Why is Getting Dressed Up Such a Big Deal?

[sistert]

I've been reading these threads for weeks now (and love every minute of it) and just don't get it.

Why are so many people so adverse to dressing up for dinner? I'm not even talking about the those formal nights where people arrive in tuxedos. I'm talking about the semi-formal nights where all they ask is for guys to look "decent" and women to look "nice" (Palos and Tritons for those of us on the Wonder).

It just cracks me up that the general excuse is: "I paid too much to go on this trip to have to dress for dinner." You think this cruise is expensive? I've checked out the truly pricey cruises and you don't even see people walking around on deck in shorts. I suspect you wont even get in the restaurant door if you don't stick on a tie. Can you imagine some guy walking in to the restaurant on the QE2 dressed in jean shorts and a t-shirt? Folks, you're not in the park (and I've seen some tacky things worn in there).

I'm sorry but I'm looking forward to it. It's all part of the experience. I want to feel like I'm on one of those old ocean liners. That was part of the appeal for making this my first cruise. If I wanted to look casual all the time, I'll hop on a Windjammer cruise or a short Carnival cruise (and even they have dress up nights on the longer cruises)!

I'm sorry for anyone I've offended but I just had to speak my mind.

That said, see you all on board. I'll be the one in the pretty dress standing next to the guy in the jacket and slacks.

[dc21]

I think they should have a dressing section and a non-dressing section. Why not? they do it for smokers?? Truth is some people just don't want to dress and why should they have to be exposed to other people's dressyness. Common people have some consideration ;)

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by dc21
I think they should have a dressing section and a non-dressing section. Why not? they do it for smokers?? Truth is some people just don't want to dress and why should they have to be exposed to other people's dressyness. Common people have some consideration ;)
There is a "non-dressing section" on the 7-night Magic -- it's called Dinner at Topsider's. It's supposed to be very good. And I guess it's okay to dine there in torn shorts, a sweat-stained promotional t-shirt from a beer company, and flip-flops.

But such attire really dosen't belong in the main dining rooms.

[disneydudette1]

I don't get it either. I love dressing up! I am thrilled we have a formal and semi formal night on the Magic. That's half the fun, dressing up and see how everyone else looks.

How often in your adult life do you get to wear a gown and mate a tux? Unless you attend a lot of black tie affairs-not often, at least for me.

I plan to be the best dressed person on our cruise! And will enjoy every minute of it!

[Jhalkias]

To tell you the truth, I do not mind dressing up so much, I just hate packing the extra clothes, or renting a tuxedo. Let's face it, when you are doing WDW and a cruise, a tuxedo is not exactly dress code in the MK.

We do however, have some wonderful pictures of our family from our last seven night cruise at formal night . . .:D

[imgoingtodisney]

And if youre the wife getting dressedup in long skirts w/matching tops am I suppose to go dine in Topsiders? I dont think so -Im holding my ground here just as much as DH is holding his on wearing shorts.

[kshabare]

Dressing up at the end of a fun-filled day just adds to the Magic for me. I'm not the one with the long skirts/gown and DH in a tux. It IS nice to have us all dress up for this trip. Seems like the trouble is that people just get wrapped up in everyone else's business. If people don't want to dress up, so what? It's their right. Unless DCL is going to press the issue, why should we? I've learned that the more you push the issue, the worse the end result. They won't be flexible if too much of an issue is made. And I am not wearing a gown to dinner to eat my Mickey Ears ice cream bar.

Kim ºOº

[aseafish]

I fully agree that dressing is a part of the trip. I know not everyone likes dressing up, but I am amazed at those with children who thumb their noses at rules, recommendations, and their fellow vacationers and say "It's my vacation; I'll do as I please." What an awful example to set for children.

And, as was mentioned earlier, if you don't want to at least cover your body, that's what Topsiders is for.

[mmouse37]

Our family loves to be part of the atmosphere on board and dressing up is part of it. We particpate in the dress code, the theme nights, the shows, the games, the whole deal. WE HAVE FUN ONBOARD!!!!

Dressing up is not such a big deal and the we all feel if our host recommends a certain dress code, we will abide by it. Just as if I was going to a friends house who was having a themed party I would either get in the theme, or stay home.

People definitely make too big a deal about the whole dressing up thing. Put on something nice and go with the flow.

MJ

[MEGADAN]

Although I hate the packing, in the end I am always glad we dressed up. Our family of four just came back from a non-Disney cruise and it was really annoying to see people go out of their way to break the dress code, even on non-formal nights. The Maitre'D sent them back to their room for their pants(No shorts allowed in the dining room at dinner time)

We have cruised DCL three times and we have always adhered to the formal night attire. It is just part of the magic and we love it!

[FantasticDisFamily]

Dressing up IS fun and part of the atmosphere. Like being part of the cast - the ambience spills into the audience. Not to mention the possibility of great memories.

Of course there are the formal pics but I have a wonderful candid snap I've blown up taken on Valentine's Day 2000. We were scheduled for Lumiere's on a 4 day (yes - Magic, before the 7 day schedule was in place) and my DD who was 10 at the time had on a pink & white gingham dress with just a little bit of lace trim at the collar. DH has on khakis with a navy sport coat and tie (see guys doubling up and it doesn't have to go wild). They are dancing together in the atrium, she is looking up with the most adoring look on her face. We had simply arrived a couple of minutes before the official photogs were ready and there was a piano playing. Wouldn't have been the same in shorts and ts!:jester:

Deb

[taswira]

Originally posted by sistert
I'm sorry but I'm looking forward to it. It's all part of the experience. I want to feel like I'm on one of those old ocean liners.
My sentiments EXACTLY. Of course, on the old ocean liners they also had "steerage" class! (LOL - Just KIDDING, folks!)

[CamColt]

So how long before this thread gets locked? ;) So far so good!

While I had to get involved in debates, this is a pet peeve of mine. I dont see why it is so difficult to have common courtesy and adhere to your hosts requests. Its only proper ettiquete! If you choose not to do as asked, you have plenty of reasonable options and you will not starve. How much you paid for your cruise has nothing to do with it. If you go to a business meeting you wear proper attire. If you go to a black tie wedding, you wear proper attire for that. I dont see why a cruise is any different especially when you choose to do it and you know ahead of time this will be asked of you.
Like many of the other posters, the chance to dress up makes the cruise fun for me. DH enjoys it too. He feels going to a fancy restaurant, getting top notch service, and treated like royalty doesnt have the same effect in jeans and a t shirt.

Deb, I would love to see that picture. How adorable!!!

[FantasticDisFamily]

Thanks for asking CamColt (BTW hadn't seen you on the boards for a while and was just thinking hope all is well and you're back)

Anyway, I just brought the big one up and it won't fit on my scanner. Thought I had a smaller version in my scrapbook of the cruise but not that one (probably sent to grandma after I made the enlargement). I do have another I will try to scan and make a link to!

Deb

[ruvidu]

wanted you to know what we experienced.
We never saw anyone in the main dinning rooms wearing shorts but some teenagers who looked like slobs.
On our Key West day, we watched the sunset at Mallory Sq. and then came back to the ship. It was too late to get cleaned up and make our late seating time. We had told our servers that we would probably not be there that night so we took off to Topsiders wearing shorts and t-shirts. We were pleasently surprised and actually felt underdressed. The lighting was low and the tables were set beautifully. We went through the line and selected our appitizers and then sat down. There was an example of each entree on display on the bar as well. The server asked which we wanted and what drinks we wished. We placed our orders for ribeye steaks, baked potatoes and mixed veggies. The server even brought sour cream and applied it to our potatoes. We got up and selected our own desserts and when we got back to the table our server was there offering coffee. It is not the same Topsiders as you see at breakfast and lunch. I would reccomend that anyone adverse to wearing long pants and a nice shirt try this option instead of forcing yourself and lack of manners on others.
I guess I was more attune to how others were dressed this time due to the ongoing debate on this subject on these boards. We guessed that 35-40% of the men wore a tux. 40-45% wore a suit and the remainder were dressed resort casual on formal night.

Happy Sailing

[FantasticDisFamily]

CamColt -
Below is a link to my starter attempt at a website - I added the pic that will fit on the scanner - taken just after the previous one mentioned but it is also a sweet memory. I hope the link works - sometimes accessing this yahoo site is iffy!


http://www.geocities.com/profpatten/PattenCruisehome.html

Deb

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by imgoingtodisney
And if youre the wife getting dressedup in long skirts w/matching tops am I suppose to go dine in Topsiders? I dont think so -Im holding my ground here just as much as DH is holding his on wearing shorts.

No, your husband should dine in Topsiders, and you should go enjoy the ambience of the main dining rooms in your beautiful attire.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Originally posted by ruvidu
The lighting was low and the tables were set beautifully... The server even brought sour cream and applied it to our potatoes. Thanks for the description of Topsiders' evening atmosphere. It sounds very nice. We won't hesitate to enjoy a meal there if not everyone's in the mood to put on pants some evening.
What is the best way to inform our servers, of a change in plans?

[ruvidu]

We had planned for a long day in Key West so it was a forgone conclusion we would not dine in the dinning room. We told them the night before. It is always good to let someone know even if it means stopping by during the day and leaving a note for your server. They usually wait dinner until all the table guests are there.

Russ

[Michelle]

Dreams, you needn't inform your servers, it's fine if you decide to go to Topsider's at the last minute. It definitely IS a very nice alternative for dining and we ate there last year for dinner after a long day in St. John and we just didn't feel like doing the regular dining room.

[CamColt]

Thanks for the link, Deb. Unfortunately Im getting the message "The web site you are trying to access has exceeded its allocated data transfer. Visit our help area for more information". then it says access will be restored in an hour. Ill keep trying.

And thanks for asking, but Im fine and Ive been around. In fact I told DH about your message and he was ROFL! He asked what do you consider a while, 1/2 hour? :p ;)

[FantasticDisFamily]

Camcolt,

That is part of the problem with the Yahoo website, if I make the tiniest change and go in to look at it, the access allocation is exceeded. If you want to email me I can send the photo as an attachment. And actually it had been about a week I hadn't seen anything from you - tell DH we must have been in different threads!

Deb

[sistert]

Talk about looking forward to dressing up:

Even though we're only taking the 4 night Wonder cruise, my DH-to-be wants us to wear our wedding attire if we get a ressie at Palos for the last night! I'm not sure about this but if we for do, thank goodness my train is detachable!

Folks, as mentioned earlier, there are other dining options if you don't want to follow the dress code requested. If you don't feel like dressing up, why not a romantic dinner delivered to your cabin that 2 can eat out on your verandah? Disney is not trying to make your vacation time miserable; dressing up is just part of the "Magic".

[Denine]

There is no debate if everyone follows the rules!
I really, really wish Disney would enforce the rules. It is a slap in the face to all who did follow the rules, not to enforce them.
Disney, are you listening?????????

[taswira]

Originally posted by Denine
There is no debate if everyone follows the rules!
I really, really wish Disney would enforce the rules. It is a slap in the face to all who did follow the rules, not to enforce them.
Disney, are you listening?????????
I second that! Even Mickey and Minnie don't mind dressing up a bit now and then, and they are elegant and beautiful. I hope DCL never lowers their dress code, and would LOVE to see them enforce their current recommendations. ;)

[mausmu]

The problem is that everyone knows that it is a Disney cruise and even though they do have it written everywhere that they request you not wear jeans or shorts, Disney will not enforce it. So I don't agree that it is everyones right to wear what they want since it is there vacation. You should still follow the rules. I guess we should get used to always having people in shorts at dinner because Disney will never deny someone from entering because of there clothing.

[FOJMO]

that back in 1971, when I was 17 (OK, OK, now you'll be doing the math...) I went to California with a friend of mine and we didn't drive, and we took the shuttle from the hotel to Disneyland. When I got to the admission gate, they would NOT allow me in the park because I had on hot pants and a halter top?????!!! That was the fashion then and I couldn't even get in the park! We had to take the shuttle back to the hotel, I had to change into something more "respectable", and go back to the park again!

When I visit WDW now, I look around and when I see the outfits (or lack of), I'm reminded of that embarrassing day back at Disneyland and I have to chuckle about what they allow nowadays.

I LOVE dressing up on the ship! In fact, I just got a long gown for an awards ceremony next month and, if I don't gain any weight, that'll be my dress for formal night next May. My daughter always wears the gown she has for Homecoming from October for the next year on the cruise.

:p

[mcnuss]

Originally posted by FOJMO
When I visit WDW now, I look around and when I see the outfits (or lack of), I'm reminded of that embarrassing day back at Disneyland and I have to chuckle about what they allow nowadays.

:p [/B]

LOL - this reminds me of our recent trip to Typhoon Lagoon where I had the less than desirable task of explaining thong bathing suits to DD8. I am no prude, mind you, but this was was shameful - Disney should not allow a bare you-know-what to be walking around a family park. To DD's credit, she said "wow, that lady must really want people to look at her tush, bc that suit looks uncomfortable"!!

[trishy]

Love the pix on the website - very cute family photo!!!

I agree with all that has been said here, so no need to add more on that - Topsiders is an excellent alternative.

Funny thing about the attire allowed at Disneyland - 2 weeks ago we took the kids and while waiting in line for Alice in Wonderland, the "woman" in front of us was wearing a tight fitting, belly shirt that said "SEXY - You don't have to have SEX to be SEXY". Of course, my 6 and 9 yr. old girls caught sight of this instantly - the attire was craving attention - and I was left wondering at what point in my life did society totally take a dive? I mean, Disneyland doesn't seem the right place for this sort of thing - maybe she had plans to go the HOB afterwards, but then do us all a favor and change shirts. I guess if wearing shorts to the dining rooms on the Magic is the worst that has happened, it isn't all that bad.