I feel as if I’ve read all of the Oktoberfest forums, but haven't found my answer. Can anyone please help with the following questions?

-Do I need Tent Reservations for a group of 4? I'm willing to purchase an 8 or 10 seat reservation to assure a seat, but is it necessary? Can I purchase seat tickets from others at the event? We will be there on opening weekend (20th/21st)

-How crazy crowded is the Oktoberfest streets on opening day? Is it possible to rent a car drive through the traffic to the castles in the morning then drive back to Munich by 3:00pm?
Castle Opens 9:00am (2hrs walk around)
Drive Back (2hr?) to Munich by 3:00pm
Walk to Oktoberfest and try to buy seats in a tent for Dinner????

Thanks so much for any help. I just feel like I’m underestimating the crowds at the Oktoberfest and want to make sure we don’t miss things by not playing ahead.

Opening weekend you really want reservations. And it's normally 10 people. There are sites where people sell their extra seats. Are you staying in Munich? We normally stay outside Munich and take the S-Bahn in. Parking will be almost impossible.
It's 240 Km roundtrip to Hohenschwangau. Probably 3 hour trip on a very good day. I recommend seeing the opening day parade.

We went to Oktoberfest in '05 and '07
but neither were for opening day. Last Sept we were there on the first weekend. It was sooo busy you couldn't move. We tried all the tents inside and out but couldn't find 2 seats togerher. Every ride had lines as big as at Disneyland. Food stands were empty and only at the little place in kinder land could we get a beer and sit down. In 2005 We were there the second week in the middle of the week. That time it was perfect. We could move from tent to tent and find seats. The midway was busy bit nothing like in 2007. If I were you I would try to get reservations but I don't believe you can for only 4 people?

Yeah, we are staying in Munich at the Le Meridien right next to the oktoberfest. Do you think we can buy seats when we get in on Friday?

Thanks for the help. I'll keep trying to get reservations. Most tents are fully booked. All you do is send in a fax with Name, People and Date for reservations, right?

I've faxed 4 of them know with only one response of "Sorry Fully Booked"

You might try the smaller tents. This late you will have trouble getting a reservation

There are unreserved tables in the tents. We go during the week and get there about 1 PM. And don't leave until dark or later! This is from someone else's posting but all of it is good advice for the first day at least:
"Tent doors open between 9 and 10, if the weather is bad then be prepared for pushing(or worse). Normally unreserved tables are in the middle of the tent so when the doors open that is where the crowds are headed. Tables on the sides and raised platforms are almost always reserved. On the first day beer is not served until 12 noon. So, if you get lucky and get a table be prepared to sit and wait. You may want to bring a deck of cards or some other way to spend the time. Another tip, you might want to bring snacks or a sandwich as very few of the tents serve any kind of food before 12 noon. When the beer is served, tip your waitress/waiter very well on the first round - that will help you get served faster and better when it gets crowded"