California grill dress code.

[Shelbizzles]

Hello dis friends!

I've been looking into possibly doing a signature restaurant for our trip in September and I was considering California Grill. However, I've never been to any of the signatures that have a dress code and was wondering if maybe you guys could give some examples of what you've worn to the fancier dinner experiences. My husband is Not really into the fact of having to "dress up nice" on a Disney vacation (he seems to have it in his head that he has to wear dress pants and a suit coat lol and I'm just not entirely sure) . He sees it as more of a shorts and tshirts relaxed vibe kind of vacation. Would he be okay in like a nice polo shirt and khaki shorts? or what would be acceptable without being overly dressy?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Allegedly, "business casual".
2) But, hardly ever enforced.
3) Once in a while a "muscle man" t-shirt is told to change.
4) Other than that, you see a lot of "park attire".
5) For that kind of bucks and atmosphere, I want to see people more dressy.
6) Plus,
. . . the place is outrageously noisy
. . . frequently people let their kind just run around

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
NOTE: Sorry, but I am an "old guy" and was raised to dress for expensive/upscale meals and locales. I am not saying I expect tuxes or dinner jackets, but a little more appreciation, as well as child control, should be expected. I (personally) blame this on DDP. Prior to DDP, people dressed pretty well for Signature restaurants, because they paid for the meals and valued the evening. Now, people just use DDP and consider such meals as simply "more eats". This is one reason (in addition to quality of food), that we ONLY patronize five TS eateries at WDW.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO STORAGE}

 

[tbre1982]

1) Allegedly, "business casual".
2) But, hardly ever enforced.
3) Once in a while a "muscle man" t-shirt is told to change.
4) Other than that, you see a lot of "park attire".
5) For that kind of bucks and atmosphere, I want to see people more dressy.
6) Plus,
. . . the place is outrageously noisy
. . . frequently people let their kind just run around

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
NOTE: Sorry, but I am an "old guy" and was raised to dress for expensive/upscale meals and locales. I am not saying I expect tuxes or dinner jackets, but a little more appreciation, as well as child control, should be expected. I (personally) blame this on DDP. Prior to DDP, people dressed pretty well for Signature restaurants, because they paid for the meals and valued the evening. Now, people just use DDP and consider such meals as simply "more eats". This is one reason (in addition to quality of food), that we ONLY patronize five TS eateries at WDW.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO STORAGE}

What are the 5?

 

[Shelbizzles]

1) Allegedly, "business casual".
2) But, hardly ever enforced.
3) Once in a while a "muscle man" t-shirt is told to change.
4) Other than that, you see a lot of "park attire".
5) For that kind of bucks and atmosphere, I want to see people more dressy.
6) Plus,
. . . the place is outrageously noisy
. . . frequently people let their kind just run around

{FLAME PROOF CAPE FROM DRAWER TO SHOULDERS}
NOTE: Sorry, but I am an "old guy" and was raised to dress for expensive/upscale meals and locales. I am not saying I expect tuxes or dinner jackets, but a little more appreciation, as well as child control, should be expected. I (personally) blame this on DDP. Prior to DDP, people dressed pretty well for Signature restaurants, because they paid for the meals and valued the evening. Now, people just use DDP and consider such meals as simply "more eats". This is one reason (in addition to quality of food), that we ONLY patronize five TS eateries at WDW.
{FLAME PROOF CAPE BACK TO STORAGE}

I absolutely want to be respectfully of the atmosphere and the dress code. That's why I asked what would be appropriate. If we decided it's not for us then we wouldn't go. But unless something was full on formal dress code then I'm sure we can dress appropriately for the night. I was curious as to what other wore, so I can see what's appropriate. I also dislike when people don't control their children but can handle it.

 

[wilkeliza]

Don't let TheRustyScrupper sway you. A polo and khaki shorts will be fine if your husband doesn't want to wear slacks.

What my fiancé and I do is rent a locker and put our nicely folded clothes in that. I wore like a Tomy Bahamas dress with nice sandles and he wore a button down with slacks and dress shoes. We left the magic kingdom about an hour and a half before our reservation so we could monorail to the contemporary (you could walk as well) then went to the bathroom by the check in desk and changed and freshened up. We had plenty of time to spare so hung out near the check in before they let us up in the elevator. After dinner we watched wishes from the deck. I can't remember if we went back to the MK or just called it a night after that.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

A decent pair of shorts and a golf shirt is perfectly acceptable at Cali Grill.

Don't show up soaked of Splash Mountain, wearing a Harley shirt and flip flops.

 

[caliope]

Our last trip, DH wore a polo and khaki pants to California Grill and it was perfectly acceptable. I wore linen cropped pants and a linen top. Our DS 4 wore a polo and shorts. We had an early ADR and everyone I saw seemed similarly attired. (And we did not allow our child to run around, nor did we see anyone else doing that). It was a wonderful meal.

 

[Shelbizzles]

[QUOTE="_auroraborealis_, post: 56975487, member: 564776".

Don't show up soaked of Splash Mountain, wearing a Harley shirt and flip flops.[/QUOTE]

Dang it. That was the plan. Haha


Oops apparently my quoting skills failed me

 

[Shelbizzles]

Don't let TheRustyScrupper sway you. A polo and khaki shorts will be fine if your husband doesn't want to wear slacks.

What my fiancé and I do is rent a locker and put our nicely folded clothes in that. I wore like a Tomy Bahamas dress with nice sandles and he wore a button down with slacks and dress shoes. We left the magic kingdom about an hour and a half before our reservation so we could monorail to the contemporary (you could walk as well) then went to the bathroom by the check in desk and changed and freshened up. We had plenty of time to spare so hung out near the check in before they let us up in the elevator. After dinner we watched wishes from the deck. I can't remember if we went back to the MK or just called it a night after that.

Our last trip, DH wore a polo and khaki pants to California Grill and it was perfectly acceptable. I wore linen cropped pants and a linen top. Our DS 4 wore a polo and shorts. We had an early ADR and everyone I saw seemed similarly attired. (And we did not allow our child to run around, nor did we see anyone else doing that). It was a wonderful meal.

Thanks for the replies guys!
Maybe these will help sway my boys

 

[anniemae]

I would say dressy casual is fine. I wore a pair of cropped pants with sandals and a dressy top. DH wore nice navy blue shorts and a polo shirt. There were people who looked like they just came in from the parks i.e. t-shirts, flip flops, back packs etc. Nobody said anything.

 

[JZCubed]

Hello dis friends!

I've been looking into possibly doing a signature restaurant for our trip in September and I was considering California Grill. However, I've never been to any of the signatures that have a dress code and was wondering if maybe you guys could give some examples of what you've worn to the fancier dinner experiences. My husband is Not really into the fact of having to "dress up nice" on a Disney vacation (he seems to have it in his head that he has to wear dress pants and a suit coat lol and I'm just not entirely sure) . He sees it as more of a shorts and tshirts relaxed vibe kind of vacation. Would he be okay in like a nice polo shirt and khaki shorts? or what would be acceptable without being overly dressy?

Dress Code for Signatures appears to be 'guideline' more than 'rule'.

If you are dressing (your husband) in trousers and a clean, crisp, dress-shirt to feel as if you are following the guidelines, that's wonderful.

But expect plenty of people to arrive in Park attire and further allow their children to behave as if at a Disney restaurant (because you are), not at a truly fine dining experience.

We stay at Contemporary (Bay Lake DVC) and CA Grill is our resort restaurant. We eat here nearly every trip. But after the experience of the child laying in the middle of the dining room floor with their pillow and blanket, and a nearby table with an adult in a hockey jersey (no, it was no the Anaheim Ducks) - we have simply lowered our expectation for experiencing a fine dining experience here.

Don't get me wrong - you can have a lovely meal with an incomparable view, but unlike so many other fine dining opportunities, CA Grill is far too hit-or-miss if I were looking for a truly fine dining experience.

We prefer BlueZoo; Capa has a high floor view.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Our last trip, DH wore a polo and khaki pants to California Grill and it was perfectly acceptable. I wore linen cropped pants and a linen top. Our DS 4 wore a polo and shorts. We had an early ADR and everyone I saw seemed similarly attired. (And we did not allow our child to run around, nor did we see anyone else doing that). It was a wonderful meal.

Ditto. Khakis, and collared Polos for men/boys and something "neat" for woman. Basically people dont wear denim, tanks or T's, but to be honest, I was there (a few times) with my family for a delicious dinner. I couldnt tell you one thing anyone around me was wearing. People here judge more than people there!! Enjoy your meal and YOUR vacation

 

[soniam]

DH wore khakis and a Hawaiian shirt. I wore a skirt and blouse with flats. I wanted to be somewhat comfortable, since we were going to MK after dinner. You could get away with a lot less dressy, but we prefer to dress up a little when spending a lot of money on a meal. We don't dress up for work ever, like I could wear shorts, t-shirt, and flip flops to work. We are engineers. So, it's nice to do it sometimes. As for kids, I usually just have DS wear a pair of khakis or slacks, not jeans, a shirt that buttons or a polo, and sneakers. Kids can get away being a little less dressy.

 

[smcabee]

Appropriate attire for men include: khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts.
Appropriate attire for women include: capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts.
NOT permitted in dining room: Tank tops or hats for gentleman, , swimwear, cut offs, or torn clothing. While T-Shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that T-Shirts with offensive language and/or graphics are NOT acceptable.

Straight from my confirmation email per WDW.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've eaten at Cali Grill a few times (love it! the view is SPECTACULAR!). I typically wear a sundress and gold flip flops and DH and DS9 wear khaki shorts and a polo. We've seen people there in shorts and t-shirts and also people there in sport jackets/slacks and cocktail dresses. You do not have to get dressed up, but you can if you want. We typically go to MK after we eat there, so we try to concoct outfits that are "respectful" yet not out of place or uncomfortable in the parks. I once wore a maxi dress to Monsieur Paul and walked around EP afterward and ended up feeling really awkward.

Funny story, we once went to check in at Monsieur Paul and there was a woman checking in in front of us wearing cut-off denim shorts, a middriff t-shirt and full Viking face paint. The check-in hostess chuckled and then brought her and her companion right up the stairs and seated them. While other diners may not have thought their attire was appropriate, the CM did not hesitate to seat them and it was then and there I realized the dress code for WDW signature restaurants (except most likely V&A) was perhaps simply a light suggestion.

 

[Hopefully]

I wear linen capris, a fancy blouse and nice sandals. DH & DS wear dress shorts and collared sports shirts.

 

[B-Ride]

We have been to WDW 9 times and I have worn shorts and a golf shirt every single day we were there. Been to CG 3 times and never had a problem.

 

[HopperFan]

Been many times. For us -

Guys wear docker pants, usually khaki since vacation with collared button shirt but more casual like plaid etc.
Gals wear dresses, sundresses, maxi skirt/dresses, nice capris and pretty tops.

Yes you can go more casual but we prefer our dress match the meal/location.

 

[amberpi]

From boyfriends to my dad, linen pants seem to be the goto for nicer evening apparel when its crazy hot. What is it with men and linen?

 

[amberpi]

And I wear sundresses wherever the weather permits and just nicer ones to CG. Sometimes I'll wear a kitten heel, but I have done a full WDW, 12-15 mile day in them, I wouldn't recommend that if they're not part of your usual day and you're planning on hitting late night park hours afterwards.