Though Disney has been working at improving its amenities here, Epcot’s real attraction is the huge variety of international restaurants. When you’re having a romantic dinner or you’re dining with the family, Epcot offers reasonably-priced dining in neighborhoods themed to the nationality.
In the Germany section, this results in some of the best food you ever tasted, at the Biergarten.
But the experience does not start with the food. When you report for your reservation (required, and you need to be 15 minutes early or risk losing it), you’ll approach the restaurant along an alley made up like a medieval Bavarian village, with gray castle-like walls and life-size stone knights guarding the region from on high. Here, you’ll find a German Christmas shop, or beautiful lead crystal and blown glass at a different shop, which you can check out — quickly — after reporting for your reservation.
At the end of the alley is the courtyard to the Biergarten, with the reservation desk at the door to the restaurant. The smell of German food will make you positively giddy here, so don’t come too early!
Inside, the restaurant is set in a mockup of a twilight Bavarian biergarten, with stars in the sky, flowerboxes and balconies at windows above you, and a wide expanse of long wooden tables. You are seated Bavarian style, which means you will almost certainly share space at your table with another party. Don’t be shy. Everyone I met was friendly, and we had great conversations with a British couple at the next table.
As soon as you find your seat, you can attack the buffet. Every scrap of food on it is lovingly prepared by chefs from Germany, and it is hearty indeed. Sausages and wieners abound, along with several types of wienerschnitzel and sauces, weinkraut, bratwurst, cabbage dishes, potatoes, beef in hunter sauce, great cold salads, spaetzle, broths and soups — and it seems like every inch of the very long sideboard has something you must try. Get small portions! Buffets always say this, but here it is critical; you’ll find twenty dishes you like, and they won’t all fit on your plate.
It will be hard, but save room for dessert. I had the best apple strudel I have ever tasted (don’t forget the vanilla sauce) and I simply couldn’t eat any more. Black forest cake is a specialty, as well as mysterious yet delicious chocolate morsels and a variety of lighter fruit desserts.
If you love a dish here, tell the waiter. He or she will be happy to go back and fetch you a copy of the recipe. Unless they’re terribly harried, talk to the waiters. They are mostly German students in America on visas specifically to work at Disneyworld, and they are charming, informative, and very helpful.
Not every Disney restaurant is great; this one is positively outstanding. The price is reasonable — around $25 for adults for dinner when we were there, with significantly cheaper prices for lunch menus and for children. Make sure you go hungry, or you’ll regret it!