seating at biergarten?

[disney_girl125]

I have never been but I would like to try it. I do have it reserved for lunch on my upcoming trip. Do they have you sitting right next to strangers? It's going to be me and my 3 kids. I have to admit, I am uncomfortable sitting at a table with strangers. I'm not even sure if i'll be able to eat comfortably. Do they space you out at the table at least or do they have you sitting right next to other parties?
Sorry if I sound anti social..lol. I'm really not under most circumstances!

 

[amandaj1014]

When we went in 2008 we were a party of 6. I thought we'd be safe from sitting with strangers, but if I remember right they eventually sat 2 others at our table. We were almost done by that point so it wasn't too awkward.

 

[RMulieri]

They are tables for 8, so if you are less than that they will seat another party with you.It is really not so terrible though.But if it bothers you than I would suggest somewhere else to dine.

 

[Feigned]

Yes, you will be seated right next to strangers. They fill all seats at the table usually.

I have been to Biergarten many, many times and I'm not really a social person. Most of the time, the experience has been fine. The people next to us have been really polite and we've struck up a conversation about where we're from, where we might be staying, etc. A few times, we've had people who have pretended like there was not even another party at the same table as them. That was fine with me too. lol

I only had 1 kind of weird situation and that was when the restaurant was basically empty for lunch and they sat us with 1 other party. There were 3 of us and 2 of them. They sat next to each other, leaving us to sit across from them (they made us all sit at one side of the table because they said there would be another party joining us- but none ever did). They didn't say anything the whole time, to us or to each other. It was a little strange, but like I said, that was only once and I've eaten there upwards of 20 times probably.

I always find it is better to make sure that you are the first people to get to the table, so make sure you head in right away when your buzzer goes off and follow the CM closely to your table. I like to pick seats at the open end of the table (one end of the table is against a fence and 1 is going into the aisle), so I don't feel so blocked in by the other family. It is also easier to get up and go to the buffet.

I recommend going and enjoying yourself! It is a great restaurant and the show is a lot of fun!

 

[LilyWDW]

I have never been but I would like to try it. I do have it reserved for lunch on my upcoming trip. Do they have you sitting right next to strangers? It's going to be me and my 3 kids. I have to admit, I am uncomfortable sitting at a table with strangers. I'm not even sure if i'll be able to eat comfortably. Do they space you out at the table at least or do they have you sitting right next to other parties?
Sorry if I sound anti social..lol. I'm really not under most circumstances!

If you are less then a party of 8, then expect to be seated with others. It seems they fill a table before moving on to the next one (unless the next party wouldn't fit at that table). You will be seating beside other people without any real "spacing".

I would suggest googling Disney Biergarten and look at images. There are some decent pictures of the seating and how it is set up.

 

[Pakey]

As a party of 4, we were seated in the middle. We had parties of 2 on either side. I thought it was a bit awkward since both ends had couples only and we were a family in the middle. But it was okay. My son talked to the couple on the left and my husband talked to the couple on the right. It saved me from having to talk to strangers, something I do not enjoy.

 

[Princess Mindy]

I've never been to Biergarten, but I've been to Germany and from what I hear the one at Disney is pretty true to style. Sitting next to strangers at long tables in a beer hall is a central part of the German culture. When I was in Germany I sat next to a range of great people ranging from middle aged (and tipsy) locals to a group of British students. We clinked our mugs together and sang along to the oompah band-it was a great time! So keep an open mind-it could be an amazing new experience.

 

[Disnydad]

We've met some really nice folks there from all over the world. Only once did we get a party that were awful - they were from California.

 

[NMAmy]

If you're uncomfortable sitting with strangers, then perhaps this is not the restaurant for you. Once I got seated with someone who either didn't understand when told about the seating at the podium or who just assumed that it wouldn't apply to them and chose to be offended by the seating. This really hateful woman kept flouncing around complaining about "THOSE people" who dared to sit at her table.

The majority of other times, though, I've had delightful tablemates. Once we were seated by a family that lived half an hour away from us and another time, DH and I almost missed Illuminations because we were having so much fun with three hilarious older couples--and none of us knew each other when we sat down. One gentleman was celebrating his 70th birthday and bought me a beer.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

I have never been but I would like to try it. I do have it reserved for lunch on my upcoming trip. Do they have you sitting right next to strangers? It's going to be me and my 3 kids. I have to admit, I am uncomfortable sitting at a table with strangers. I'm not even sure if i'll be able to eat comfortably. Do they space you out at the table at least or do they have you sitting right next to other parties?
Sorry if I sound anti social..lol. I'm really not under most circumstances!

Did you consider that the others sitting at the table with you and your family will consider your group as "strangers"?

 

[disney_girl125]

Of course I know the other people at the table will consider us strangers, that's what we are after all..lol!!!

 

[Hopefully]

You will be sitting directly next to others, elbow to elbow - no real spacing.
If this make you uncomfortable, I think you may want to look somewhere else.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) As mentioned, you will "probably" be sitting with others.
2) And, no, there is not a big space between each guest.
3) They have long tables with chairs on each side in the best areas.
. . . they do have tables that seat from four to twelve people each
. . . the smaller tables are on the upper levels
. . . plus, a little further from the music floor and buffet
. . . you might be able to request one of the smaller tables, if available

4) Now, for the timid factor:
. . . some people are shy about eating with others
. . . some people feel strange about eating with others
5) But, think of it like the school cafeteria, if you like
. . . everyone is on their vacation and wants good food and good fun
. . . some people are more friendly than others
. . . but, I have NEVER had a bad experience eating with others *
. . . in fact, the exposure to others can be half the fun !!!

* I have had worse experiences eating with friends and relatives !

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I love the food there, but alas, DH does have problems eating with people he does not know, so we don't go there. He was brave and tried it, but it just wasn't for him. But, I would haven no problems going by myself, in fact, might be more fun that sitting by myself.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Don't know your feelings about alcohol consumption (or around your kids) but your neighbors could be drinkers if that might bother you.

 

[jgplimdesign]

My husband and I have eaten at the Biergarten on four occasions. We aren't big fans of the social dining aspect ourselves, but it has never really been a bother----and certainly hasn't deterred us from returning----the restaurant is a favorite!

On our last visit however, my husband and I were at the end of the line leading towards the table. I was thinking to myself, "woo hoo" we'll get the outside seats on the aisle which will be more comfortable for my long legs. . . Well, the couple ahead of us decided to sit next to each other on the same side across from us. . .forcing us to sit directly across from them. I'm not antisocial, but I guess I wasn't in the mood for all the banter and chit chat that day----and I had no choice but to endure it as the man who wouldn't stop talking was seated directly in front of me. . . Was it horrific? No. Was I friendly back in conversation? Yes. But. . .I would have rather been seated across from my husband that day. Shrug.

I will agree with the earlier poster who mentioned leading the line in towards the table-----unless they are 'finishing off' an already seated table, you'll get first dibs at positioning yourselves.

 

[bluejasmine]

I honestly dont understand the whole dislike of sitting with strangers. We stand in line with them, sit in movie theaters and buses with them. The same seating situation applies to Japanesse steak houses.

Maybe Ive been fortunate b/c I havent had any weird or uncomfortable situations, maybe I would feel differently if I had.

Both times at Biergarten were a blast, met interesting and friendly ppl, even shared my bday cake with them. One older couple had retired from disney and were there for the day to enjoy them selves, very nice couple.

I say be friendly, be outgoing, its the happiesnt place on earth, good chance youll never see these ppl again anway, lol!