored us, so you can always do that lol. We did try to say hi and be friendly but aren't the most chatty with strangers normally.

We've gone with four people and were seated with a party of three and that was fine because we each had our own table, they were just pushed together. . It is a fun place and one of my favorites though.

We will have three...unless I bail last minute

We always go to Biergarten on our trips and love the food. Sometimes we get seated with chatty people and sometimes not. Either way, we don't let it spoil our time together as a family. Here's a tip...when you're called to follow the seating person, try to get right behind her/him and follow. Then you get first pick of seats at the table and if you're seated with another (or two) parties, they fill in the remaining seats. One time our party of 4 was seated smack dab in the middle of two parties of two on either ends and neither was overly friendly. We laughed about it, but it was a little awkward. We're not overly bothered by strangers (we're all in line for rides and such with thousands of strangers in WDW anyway) and we made our own conversation with each other. Actually, now that I'm remembering, neither of those couples even said two words to their spouses they were with.

Thank you for the tip!

We loved the entire experience at Biergarten except for the sharing of tables. We were next to the most dysfunctional family I've ever seen! It was like sharing a holiday dinner with a family who hates one another! The parents were fighting the entire meal about something that happened earlier in the day. Their two kids were throwing food at one another and the waitress. You should've seen the mess on the floor. My kids (particularly DS) are no angels, but these kids were clearly undisciplined. At first we were cringing, but eventually just rolled our eyes at them! I know other people have had enjoyable experiences a Biergarten, so certainly don't let it scare you away. I don't think it put a huge damper on our experience and I imagine we will be back.

Wow....that would be my luck lol.

 

[Octoberbaby]

Thanks for the help and reassurance! I think I may give it a try. I was just able to get an adr with the CP. Both will be new experiences!

 

[Pumbaa_]

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

 

[annej]

I think you will be fine. I am painfully shy around strangers and we go EVERY trip. Most of the time it is just a hi how are you and that is it for the rest of the meal. The one time we really did engage with another family - just me and my DH - it was a really enjoyable time. They were from Canada and we found we actually had a lot to chat about - even me! HA! Love the Biergarten!