California grill dress code.

[Marthasor]

CG is way better than a LOT of restaurants in NYC...and not as good (i wont say 'worse') as many others. but you sure as heck wont find people dressed the way some find acceptable at WDW signatures as MOST NYC restaurants, regardless of price point or acclaim unless you're at a tourist trap in times square.

But this is entirely the point. People who live in NYC have a fashion sense unto themselves that you wouldn't even find in other major cities like LA or Chicago. Seriously trendy fashion and clothing that would be incredibly uncomfortable in a theme park. I lived in NYC for a decade and now live just outside of it in coastal CT. Literally 50 minutes away, but people in NYC wouldn't be caught dead in what is fashionable here (think Vineyard Vines). You aren't going to find New Yorkers at a Times Square tourist trap. You are going to find tourists who don't dress like New Yorkers at the tourist traps. Most people who go to WDW aren't from NYC, so I'm not sure why we are expecting people at WDW signatures to dress as if they are going out in NYC?

When you travel to WDW, there are so many factors that come into play in terms of wardrobe including luggage restrictions. People typically have to pack efficiently to accommodate the environment they are traveling to. In WDW, that includes, mainly, park touring which means comfortable clothing and footwear. There is no freaking way I'm packing a pair of 4 inch Jimmy Choo's and a separate dress and handbag simply to please my fellow CG diners.

This debate has been going on for years on these boards. I personally don't care what other people wear and it doesn't affect my dining experience. What others wear is completely out of your control, so why let it negatively impact your experience?

 

[Lisa F]

Our last meal at California Grill and also at Jiko was on par with restaurants in the same price range here in Chicago. Service, food, wine. Hardly Applebee's, although I can't speak with authority as I've never been to one.

Guess we will have to agree to disagree.

Agree that while pricey, signature restaurants are not out of line with similar restaurants in other metro and tourist areas. I live on Martha's Vineyard and a $49 filet at an upper end restaurant is not out of the question here... neither is a $28 7oz sirloin at one of my favorite places (which is more like BoG level). I only eat there in the winter when they run 30% off entree specials though, lol, and have never eaten at a $49 filet place here because I'm a single working mother and I save my pennies to go to Disney and splurge there... but since we are a resort area and not a big city even here at the fancy places people tend to wear sundresses and camis and capris and golf shirts and khaki shorts for even the fanciest places. In a place that is mostly about sun and sand and beach, people are not going to be dressing to the nines in the evening... similar with Disney.

I will say though that quick service type places is WAY more at Disney than even here (we do not have any chain restaurants at all but still the more quick service type fish joints will get you something like delicious huge fried scallops for the price of a Disney burger) and they do not have any lower-end family type places like we do here (no chains like Applebees but there is a meh-xican chain with a lot of entrees in the $12-15 range, you will not find that anywhere at Disney).

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've seen some people referring to what people have worn at le Cellier, or Chefs de France, and it's important to remember that the in-park Signatures don't have dress codes.

It's the resort Signatures that have dress codes. In a park... anything goes. They're in a theme park.

 

[AngiTN]

I've seen some people referring to what people have worn at le Cellier, or Chefs de France, and it's important to remember that the in-park Signatures don't have dress codes.

It's the resort Signatures that have dress codes. In a park... anything goes. They're in a theme park.

I've never seen that the distinguish the dress code suggestions based on where the restaurant is. I thought it was always listed as Signature, not Resort Signature only.

 

[Hopefully]

Agree that while pricey, signature restaurants are not out of line with similar restaurants in other metro and tourist areas. I live on Martha's Vineyard and a $49 filet at an upper end restaurant is not out of the question here... neither is a $28 7oz sirloin at one of my favorite places (which is more like BoG level). I only eat there in the winter when they run 30% off entree specials though, lol, and have never eaten at a $49 filet place here because I'm a single working mother and I save my pennies to go to Disney and splurge there... but since we are a resort area and not a big city even here at the fancy places people tend to wear sundresses and camis and capris and golf shirts and khaki shorts for even the fanciest places. In a place that is mostly about sun and sand and beach, people are not going to be dressing to the nines in the evening... similar with Disney.

I will say though that quick service type places is WAY more at Disney than even here (we do not have any chain restaurants at all but still the more quick service type fish joints will get you something like delicious huge fried scallops for the price of a Disney burger) and they do not have any lower-end family type places like we do here (no chains like Applebees but there is a meh-xican chain with a lot of entrees in the $12-15 range, you will not find that anywhere at Disney).

I live in MA. I agree that what folks wear to upscale Martha's Vineyard restaurants is not what you would expect to see in a high end NYC restaurant. It is certainly more casual.
But it is way more upscale than the clothes of an average theme park goer wears at CG. They can't even be compared.

 

[Lisa F]

I live in MA. I agree that what folks wear to upscale Martha's Vineyard restaurants is not what you would expect to see in a high end NYC restaurant. It is certainly more casual.
But it is way more upscale than the clothes of an average theme park goer wears at CG. They can't even be compared.

I would wear the same thing to either, so either I am way underdressed for the vineyard or way over dressed for CA Grill. I think they are about the same on average but with fewer people in "theme park wear" because no one is wearing that really, but I think what most people wear are about the same... khakis, polo for guys and sundress or capris for ladies.

 

[Hopefully]

I would wear the same thing to either, so either I am way underdressed for the vineyard or way over dressed for CA Grill. I think they are about the same on average but with fewer people in "theme park wear" because no one is wearing that really, but I think what most people wear are about the same... khakis, polo for guys and sundress or capris for ladies.

Yes I agree with you
The point I was trying to make is that no one on the Vineyard is wearing "theme park wear", so you would not see that in the nicer Vineyard restaurants like you do at WDW

 

[Lisa F]

Yes I agree with you
The point I was trying to make is that no one on the Vineyard is wearing "theme park wear", so you would not see that in the nicer Vineyard restaurants like you do at WDW

You would be surprised what you see walking around and going into restaurants but that is more town dependent (I live in oak bluffs which is more the "jersey shore" feel, I don't think you'd get some of that stuff walking around Edgartown which is more ritzy). But on average the level of dress at resort towns is less than in big cities I think at comparable restaurants. But I tend to frequent the places a tier or two down for budgetary reasons and anything goes there. But Disney prices are also hardly shocking coming from here!

 

[amberpi]

As someone who "dresses up" more than most people in pretty much all situations and I have a career where high end suits, shoes, and watches are still a thing (eyeroll), I'll say it matters not one wit what other people wear to any function. Not at all. More or less Disney. Now if you run over me with your stroller, ECV, or smell, etc., that will definitely diminish my experience.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've had dinner a few times at The California Grill with my adult nephew, and he fit right in in a polo and dressy shorts. I usually wear a more casual skirt and a nice top, but you will see people who really dress up. I can't convince him to do that, unfortunately. I think it would be fun.

 

[jrmasm]

As someone who "dresses up" more than most people in pretty much all situations and I have a career where high end suits, shoes, and watches are still a thing (eyeroll), I'll say it matters not one wit what other people wear to any function. Not at all. More or less Disney. Now if you run over me with your stroller, ECV, or smell, etc., that will definitely diminish my experience.

I agree. I cannot fathom allowing someone else's Mickey Mouse t shirt to diminish my dining experience. Good lord, the idea makes my eye rolly muscles ache.

 

[wilkeliza]

I've never seen kids running around CA Grill and I always go earlier n the day when it is full of families. Kiddo wore a polo shirt and khaki colored cargo pants, I wore jeans with a pretty top. I think a step up from park wear is fine. Though the people next to us wore park wear and we had a nice chat with them and somehow the fact that she was wearing a mickey tshirt at walt disney world didn't bother me in the slightest. If you care terribly about what other people are doing and really let it wreck your experience, disney in general is not for you.

We went during fireworks and had a window seat and had that problem. I see I misremembered earlier that we saw fireworks from inside but went out to take photos and see the view. The entire time during the fireworks a family actively encouraged their children to push on our table and hang on our chairs. We felt so uncomfortable trying to eat and watch. The kids even took glitter off our table which was put there because we had a noted celebration. I understand kids what to see but hanging on someone else's chairs and trying to move their table to get to the glass is completely out of line.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've never seen that the distinguish the dress code suggestions based on where the restaurant is. I thought it was always listed as Signature, not Resort Signature only.

I know, for instance, there is no mention of dress code on the page for Le Cellier. There is in the CG and narccoossee's pages.

 

[Farro]

I agree. I cannot fathom allowing someone else's Mickey Mouse t shirt to diminish my dining experience. Good lord, the idea makes my eye rolly muscles ache.

Gosh, don't hurt yourself too much!

I don't think anyone said their dining experience was diminished, people were just having a discussion on personal preferences, experiences, etc. -which we can see is different even based on where we live.

 

[jrmasm]

Gosh, don't hurt yourself too much!

I don't think anyone said their dining experience was diminished, people were just having a discussion on personal preferences, experiences, etc. -which we can see is different even based on where we live.

This topic comes up about once a month and without a doubt, people say or imply that their dining experiences can be impacted by people who don't dress up to their standards.

 

[ziravan]

as somebody who recently just moved away from NYC after living there for 11 years (and as somebody who had a career photographing all the newest/hottest/most popular/fanciest restaurants and bars in the city for magazines), i have to say i wholeheartedly agree with all of the above. i live in chicago now and i've found its pretty similar here as well.

CG is way better than a LOT of restaurants in NYC...and not as good (i wont say 'worse') as many others. but you sure as heck wont find people dressed the way some find acceptable at WDW signatures as MOST NYC restaurants, regardless of price point or acclaim unless you're at a tourist trap in times square.

this is a debate that can go on until the end of time. i know i can't convince anybody who thinks their personal ease and comfort is the number one priority that they should consider their surroundings or the intentions of those who created the establishment, just as nobody will convince me i could personally feel comfortable not dressed for a particular restaurant according to the aforementioned criteria.

Went to CG for the first time in Dec. Amazing!

I wore jeans and tshirt (shhhh! I didn't dress up for the plane ride, either!!)

Next time, I'll bring a simple collared shirt for CG. That's as dressed up as I'll do on vacation. (It's why I won't do Palo or Remy on cruise).

They seated me in jeans and tshirt last time and I'm confident they'll seat me in jeans and collared shirt next time.

I'm not the decorations for the next table.

If you want to pay for my meal, I'll take advice on how I dress. If I'm paying and Disney allows my attire, it's not anybody else's concern.

 

[DISNEY1975]

56 Posts !!! Ha!

To the OP....wear what you want! I promise, nobody who matters is looking! And, they most likely never see you again. My only suggestion is to not wear a Tshirt with your Disboard user name on the back!

 

[DISNEY1975]

I found these online. As you can see, its a mix of apparel

Disclaimer: These are not my photos. Apologies if I stole yours from where they were published on Yelp or Trip Advisor

 

[TheRustyScupper]

What are the 5?

We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
.
1) We prefer
. . . fine food
. . . excellent, top notch service
. . . innovative dishes with flair and quality
. . . overall great value
. . . relaxed and soothing dining atmosphere
. . . behaved and somewhat quiet patrons
.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs for lunches)
. . . Artist Point - Wilderness Lodge Resort
. . . Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort
. . . Shula's Steakhouse - Dolphin Resort (no DDP)
. . . Il Mulino - Swan Resort (no DDP)
.
3) Our (nearby) off-site Recommendations:
. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek - Fine Dining
. . . Café D'Antonio - Celebration - Casual Italian
. . . Columbia - Celebration - Casual Spanish/Cuban
. . . Fish Bones - Hwy192 - Seafood
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel - Fine Dining
. . . The Hotel Tea Room - Davenport, FL - Casual - Friday Steak-Fry, Afternoon Tea
.
NOTE1: The only time we visit other TS eateries is to renew our ratings for the eatery(ies). And, when we do these, we have "sampler" dishes (whether free or paid) so we can try several appys/entrées without pigging-out or having major weight gains.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
.

.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs for lunches)
.

Glad to see our favorite make your short list!