Is it really necessary to make reservations...

[KristiKat]

Is it really necessary to make reservations for Biergarten? When I went before we didn't make them and we got in and there was plenty of room. My parents have gone also without reservations. It's not a must do for us but would like to eat there if possible. I was thinking that the main places you had to make reservations for were character meals which we did last time but for something like this I was wondering if you had to. Thanks in advance for any info on this.

 

[Pakey]

We were there last Thursday (the 27th) for a 7pm dinner and the place was half empty. All the tables around us had nobody sitting at them.

When we went in May, all of the tables appeared to be full.

We prefer to wing it for most of our meals and have always had pretty good success with this approach. However, if it was important for me to eat at a certain place, I'd make an ADR for it.

 

[nklooz]

We went for lunch and didn't need them. But, I do feel like I am seeing a lot more talk about Biergarten on different sites so I don't know if it's gaining popularity?

 

[wdwrich]

If you know you want to eat at a particular WDW restuarant, why not make an ADR? You can always cancel or change the ADR if your plans change. Yes, you can get lucky and get in on a walk-up basis, but IMHO it's better to have an ADR so as not to miss out on a place just in case you happen to hit it on a busy day.

 

[MHSweb79]

I've been able to get into Biergarten quite easily even during free dining, which is unheard of for most other table service restaurants at Epcot.

I don't understand why, because we really like it there. Maybe people don't want to share their tables with strangers? (But then again, Teppan Edo is always packed.)

 

[lovin'fl]

If it's not peak season (Xmas, spring break, etc.), you should be ok...at the very least, you could walk up for lunch. That's for Biergarten....the popular places like Ohana, Le Cellier and character meals...well, those I'd make an ADR for regardless of the time of year.

 

[bigpuppergator]

I remember the days when you could walk up to Cinderella's castle and get seated in about 20 min. and while you waited the kids got to see Cinerella! times have changed.

 

[Hopefully]

A lot depends on the time of year, and whether or not it is free dining. In general, Biergarden is not as crowded as other Epcot restaurants, and your chances are better there than other places.
I don't agree with your assumption that only character meals require ADR's. At most times of the year, popular in park and resort restaurants book solid, way in advance. Yes on any given day you may get lucky, but that is not the norm. WDW restauarants do not hold tables for "walk ups". Those days are long gone.
So if you know somewhere you really are set on eating, I would make an ADR.
If you are willing to wing it, you may be lucky.
Good Luck

 

[KristiKat]

Thanks for the replies. I think we are just gonna wing it and see what happens. We are traveling with another family and don't want to have set times we have to do things. Of course I may end up changing my mind again and making the reservations. Thanks again.

 

[starousse]

We were there in October a few years ago, and I remember that place being one of the only ones where I was able to walk up without a reservation.

 

[LONES]

Thanks for the replies. I think we are just gonna wing it and see what happens. We are traveling with another family and don't want to have set times we have to do things. Of course I may end up changing my mind again and making the reservations. Thanks again.

We're a bit of a "wing it" type family ourselves. As the vacation progresses, you'll probably have a better idea of when you might want to eat there. We've had pretty good success going to guest relations in the parks, and making a same day ADR. I've also called the ADR line from whatever park I'm in, and asked what might be available that night.

 

[strmtroopr96]

We were at WDW towards the end of September and my father and brother actually decided last minute that they wanted to have dinner at Biergarten on 9/23. They had ressies in Mexico with my mother, DH, and DD but are always up for German and figured there would be no problem getting in as a walk in.

I did say something to them about not having a reservation but really I didn't think that they would have any problem. Well, I guess Biergarten was full or something because they were actually turned away. LOL Even though I warned them, I was still quite surprised.

Now, we were back at Epcot on 9/27 and DH and my father had ressies at Tutto Italia later that night but were hungry an hour or so earlier. They checked and were told to come in anytime and they would be seated right away. That would have been where I would have thought they would have a harder time getting in.

 

[DanPadavona]

I agree with wdwrich. Provided you are able to cancel the reservation 24 hours in advance, there is no reason not to make one. Odds are you won't have a problem walking in at Biergarten, but why take the risk?