Oktoberfest 2016 What to expect

Old Sep 18th, 2016, 06:01 AM
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Oktoberfest 2016 What to expect

Heading to Oktoberfest this year and I've heard that it's going to be different than in years past. Anyone know what to expect in terms of things like how much time we should give to get through security, etc? Visiting this year with our baby and I'd like a heads up for planning around her nap time. Thanks!
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 02:26 AM
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If it's a new thing, nobody can tell you with certainty. Expect to wait to get in and expect lots of drunk obnoxious foreigners.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 04:09 AM
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Munich wanderer posted this from TA:




< Oktoberfest 2016, tips and help specific to this years fest!
Sep 15, 2016, 12:18 PM
Hi,

here some general tips on stuff specific to the 2016 Oktoberfest that might help a visitor who is clued up, but would find it useful to know whats different this year or if theres specific days where theres info that would make your oktoberfest visit less stressful

(and please keep any "I need a table for xx of Sept" requests to the many table topics which already exist!)

- firstly, theres a rucksack ban this year, so anything over 3L must be left in left luggage near an entrance (or just do not bring it at all).

- secondly, the entrance from the main side of the Theresienwiese ubahn is now essentially closed, and you are forced back out onto the street and round toward the main entrance where the beer tents are. The police and organisors expect this to be a pinch point and trains may skip Theresienwiese stop altogether. The advice for the smart traveller is to take the U3/ U6 to Götheplatz and enter the ground there at the side, which was my advice anyhow as it avoids s-bahn people arriving, folks walking from the main rail station or hotels and folks coming off the train at Theresienwiese.

- otherwise theres a tightening of security, but it shouldnt be much of an inconvienence if you avoid bringing any middling or large sized rucksack with you.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 04:22 AM
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Theresienwiese stop is where we always get off the train and you have always been able to walk right into the fairgrounds from there. I can understand why the stop might be eliminated as that area is wall to wall people during Oktoberfest. They have always checked bags as you go into the tents but mostly to make sure you aren't bringing drinks into the tent. We have had to leave a water bottle before. I have really never seen children in the tents. I suppose you are doing the ride part. I am glad they are doing security even though it will be an inconvenience to many.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 06:52 AM
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Bringing water at oktoberfest ! I am very glad it was confiscated.

Honestly, oktoberfest would be the last place I would take a small kind into.

It will be jampacked with people so you'll spend your time worrying about your kid being crushed by some fat drunken guy - and if you take a stroller you will go at a snailpace trying to around drunken fat guys swinging on their legs.
Then there will be quite some noise and your baby will not sleep.

I'm a beerdrinker - being Belgian - I did my share of beerdrinking when a student and I spend a few years at oktoberfest when young (or younger).
I'll never go back to Muenchen during oktoberfest. And I am discouraging people with kids going there.

Anyway, hope you'll have a good time.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 08:17 AM
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Oktoberfest 2016 What to expect
Posted by: Travelmom83 on Sep 18, 16 at 10:01am


Here is the official Oktoberfest site http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/.

Baby in tow? I hope you are kidding. If not you might be able to have your hotel arrange for a babysitter.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 12:41 PM
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We always go early, around 11:00 am and it is not that bad. We are back on the train around five when it starts to get really crowded. The people are not that bad during those hours. I have seen a few passed out and wheeled away but not that many. Hofbrau house is our favorite tent for fun but Augustiner has best food and beer imo. Pariswhat, is that you?

The train ride is also a party, now I have seen some drunks there.

If you are going early and walking the grounds, seeing the horse drawn wagons, riding the rides, eating at the booths then no harm.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 01:16 PM
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Macross

Sure it is me.
WoinParis means 'Ohain' 'Paris' Ohain being limitroph to Waterloo, making ParisWat, my first alias.
Whathello means ... Waterloo. I change name every so often because I don't want to post too much under the same name. Real regulars will follow on but guys who come here and then will not necessarily make the link.
(paranoid me ? or just schizophrenic?).
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 01:58 PM
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I have a new name also but it is a long story.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 03:11 PM
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The last time I was in the Bahnhof during Oktoberfest some man stumbled down the platform and his pants fell down while he did so. What was revealed was forgettable.
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Old Sep 19th, 2016, 10:33 PM
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I'll never go back to Muenchen during oktoberfest.

Aye.
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Old Sep 26th, 2016, 10:12 PM
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Hi Tmom-
Medium sized purses were allowed the first weekend but that was changed to very very small purses on the first Monday. The Sbahn did not stop at OdeonPlatz and Theresienwiese the first Saturday from 11AM to 5PM but everything was back to normal Sunday/Mon/Tues. Information about the skipped stops was posted in the Sbahn stations. Walked to and from the aforementioned Götheplatz stop on Saturday. Security was very quick- "open purse" and "have a good time". Yes, the security line did wind back to the street from the Theresienwiese stop after Saturday but it wasn't very long (2-3 minutes), maybe because of the rain from Fri night to Tuesday? Except for Sat we had no trouble getting seats inside of the tents before 6 PM. We saw a few baby carriages and there were no problems, but again maybe it was because of the rain.

Did not see the anticipated crowds because of the rain. However, getting into the Hofbrau house Friday evening was really tough - we just made a Uturn and went back to the hotel to rest up for the real action starting Saturday.

Hope you have better weather and Have a great trip!!!
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