I am almost certain that you will not have to stand in a long entrance line at Der Residenz. You will just need to show your pre-purchased passes to the register clerk to borrow/rent a device that tells the history of each room (pretty much a necessity) in a few different languages.

I haven't been to the Residenz, but I visited Nymphenburg during Oktoberfest once, and there was no line to get in and not many people inside. October is the off season for most tourist attractions in Müchen, other than Oktoberfest, so you won't find serious crowds anywhere other than at the Wies'n.

Thank you both very much for the info. It's hard for me to imagine all those people coming to oktoberfest, and then not seeing all the "tourist" attractions. I've been picturing lines, blocks long, waiting to get in to the Palaces. I guess most of the party people have been to Munich before. It's the first time for my family group....and we're planning on doing it all!

Thanks Again.

Fillu: You are exactly right. The majority of the folks from outside Germany have been there at least a couple of times in the past. They have not only been to the festival grounds, but have also beem all over Munchen and surrounding cities. That being said, I personally know some Americans & Canadians who have been to the fest 5 or 6 times, and spend most of their short trip to Munchen (4 or 5 days) partying at the fest... they still set-aside one entire day to walk-around the beautiful city, hit some beer gardens, shop, etc.

Enjoy your vacations to Munich,to me its the best city in the whole of Europe,the city is great and the people are very friendly and most of them speak English,but it wouldn't hurt to learn a few German words before you go. I spent four years in Munich back in the late 1950s while in the service and I try to go back every couple of years. There are some excellent beer gardens in the large park called English Garden,also out near the airport in the small village of Freising there is a Brewery named Old Weihenstephan good food and beer garden. All these places are easy to find and the bus or S-ban runs through them,you do not need a taxi.