Don't fight the Dining Dress codes!

[Lisaloo]

OP, I definitely agree to a certain degree for Disney dining! I'm glad that the signature restaurants have a dress code, and we always dress nicely when dining at them. It doesn't necessarily bother me at Disney when people dress down for dinner though, since I understand a lot of people have spent all day at the Parks and don't or can't easily, get back to their rooms to change, or pack extra clothes, etc.

I DO definitely wish that nice restaurants in the real world would enforce their dress codes more forcefully, and it's a huge pet peeve of ours when we're at a nicer restaurant and see a bunch of slobs (calling it like it is) walk in. I'm sorry, but if you show up to an establishment wearing yoga pants or torn jeans where the waitstaff is in near-formal attire, to me, that shows a lack of respect to the employees and chefs who work really hard to create a special dining experience. I see it all the time, and it makes me sad.

My husband and I are slobs who would make you sad. We went to Ruth's chris for date night two weeks ago. He was in jeans and a t shirt and I was in shorts. We sat next to a table of three prom couples. All glammed up for the night, they looked gorgeous. They also got their meals paid for anonymously by two poorly dressed patrons. I don't think we made them sad at all!

 

[aVASTGrl]

My husband and I are slobs who would make you sad. We went to Ruth's chris for date night two weeks ago. He was in jeans and a t shirt and I was in shorts. We sat next to a table of three prom couples. All glammed up for the night, they looked gorgeous. They also got their meals paid for anonymously by two poorly dressed patrons. I don't think we made them sad at all!

I didn't say "poorly dressed patrons" weren't good people, that was very nice of you. But yes, still makes me sad. I know it's an "unpopular" opinion these days, but I don't really care. As I'm sure you don't care about my unpopular opinion! Nor should you, really. It's just mine (and my family's) thoughts on the current "fashion" trend we see more and more of.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

At home I normally dress for comfort (slides, baseball hat, shorts, hooded sweatshirt if it's cool out), but I do enjoy dressing up a bit if we are going out for a nice meal.

We usually do the parks from opening until about 2:00 or 3:00, head back to the room and relax for a bit, then get ready for dinner. I normally wear khakis or dark pants with a button down shirt.

I feel like I enjoy my experience more when I'm dressed up a bit.

 

[hopeful4fl]

I am going to be honest guys. I LOVE my comfort. I truly do. However, when the lady dons herself up, I feel (maybe my age dictates it, or maybe chivalry) to not embarrass her and dress appropriately.
Places like V&A and other fine dining (and cruise formal nights) is where she likes to dress up and I oblige. She helps me out by letting me dress in my comfies everywhere else (not slobbily, but comfy).
I think it is a personal choice to dress, or not to. I have been to steakhouses in Jeans or Slacks, where 90% of the patrons were dressed up and could care less. On the flip side, if I am dressed up for an occasion and someone else is not, I could care less too.

 

[SouthJersey]

I think expecting or hoping to see suits and jackets at Disney's nicer restaurants is extreme. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely refreshing to see individuals dressing up when going out to dinner, but a suit/jacket in basically any Disney location except V&A's and Shula's would be overdressing.

But, that doesn't mean I'm supporting bumming it either. Wearing 'jorts' (not sure why anyone would ever wear jean shorts to begin with), a graphic t-shirt and banged up sneakers is effortless and unbecoming considering the establishment HAS A DRESS CODE. The people showing up at nice restaurants with their Mickey Premium stained t-shirts and flipflops in worn out park attire don't hinder my experience, but I personally think it's ignorant IF a place has a dress code, to not meet it.

People try and downplay the lack of adhering to the dress code with Disney's nicer restaurants on the park and "being comfortable all day" blah blah. It's not that hard to grab jeans or khakis and a nicer shirt. The guests who dine at nicer restaurants at home are more likely to dress according to the dress code, while those who don't really eat at upscale places and are 'going all out' on their Disney dining plan are least likely to adhere to a dress code. It's funny every time I would hear a table ordering as expensive as possible because they're on the dining plan, the tip is always short and they're always in park attire. "The lobster tails are $79, I'm getting that!"

I get it, dressing 'nice' isn't comfortable for everyone. I hate dressing up, but if it's becoming of the place and they have a dress code, I'll do it. I rough it daily with plain jeans faded with skoal rings and a plain cheap t-shirt and boots for the most part. For our Victoria and Alberts reservation in December, I'll happily be in my Brioni suit. At the signatures, nice jeans, casual shoes and a button down or polo.

In the restaurant industry, your dress DOES matter to the overall experience. I'll tell you first hand from experience the waitstaff approach and interaction will be better 99% of the time when you're dressed to the establishment's dress code. The servers will expect a lesser tip and their focus will be on those who are dressed the part. Dress codes aren't a suggestion.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

DH and I like getting dressed up when we go to Narcoossee's. I know we don't have to, but for us it's fun to get dressed up and go have a nice dinner. It's tradition to get our picture in front of the Christmas tree at GF all dressed up. We will going back to Narcoossee's in November. This will be DS's first time there, and he'll be dressing up as well. I'm just hoping the Christmas tree will be up by then.

 

[maxiesmom]

I highly doubt any of the wait staff at the California Grill is offended by people coming in in park tees and shorts. Honestly, that whole post made me

Many posters seem to think what they wish the dress code should be is what should be enforced, and seem to be ignoring what the dress code actually states. It kind of reminds me a bit about all the stroller arguments. You have control over what you and your family does. And the rest of us have control over what are families do. As long as someone is following the instructions of the dress code, what anyone else wants or thinks should be is not important. At all. And it is on them if someone is following the rules and still offends.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Like it or not, it's a more casual world these days.

Not only at WDW but everywhere else as well. What I've seen recently at weddings and funerals would have appalled my parents.

And actually there is no "dress code" at WDW (other than V&A) They are actually just guidelines--what the restaurant
would like you to wear.

If you don't agree, there is that very short list of "not permitted " items.

 

[Allison]

Can you say specifically what exclusive looking Disney restaurants you are going by and seeing these people?

 

[SouthJersey]

I highly doubt any of the wait staff at the California Grill is offended by people coming in in park tees and shorts. Honestly, that whole post made me

Many posters seem to think what they wish the dress code should be is what should be enforced, and seem to be ignoring what the dress code actually states. It kind of reminds me a bit about all the stroller arguments. You have control over what you and your family does. And the rest of us have control over what are families do. As long as someone is following the instructions of the dress code, what anyone else wants or thinks should be is not important. At all. And it is on them if someone is following the rules and still offends.

I was speaking about dining in general as some posts went on about "back home"...
And nobody said the staff is offended, but the table that is dressed nicer is going to have better service and a more attentive staff because the server is going to equate the appearance with their likelihood of tipping well and aside from that being common sense, anyone in the restaurant business will tell you that. I'm sure you've had great service, but the better dressed table is getting better service. Especially in Disney thanks to the dining plan. The dining plan has people 'splurging' 10+ months in advance for their trip and they're going to dine at places and order more than they normally would. So families get a $350+ bill and are like "$70 on just the tip!?" because they're use to their $84 check at outback.

Waiters judge everything about a guest...stereotypes of race, people's appearance and dress, whether they're foreigners, etc. So yeah, when you're in a nicer restaurant with a dress code in your cut off sleeve and shorts/flip flops, the server is assuming they're getting a crap tip from the gate.

 

[North of Mouse]

Just lighten up and relax OP!! It's vacation!

We always dress nice when we dine out at home - on vacation? At Disney restaurants at the parks, resorts? No! We dress casual nice!

I'm not packing real dressy clothes for dining at vacation destinations where casual is the norm. I have no problems with others doing so however - to each their own!

We do not go to V&A - not our thing on vacation.

 

[dpswift]

I was speaking about dining in general as some posts went on about "back home"...
And nobody said the staff is offended, but the table that is dressed nicer is going to have better service and a more attentive staff because the server is going to equate the appearance with their likelihood of tipping well and aside from that being common sense, anyone in the restaurant business will tell you that. I'm sure you've had great service, but the better dressed table is getting better service. Especially in Disney thanks to the dining plan. The dining plan has people 'splurging' 10+ months in advance for their trip and they're going to dine at places and order more than they normally would. So families get a $350+ bill and are like "$70 on just the tip!?" because they're use to their $84 check at outback.

Waiters judge everything about a guest...stereotypes of race, people's appearance and dress, whether they're foreigners, etc. So yeah, when you're in a nicer restaurant with a dress code in your cut off sleeve and shorts/flip flops, the server is assuming they're getting a crap tip from the gate.

I have heard this before and my own DD who is a waitress here said the same thing. You can kind of tell from your first interactions what kind of a tip you are going to get.

I also remember one thread on here a few years back where at least 2 couples overheard the waitstaff saying my table is "blank" they will leave an awful tip

 

[Nancyg56]

I was speaking about dining in general as some posts went on about "back home"...
And nobody said the staff is offended, but the table that is dressed nicer is going to have better service and a more attentive staff because the server is going to equate the appearance with their likelihood of tipping well and aside from that being common sense, anyone in the restaurant business will tell you that. I'm sure you've had great service, but the better dressed table is getting better service. Especially in Disney thanks to the dining plan. The dining plan has people 'splurging' 10+ months in advance for their trip and they're going to dine at places and order more than they normally would. So families get a $350+ bill and are like "$70 on just the tip!?" because they're use to their $84 check at outback.

Waiters judge everything about a guest...stereotypes of race, people's appearance and dress, whether they're foreigners, etc. So yeah, when you're in a nicer restaurant with a dress code in your cut off sleeve and shorts/flip flops, the server is assuming they're getting a crap tip from the gate.

You are wrong. I waited tables for the better part of my life and the only assumption I made was whether or not I would have an early night. Servers are way more savvy than to put too much stock in clothes, especially in a resort, and I can assure you that the well dressed stiff way more often than the "slobs".

Now with that said, the dress code in wdw resort restaurants us "business casual" and that means "FL business casual" which is much looser than "Boston" business casual, so your assumption that servers can't differentiate between the two is a tad off the mark.

I supported my family very well by understanding that excellent service is the bar to be set no matter what, and I did that at all levels of restaurant. I served breakfast in diners and was adept at French service in upscale venues, and every service in between. Appearance is only clothing deep.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have heard this before and my own DD who is a waitress here said the same thing. You can kind of tell from your first interactions what kind of a tip you are going to get.

I also remember one thread on here a few years back where at least 2 couples overheard the waitstaff saying my table is "blank" they will leave an awful tip

You never know. I have been able to turn around the "worst" tables, have had spouses slip my tip in their handbag, and gotten stiffed by people who ran me ragged just because they could. I always gave my best, and in the end I always ended my week making a decent living. Once a great tip just because I smiled at a man who had had a horrible day and was pretty irritated when he came in. You really just don't know

 

[Madame]

I cannot imagine getting decked out or dressed up for our ADRs. At the end of August you step out of your room & in under 10 minutes you look & feel like you've showered in your clothes - yuck!!

When flying you can only pack so much for 5 people (I already have to do laundry at least 2-3 times for a week's stay) & while we *could* go back to our room to change - dragging our 3 kids with us - we'd still look just as hot & sweaty (granted dressed more nicely) as we did before we left the park!!

This in part is why we do not do TS not really geared towards kids even though we would enjoy it. I even felt uncomfortable at BoG until I got a good look around - men in baseball caps & many just as sweaty & dishevelled as us.

 

[North of Mouse]

I was speaking about dining in general as some posts went on about "back home"...
And nobody said the staff is offended, but the table that is dressed nicer is going to have better service and a more attentive staff because the server is going to equate the appearance with their likelihood of tipping well and aside from that being common sense, anyone in the restaurant business will tell you that. I'm sure you've had great service, but the better dressed table is getting better service. Especially in Disney thanks to the dining plan. The dining plan has people 'splurging' 10+ months in advance for their trip and they're going to dine at places and order more than they normally would. So families get a $350+ bill and are like "$70 on just the tip!?" because they're use to their $84 check at outback.

Waiters judge everything about a guest...stereotypes of race, people's appearance and dress, whether they're foreigners, etc. So yeah, when you're in a nicer restaurant with a dress code in your cut off sleeve and shorts/flip flops, the server is assuming they're getting a crap tip from the gate.

Glad you have everyone pegged out!! Can say that we almost always get great service at Disney restaurants, unlike a lot of posts I read.

Can tell you one thing though, if I was ever treated 'obviously different' the tip would be nil to zero!!!! So, just 'maybe' all 'these people in the business' are just 'stiffing' themselves by their assumptions, and 'not' by the appearance of their patrons!!!! If they served/treated everyone equally, they would most likely get better tips! So much for their 'superior' knowledge!! Thankfully, 99% of the wait staffs are not so 'uppity' though!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The Disney Dining Dress code now seems optional rather than enforced heavily.

1) Correct.
2) The V&A is very strict about clothing.
3) All others are VERY LAX.

NOTE: I do hate it so when folks go to a nice eatery looking like "a rag bag". But, I guess that is where our society has migrated.

 

[SouthJersey]

Glad you have everyone pegged out!! Can say that we almost always get great service at Disney restaurants, unlike a lot of posts I read.

Can tell you one thing though, if I was ever treated 'obviously different' the tip would be nil to zero!!!! So, just 'maybe' all 'these people in the business' are just 'stiffing' themselves by their assumptions, and 'not' by the appearance of their patrons!!!! If they served/treated everyone equally, they would most likely get better tips! So much for their 'superior' knowledge!! Thankfully, 99% of the wait staffs are not so 'uppity' though!

It's not to the point of providing good service for one and bad service for another. Servers 'triage' their tables and whoever appears to yield the best tip is going to be the priority.
My point was in upscale settings with dress codes, those who clearly disregard it are not viewed 'positively' and will often result in a server thinking they're getting a lesser tip.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I believe they use the phrase "guests are ASKED to adhere to a dress code-" You are not REQUIRED to adhere to it.

And if what they ASK does not suit you, you are not violating any enforceable requirement if you wear something else.

Which is why they needed to add that "not permitted in the dining room" business.

 

[SouthJersey]

Let me say again--there is no "dress code" at WDW--merely dress guidelines or suggestions--I believe they use the phrase "guests are ASKED to wear--". They are not REQUIRED to wear. And if what they ASK does not suit you, you are not violating any enforceable requirement if you wear something else.

My posts were geared toward dining in general.

As for Disney's dress code:

"
Dress Code
At this Signature Dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code."

Literally saying, "We have a dress code, please follow it." Therefore, not meeting the dress code is a response of, "No thank you, we're coming anyway."