Can kids wear shorts to dinner?

[EVee]

Are cargo shorts and a collared shirt allowed for an 8yo. boy? I don't mean on formal nights. It just seems like so much to pack for a family of 4 on a 7 night cruise. I always overpack anyway. Thanks.

 

[wovenwonder]

No shorts in the dining rooms except on island night. We have packed a pair of khaki zip off cargo pants/shorts. Colby will arrive in the dining room in pants and zip them off as soon as he leaves the d.r. I'm sure! He will probably wear the pants that go to his suit (formal night) on other evenings with more casual shirts also.

 

[D A P & I]

What about a three year old? All his dress clothes are shorts. I need to know this answer too!

 

[wdwobsessed]

I went to Target the other day and bought both my boys a pair of Khaki's and a few polos.

I'm not going the suit route .. because they will never ever wear them again and I just don't have the moola for it after spending all my money on the cruise!

If you don't have nice pants. I got my son's each a nice pair and they were under $10.

I know that they ask that you do not wear shorts to dinner, and I would assume that means kids also.

Only 13 days till I cruise!!

wdwo

 

[wovenwonder]

DCL requests no shorts in the dining rooms for the evening meal except on island night. They do not say no shorts for age 10 and up.... but no shorts, period. That being said -- will you see some shorts in the d.r.? YES, even a few adults will not abide by the requested guidelines - and you will see some shorts in the dining room. If you are asking if you can get away with it for a child -- YES, you will not be turned away. If you are asking what DCL requests are -- then it is no shorts in the d.r. for the evening meal.

 

[D A P & I]

Thanks for being so kind as to answer my question. I will find him some pants. Thanks for the Target idea. I am totally new at this board thing and cruising. Thanks again.

 

[EVee]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I have to go shopping again! Jody- those zipper shorts are a good idea!

 

[mg]

My 3 year old son wore shorts in the dining room the 5 nights we dined there. The only pants he will wear are sweatpants so he wore the shorts. He looked fine and was not out of place at all. In fact our waiter told us not to bother dressing up for dinner if we didn't feel like it (this was for the formal night).

 

[KarenK]

We first sailed when my nephew was just 3 and he did wear the dress up shorts with a collared shirt and sweater. He looked adorable and very classy. He had on knee socks and dress white buc shoes. This is considered formal dress in Bermuda, all the men on the streets going to work wear shorts. So why not on a cruise ship. Disney is much more relaxed than other ships and I think you should look nice in the dining rooms out of respect for the other diners.

This time when we sail for the 5th time, he is 8 and will not wear shorts. He will wear a suit and then on more casual days use khaki pants. Those are always so nice on boys with a button down shirt or polo shirt. You will be surprised that the kids do like get dressed up of given a choice. It made our family pictures so much better and those are the memories that they have year after year. Funny but my nephew is already planning what he will wear and what outfits he wants for our November cruise.

Just relax and enjoy, that is what vacation is all about and after spending all that money don't worry about the guy next to you.

 

[Gillian]

Isn't it cold in the dining rooms? I guess little kids don't get cold, lol!

DS 2yo will be wearing pants, and maybe even a suit, although I don't think he needs it. His grandmother goes to yard sales every week and buys him the cutest clothes! The dressy stuff is almost brand new, because it's usually only worn once. I've put in my order for cruise wear already

 

[Ashkins]

This is a copy and paste from the Disney Cruise site.

Are children expected to follow the same dress code as adults?
Each parent or guardian would be the best judge of what attire is appropriate for our youngest cruisers. Guests who are age 13 or older would probably be most comfortable wearing attire similar to what is recommended above for all the ship's passengers.


My 11 year old will probably wear clothes he has to wear to school... green or blue shirt and kaki pants. My 13 year old boy will be the same... my 14 daughter will wear a skirt each night (only time I will be able to get her to )

 

[TootyJane]

<<I'm not going the suit route .. because they will never ever wear them again and I just don't have the moola for it after spending all my money on the cruise! >>



This is exactly how I felt when we went on our cruise to Alaska last year. It was the first time my 3 boys had to dress up. I didn't want to spend a lot either but decided to check out the resale shops in my area. Got my oldest ds a very nice navy blue sport coat for $.95 -- yes, $.95!! He wore it with his blue pants on the formal nights and wore it with tan pants on sem-formal nights. Got the other two boys suits from the Amvet and Disabled Americans stores for under $10. My kids didn't care that the clothes were "slightly worn." In fact, my youngest ds was thrilled with his "new suit." HTH

 

[G's mommy]

On our past two cruises, my ds, age 3 first year, age 4 last year, has worn dressy short suits to dinner on atleast one evening. This means dressy shorts with dress shirt and coat or dressy vest, knee socks and saddle shoes. Outfits that he wore to church on Easter Sunday. I think these are adorable on the little boys and are even more dressy than khaki pants and a polo-style shirt. If your son already owns some of these, do not hesitate for him to wear them, you should see how some adults choose to show-up for dinner! I have seen adults in cut-off blue jean shorts and halter tops, totally tacky for dinner, but yes they are seated right along with everyone else in their dresses and suits. For older boys, 7 and up, casual pants and collared shirts are great and possibly a suit for formal night. You will see some little boys in tuxedos, but personally I would not waste the money. The key here is "good taste" and that is what Disney is after by asking you not to wear shorts in the dining room.

Have a great cruise!

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

My twins were 3 on our 1st cruise and I had DS in dressy shorts also. The kind of outfits you see kids wear for Easter. DD also had on sun dresses with bloomer bottoms. They will be wearing the same type of outfits for our 5/11 cruise also. Dinner only lasts 1 1/2 hours (it's only a short portion of the evening, too) and it's hard enough to keep them stain and wrinkle free in decent clothes let alone very dressy items. I feel that as long as I don't let them wear jean shorts and they look good enough to take to a decent restaurant-they're dressed up enough to take to dinner on DCL. Now, when they get older (maybe 6-7) I'll expect them to dress more like the adults do.

 

[IrishCowboy]

EVee,

I know what you mean, we always seem to overpack for the cruise. We take along a couple of pair of pants for my DS-5 for dinner. As soon as dinner is over he always changes back to shorts.

My suggestion is to do whatever works best for your children. Some boys don't mind dressing up and others just plain hate it. You will see MANY children in shorts at dinner, and a few adults too.

I also believe that shorts are 'allowed' on Saturday night at dinner.

Have a great trip!

 

[D A P & I]

I think we will just use what we have (dressy shorts & sweater vest) I need to save all the money I can for our cruise. I thank you all for your great help. I love these boards so much information. We sail for the first time 7/27/02 for my dad's 75 B-Day.
We are all excited DH 41, Myself 41, DD 8, DS 4 ( not three anymore)

 

[Medina's]

Disney must have just had to draw a line. Maybe some people had different ideas of which shorts outfits qualified as appropriate. I'm remembering that line from the movie "Mame" when her nephew started getting some attitude... she said "Why did I ever buy him those d**n long pants!" Short pant suits used to be expected of younger boys. They sure are cute in them.
Oh well. I just hope that after shoehorning my kids into nice clothes for the night, we don't have to sit across from kids in play clothes. That would dampen the 'this is something special' atmosphere.
And if I don't have the energy or desire to pry the day-weary casual clothes off my kids, we'll just go to Topsiders or one of the other options. DCL makes it easy enough to be comfortable, get fed, and be respectful of others.

 

[wdwobsessed]

DAP - I think they will be fine. Don't worry about it. Sounds cute.

They probably say "no shorts or jeans" ... just wanting people to dress nice ... and what you describe ... sounds nice.

Have fun!

wdwo

 

[Karel]

My ten year was very excited about his first tie and dress shirt for the cruise!

I think younger kids will be ok in dressy, knee length shorts but maybe you can pick up one long pair of pants for formal night? There must be sometime during the year he can wear them off ship. How about next Christmas? Thanksgiving?