Don't fight the Dining Dress codes!

[Jaya]

I believe when you say those who dress "below average" leave lower tips. I'm just saying that may be because they haven't received the same level of service as others. If a server goes into serving a table with the attitude "I'll do my job, but I'm not going above and beyond" but then goes above and beyond for other tables of course they are left a lower tip. What else would they expect? In my case, that l lower tip is because I received substandard service in comparison with other tables. Not because of what I was wearing.

I didn't say that's why people leave poor tips.
If you go into Del Frisco's or Capital Grille dressed below the average diner, the service will be lesser than those dressed to the restaurants preferred standard.
I've managed several Starr restaurant groups in the Philadelphia area, one Jose Garces location and Union Trust steakhouse. Whether you'd like to believe it or not, if you're dressing in blatant disregard of the suggested dress code and average guest, you're being viewed negatively by the waitstaff and as shallow as it seems, you're viewed as being out of place unless they know you from prior. I've seen it first hand for years in a half dozen upscale restaurants. I can tell you from my experience in restaurants, the guest using multiple credit cards to pay and way under 20%, were the ones clearly disregarding the dress code. So when someone comes in out of the norm of the establishment, that's what the server is expecting and gets the mentality of "I'll do my job, but I'm not going above and beyond."

OK, so you're saying that if they "know you from prior" it's OK to dress down and you won't be viewed as being out of place?

 

[njpyro]

I definitely understand both sides of this. I certainly wouldn't say "I'm in disney, dress codes don't apply to me", but we do like to travel light. My husband and I will go to disney for several short trips a year. We each bring a backpack, no checked bags, not even a regular carry-on bag. We tend to avoid the very fancy restaurants because of this, but we aren't going to eat as quick service exclusively because we like to travel light.

 

[Dean Marino]

Boy, a lot of commentary.... I should expand my previous post.....

Sandy and I dress for dinner at any SIG. We go back to our room, change from Park attire, THEN go to our SIGS.

It is totally immaterial to us if anyone ELSE does this. WE DO. And in doing so, WE are comfortable that those around us are happy to have us dining with them . And we're not going to quite doing this .

Anyone else may do as they choose.

 

[50sPrimeTime]

Woah....getting a little tense in here. Just saying....Getting dressed snazzy is fun!

 

[itchin2go]

Woah....getting a little tense in here. Just saying....Getting dressed snazzy is fun!

For some. Not for everyone.

Now if someone is sitting beside me in swimwear at Jiko, that's one thing. And warning to anyone who tries this: I WILL take pictures.

Otherwise, to each his own.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Wow this is off the rails. Lighten up, stop judging and let it go.......OR I WILL

 

[Lisaloo]

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

regarding a previous post;

I don't think it is necessarily fair to assume that just because someone is on the dining plan at Narcoosees they will order the most expensive thing and stiff the tip, regardless of clothing (and I'm in favor of the business casual being enforced). DH and I dine there a fair amount, and on DDP or not, we order the filet/lobster, and have never left a tip under 20%. I actually see more often servers seeming disappointed to wait on us just because we are young (22&25) even though we come well dressed. I assume they feel we will not know how/can't afford to tip properly. Then again, I feel the same about our local Ruth's Chris. Anyway, I feel everyone should get excellent service regardless of appearance (you just never know!), but I do think Disney could up the standards of dress a little bit. Just on signatures outside of the parks.

 

[hopeful4fl]

Let's not turn this into a "1%" debate.
To each their own. I think in today's world it is generally acceptable if people do not follow guidelines or rules (acceptable to many, not all). Too much of the "me" factor. Businesses will try to keep everyone happy, even if it means breaking their own rules (or guidelines). Disney is no exception.
I think we all can agree with our freedom to dress up (or not) and live and let live.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow this is off the rails. Lighten up, stop judging and let it go.......OR I WILL

Oh no!!!!!!!! Now I am singong "Let It Go!!!!!!!" to an empty house!

 

[Pumbaa_]

My evil plan has worked bwahahahahahaha

 

[Under the Library]

We are the family that doesn't change between park clothes and dinner clothes. But we don't feel comfortable at the fine dining/ signature dining places because we are worried about fitting in so we choose not to book those restaurants and just do the table services that are more casual I guess. But my parents are treating us to a date night on our upcoming Nov. trip and keeping the boys for an evening. DH & I are booked at Chefs de France, I've already started Googling for photos of patrons in the restaurant so I have an idea of how to be better dressed that day in the park. I'm nervous already, tempted to just change the reservation to somewhere we've already been!

 

[Lisaloo]

We are the family that doesn't change between park clothes and dinner clothes. But we don't feel comfortable at the fine dining/ signature dining places because we are worried about fitting in so we choose not to book those restaurants and just do the table services that are more casual I guess. But my parents are treating us to a date night on our upcoming Nov. trip and keeping the boys for an evening. DH & I are booked at Chefs de France, I've already started Googling for photos of patrons in the restaurant so I have an idea of how to be better dressed that day in the park. I'm nervous already, tempted to just change the reservation to somewhere we've already been!

Go and enjoy your dinner and your time with DH!

 

[Under the Library]

Go and enjoy your dinner and your time with DH!

Thank you so much! I appreciate that boost of confidence!

 

[MrsDuck]

On our most recent trip, we ate at Artist Point. DH was in slacks and a button down shirt with long sleeves; I wore a knee length dress. And NO ONE else was dressed up. It was disappointing.

 

[Nancyg56]

We are the family that doesn't change between park clothes and dinner clothes. But we don't feel comfortable at the fine dining/ signature dining places because we are worried about fitting in so we choose not to book those restaurants and just do the table services that are more casual I guess. But my parents are treating us to a date night on our upcoming Nov. trip and keeping the boys for an evening. DH & I are booked at Chefs de France, I've already started Googling for photos of patrons in the restaurant so I have an idea of how to be better dressed that day in the park. I'm nervous already, tempted to just change the reservation to somewhere we've already been!

Do not worry!!! Go and enjoy your date!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Walt Disney World is not the real world. Require guests to take an hour or two to go back to their resort and change out of whatever they wore to the park, and it's all over. Only V&A really does that (and when they give you the signature dress suggestions you may not wish to go to the park wearing the wifebeater tank or holey cutoff jeans because I have heard of some guests being turned away from signature restaurants for that).

DH & I are booked at Chefs de France, I've already started Googling for photos of patrons in the restaurant so I have an idea of how to be better dressed that day in the park.

Chefs de France is not a signature restaurant. There will be guests there wearing anything and everything.

 

[lynch34]

Go sweat in a park and then you expect me to dress up?

No thanks.

 

[ElizabethB]

I'm not sure the point of the OP's post.

At V&A men must wear a jacket. They will lend you one if you don't have one. No ties required. Also, no shorts at V&A.

Beyond that, other restaurants may have dress codes but they are definitely not enforced. Wear whatever you want other than swimsuits (unless you have a cover-up over it!) and shirts with lewd language. Other than that, from our experience, anything goes.

 

[Glittercat]

We are the family that doesn't change between park clothes and dinner clothes. But we don't feel comfortable at the fine dining/ signature dining places because we are worried about fitting in so we choose not to book those restaurants and just do the table services that are more casual I guess. But my parents are treating us to a date night on our upcoming Nov. trip and keeping the boys for an evening. DH & I are booked at Chefs de France, I've already started Googling for photos of patrons in the restaurant so I have an idea of how to be better dressed that day in the park. I'm nervous already, tempted to just change the reservation to somewhere we've already been!

You will be just fine, go and have fun! The last time we were there some people dressed up a little and other people were in regular park attire. Wear something that you feel good in! Enjoy your date!