Mmmmmmm....5 Nights with Shameless Pics! *Updated with California Grill!

[west&east]

Excellent reviews . . . can't wait to read more! We're staying AKL CL for the first time on our upcoming trip and I'm anxious to see more of the CL offerings. Thanks for sharing!

I'll be commenting a bit more about the club offerings, and also the breakfast buffet offered on the sunrise safari.

Sorry, I did not mean to take over your review by writing an essay on German wines...

Your Biergarten review is really interesting. The food actually looks very authentic, but the plates are incredibly funny! I am glad to hear that you found something you liked in the end!

No need for apologies- I am really enjoying your contributions! What is it about the plates that are funny? The combinations of foods that do not usually go together or something else?

Subscribing - Very nice reviews so far!!

Thanks for reading!

yum! We've always been interested in Biergarten, so I love seeing the pictures! The wine looks delicious!

Last set of Biergarten pictures (dessert) coming up! Minnie will also add her comments soon.

 

[shannn]

You are the first person that's ever gotten me even remotely interested in Biergarten. I'm definitely in!

 

[TigerKat]

We haven't been to Biergarten in over 5 years....need to remedy that soon.

 

[west&east]

The Biergarten has a few dessert choices:

This plate shows the vanilla pudding, bavarian cheesecake, and apple strudel.

This plate also shows the black forest cake and vanilla sauce on the strudel:

The desserts were unimpressive. I have never been excited about black forest cake because I don't care for cherries with chocolate. Unfortunately, this was the only chocolate option. My kids loved the pudding, but it is ultimately just pudding. The strudel was fine but not a standout. I would say my favorite was the cheesecake which was creamy and lighter than many "New York style" cheesecakes.

The atmosphere at Biergarten is what elevates this restaurant to something fun. The German band was quite talented. I was surprised to see Baloo clapping along and he was mesmerized by the cow bell performance. We were all impressed with the alpen horn performance. We lingered enough through our meal that we actually heard the band through two performances. My kids were ready to join the dance floor just as they shifted into the bells, so they didn't get the opportunity to dance. I had read that the band plays the chicken dance, but they did not the night we were there (which is probably more authentic but not as fun.) Singing happy birthday and happy anniversary to those celebrating in the crowd was fun. The buffet area itself seems a bit dark and dreary but the rest of the restaurant has a peaceful night feel to it.

In searching for the name of the alpen horn, I came across this website that has some nice pics of the restaurant:

http://pscalculator.net/psreview_033.shtml

Overall, I think this was a fun choice for our family. I generally prefer lighter more flavorful fare, but this was an interesting change of pace. We all found a few good things to eat, had some delicious beverages, and enjoyed the socializing. The buffet and the music made this especially good for our children. All that being said, I probably try some place new on our next trip.

 

[west&east]

We haven't been to Biergarten in over 5 years....need to remedy that soon.

I agree! I would definitely return after a 5 year break or sooner!

 

[Flossbolna]

No need for apologies- I am really enjoying your contributions! What is it about the plates that are funny? The combinations of foods that do not usually go together or something else?

Sorry, I was not at all talking about what you put on those plates! I was talking about the cheesy Bavarian-style decor printed on those plates

While the German pavilion is a bit over the top, I was very surprised when I first visited the World Showcase how tastefully it was done. In my opinion it still shows a true version of each country (as far as I know them), though very condensed. I also appreciated that it does not confuse Bavaria, which is only one part of Germany, with Germany as a whole.

But the design on the plates is what in my opinion Americans (Or Japanese, Australians etc. for that matter) consider to be German. If we want to be very over the top Bavarian (and since Biergarten is supposed to be a Bavarian beergarden it should Bavarian there!), this is the style we would go for:

Oh and the chicken dance would have been quite authentic!! We call it the Ententanz (duck dance) and it is a party classic here.

 

[SuzieN]

Mmmm....your Biergarten pictures look so good! We ate dinner there 1 year ago today. I LOVED the Bavarian cheesecake - I'm not a huge cheesecake fan and I thought it was some of the best I'd ever had. My boys loved the potato & leek soup so much that I e-mailed Disney for the recipe since I couldn't find it on any of the recipe exchange threads. It is delicious and I make it at least once a month!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Biergarten was a family favorite when we ate there about 1 1/2 yrs. ago. My kids loved the atmosphere and it timed out well for us that they got the chance to dance. Sorry your schnitzel wasn't up to snuff. We enjoyed it so much we actually make it at home now. We want to try so many of the Epcot TS places that I don't know when we will return, but we has a great time.

 

[Joie29]

I agree with the other posters--what a great review!

Even though you didn't love everything, I too am intersted in trying Biergarten out now...I always thought the ambience would be very fun, but also thought my mustard allergy would make it not worth checking out. I KNOW DH would love a lot of the food. The beets did look yummy, I love beets so much.

Now, most of all, I am interested in those wines...

We did stop at the counter service to pick up a pretzel for DD when we were there, it was very good!

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to more.

 

[aceys_h0ney]

Great review of Biergarten this is one of the places hubby picked, I was a little optomistic but I picked almost everything so had to go somewhere he wanted! Looks pretty good.

 

[west&east]

Thanks for reading everybody and sorry for the brief hiatus. We have been having beautiful weather here in Charlotte. It was 70 degrees yesterday! So the entire family was out riding bikes instead of writing reviews. The beautiful weather continued today but Minnie seems to be getting sick.

Anyway, I asked DH for his final comments on Biergarten. He said he enjoyed it and is glad he went but would have preferred that they had a bigger selection of beer. He said it would not be on his priority list for a return trip.

After dinner at Biergarten, we headed back toward the International Gateway exit to catch our Illuminations Cruise. Can you guess what it was in France that lured me in and contributed to later rule breaking behavior? Be sure to read my next post.

 

[frdeb1999]

Thanks for the review! Great pics!! I am a fan of Biergarten.....loved the pics!!

 

[west&east]

On the way to dinner, I noticed the stand in France that sold Grand Marnier slushies. I thought about buying one, but DH said it would be tacky to show up at Biergarten with a drink from France (turns out we had to wait and it would have been fine). On the way to our Illuminations cruise after dinner, I considered trying one. It was pretty chilly outside, but I was on vacation. It was a very good decision. This drink is my new favorite adult beverage (other than wine). It was smooth, flavorful, but not too sweet. It had a fresh orange taste. The Grand Marnier was noticeable but not overpowering. It wasn't too strong (which is great for a lightweight like me). It is super refreshing and would have been even better on a hot day, but at least it didn't melt too quickly. I liked this way better than any of the desserts at Biergarten.

This drink was so good that it inspired some lawlessness on my part. You should know that I am very rule-oriented. I don't cut in lines, wait until my zone is called on airplanes, etc. As we approached the Epcot exit (at the International Gateway), a woman informed me that I could not take alcoholic beverages outside the park. Oops. DH needed to use the restroom so I said that I would wait and drink my slushie. I was bummed because it was really a good drink, we had to rush for our cruise, and I didn't want to chug it or dump it. I tried to drink quickly and got a major case of brain freeze! As DH came out of the restroom, I noticed the woman was gone. A male cast member looked at me and said, "Is that an alcoholic beverage?" I paused and replied, "No, it is a smoothie." (MJaybe the drink was stronger than I thought or maybe I had too much wine in Germany!) In any case, he let me proceed on my way, and I enjoyed my slushie on the walk to the Yacht & Beach Club Marina. My husband was in shock and asked exactly what he needed to do in the future for me to show off that sassy attitude.

I did some research and found the recipe for this drink. Now I have to order orange smoothie from the supplier in Florida so I can replicate it at home!

Here I am with my Grand Marnier slushie!

 

[ksmommyof4]

On the way to dinner, I noticed the stand in France that sold Grand Marnier slushies. I thought about buying one, but DH said it would be tacky to show up at Biergarten with a drink from France (turns out we had to wait and it would have been fine). On the way to our Illuminations cruise after dinner, I considered trying one. It was pretty chilly outside, but I was on vacation. It was a very good decision. This drink is my new favorite adult beverage (other than wine). It was smooth, flavorful, but not too sweet. It had a fresh orange taste. The Grand Marnier was noticeable but not overpowering. It wasn't too strong (which is great for a lightweight like me). It is super refreshing and would have been even better on a hot day, but at least it didn't melt too quickly. I liked this way better than any of the desserts at Biergarten.

This drink was so good that it inspired some lawlessness on my part. You should know that I am very rule-oriented. I don't cut in lines, wait until my zone is called on airplanes, etc. As we approached the Epcot exit (at the International Gateway), a woman informed me that I could not take alcoholic beverages outside the park. Oops. DH needed to use the restroom so I said that I would wait and drink my slushie. I was bummed because it was really a good drink, we had to rush for our cruise, and I didn't want to chug it or dump it. I tried to drink quickly and got a major case of brain freeze! As DH came out of the restroom, I noticed the woman was gone. A male cast member looked at me and said, "Is that an alcoholic beverage?" I paused and replied, "No, it is a smoothie." (MJaybe the drink was stronger than I thought or maybe I had too much wine in Germany!) In any case, he let me proceed on my way, and I enjoyed my slushie on the walk to the Yacht & Beach Club Marina. My husband was in shock and asked exactly what he needed to do in the future for me to show off that sassy attitude.

I did some research and found the recipe for this drink. Now I have to order orange smoothie from the supplier in Florida so I can replicate it at home!

Here I am with my Grand Marnier slushie!

I love reading you reviews.I also tried one of these slushies in Aug when I went for my honeymoon.Can I say I am hooked lol I rarely drink but its so good I will be getting another in May when I go lol....

 

[cdtommie]

Great Biergarten review! Drinking two liters is most impressive...especially when one is Optimator. This is always a fun place. Also a fan of the St. Michelle Eroica Riesling.

 

[Joie29]

Ha!! I love that you broke the rules I too am a very rule-abiding person normally, so laughed and laughed when reading this.

The slushie looks so delish--it was one of those things I wanted to try but didn't get a chance to.

 

[TigerKat]

This drink was so good that it inspired some lawlessness on my part. You should know that I am very rule-oriented. I don't cut in lines, wait until my zone is called on airplanes, etc. As we approached the Epcot exit (at the International Gateway), a woman informed me that I could not take alcoholic beverages outside the park. Oops. DH needed to use the restroom so I said that I would wait and drink my slushie. I was bummed because it was really a good drink, we had to rush for our cruise, and I didn't want to chug it or dump it. I tried to drink quickly and got a major case of brain freeze! As DH came out of the restroom, I noticed the woman was gone. A male cast member looked at me and said, "Is that an alcoholic beverage?" I paused and replied, "No, it is a smoothie." (MJaybe the drink was stronger than I thought or maybe I had too much wine in Germany!) In any case, he let me proceed on my way, and I enjoyed my slushie on the walk to the Yacht & Beach Club Marina. My husband was in shock and asked exactly what he needed to do in the future for me to show off that sassy attitude.

I love the Grey Goose Slushie! I am just like you being rule-oriented and I LOVE what you did!!!!

 

[west&east]

Ha!! I love that you broke the rules I too am a very rule-abiding person normally, so laughed and laughed when reading this.

The slushie looks so delish--it was one of those things I wanted to try but didn't get a chance to.

I love the Grey Goose Slushie! I am just like you being rule-oriented and I LOVE what you did!!!!

Thank you for supporting my delinquent behavior!

 

[west&east]

Minnie was home sick today but asked to work on her trip report a bit. Here is her brief review of Biergarten (which she originally spelled Beergarten. She asked if her spelling was correct. I showed her the correct spelling but asked if I could keep it the way she wrote it because I thought it was cute. She said no way!):

We ate at a place in Germany called Biergarten. Baloo and I found out as another surprise that there were singers and musicians playing while we ate. That was so cool. For dinner I had a potato-leek soup which was very good- I had two helpings of that. With it I had pretzel bread which was amazing. It tasted just like a soft pretzel. I also had cucumber salad and potato salad. They were all delicious. For dessert I had regular vanilla pudding, apple strudel, and cheesecake which were also fabulous.

 

[perla75]

I selected Biergarten for our Thursday night dinner for a few reasons. First, I wanted to dine somewhere in Epcot because we had an Illuminations Cruise booked that evening. Next, Grumpy enjoys good beer and has fond memories of his high school trip to Germany. He likes German food as well, but it is rare to find an opportunity to eat it. Lastly, I thought the music and dancing would be fun for the kids. I hesitated because I knew our trip was very weighted toward buffets, but I also knew that buffets are fun for our kids.

We had an ADR for 5:35pm. When we checked in, we were provided a pager. We waited in the courtyard, took some pictures, and were seated in about 10 minutes. Our table was to the far right of the stage, on the second level. At Biergarten, you are seated with other families. Our table sat 8. My family sat along one side, while a friendly family from Baltimore sat across from us. They had a cute daughter who was wearing her updo and tiara from the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, and a 9 or 10 year old son who I didn't hear much from. The dad happened to work at Biegarten, helping to run the band, many years ago. We had a pleasant time with them, especially as their daughter opened up and chatted more.

At Biergarten, one attraction is the beer! Here is the beer menu:

DH started out with a liter of the Oktoberfest and finished with a liter of the Optimater. How he can drink 2 liters of beer and eat dinner as well is beyond me.

Thank you SO much for posting the Biergarten beer menu!!!! I have been searching for their beer list for a year now, trying to figure out the names of the yummy beers I had in the beer flight on my last trip. Thank you!!!