Your experience with sharing tables at Biergarten?

[pearlieq]

Can you request your own table?

You can request, but it's very unlikely you'll get a solo table. We've tried when we were with my brother who really doesn't like getting up close & personal with strangers. We were told it was "Oktoberfest-style seating and we would have to share a table".

To be honest, the whole "communal seating" thing definitely makes it less attractive to me, though we still do it once in a great while.

Our experiences have been all right. We've always been seated with polite people, but usually we just exchange pleasantries and then focus on our own parties. It's not terrible, but I would much prefer our own table!

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

I was very nervous about this, myself, because I've been in situations where the socializing is forced and really, I'm interested in enjoying the atmosphere and the meal- not being forced to chat with strangers.

BUT once you are in WDW, and you get the wine sampler (OH. MY. GOSH.)- you'll definitely feel a lot better

Last time, as a party of 6 during free dining, we didn't have anyone seated with us- I was cool with that too!

 

[simonkodousek]

We've been to Biergarten twice; one time for lunch, and one time for dinner.

Lunch was in July 2007. The food was great, and we were seated in our own table in the near-empty restaurant.

Dinner was in August 2004. The food was great, but we were seated next to a very rude couple, who just turned away when we said "hello".

 

[supersuperwendy]

Omg..our dinner there last year could have been so much better if our table mates actually talked! We had five people and they had three..they just stuffed their faces without a peep!!!

 

[stellablue]

Thank you for sharing your experiences! Geez, I hope I did not come off as rude to my neighbors!! For a second, I had to wonder if I came across as that that couple from he!! that was mentioned earlier But I am certainly very polite, just shy. I smiled and said hello to everyone as we sat down and smiled if I made eye contact with anyone, talked if anyone talked to me, said goodbye and wished them well when we were leaving....DBF is so much better at that stuff than me so I guess I let him do most of the small talk.

As for the PP who asked about being seated alone-as far as I know, no chance unless you happen to go during a very slow time of day & end up with an empty table. I clearly remember when we made our ADR's, the CM made a point to remind us that we would be sharing a table with other guests. They don't want people to be surprised with the arrangements when they get there.

I was initially worried about being seated with a loud drunk bunch. I do enjoy beer, but I do NOT enjoy getting drunk or being in close proximity of someone who is smashed. Luckily this was not the case....though while we were waiting in line a VERY drunk couple was in front of us and I felt for sure we would get seated with them-ugh No offense to any big drinkers out there-it's just an aversion I have. I have to say though, this was a much more family friendly restaurant than I had anticipated. I didn't notice too many fall over drunk people and it was so cute to watch the little kids dancing with the band!

 

[wallyb]

Wallyb: Your Stella is so cute!!! Here is ours:

ooohhh! So cute.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we the restaurant and I think being seated with others enhances our experience! I love it!

 

[stellablue]

ooohhh! So cute.

Yes, she's very sweet & friendly....though she can be a bit bossy....

She's also a little chatterbox, and now that I think about it, she would do great at the Biergarten!!

 

[my3disneygirls]

The both times we went we had a great time and lovely table partners. The first time was a couple on vacation without the kids. They chatted with us a bit while we waited for our drinks and they were nice to our girls.

The last time we were seated with four older people and they were really nice. They also chatted with the kids and us. I asked about the one lady's wine, she asked about my beer flight.

Pretty much when you start eating the talking tapers off, until everyone whines how stuffed they are. I am the type of person who will talk to anyone, so shyness is not an issue with me though.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

My one suggestion is that if you don't like sharing tables and you decide to go anyway, please try not to look at the other party as if you're being seated with Charles Manson.

When the tablemates give me that look, I just order more beer.



As far as I know, Biergarten has only tables for 8 (but the photo earlier in the thread looks like a table for 4). If you go, you'll probably be sharing. You can't expect them to tie up a table for 4 with a party of 2 if their policy is to seat multiple parties at one table.

I think you're referring to the photo I put up, and it was a table of 8. The photo was taken after the family on our left had finished and left.

Great advice

 

[LorieR]

There were just six of us at the table for some reason. DH and I and four other people. There was a father and daughter (late teens) who did not speak to anyone else. He spent most of his time on the phone and did not really even pay attention to what was going on around him. We sat across from a young couple who were very, very nice! We had a great time! In fact, I thought the food was pretty yucky but the beer and the music and the theming were great!

 

[DisneyGirlie]

My Mother and I went to Biergarten for lunch on Thanksgiving in 2006. It really felt awkward because the people at our table weren't very talkative, yet since you're sitting right there with them, you feel like you HAVE to talk to them. My mother and I are both slightly reserved, but are very sociable if there's someone there to start the conversation. Perhaps everyone at our table were shy people. Not that it bothered me, but we were also the only mother and daughter at the table, the rest were couples. We felt a bit out of place. So I voted the "terrible" option although it really wasn't that bad of an experience. It was just somewhere between Tolerable and Terrible. With all that said, I'd go back and give it another shot definitely. I loved the food!

 

[IUHoosiers]

Our party of five shared a table with a party of three during our trip a couple of weeks ago. We exchanged general pleasantries when we first sat down. After that, our group had their own conversation and the other group did the same. The restaurant is very noisy (espsecially when the band plays), so there were never any "quiet, akward moments". We enjoyed everything about this restaurant and will definitely return.

 

[milmore104]

We love Beirgarten. It's a must for our family every trip. I am normally a shy person and don't noramlly make the first step in a conversation but for some reason I come out of my box in WDW. I figure you can be who you want. Your never going to see these people again so why not. It's fun to see where people are coming from. And even more fun when you find out they're 2 hours from your home town.

 

[aubriee]

I've eaten there three times and have had a terrible experience, an OK experience, and a good experience. The first time I ever made a solo trip to WDW I made a reservation to eat at the Biergarten. I was seated at a table with four men. I looked at the hostess with what I know was a panicked look and she just smiled and told me to have fun. I ordered my drink and went up to the buffet. When I returned three more men had been seated at the table. All seven men looked as uncomfortable as I felt. I had only fixed me a very small plate (just cold stuff). However, I ate that plate as quickly as I could and got the heck out of there. I didn't even go back up for any of the hot food or dessert. I couldn't believe they had sat a solo female at a table full of men. Those poor guys looked as uncomfortable as I felt. I swore I would never go back

However, a few months later I was at WDW with my ex and he wanted to try the Biergarten. We were seated first and then just a few moments later a couple from Rhode Island were seated. I thought that woman was going to blow a gasket, she was so mad. She demanded a table for two and the poor hostess had to explain repeatedly that they had to share. They finally sat at the opposite end of the table from us, with her complaining the whole time. A few minutes later two couples (traveling together) were seated in between us. They were great and soon had all us laughing (except the lady from Rhode Island). Her husband was fine, but she pouted the entire meal.

The third time I dined there with my mom and had a family of four and two ladies dining with us. We all had a great time.

 

[DVC-Don]

We love the place and meeting new people from around the country or around the world. Even sat with the PassPorter authors once for lunch.

 

[Karlzmom]

As I have lived in Germany for a number of years, the idea of sharing a table is not a problem. In fact, I sometimes find myself frustrated that here in the States we prefer to have a 4-top taken up by one diner and have people waiting rather than filling in. Its just dinner, for heavens sake! Its not like you are going to take the people home with you.

 

[stellablue]

However, a few months later I was at WDW with my ex and he wanted to try the Biergarten. We were seated first and then just a few moments later a couple from Rhode Island were seated. I thought that woman was going to blow a gasket, she was so mad. She demanded a table for two and the poor hostess had to explain repeatedly that they had to share. They finally sat at the opposite end of the table from us, with her complaining the whole time. A few minutes later two couples (traveling together) were seated in between us. They were great and soon had all us laughing (except the lady from Rhode Island). Her husband was fine, but she pouted the entire meal.

Wow, I can't believe that lady got so mad! When I made our ADR's the CM was very clear about the seating arrangements and even asked if we were ok with it before she booked us. Do they not warn everyone in advance when ADR's are made?

 

[Stitchfans]

The family next to us were sticks in the mud wouldn't even talk to us, but it didn't ruin our meal or anything. We just talked amongst ourselves, laughed and had fun.

 

[mom2my3kids]

See I don't expect the people sitting with me to chit chat, but I do appreciate it if when we arrive or vice versa to smile and greet each other.