Second thoughts on Biergarten

[Get me to Disney!]

All ADR's are in place and I am super pleased with everything. I just can't decide if Biergarten is the right choice for our family. It was chosen as the token "let's try something different and unique" but I just question it because we are not huge sausage/spitzel or whatever fans. Is it that great? Will our four kids find something to eat? Is it an entertaining place to eat or boring? We love chinese, mexican and I am wondering if that should be our grown up trying something out of the ordinary instead of biergarten???

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Not one person in my family eats sausages, but we all love the Biergarten. It's as much for the atmosphere as for the food. We stick to the roasted chicken and more simple foods on the buffet. We all leave full everytime, even skipping the more traditional German food.

I always plan our seating about 20 minutes before the band starts, so we have time to get seated first. I prefer to sit closer to the front, although it is a further walk to the buffet then. The show is really fun!

 

[magicaldisney]

We tried it one year because that is all that was open for ADRs for a Candlelight Processional dinner one year. I was so worried that none of us would eat and we would leave still hungry. Well, it is now a must for every trip and we have eaten there each year since that very first time. We love the food, entertainment and atmosphere.

 

[ktlm]

Biergarten is great!! My picky 3 year old DD ate more there than at any other restaurant at WDW, and quite possibly the most she has ever eaten at ANY meal. She loved the show and getting out on the dance floor. Ask her what her favorite restaurants at WDW are, and you will get 1) Castle and 2) Biergarten.

 

[decker96]

I agree, we have been twice and loved it both times. There is alot more than just sausages and everything is very good! My kids always found things that they liked and my DS is very picky. The entertainment is good as well. I recommend it highly!

 

[Maggi May]

Chiming it to agree with the other posters that Biergarten is a great family place and lots of fun. Chinese and Mexican restaurants are everywhere, but it's pretty hard to find a restaurant set up like a German village, complete with entertainment.

After a long day of walking at Epcot, we found it to be relaxing to kick back with a beer, chat with our neighbors at the table and enjoy the show.

 

[Pizzamoe]

how do you find out the times when there is entertainment?

 

[jmskinner]

I don't know when the band starts, but we have never missed them. Love Biergarten. I was same as you the first time I tried it. Really worried we wouldn't like it, but I love the food. I don't eat a lot of sausage. Actually, I fell in love with their potato soup! Desserts are wonderful also. We even took DH's stepmom who is German and she loved the food also. Which we were really worried she would ruin it for us because she normally finds something to complain about. The dining area is just beautiful. Enjoy!

 

[avalanche1977]

It is the most fun restaurant at Epcot.

 

[VAN]

We went last year in September and really did enjoy it. Great atmosphere, good entertainment and the food was good as well. I expected a lot of heavy, fatty items and was pleasantly surprised at the selection of foods ... something for everyone.

We are booked with them again in September.

 

[MickeyNicki]

We LOVE Beirgarten! I have a ton of buffet pics in my April 08 link.

We are huge Chinese and Mexican food lovers but I have to tell you, Nine Dragons was so horrible that they had to comp our meal and DH was sick all night long....we just ate there a few weeks ago. We did SAI in Oct for lunch and it was pretty good but I would go to Beirgarten over that in a heartbeat

 

[Christine]

Glad to read these reviews. Not 5 minutes ago, I booked Biergarten online with much trepidition. Last time I went was for lunch back in 1995. It was good and we enjoyed it (my then 3.5 y/o DD did the chicken dance). Haven't felt the need to go back.

But I was looking for SOMETHING in Epcot and decided to give it a try again but for dinner. We'll see if the same DD does the chicken dance again (she will be 18 on this trip!).

 

[Gina35]

My DSIL loves German food; and every time we visited DW, he would go to Biergarten for lunch while we all went to SAI. He's been telling us for YEARS that we would really enjoy it. This year, like you, we decided to book an ADR to Biergarten for a new, different experience. Since booking, my co-worker came back from DW & has been touting Biergarten left & right. She can't say enough about it. We aren't typically sausage eaters, etc., either....and she said her family's favorites were the potato soup & roasted chicken. She says it's really a fun place. Now I'm getting excited to go! Hope you enjoy it too!

 

[Gina35]

how do you find out the times when there is entertainment?

Not sure what the times are, but I've been told it's hard to miss a show because they plan them every so often during mealtimes. Everyone says it's easy enough to catch the show, it just depends on whether it's at the beginning of your meal or toward the end.

 

[grimley1968]

The food is nothing special, but shows are a lot of fun, and the atmosphere is great, too. Be prepared to possibly be seated at a large table with other groups. I'm personally not that fond of this aspect, but it is part of the German beer hall ambience, like it or not.

As far as shows, I think they occur hourly, and last maybe 15-20 minutes, during meal times.

 

[jparc]

We booked Beirgarten on a whim just to try something diifferent. But now I'm getting really excited about trying it after reading what alot of people have to say!!! Can't wait!

 

[jrc-elpaso]

German food in general has a definite similarity to a lot of what is considered "American" food. Not surprising considering the number of German immigrants to the US in the past. We spent 4 years in Germany and absolutely loved the food. A lot of Americans have the misconception that all German food is heavy - sausages, etc. but that's not the case - there should be lots of things like roasted chicken, salads, etc. Desserts tend to be fruit based and not nearly as sweet as American desserts - if they have it definitely try the Black Forest cake.

 

[#1Disfann]

My family ate there last year for the first time as our try something new spot! I was leary the whole time too but now I have it booked for our August Grand Gathering trip! It was so good I want to share it with 24 more people!

I could make a meal of the Potato Leek soup and rolls alone!

We had a great time and are looking forward to it again!

 

[Melissa07090]

Wow thanks for all the good recommendations. We booked our ADR as well for Biergarten because my fiance loves German food. My family I think was trying to talk us out of going there but I am definitely not changing my mind. I can't wait to eat and enjoy the fun of Biergarten. Thanks for all the good recommendations. Now I am getting really hungry.

 

[tami82]

I too am wondering if i should make an extra reservation for this place as i probably am only doing one day at epcot. I am definintely doing Akershus for my girls but have been reading reviews on Biergarten and mostly all positive and even people worried about the food end up liking it. If you look at the youtube videos it does seem like alot of fun and love the atmosphere. I am considering doing a pay out of pocket on one of my cheaper meals out of the 5 nights we are staying on the free dining plan so i can eat at Biergarten. Plus they have chicken dance which my kids would love to do. I say go for it, the reviews are mostly raving and people seem very happy with the buffet.