Don't fight the Dining Dress codes!

[Glittercat]

We take a change of clothes with us in a small backpack when heading out in the morning. Usually summery dresses for my daughter and I and button down shirts and slacks for the fellas. If it is one of the nicer (TS or Sig.) restaurants my husband will bring along another pair of shoes to change into. We freshen up before dinner, then after dinner we head right back to the parks. Works great for us as we get a nice division of the day and it can be grand to change out of wet clothes after going on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids. Part of that is because once I'm soaked I don't ever dry off in the chair the clothing change is a welcome reprieve from wheeling around in drenched clothes.

I can understand that not working for everyone but being a lil' dressed up for dinner is something we all enjoy, and do at home in restaurants as much as at Disney World.

 

[SouthJersey]

It's only "offensive graphics" so Mickey will be fine (at least for 50% of the people posting.)

 

[SouthJersey]

I will never forget the night when my husband and I went to Artist Point for our 6pm anniversary dinner in 2009 and at the table next to us was a hairy guy in a wife beater and shorts and the rest of the family didn't look much better. It grossed me out but I sat so I wouldn't have to look at him during the meal.

I'd made my husband put on a polo shirt and khaki's for that dinner and I wore a dress and my husband fumed the whole time because he felt like he could've just worn his beat up jean shorts and a tshirt. Kind of ruined the evening.

Now he doesn't even want to go to any more signature meals. I sure hope Disney is better about reinforcing the dress codes in the resort hotels restaurants.

That's why I wish they'd enforce a business casual dress code. We've had terrible experiences with diners like that. I just don't want to see a wad of your underarm bush with deodorant bits because someone chose to wear a cut off that they're busting out of and their hair is bursting out the front and back all matted and what not These are some of the awesome things I've experienced.

 

[senadler]

That's why I wish they'd enforce a business casual dress code. We've had terrible experiences with diners like that. I just don't want to see a wad of your underarm bush with deodorant bits because someone chose to wear a cut off that they're busting out of and their hair is bursting out the front and back all matted and what not These are some of the awesome things I've experienced.

There is a big difference between this situation and business casual. Business casual is not even the requested dress code, it is resort casual. I think it is possible to look presentable without having to dress up for dinner. I certainly respect that some do want to dress better for dinner, but at disney I do not think this should be a requirement. Many people take young children to these signature restaurants, another thing that does not happen much in other areas, it is a different atmosphere.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure what all the non-Disney restaurant dress code talk has to do with Disney's dress code. It is comparing apples to grapes.

 

[aVASTGrl]

I seems like overall most people do follow the dress code, as it seems very lax (with a few exceptions).

In the real world though - I see people disregard dress codes all the time, and I think it just is another sign of the "Rules don't apply to me" attitude that so many seem to have.

^^THIS It's rude, disrespectful, and frankly just plain lazy. It literally takes about 60 seconds to change your clothes before leaving the house for a nice dinner. It takes zero effort to peel off the yoga pants and throw on a nice sundress/slacks/cargo shorts and a nice shirt. There is no reason why you cannot do this; it's that you don't want to.

Now, I do not think that applies to Disney signatures that are in the Parks like Le Cellier; I certainly don't expect people to go from the park, to their resort, back to the park to change. That's why I don't really consider those restaurants as "fine dining" even if Disney does.

 

[itchin2go]

OP I think you need to go back and re-read what the dress codes are. The only place you have to wear actual dress clothes is V&As.

Bless you for saying this. There's pretty much no dress code for most restaurants, and a minimal one for signatures. V&A is the outlier.

Part of what I like about Disney is I *don't* have to fret about what I'm wearing. I'm comfortable, and I can dine pretty much anywhere. Of course, everyone can have an opinion, but please don't worry about what I'm wearing. I know the dress codes, such as they are, and I am complying.

 

[SouthJersey]

I'm not sure what all the non-Disney restaurant dress code talk has to do with Disney's dress code. It is comparing apples to grapes.

There were other posts touching on "well back home", which is why I started talking about in general.

 

[Uncleromulus]

GASleepingbeautyFan: Well--the shorts were fine on that guy--the tank-top is on the "not permitted" list and they guy should have been denied entrance.

TeachTink--as Lisaloo says, it's "offensive" graphics that are not permitted. Tho I must say these days I'm not sure what is considered offensive

And since LeCellier is inside a theme park, my guess is that most patrons will be in park attire.

 

[Uncleromulus]

And I might add that some folks may get the idea from all this that as soon as you show up at a Signature, the staff and patrons alike will be looking you over and sizing you up.

Such is not the case--unless you are in something totally outrageous, no one will even give you a second glance.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Bless you for saying this. There's pretty much no dress code for most restaurants, and a minimal one for signatures. V&A is the outlier.

Part of what I like about Disney is I *don't* have to fret about what I'm wearing. I'm comfortable, and I can dine pretty much anywhere. Of course, everyone can have an opinion, but please don't worry about what I'm wearing. I know the dress codes, such as they are, and I am complying.

And you can "comply" by simply avoiding what is on that very short "not permitted" list---

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just in case anyone is interested--I wear slacks, a polo, and loafers to Signature spots. Mrs U wears slacks, a sweater or blouse and flats.

We can do this because we've been to WDW 60+ times and our park time is limited. And we have a car.

So it's quite easy for us to get from a park, to OKW to change and then to a restaurant. And then back to OKW.

But for anyone using WDW transportation and who may value their time in the parks, going back to a hotel, changing, and then getting to a restaurant is not an easy task. IN fact, it may take hours.

 

[jsmla]

Have to say I really couldn't give a flying fig re the sartorial choices of my fellow diners. Can't remember a single time I even noticed. The girls wobbling round the parks in stilettos and club attire do grab my attention every now and then.

 

[CinderElsa]

Now that we have numerous posts to establish that nobody here could possibly be considered "one of them," I'm disappointed that we have no "I'm the slob in the Dorito-stained wifebeater & jorts - you got me!" post. Where are all of these nasty people whose feet & armpits have been so thoroughly inspected by their fellow diners?

We take a change of clothes with us in a small backpack when heading out in the morning. Usually summery dresses for my daughter and I and button down shirts and slacks for the fellas. If it is one of the nicer (TS or Sig.) restaurants my husband will bring along another pair of shoes to change into. We freshen up before dinner, then after dinner we head right back to the parks. Works great for us as we get a nice division of the day and it can be grand to change out of wet clothes after going on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids. Part of that is because once I'm soaked I don't ever dry off in the chair the clothing change is a welcome reprieve from wheeling around in drenched clothes.

I can understand that not working for everyone but being a lil' dressed up for dinner is something we all enjoy, and do at home in restaurants as much as at Disney World.

I think we might have different definitions of "small" if yours can hold clothes for at least four people (plus a pair of men's shoes) without everything looking like a wrinkled mess by the end of the day. Plus, we like to travel lightly in the parks, so for us, this would just result in an argument over who has to carry the backpack. I refuse to go on Kali for this reason, though. Splash normally isn't so bad.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Have to say I really couldn't give a flying fig re the sartorial choices of my fellow diners. Can't remember a single time I even noticed. The girls wobbling round the parks in stilettos and club attire do grab my attention every now and then.

Same here. Way too many people concern themselves with what others are doing, wearing, eating, etc. I'm a live and let live kind of person. As long as someone's not being loud, obnoxious, rude, or obscene, I'm not bothered by them. I learned while waiting tables in college that appearance has nothing to do with people's status or manners. Some of the rudest people I had contact with back then were the more well dressed ones.

It's a theme park resort folks. It's all about the expectation you set, and if you're expecting anything beyond theme park patrons, you're probably in the wrong state of mind.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I don't generally care what other diners are doing, but we do a lot of signature restaurants, and my feeling is, I dress nice to go to a nice restaurant at home, why shouldn't I dress up for a nice Disney restaurant? It's half the fun of going out to signatures, we have a 6 year old in our group, and it's so stinking cute when he's all GQ for dinner.

 

[Glittercat]

It's easy for me since I wear mostly skirts and dresses all through summer anyway. As a matter of fact I don't own shorts at all so even in the parks I'm wearing dresses and skirts just a little more casual and park appropriate.

Same. I'm a dress and skirt type but this next time I'm going to try the adorable athletic skirts as they seem to be more quick drying.

I think we might have different definitions of "small" if yours can hold clothes for at least four people (plus a pair of men's shoes) without everything looking like a wrinkled mess by the end of the day. Plus, we like to travel lightly in the parks, so for us, this would just result in an argument over who has to carry the backpack. I refuse to go on Kali for this reason, though. Splash normally isn't so bad.

I use a kid size backpack, as it fits best even with his shoes we've room for water bottle and sunscreen. It does sound like a lot really it is just a couple of sleeveless dresses, a dressier shirt and pants for the boy, and whatever my husband has chosen to wear. it all rolls up compactly. I wash anything we need again in the sink when we're back in the room. We work a lot of comic and art shows so I have to always have a back up change of clothes, being in a wheelchair behind a table or in a park gets really roasting, and sometimes we don't have time to go back to our hotel to change for dinner. I just do the same at Disney.

Kali is such a fun ride! If you like rapids you might enjoy it. People who are walking seem to dry off fairly quickly, us seated folk do not. lol.

The backpack stays on my chair, and when we're on attractions my husband carries and stows it. Like I said, I can totally see our way not working for everyone. I'm not in the parks or the restaurants judging, I LIKE people and want everyone to have a spectacular vacation! I'm usually beaming and being grateful that we're there!

 

[Nancyg56]

Just in case anyone is interested--I wear slacks, a polo, and loafers to Signature spots. Mrs U wears slacks, a sweater or blouse and flats.

We can do this because we've been to WDW 60+ times and our park time is limited. And we have a car.

So it's quite easy for us to get from a park, to OKW to change and then to a restaurant. And then back to OKW.

But for anyone using WDW transportation and who may value their time in the parks, going back to a hotel, changing, and then getting to a restaurant is not an easy task. IN fact, it may take hours.

We do the same. I wear nice capris and sandals or a sundress. My dh wears good jeans and and a nice shirt. No tie. The rest of the family dors the same, although my sons might wear khakis. We go to the resort late afternoon before going out in the evening. I know we like a break, but that is not an option for everyone. I will say I never let what others wear bother me

 

[Pumbaa_]

Lots of judging going on in this thread.

Dress up don't dont care

Just be nice to each other and allow others to have differing opinions, not right not better, just different

 

[Jaya]

It's the term "guest" that I have problems with. To me, "guest" indicates that my "host" is "treating" me to a meal. If I pay $100 to get into a Disney park and then pay through the nose for my food, then I'm a "customer", not a "guest".

Whereas I would never show up at a Disney park wearing something that looks like I've been clothes shopping in the dumpster behind Goodwill, I also reserve the right to wear what *I* think is appropriate for the occasion. I'm an adult.....I'm capable of making that determination.

So, let's make a deal......don't sneer at my t-shirt and shorts and I promise I won't snicker at you sweating in your coat and tie. Deal?