My Thoughts On Biergarten - EPCOT:Germany

[MVC1225]

I, for one, agree with you. It is one of my GF and I least favorite restaurants in all of WDW. The food was ok but nothing was remarkable or even slightly memorable. The band was good. The service, for us at least, was atrocious.

There are some restaurants we want to go back to all the time, some we will try again eventually, and some on the do not repeat list. This is one of the few on the do not repeat list.

 

[kellyjeanie]

Sorry OP I'm not with you. I love Biergarten! I'm not sure what types of food you thought they would offer, but sauerkraut and sausage is pretty standard German food. As someone a quarter German (and half Polish) can tell you.

I have to agree too that they repeatedly tell you about the way the tables are set up. Even if they didn't I don't understand being surprised. They are set up to mimic a biergarten, after all!

Dude!!! Half Polish and quarter German here too!

We're eating here in October and I'm super excited. I'm glad this thread was started, now I know exactly what to expect - can't wait!!

 

[Bellamouse]

I thought the whole point of the countries in WS was to make things as authentic as possible. I agree that it's fairly authentic, and to have expected otherwise is perplexing.

We LOVE Biergarten. But then DH and I both grew up with "off the boat" parents. So we are used to the food and culture. I wouldn't say it's 100% authentic, but it's more authentic than the typical German restaurant you may have in your hometown. Perhaps that's what you were expecting. We love Biergarten 100x more than our local German joint.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Biergarten doesn't get universal thumbs up. I didn't like it at all. I ate a couple salads & bread. We have a local German restaurant that has an a la carte menu that I think is much better. This is one of those places where quantity wins over quality. I prefer quality. If you ever return, the mega-beers seem to make the food taste better.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

I am not a fan, either! I wanted to try something different a few years ago, I don't know why I picked the Biergarten, no one in my family really loves German food. But my daughter loved it! Well, she loved the pickles and fruit compote (dessert). She loved them so much, she named the restaurant her favorite of the entire trip. I did not love it. At all. To me, the food was quite bland, even the desserts. Well, our last trip was a surprise birthday/Christmas present for my daughter, so I had to make reservations for her "favorite" restaurant. This time, even the pickles didn't impress her.
And even though it's common in Germany, I really don't like the seating arrangements. Our first trip, we just happened to be seated with a family from the same state as us, and they were great. They were there because of Make A Wish, and hearing their story was something really special. Well, our last trip, the tablemates really ruined it for me. On one side, we had a family of 3, and the parents were really nice, but their grown daughter was quite stuck up and didn't care for any of our conversation. We also had a woman on the other side who was alone (her husband was at the hotel not feeling well), and she couldn't talk about anything but herself. My 10 year old kept her entertained, she's a good listener. And it's very expensive. Mind you, we were there for the Candlelight Processional so double the regular cost.
But anyway, thanks for listening to my rambling. Just wanted to let you all know you're not alone!

 

[DisneyHardin]

We ate at Biergarten last Oct and loved it.

Even though they told us several times about the communal seating, there was a mother/son combo that was seated at our table who acted like they didn't know it was going to be like that and gave the person seating us a hard time about it.

 

[ras1121]

Any thoughts on bringing an 8month old there? My wife and I want to try it.

 

[maxiesmom]

Any thoughts on bringing an 8month old there? My wife and I want to try it.

It can be pretty darned loud in their when the band is playing. So that may be a concern. I wonder if they would honor a request to be as far away from the stage as possible?

 

[taylor3297]

My family loves the Biergarten. Dh and I are from German families.

I think if you get sat with folks who aren't very friendly it can ruin the experience. Luckily for us, we have also been seated with folks who were fun.

 

[Jenna319]

We tried Biergarten on our last trip in January. We both loved it! I thought sitting with strangers would be awkward but we actually were sat with a really great family- the wife was as obsessed with Disney as I am AND a DISer!! So we had a wonderful time- enjoyed the food and the entertainment. Would not hesitate to go back!

 

[Dizzytime]

Sorry you didn't like it, >Ash<.
Different strokes is the best comment I can come up with, because so many people, like us, love the food, atmosphere and music that it makes it a must do.
It's different, though, no doubt about it, but I'm so glad it's there because we enjoy everything it offers.

 

[Jennasis]

I was a bit worried about the communal seating too, but only in the sense that I was worried we'd be stuck with people who were no fun or rude or obnoxious etc. We were seated with 3 other couples who were quite lovely and the couple nearest to us turned out to have a LOT in common with us. They were from Texas and had a farm and horses...we are from NC and have a horse farm. It was really nice!

 

[AliceIn]

They do. Every time I've made a reservation, the Cast Member has told me I would be seated with other people. When I've checked in, *that* Cast Member has told me I would be seated with other people.

I booked mine online, I don't think it mentioned the communal seating, though I was expecting it based on the pictures.

 

[Bellamouse]

Here is the online description:



Boisterous German Buffet

Be transported to a traditional Bavarian village as you feast on German fare to the oompah beat of a lively band.

At communal, biergarten-style tables, enjoy such rotating buffet selections as bratwurst, rotisserie chicken, pork schnitzel and a variety of salads. Save room for Bavarian cheesecake and hand-pulled apple strudel, made fresh daily!

Polka on down to the dance floor, or simply relax in the twilit atmosphere and raise a stein to over 200 years of Oktoberfest celebrations. Guests 21 years of age and up can enjoy a slew of German beers and wines.

Entertainment is subject to change. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit.

 

[AliceIn]

Here is the online description:



Boisterous German Buffet

Be transported to a traditional Bavarian village as you feast on German fare to the oompah beat of a lively band.

At communal, biergarten-style tables, enjoy such rotating buffet selections as bratwurst, rotisserie chicken, pork schnitzel and a variety of salads. Save room for Bavarian cheesecake and hand-pulled apple strudel, made fresh daily!

Polka on down to the dance floor, or simply relax in the twilit atmosphere and raise a stein to over 200 years of Oktoberfest celebrations. Guests 21 years of age and up can enjoy a slew of German beers and wines.

Entertainment is subject to change. Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit.

I was expecting it to be communal based on the description and pictures. I was thinking of more a reminder pop up before your reservation is finalized. Folks have said that over the phone they remind you over and over that it's shared tables. When you book online, it doesn't give you that reminder. You also don't book directly from the restaurant page with the description, it's just one of a list you can pick from. I think the communal factor must get lost on a lot of people, as it's a common theme here.

 

[1coolnini]

Wow, I'm actually of the exact opposite opinion. We just ate there last week for the second time and all three adults in our party thought it was the best meal of our trip. I really enjoyed everything I tried which is pretty rare for me. And I do like the communal seating which as others mentioned is normal for Germany.

We had a couple sitting with us who lived in Germany for 4 years and it was their first time at Biergarten. I asked him if it lived up to his expectations and he said it was exactly what he remembered from his time in Germany. He loved it as much as we did.

Now I sadly didn't get to try much of the desserts but my sister had one of everything except for the chocolate cake and she also said it was the best of any of the desserts we had the whole trip. She was especially fond of some sort of pear tart and cheesecake which she put some sort of vanilla sauce on. I can't wait to go back when I'm not gluten free to try them.

We left there so full we could barely make the walk back to our resort and I had to take a pic of my super skinny sister's big food baby belly lol.

Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations though.

I agree. We ate here on Sunday (the last day of our 10 day trip) and we loved it. One of our favorite meals of our trip. We enjoyed the food ,the entertainment and the communal seating. We are frequent cruisers so sitting at a table with other guests call be a blast. Dining is really a very personal thing for everyone. It is so nice that Disney offers so many different choices at WDW.

 

[Hoosier37]

I love German food, took German in high school (taught immersion-style from day 1 by a first generation German-American), and have German ancestry. I am very excited about eating at Biergarten.

I am an introvert, as are my DH and children. So the communal seating makes me a little nervous. However, on our past trip to WDW we found that we would start conversations with people more easily than we do in the real world. Disney magic at work, I guess.

 

[>Ash<]

Hey Guys just wanna chime in on some of the comments made by others about my thoughts...

1) I didnt make an adr, i walked up, hearing that the food was good from what id read on teh dis, i ddint look through everything about the restraunt
before booking

2) no CM advised me at any point before sitting down it was communal seating, if they had i would have not sat down because that just isnt my thing

3) the food was german yes i agree and thats what i expected... but it was more american-ised than what i was expecting. it was all salad and cold (some warm) meats. maybe i was expecting soem nice german soups and stews

again these are just my thoughts, it wasnt a restraunt i enjoyed this trip and just wanted to share my thoughts on a restraunt.

it just means theres more space for those that enjoy the restraunt as i wont be there lol

i didnt read into it more, maybe i should have. i dont make all my adrs before we go becauseusually its just me and the mrs and everytime ive done a walk up ive got a table within half an hour. i cant plan my meals 180 days in advance i like to have options on the day and not loose my 10$ for not turning up lol

again just my thoughts, glad you all enjoyed the beirgarten and continue to enjoy the oompa band.

 

[xipetotec]

Hi Guys

just wanted to share some feedback on Biergarten Restraunt in Germany pavillion of EPCOT .

I read nothing but good things online about this restraunt and the Oompa Band (which are amazing btw) if it wasnt for the entertainment i dont think i would go back.

i felt a little underwhelmed at the choices of the food, i was expecting somthing with Continental flare but it left alot to be desired in my honest opinion.
i tried abit of everything, and didnt find one thing that absolutly stood out other than the band.

i didnt like the communal table layout, i was on the DDP so it didnt cost me anything really but compared to every other restraunt on property this is the only one ive found that i didnt actually enjoy.

anyone else with me on this?

Well the communal layout is SUPPOSED to be like an Oktoberfest. That's the whole idea behind the place. We've been "lucky" in that we always go in a big group, so we are always just sitting with our group

I admit I find the food only "okay". But I love everything else about the place. Seeing my daughter dance with gramma on the floor will always be an awesome memory.

 

[sharadoc]

I was a bit worried about the communal seating too, but only in the sense that I was worried we'd be stuck with people who were no fun or rude or obnoxious etc. We were seated with 3 other couples who were quite lovely and the couple nearest to us turned out to have a LOT in common with us. They were from Texas and had a farm and horses...we are from NC and have a horse farm. It was really nice!

We had those kind of rude people and wonderful people all at the same table. Two rude women, barely said hello, ate and ran out of there. Lovely retired couple who sat and chatted for an hour. We learned all about how they moved to Florida in the winter, worked at WDW part time at WWOS, and got free park admission for about 15 hours of work per week. Sounded like a wonderful way to spend retirement!

Our whole family likes this place, there's plenty of variety if you look hard enough - it's not just sausage and sauerkraut. The meatballs are good, the salad bar is the best, and we loved the soup and pretzel rolls too. DH got a great GIANT beer.