Biergarten Seating?

[dreamer17555]

Planning a tentative trip back to Disney with my DD16 and my autistic DS11. I have been looking at Biergarten however I am a bit concerned about the communal seating with my son. Are all tables communal or is it possible to request a small or non communal seating? On a good day my son would be fine with meeting new friends (table mates) but on a bad day... he does have stranger anxiety and last trip it did pop up at some unfortunate times.

Has anyone been able to be seated at a non communal table?

 

[Christine]

I have never seen non-communal seating there although it's been awhile since I've been. I'm not a fan of communal seating either (bit of an introvert here) but it's always been okay. Most people kind of keep to themselves and aren't bothering you.

 

[Anthony1971]

they do not have smaller tables however you can seat him on one of the ends of the table and shield him from others. You could request if needed a table alone do not know if they can or will... but I would say if you have lunch you would have a better chance as it is less crowded...

 

[dreamer17555]

Thanks. I worry more about my son bothering them. When anxious he can start flapping and will ask frequently if the stranger can go away. Some days he does okay and some days it's like a switch is flipped and he just can't cope. Happened on a crowded bus last trip and one couple in particular was less than understanding. Lots of rude comments about making him be quiet (I was trying and I was also attempting to apply deep pressure to calm him) and how parents should teach their children to listen... I was in tears by the time we were back to the hotel.

 

[Jennasis]

There is no seating other than the communal seating. Would your son be okay sitting with others if were at the end of the table with you between him and the stranger? If not, and it might potentially upset him to be seated with others he doesn't know, it might be best to make alternate dining plans.

 

[BrianL]

I do not think that Biergarten will seat you separately. They sort of make a point of communal seating being part of the atmosphere. I rather enjoy it personally, though half the time the other parties act like you're not there. I've engaged well with some people though, so it just depends. I agree that your best option is to seat your son a the end of a table with you in between. Do keep in mind though that people are up and down constantly to go back to the buffet, so they will be walking by. The food there is really good, but that's the environment. I hope you can work out the best options and have a great trip.

 

[mommyboys3]

Thanks. I worry more about my son bothering them. When anxious he can start flapping and will ask frequently if the stranger can go away. Some days he does okay and some days it's like a switch is flipped and he just can't cope. Happened on a crowded bus last trip and one couple in particular was less than understanding. Lots of rude comments about making him be quiet (I was trying and I was also attempting to apply deep pressure to calm him) and how parents should teach their children to listen... I was in tears by the time we were back to the hotel.

I was going to reply that most people would be understanding & if you really wanted to go you should but then I read this. What is wrong with people? Some people have zero compassion. I guess it was probably ignorance so more likely they have zero awareness. Either way...so sorry you experienced that. I would say skip it. No sense being nervous about how your son might react when there are so many other wonderful places to try that you wouldn't have to deal with communal seating. Also...not sure if noise is an issue for your son but when we were at Biergarten is was extremely loud in there. So loud that it was hard to even have a conversation.

 

[Christine]

I'd probably skip it then. Sounds like the noise and crowds would make him anxious and set him off. As others said, no use stressing yourself out unnecessarily.

 

[MomOTwins]

Disney is so great about accommodating people, so I would just call dining reservations and ask if that is something they could do. Maybe they can just make a reservation for 8 for you (i.e., a whole table) and note that there are fewer coming but that you had a special need for your own table. If they can, they'll make a note on the reservation. As others have mentioned, lunch is often quite a bit less crowded than dinner, so may be easier to do then.

Those people on the bus are terrible. But just remember, some people are just jerks, but not everyone is. I remember one time we were stuck on the tarmac at MCO waiting to take off on our evening flight home for 5 hours due to a mechanical issue, and my 5 year old just couldn't take it any more. I tried to put on a movie or ipad app with headphones for him, read him a book, give him toys, but he was just tired and cranky and couldn't help whining and crying, no matter how much I tried to comfort him or distract him or gently remind him about indoor voices. A bunch of people around us were complaining about brats and bad parents who shouldn't be allowed to fly, and one even called the stewardess over to demand that she "do something" (not sure what he had in mind, but the stewardess must be a mom herself, because she immediately told him he is a small child and can't help it). My nerves were frayed to a thread by the time we got home, but then an elderly gentleman stood up as soon as the seatbelt sign went off, walked quickly up to us, and loudly said for the other guests that he saw everything I tried to do for my boy and that I am a wonderful mother. It made me feel so much better, and I always try to pay it forward when I see another parent in a similar situation, so just to confirm: You did nothing wrong on the bus. You are a wonderful mother.

 

[Hopefully]

I was going to reply that most people would be understanding & if you really wanted to go you should but then I read this. What is wrong with people? Some people have zero compassion. I guess it was probably ignorance so more likely they have zero awareness. Either way...so sorry you experienced that. I would say skip it. No sense being nervous about how your son might react when there are so many other wonderful places to try that you wouldn't have to deal with communal seating. Also...not sure if noise is an issue for your son but when we were at Biergarten is was extremely loud in there. So loud that it was hard to even have a conversation.

It is neither ignorance nor lack of awareness on my part. When I am paying for a nice meal, the behavior described would distturb me. I likely wouldn’t say any thing, but my evening would be unfairly ruined.
OP asked.if their son became stressed, as described, she could remove him from that stressor.

 

[RolloTomasi]

I've eaten at Biergarten twice. I'm an introvert so I wasn't too excited about the communal tables. The first time we kept to ourselves and the other party kept to themselves, the second time we all chatted because it turns out we were from the same area. If you really want to go, maybe you can request to sit at a table that doesn't have anyone seated yet so your son can sit against the railing and away from whoever else is seated with you? I don't know if that would help keep him from getting anxious but it's something to think about.

 

[kniquy]

I guess you have a few options. Maybe plan for a very late lunch or early dinner in the 2-4pm range when possibly the restaurant might not be real busy. Check in early and speak to the CM to explain that you would prefer a little space due to your son's needs -- for a table of 8 if there are 3 of you maybe they can try and only seat you with 2 other people. You can also try to position him where he is not next to someone. I think if checking in early they might be able to give you some options. I think also there is so much going on at the restaurant with the entertainment that you might also need to consider if that would help or hurt his mood. Every kid is different so really consider the setting and if the entertainment, liveliness and communal seating is an issue maybe consider a different restaurant.

you can always book it and if for some reason as you go on with your trip you think it might be a bad idea you can always cancel the night before.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Do not try to book 8 then show w 3. The hostess will see you have 3 and fill the table. Bad advice there

Biergarten may not work for you at this time. You can’t control good days and bad days. You don’t want to have a miserable meal nor do your table mates.

You best bet, imho, is trying for a same day adr if your son is having a great day.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

So extremely sorry about mean people on the bus. Shame on them!

As for Biergaten, there is a place to type in special requests when you make a reservcation if I recall correctly.

Also, my daughter had trouble with loud places and transitioning from different activities when she was little. I would show her photos online of the places we were going to she would know what to expect. As for the Biergarten , Id look on Google images and show him pictures of people sitting with strangers and talk about that in advance and that might help with how he reacts that day when you go. knowing what is coming up may make it easier / less of an issue. I did this alot for Disney restaurants and rides for my daughter.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'll be blunt. For your child's sake, I would not recommend going to Biergarten. They will not accommodate you with a private table. For the sake of revenue and efficiency, they do their darndest to fill tables to capacity and you will be seated with others. They will even make people wait past their ADR's in order to fill tables. There is also zero control of where you will be seated. With a party of 3, you may be seated between two other parties. I have a DS with an anxiety disorder and social pragmatics disorder. We went to Biergarten and it was not a good experience. As PP suggested, maybe see how he is doing during the day and attempt a walk-up. Otherwise, I would suggest picking a dining environment that has a greater chance of success for him.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There is a possibility, and I wouldn't rely on it, that if you book as a table of 8 but show up as 3 you'd get the table to yourselves. Maybe.

But if someone else walked up or the seat assignor decided to consolidate for server load, that wouldn't work.

Biergarten is one of the easier same-day ADRs at Epcot. You can just see how he's doing and give it a try.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

TBH, I don't think the food or show at Biergarten are worth the stress it may cause your DS & you. If you really want to try it, I agree with the person who suggested waiting to see how he's doing that day & try for a walk-up.

 

[purple figment]

Do not try to book 8 then show w 3. The hostess will see you have 3 and fill the table.

Agree with this. Whenever we've been to Biergarten there are people checking in continuously so even if you book for 8, but only 3 show up, the host/hostesses will just wait until they can fill the rest of the seats before seating you. They will not seat just the three of you at the table. When it's time to be seated if you follow right behind the castmember, you'll be able to choose your seats. You can choose either end of the table, one person can sit next to your son and the third person can sit on the other side or across the table. If you think your son would enjoy the entertainment choose the end closer to the stage/dance floor.

 

[Tksolomom]

They won’t give you a table to yourself, even if they are not busy. Even when there are empty tables, they sit as many together as they can.

Other than the seating, the band playing may be a problem.

I hope it works out!