Opinions on Biergarten for Family Gathering?

[catbertdave99]

So this June we're headed back to WDW and can't wait! Here's who's going:

Our family: Me (45), DS17, and DS14, and our 'adopted' intern-brother (22)
My sister's family: Sister (39), DH37, DD10, DD7
Neighbors: Dave (50), DD15

So my oldest DS loves German and has taken four years of it in high school, their great-grandmother is very German (she was born there), and we all love buffets. My violinist sister was a double-major in college (German and music) and played her violin for a German theater one summer in Austria. We all (entire group) are very informal and casual and love to laugh with each other.

What have your experiences been with Biergarten, and do you think we'd enjoy it? It sounds great -- but I'd love the insights from those who know on the DIS!! We'd probably get an early dinner ADR if we can....

Thanks in advance!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

You'll love it. The tables seat 8 so you'll be split, probably 6 and 4, with others filling the tables. They will try to put you close. The setting is like a town Octoberfest with a great oom pa band, and the little ones(and some bigguns) love the dance floor. You sing, and toast, and eat eat eat. The food is fantastic and the beer, well, it's a Biergarten.

 

[Dawn68PA]

The Biergarten is fabulous! One of our faves! We did a large family meal there and had a great time!

 

[catbertdave99]

Thanks for your help -- it sounds great!!!

 

[bavaria]

While Biergarten used to serve decent Americanized German food (or more accurately German influenced food as some items are not remotely German) lately the quality and selection has deteriorated significantly. Several items have also not been fresh including stale bread and Brezn.

In past I would recommend it with the caution that it isn't really very authentic, but good, but now I hesitate to recommend it at all.

 

[ms*mountaineer]

We just did Biergarten for our group of 15! It was our favorite meal of the trip. We had 2 tables. The show was good - the kids went down to the dance floor to do the chicken dance. We all really liked the food. Even my DD7 and DD5 - they ate better at this meal than any other meal on our trip. I just told them there were different kinds of sausages to choose from - and they each tried a couple of different kinds. They liked the potato soup!

It's not a quiet intimate dinner - it's a festive atmosphere. The inside of the restaurant looks like you're eating outside. Very lovely.

I think it's a great choice for you!

 

[danielle.st]

We loved it there. The food was ok (I liked everything with potato there... soup, potato salad, etc and the desserts were very yummy) but the atmosphere and fun were really stand outs. The CMs were very nice and it was just a real lot of fun. We really enjoyed chatting for quite awhile with the family we were seated with. My girls loved the music and entertainment part.

 

[Karlzmom]

Its German food in an amusement park...good, not great fare. The "theme" is great, the music loud and upbeat, a wonderful evening even if not a great gastronomic fete.

 

[honugirl]

My DBF and I really liked the Biergarten. We enjoyed the food. We just wouldn't do it for lunch again, next time we'll do dinner. We were so full that all we wanted to do was take a nap afterwards! We really enjoyed the different types of sausages.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Our Grand Gathering (16 in all!) did Biergarten last July. Everyone loved it! The ages in our group ranged from 3-80 and everyone had a ball.

My oldest dd (31) really didn't want to go at all. She said she didn't think she would like the food, but it was one of the few complete group dinners so I insisted. She ended up loving it. All the kids had a ball dancing and listening to the music. The older kids ( 31, 27, 25, 23, and 22) enjoyed the beer and stayed through several shoes. My mom (81) had a blast! I would definitely recommend Biergarten for a large family dinner.

 

[FJL]

I have been there 4 times and plan on going again this Feb. A fun place for the family with good food. Give it a try you will enjoy it!

 

[Michigan_Minnie]

We went Feb. 08 and the atmosphere was great. The live music was really fun. The food was eww. Yuck.

 

[Mrs D]

We did a GG there in Sept. with 11 ppl. My kids DS3 & DD14 months ate the most food of the entire trip there. Everyone loved the food and DAunt & DUncle are German restaurant enthusiasts.
The Oompa band was wonderful! We stayed for 2 shows; one while we ate and one we danced and watched from the dance floor.
This was our favorite dinner of the trip.

Here is a fav pic:


HTH!

 

[catbertdave99]

Thank you all so much for the great feedback and advice!!! I'm going to make sure we try this out!! Thanks again!!