California Grill comments....dress code

[bdklein]

California Grill requires collared shirts. It can be a short sleeved button down, or a polo style, but not the kind normally called a t-shirt (Hanes or whatnot)

I disagree on collared shirts (although I wish you were right). Right from the WDW website for California Grill. It says "may" and not "must" regarding collared shirts. Shown below.


At this signature dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code.

Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.

Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.

Not permitted are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.

 

[cobright]

I disagree on collared shirts (although I wish you were right). Right from the WDW website for California Grill. It says "may" and not "must" regarding collared shirts.

I think we would need to consult a grammar maven. Here's the text again:

At this signature dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code.

Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.

Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.

The two lists support the primary statement that guests must follow a dress code.

In the same way someone asking, "What is there to eat?" might be told, "You may have the chicken or the fish." Right, the person may choose either of those things and because it is an offer (may) instead of a command (must) the person may choose nothing at all. But that person does not get to decide that he would rather be served steak.

When someone gives you a list of things you are permitted to wear, that's your list. Any information given after that list is ancillary and included to guide the choice or to address troublesome misscommunications.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Oh I really do hope this is a start of stricter enforcement of dress codes at Signatures. To me Sigature dining should feel like a special occasion so flip flops torn clothes etc should be banned and the ban enforced

Couldn't agree more!!!

 

[k5thbeatle]

I disagree on collared shirts (although I wish you were right). Right from the WDW website for California Grill. It says "may" and not "must" regarding collared shirts. Shown below.


At this signature dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code.

Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.

Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.

Not permitted are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.

This is a joke post right? You're kidding here right?

 

[bdklein]

This is a joke post right? You're kidding here right?

No I am not. What makes you think I was?

 

[AliceandAriel]

Couldn't agree more!!!

Hear hear! Not to be mean, but when/if you pay for a Signature dining like that, it's nice to sort of 'step out' of the casual dining experience. Like choosing between McDonald's or Don Shula's steakhouse- pretty sure McD's doesn't care WHAT you wear (or in some places, if you wear...) but Shula's carries a dress code, and it helps with the atmosphere when you go to dine. Makes you feel spiffy!

 

[Uncleromulus]

cobright:

Guests are ASKED to adhere to the dress "code"--they are not REQUIRED to adhere to it except for the very few "not permitted" items. T-shirts are very clearly permitted unless they are deemed "offensive" in some way. If you decide not to follow the suggested guidelines, (like wearing cargo shorts instead of "dress shorts") you are quite free to do so. The only items you CANNOT wear are already listed.

Disney did attempt to "get tough" with the dress code a few years back, but found that a large# of folks were coming from (or going to) the parks and had no time or inclination to take the valuable time to get all dressed up for dinner. They lost a fair amount of business "getting tough" and then went with the policy we see now.

AliceandAriel: The dress code at Shulas is exactly the same as we are discussing here--shorts and t-shirts are acceptable attire.

Of course Disney can "get tough" yet again, but I suspect the end result will be the same. And to add what the "trend" is, the Disney Cruise line has changed it's policy to now allow shorts in their TS restaurants---

 

[Cruzfaber]

If a person have good dressing sense, then I don't think then fashion is expensive. The good designs are also available that must fit into our budget.

 

[TDC Nala]

California Grill doesn't require collared shirts. I've seen plenty of men wearing tee shirts in there. Unless they've just decided to start. I haven't been there since December.

I think the list is pretty clear. "May wear" is not the same as "must not wear." They won't turn you away for a tee shirt (unless it's offensive - I guess that means unless it's got an inappropriate graphic or slogan on it, or someone else complains about it) but they will for torn clothes. They would just prefer that you wear a collar, not require it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Exactly--the "code" is what they suggest you wear--what they would like you to wear.

IF you don't follow the suggestions, there is that short list of what you can't wear.

 

[TDC Nala]

I sort of remember the old dress code - flip flops and sneakers were out. Tee shirts were out. I don't remember if shorts were out or if they just required "dress shorts." I understand that instead of going back to the resort to change, people just stopped going to the resorts for signature restaurants. So you now have the "relaxed" code.

 

[Colleen27]

The code, as currently written, seems to be pretty consistently enforced. The torn jeans/cutoffs and swimwear/coverup provisions in particular - I've overheard cast members telling guests about both prohibitions, and it didn't always end in an exception for the guest (one that really irked me - a family staying at the Contemporary was pitching a fit over being told they couldn't be seated looking like they'd just come from the pool, ranting about how much they spent to stay there and how they should be able to have dinner in their own resort without going up to change).

Now, whether or not the dress code is too lax is a matter of personal opinion. I personally like it as written, and wouldn't want to bus back to our resort to change if we wanted a nicer dinner. But others don't share that appreciation for a more casual atmosphere and I certainly understand that as well.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Oh I really do hope this is a start of stricter enforcement of dress codes at Signatures. To me Sigature dining should feel like a special occasion so torn clothes etc should be banned and the ban enforced

I agree!

 

[Uncleromulus]

I sort of remember the old dress code - flip flops and sneakers were out. Tee shirts were out. I don't remember if shorts were out or if they just required "dress shorts." I understand that instead of going back to the resort to change, people just stopped going to the resorts for signature restaurants. So you now have the "relaxed" code.

THis is exactly what happened. I recall a manager at one of the Signatures was keeping a stock of polo shirts and making guests change into those from their t-shirts. That did NOT go over well.

And think about it--going back to your resort to shower, change and then get to the Signature restaurant--using WDW transportation--could take HOURS of valuable park time.

 

[Minniesgal]

THis is exactly what happened. I recall a manager at one of the Signatures was keeping a stock of polo shirts and making guests change into those from their t-shirts. That did NOT go over well. And think about it--going back to your resort to shower, change and then get to the Signature restaurant--using WDW transportation--could take HOURS of valuable park time.

I would hate to go out for a signature without showering and changing. I guess each to his or her own.

 

[Hopefully]

I would hate to go out for a signature without showering and changing. I guess each to his or her own.

I agree. We always return to the resort and freshen up and change before a Signature Restaurant

 

[Colleen27]

I would hate to go out for a signature without showering and changing. I guess each to his or her own.

For me, it is the time that holds me back. We stay value or moderate and don't drive, so by the time we bus back to our hotel, get 5 people showered and changed, bus back to the appropriate park, then walk/bus/monorail over to the restaurant, we'd easily be looking at 3+ hours to get ready for dinner. That's just not how we want to spend our vacation time.

 

[LilyWDW]

I agree. We always return to the resort and freshen up and change before a Signature Restaurant

Yep.

And then I just grab a taxi to the resort (and back after my meal). I mean, heck, I am already paying for the signature meal. The cost of the taxi is nothing!

But I do dress up a bit for my signature meals. Usually a casual dress, but not park clothes.

 

[Uncleromulus]

For me, it is the time that holds me back. We stay value or moderate and don't drive, so by the time we bus back to our hotel, get 5 people showered and changed, bus back to the appropriate park, then walk/bus/monorail over to the restaurant, we'd easily be looking at 3+ hours to get ready for dinner. That's just not how we want to spend our vacation time.

And there are many thousands of potential Signature restaurant customers who feel the very same way. With the relaxed "code" Disney gets many of them. Get tough and most will eat elsewhere.

 

[TDC Nala]

Personally I'm not up on the thought that "if I'm paying for a signature meal, I can afford $40 for a taxi there and back." That's four drinks right there. Well, two and a half at Disney.

I don't always go in park clothes, but it's nice to be able to.