Why don't people like the Biergarten?

[TDC Nala]

I love the Biergarten. They've got a pretty decent hefewiesen.

 

[christygobar]

I ate there a few years back as well and enjoyed it. I didn't feel like the food was that heavy. And it was pretty good too, for buffet style!

I was too young for the drinks back then, so I watched the entertainment perfectly sober A good time was had by all!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

It's not one of our fave's, we have done it our last two trips but the last time it really seemed "tired", both the show and the food. We had really horrific service the first time, I mean really horrific (another story for another day), and thought maybe that was it so gave it a try again but no more. There are too many other great places to try. (I'm so excited )

 

[BroadwayGirl]

I would never spend money to go to Beigarten. There are just waaay too many good restaurants at WDW to waste money for one that is just mediocre at best. Other buffets are much better organized with edible food. Beirgarten had everything that was either very heavy or very fried. Nothing tasted good except the beer.

Maybe things have improved since my last visit, but the memory of how truly awful the food was on my prior visits is too strong to risk spending money there again.

I do have to say, the entertainment was very good until they lowered themselves to play the hideous "Chicken Dance".

 

[Westwingkath]

I love the Biergarten. They've got a pretty decent hefewiesen.

See, that's what I was thinking -- because I, my friends, am Beer Lady. (Westwingkath is my PTA name.) When DH and I go out to eat, the waitstaff always tries to deliver my tall pale ale to him and give me his, I'm not kidding, tropical blue, or orange, fruity, where's-my-little-paper-umbrella drink to me. Feh.

But then I thought I saw something that said all they offered was Beck's. What a waste of the 5,000 or so wonderful opportunties to share German beer culture!

So if they offer a nice Hefeweizen -- ich bin da!

I may have to cadge a wurst and bier at the counter service place -- Sommerfest? How's that one?

 

[brytorlyn]

You will be missing out..WCC over Biergarten, never!

I totally agree. I am not that fond of the "eating with strangers" idea but the 3 time I have eaten there we found the other people at the table pleasant. The food is pretty good for a buffet. I have eaten twice at WCC and no one at our table (2 adults, 2 teens and one preschooler) enjoyed the meal much. We gave it a fair shot by eating there twice thinking maybe we just didn't enjoy the "all you care to eat" skillet but we didn't think it was much better the second time either when we ordered off the menu.

 

[emememem]

The show was good...the food was so-so...didn't mind sitting with strangers.Not on the top of our list...too many other places we enjoy more...

 

[lpuga80]

I loved it, but the family didn't, they are very picky eaters though and I like everything.

 

[suffolkprincess]

we live 40 minutes from Busch Gardens Europe (Williamsburg, VA) and I have been to their Festhaus probably 20 times. And, given how much DD3 liked it last weekend, I expect I'll be back there another 20 times. And I just am not wild about the German food-- which is just not very WW friendly, either.

When we were last at EPCOT we canceled our ADRs for there because my sister in law had been scarred by the dinner at Akershus (she's VERY picky) and she already knew there was "nothing she could eat" at Biergarten (my MIL made tha ADRs in hopes that the grandchildren would get to dance.) We decided to have CS instead and had a great meal in MK at Tomorrowland Noodle Terrace (although apparently we are the ONLY ones who like it )

 

[NMAmy]

The Biergarten is my 15 yo dd's favorite restaurant at Epcot. And she can be a pretty picky child.

I used to live in Germany and this restaurant reminds me of the biergarten that used to be down the street from my apartment there. The food is great, the beer is good, and we've always had terrific service.

Our last trip, we were seated with a wonderful older couple who had a blast chatting with dd and her friend. On a previous trip, we were seated with a family who totally freaked out about having to sit with us. They were rude and hostile the entire time. I like to think we're a pretty normal looking family--not a group you'd be squeamish about sitting by, but apparently I was wrong that day. It's all a matter of luck but we've sat with more nice people than rude people over the years.

As with all restaurants, I think you should try it yourself and see what you think instead of relying on the perceptions of others.

 

[lovethattink]

We love Biergarten. I have a family of very picky eaters. My 12 year old eats always liverworst and Mac and cheese there. He claims the best Mac and Cheese on property there. I always eat the chicken spatzel with either hunter gravy or some other kind of gravy, the red cabbage and the carrots. For dessert it's the Bavarian Cheesecake. I'm so glad they brought that item back to the menu! I also like the apple struedel with vanilla sauce.

 

[La2kw]

I would never spend money to go to Beigarten. There are just waaay too many good restaurants at WDW to waste money for one that is just mediocre at best. Other buffets are much better organized with edible food. Beirgarten had everything that was either very heavy or very fried. Nothing tasted good except the beer.

Maybe things have improved since my last visit, but the memory of how truly awful the food was on my prior visits is too strong to risk spending money there again.

I do have to say, the entertainment was very good until they lowered themselves to play the hideous "Chicken Dance".

The only fried things I recall on the menu are the chicken schnitzel and the chicken tenders, which can easily be avoided. The roast pork, roast chicken, and broiled fish don't seem very heavy at all. The salads are also rather light, IMO.

What kind of German bier hall wouldn't play the chicken dance?

 

[CheshireVal]

I love the food and the atmosphere of Biergarten. I could do without sitting with other people, though. One time we were seated next to a very, very young and very "square" (goody-goody) married couple who didn't seem to approve of our ordering beer.

I've also ended up next to a really grumpy older couple who did nothing but complain the whole time (about everything from the food to the temperature of the restaurant!)

Being German myself, I can say that I think it's funny that seating is shared there because Germans aren't the most stereotypically friendly and outgoing people ever.

 

[cdtommie]

See, that's what I was thinking -- because I, my friends, am Beer Lady. (Westwingkath is my PTA name.) When DH and I go out to eat, the waitstaff always tries to deliver my tall pale ale to him and give me his, I'm not kidding, tropical blue, or orange, fruity, where's-my-little-paper-umbrella drink to me. Feh.

But then I thought I saw something that said all they offered was Beck's. What a waste of the 5,000 or so wonderful opportunties to share German beer culture!

So if they offer a nice Hefeweizen -- ich bin da!

I may have to cadge a wurst and bier at the counter service place -- Sommerfest? How's that one?

They also have Spaten Optimator doppelbock...always a tasty snack (I only drink it for my health of course).

 

[princesspiglet]

We are trying this on our Nov trip. Can someone tell me if they have saurkraut? i am assuming they do, but I don't recall seeing it on the menu. What about kid's food? What do they offer?

 

[RangerPooh]

DH and I usually eat here. I am a very picky eater and don't care for it, but as DH really likes it I go for him and the show. So I basically just eat dessert, breads, and any fruit/salad that they have. As for sitting with others we enjoy it. Sometimes you have nice people, other times you don't. One day we had an older couple offer us a few of their fast passes as they didn't think they would still be in the park at that time. Score! 2 more test track passes each!

 

[TDC Nala]

If you're on this thread you know they seat you with another party...my only suggestion is to try not to look over at the other party like they're seating you with Charles Manson...that will not make the meal more fun.

 

[byoung]

We eat there once, did not like the seating. Food OK, will not go back.

 

[Rudy6]

We love it, too. The food is great. I thought most of the food was labeled. My ADR is already made for our next trip. MMMMMM, I am getting hungry just thinking about the food. We have only been there once, and a couple who sat at our table were CMs at Voyage of a Little Mermaid. They made us all comfortable. The kids did not want to hang around for the entertainment, so we left right when it started. But the food is great and filling.

 

[MrToad]

One of our favorite restaurants and the show and dancing make it even a greater experience...

However, I do agree that seating with random others can run the risk of impacting your meal and/or experience. I wish they wouldn't do that no matter how "authentic" it is. I'd rather focus on my family and not make small talk with strangers....