Dining dress codes...are tattoos in or out this season?

[Little_Sister]

Hi there,

Me and my fella are not new to Disney...but we haven't dined at any of the signature restaurants like Cali Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Citricos etc...

We haven't dined there for fear of looking out of place...we are the t-shirt and jeans sort of folk and we have quite a few visible tattoos (all tasteful and pretty I swear!)

It's our 5-year anniversary and I'd really like to dine at Cali Grill for it, but I'm concerned we aren't "fancy" or "buttoned-up" enough for the likes of Cali Grill...we're really trying to avoid making anyone feel awkward (mainly ourselves ) if we don't completely mesh with the other folks--I swear we're not "weird" looking...just slightly more colorful than your typical Disney fare.

I know they have a certain dress code...they don't want tank tops, flip flops and cut-offs (I mean really, who does???)...but can we get away with nice jeans and a nice t-shirt?

 

[ransom]

As long as your attire meets the standard set by Disney's code, you should be able to eat there with no problem.

That said, the signature restaurants tend to be frequented by locals and others who have changed into attire that would be inconvenient at the parks (that is, they're wearing ties, khaki's or slacks, button-down shirts, etc.). So for someone who is self-conscious, it can be awkward.

 

[Pakey]

My 30 year old son has many tattoos, wears nothing but black jeans and black t-shirts or very plain polo shirts. He has dined at Ca Grill and the other signatures on several occasions. The shirts, as long as they contain no offensive graphics or sayings, are within the Disney dress code. So are the jeans. So are shorts.

You will see people dressed nicely and you will see people who obviously came straight from the parks to their dinner with their Grumpy T-Shirts and tennis shoes on and you will see most people dressed somewhere in between the two.

My son has never felt uncomfortable but then again, he's not the type who would care. He's within the dress code and that's all he is concerned with. You should be fine and do not deny yourself the opportunity to have a great anniversary dinner at CG.

 

[Little_Sister]

As long as your attire meets the standard set by Disney's code, you should be able to eat there with no problem.

That said, the signature restaurants tend to be frequented by locals and others who have changed into attire that would be inconvenient at the parks (that is, they're wearing ties, khaki's or slacks, button-down shirts, etc.). So for someone who is self-conscious, it can be awkward.

Yep we'd stick out like little tattooed people in a sea of khakis and ties. thanks for the info.

 

[w-family]

I think you would be fine.
We have ADRs in two weeks for Cali Grille. My husband is planning on wearing shorts and a polo shirt, not a tie and long pants. We go to plenty of nice resteraunts at home in which people are not as dressed up as other people that are present. It is a matter of comfort. As long as you are not flagrantly going against the dress code, which you are not with jeans and a shirt, there should be no problem. Tatoos should not even be an issue.
Have a wonderful time at your 5 year anniversary!

 

[Little_Sister]

My 30 year old son has many tattoos, wears nothing but black jeans and black t-shirts or very plain polo shirts. He has dined at Ca Grill and the other signatures on several occasions. The shirts, as long as they contain no offensive graphics or sayings, are within the Disney dress code. So are the jeans. So are shorts.

You will see people dressed nicely and you will see people who obviously came straight from the parks to their dinner with their Grumpy T-Shirts and tennis shoes on and you will see most people dressed somewhere in between the two.

My son has never felt uncomfortable but then again, he's not the type who would care. He's within the dress code and that's all he is concerned with. You should be fine and do not deny yourself the opportunity to have a great anniversary dinner at CG.

Thank you so much...this makes me feel better...our t-shirts are not offensive by any means, just not dressy.

please don't get me wrong...we are very comfortable with who we are, but also know that it's not everyone's cup of tea either...just wanted to be prepared if we were going to hear the record scratch or the clanging of dropped forks...nobody wants that type of reception on their anniversary!

Thanks again...very very helpful!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I like to dress up when going to signature dining. However, I usually feel a bit overdressed.

I have tattoos but they are not visible. Sometimes that is too bad for me! You are within the dress code so enjoy yourselves.

 

[Little_Sister]

I think you would be fine.
We have ADRs in two weeks for Cali Grille. My husband is planning on wearing shorts and a polo shirt, not a tie and long pants. We go to plenty of nice resteraunts at home in which people are not as dressed up as other people that are present. It is a matter of comfort. As long as you are not flagrantly going against the dress code, which you are not with jeans and a shirt, there should be no problem. Tatoos should not even be an issue.
Have a wonderful time at your 5 year anniversary!

Thank you so much!

We've just never stepped in there and didn't really know what to expect...

Like with Victoria and Albert's...we KNOW that's not our scene!

 

[Little_Sister]

Thank you all for your input--it's good to hear from the folks who have actually dined there...

 

[webray]

Hi there,

I know they have a certain dress code...they don't want tank tops, flip flops and cut-offs (I mean really, who does???)...but can we get away with nice jeans and a nice t-shirt?

Nice jeans and a tshirt should be fine.

 

[Tricia1972]

You'll be fine in the outfits you are describing.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Please go and enjoy your anniversary. Disney is great because everyoe is welcome. If you are suit nd tie folks or a tad more colorful you are just as welcome.

Congratulations on reaching this milestone and let us know how dinner was

 

[honeymo78]

Jeans, tshirt, shorts, sneakers are all fine. DH and I have a few tattoos each, some visible. My mom and brother also have visible tattoos and we have never had a problem with any signature dining location

 

[Little_Sister]

Yay I'm excited!

Thanks to you all for your comments...

If you happen to be dining at Cali Grill November 10th, 2009 and see two little black haired pale faced tattooed people are sitting next to you...come say hi!

 

[Little_Sister]

Jeans, tshirt, shorts, sneakers are all fine. DH and I have a few tattoos each, some visible. My mom and brother also have visible tattoos and we have never had a problem with any signature dining location

Wow your mom is cooler than my mom.

 

[disnut8]

In jeans and nice T-shirts you will probably be better dressed than half of the people at California Grill. No worries.

This is my guide for dressing at Disney Word. Follow the dress code, if the host doesn't pass out at the sight of you and admits you for your meal, don't worry about it. If other people have a problem with your appearance, they can look in another direction.

 

[Little_Sister]

In jeans and nice T-shirts you will probably be better dressed than half of the people at California Grill. No worries.

This is my guide for dressing at Disney Word. Follow the dress code, if the host doesn't pass out at the sight of you and admits you for your meal, don't worry about it. If other people have a problem with your appearance, they can look in another direction.

ha ha ha you are too funny!

 

[ransom]

Yay I'm excited!

Thanks to you all for your comments...

If you happen to be dining at Cali Grill November 10th, 2009 and see two little black haired pale faced tattooed people are sitting next to you...come say hi!

I'm so glad you decided to go! We often go to the signature restaurants right from a park, so we're in jeans and a t-shirt or polo. Sometimes we feel self-conscious about it, even though I know we shouldn't. But we keep going anyway! I'm glad you folks will be going as well.

 

[ransom]

In jeans and nice T-shirts you will probably be better dressed than half of the people at California Grill. No worries.

Man, we must be going on the wrong nights. Every time we go there (usually a Friday or Saturday night), we feel totally under-dressed. I'll see all these folks looking like they've never been in a theme park in their lives, and then when I see the rare person dressed like us, I'll think, "Oh, good! We're not the only ones." Or maybe it's just self-consciousness exaggerating my perceptions.

 

[honeymo78]

little sister - my mom and I got our first tattoos together

ransom - we tend to run into a lot of conventioneers at cali grill. Their corporate casual is much "fancier" than our shorts and polos.