CA Grill Ques...

[2ofUs]

Our company dress code is defined as:

Business Casual: Slacks and shirts with collars for men, dress or slacks/skirt with blouse for women.

Business: Jackets with shirt and tie for men, suits (skirt or slacks) for women.

For our trip we have PS for Calif Grill, BlueZoo, Jiko, Artist's Point. Each CM taking our PS read the statement about Business Casual. I clarified by asking "are jackets required for men?" and each said "no, but are preferred."

This isn't a problem for us as we plan room breaks each afternoon. Yes, it takes time, but is a wonderful energy-rejuvinator and truly adds to the pleasure of the day. Most days this includes a quick bath and change for dinner whether we are dressing up or not. Being in our 'over-fifty' years, dressing up a bit for dinner on vacation is the norm for us.

Hopefully no one takes offense as none is meant, but since WDW is for all types of families and functions, and casual attire abounds, it would be very nice to have a few restaurants that require better clothing. After all, when paying $$$$ for a meal, IMHO, it is more appealing to see nicely dressed diners instead of sunburnt body parts. Everyone looks and carries themselves better when wearing dresser clothing. (for example: Imagine Brad Pitt in a Tuxedo, now in a sport coat & slacks, now in torn jeans and a t-shirt, now a bathing suit, now...ah, I better stop there. Maybe he's not such a good example as the man has obviously never looked BAD!)

But honestly, after a day at WDW, most of us are not going to put on a dress or a good pair of slacks without showering or bathing first. And, let's face it, if I have been out in the Florida sun all day, you don't WANT to sit next to me for dinner if I haven't bathed! So, maybe by enforcing a dress code, WDW is trying to make finer dining a little more pleasing to our visual and sensory systems, eh?

And how about couples with children? Shouldn't they also be able to enjoy the occassional dress-up night-out without the kids. That's what I appreciate about some WDW hotels providing babysitting services. Everyone needs a break now and again - even the kids. They don't have to maintain their 'best-behavior' sitting in a 'grown-up' place and eating food that doesn't fit their tastes. Instead they can have pizza and entertainment while mom & dad get a little peace and quiet, alone, together, in a place that has a bit of a dress code - sort of adds to the romance, doesn't it?

So, how about the hubbies through in a polo shirt and maybe a sport coat and us ladies tuck in something a little nicer for ourselves, just in case. It isn't all about the rides and the attractions and the street performers. It's about atmosphere, whether in theme parks, water parks, DTD, the resorts or the restaurants. It's our money and our vacation - let's enjoy all the dimensions WDW has to offer.

 

[BCV23]

2ofUs, I think many people do enjoy going back to the resort, freshening up and changing before dinner. My family always takes a break midday for golf, swimming, boating etc. and then freshening up before dinner.

However, that just doesn't work for some families. And as you say, it's everyone's vacation so people should do what works for them.

We've been dining at the nicer places at WDW for many years and have never been told business casual. It sounds as if the wording used by DD has changed very recently. We were there a month ago and although I made most of our PSs in July, I suppose, I made some changes a week before. I even had to make some changes while we were there. Two of these were for Jiko and Artist Point. Still wasn't told business casual in October. So my question was whether this is being told to people this month all of a sudden and what business casual means to people in different parts of the country.

BTW, my guys wear polo shirts even in the parks and do wear khakis to dinner. Well, if it is very hot my DH wears nice walking type shorts.

One other thing, I don't know if you've dined at the spots you're going to but you will see children at all of them. Haven't been to Blue Zoo as of yet but have read nothing to indicate that is any different.

Have fun on your trip....sounds like you have some great dining lined up.

 

[dpic]

Originally posted by shoes99
My TA made my PS for me for California Grill for early December.
The note said "smart casual, no shorts.

We were there a couple of weeks ago, and I (man) wore shorts. They were Docker type shorts, and I had wore a nice short sleeve shirt--along with my tennis shoes. I did not feel under-dressed at all. Lots of people were wearing nice shorts probably because it was a warm evening. A few people were dressed very nicely in sports coats and evening dresses.

Basically, you're on vacation, but don't look like a bum when you go to the Cali Grill.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I have never--ever--ever- heard any PS person say that jackets were "preferred" at any WDW establishment other than V&A. At CG, JIKo, AP and Blue Zoo (3 of which where I had dinner just last month) I saw but TWO men in a jacket and they were in what appeared to be a "business meeting" group. Shorts and T-shirts far outnumbered jackets and dresses.
IF WDW restaurants ever went to a more "upscale" (and enforced) dress code they would simply kill their business. And I can't believe they would ever do that.
THis is Florida--it's hot--you are on vacation. Be neat, but be casual. IF anyone wants to dress up, that's certainly fine. But let's not MAKE people dress up.
I wore a coat and tie thru 4 years of college and 35 years of work. I don't want to wear a coat and tie when I'm eating--especially on vacation. The only exception I make is V&A which is such a special spot that I give in and wear a jacket. But even then I go as casual as possible--no longer a suit, but now a lightweight sport coat and slacks.