Dress Code at California Grill

[minnie33]

I am sure this has been discussed, somewhere, but I can't seem to locate the thread.

The CG dress code is no tank tops. I have a fancy skirt which I was going to wear with a haltertop (conservative to say the least). I also have dressy gem flip flops. With this outfit be acceptable or should I reconsider...

 

[bicker]

The flip flops might occasion a glance, but if they're dressy they should be fine. Are you going alone? If not, what will your companion(s) be dressed in. I find that the "problems" tend more to be the menfolk than the womenfolk.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The "official" code is here:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage

Noted they don't specifically mention flip/flops or halter tops. So my GUESS is that both will be OK.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

DBF and I followed the 'Buisness Casual' code last year...we got all dressed up only to arrive and see everyone else had on comfortable, casual clothing...and barely anyone was dressed up. We saw jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, sandals, crocs...pretty much anything. You outfit sounds perfect!

 

[bicker]

Interesting: Torn clothing of any kind is not permitted. That's a relatively new addition. Good to see that.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Agree. The sad thing is that they would even HAVE to mention it---

 

[Laurajean1014]

I've seen a lot of variations in clothes ettiquette at CG. Most were shorts, capri's and dresses for ladies. (Not too many shorts, though). Make sure your man has a collared shirt (polo is quite acceptable) and a clean pair of pressed shorts or slacks.

You will be fine. Enjoy your meal and save room for their delicious flat breads.

 

[fridayfun]

I know that there has always been a dress code at CG and we always dress up (our one FANCY meal while at the parks!) but have aways seen varying stages of business casual and some not anywhere near business casual while dining (didn't spoil our meal tho!). But when I called for our ADR this time, I got a DETAILED description of the dress code and commented on it. I was told that a significant amount of people were not complying and now if you don't, they will not take you upstairs! Has anyone been recently, I am wondering if they really CAN enforce this or are just trying to reiterate to try to get more people to dress to "code"?

 

[bicker]

As time goes on they're getting more and more stringent in their enforcement.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Your outfit sounds fine to me. I think bare shoulders on women can be dressy (dress, skirt and halter top, etc.) while it is impossible for men.For example, many bride's dresses or formal dresses do not have sleeves. Personally, I wouldn't wear a tube top of anything strapless or showing lots of cleavage, but some halter style tops are conservative, so the way I'm imagining it, it sounds perfect.

I've worn a halter top like this:

http://www.shopnbc.com/product/?familyid=A15331&storeid=1&track=153&taxid=153&propid=282

with a cool, flowy black skirt.

As far as flip flops, I think many sandals are referred to as flip flops, but I think the Disney definition refers to the pool/beach style variety.

I have "flip flops"/sandals similar to these, except they're silver:

http://www.smartbargains.com/go.sb?...4&isrw=2&catid=1547&prodid=1358314319&aid=259

and I've worn them to fancier WDW restaurants.

I think there's a huge difference between those and the plain cotton or low cut halter tops or the $5 foam flip flops, you know?

 

[minnie33]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I went to the CG page...thanks uncleromulus.

I think I will be okay with what I am wearing, a touch more than business casual.

Thanks again...

 

[jiminyfan]

I saw a grown woman be accepted in nothing more than a plain tank and skort, while a 10 year old boy was told he could not go up in a plain (no logo) t-shirt as it had no collar!! Sorry, that is not right. Plus it is sexual descrimination.

They actually sent up to the restaurant and sent down a borrowers short for him probably a man's large or XK. it looked like a dress on him, butn then again dresses are acceptable attire.

I guess I have a problem with dress codes in general. I never had my food taste better because I was wering a suit or worse becauseI was in shorts and a t-shirt.

And funny thing is my money is not worth any more or less depending on my dress either.

Ok, now all you proper people can bash me for my opinions. But, yes I do wear polos or classy hawaiian shirts when I go to the more formal WDW restaurants, but usually with dress shorts and dress sandals.

 

[DonaldsNo1Fan]

When I was there about a year ago, a couple was not dining but they were going to allow them to go upstairs so they could see what it looked like before making the ADR. They saw they were wearing jean shorts (might have been a little cut off) and would not allow them to go up.

 

[HaleyB]

Lulu!!!!

I followed your links. You are going to get me into big trouble. That halter was cute!


I was wondering the same thing. We got dressed for Flying Fish last year and I was glad we did. I would have been uncomfortable if my DH had worn a tee shirt. There was some sort of media thing going on with fancy people at it...

 

[EnnEss]

I was recently reading the dress code as I'm going to Narcoosee's and they also ask that you adhere to 'business casual'. I can not stand the term business casual as it absolutely does very little to describe anything and for men what it does point towards is mainly just drab. I'm kinda miffed that they have a dress code at most of the restaurants to be honest that at least the way its worded appears stringent. Saying guys look better in slacks than a nice pair of jeans with whichever style of shoes is just insulting.

Particularly when, as someone mentioned above, ladies are often exempt. I can dress myself respectably without some ridiculous guidelines, which if followed would allow me to wear some attrocious 5 dollar khakis from zellers and a polo shirt with some ridiculous corporate logo on it I got for free from a golf tourney. There's nothing wrong with wearing that clothing if you like it as I'm all for utility but I don't want to be forced into it. I'm pretty sure when the time comes I'll risk it and wear something comfortable and nice such as some nice kicks, jeans and a shirt.

I understand dress codes for very very nice restaurants, such as V and A, I still don't agree with them, but I understand. I also understand not letting people wear certain types of clothing that could be offensive, but other than that I don't get it. I'd be disapointed to find out that I have to return to my hotel, change, go to the restaurant then go back to hotel and change again in order to comply with a dress code.

I guess I've been brooding over this question for awhile, sorry for venting in your thread .

 

[Uncleromulus]

Not a vent--actually a lot of folks (including me) feel that way.
But there is a dress code now, so what I'd like to see is uniform-- and "even"-- enforcement.
Which is why when I read a signature restaurant review, I always look to see if folks mention what they (and others) were wearing.

 

[bicker]

I guess I have a problem with dress codes in general. I never had my food taste better because I was wering a suit or worse becauseI was in shorts and a t-shirt.

However, other people do note a rather specific and significant difference in terms of how much they enjoy their dining experience based on the atmosphere of the restaurant, including the attire of the patrons.

And funny thing is my money is not worth any more or less depending on my dress either.

Sure it is. If a restaurant is offering that enhanced dining experience I mentioned above, each patron's failure to comply with it degrades the value of the service provided to those other people I mentioned above, and so that patron's patronage, if accepted, effectively reduces the restaurant's ability to charge those other people a premium for the atmosphere. Disney has balanced the number of restaurants which promise that type of atmosphere corresponding to the extent to which that customer desire exists, and provides you many many other restaurants to choose from, where you aren't subject to a dress code like that.

 

[bicker]

I'm kinda miffed that they have a dress code at most of the restaurants to be honest that at least the way its worded appears stringent.

Uh, "most"???? The dress code actually applies at a very small percentage of the restaurants.

 

[Uncleromulus]

8 I think.

 

[EnnEss]

I guess I just selected a lot that have a dress code, i think 3 of the 4 I'm going to. My entire point about the dress code was that it is not like they want you to dress well, the way they have it described I could wear the most banal clothing and adhere to the code, but many stylish outfits would not be in line with rules. The reason they do this is obvious, some people are totally unable to understand what is acceptable and what is not but instead of having an objective standard applied depending on what is worn they lay down rules that allow for outfits that are ..... just not good.

I snicker to myself when I see men walking around with their khakis on, their polo shirts with their company name on it and their cell phones hanging off their pants, on display for who knows why instead of in their pocket and this passes. This is acceptable under Disney's business casual. People wear that because its comfortable, its much like someone wearing a pair of sweats and sports jersey. It is not a nice outfit. It's tacky, yet I don't find it offensive in any way so I dont care if people dine wearing that. If someone is so superficial that their dining experience is lessened by someone elses attire, assuming the attire is not offensive (tank tops, wife beaters, flip flops with bear feet showing and so on) then I wonder how much enjoyment they get out of most experiences anyways, there are a lot more important things to worry about then what others are wearing. I take pride in looking good when I go out, and If I'm somewhere and see someone else under dressed, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Most of the restaurants that are asking for business casual are not five star, V&A is the exception and at that level of dining it is appropriate as people are going for the experience and to feel special. Patrons may go and be totally dressed up and feel in place. The rest though, most of them if they existed outside of WDW would rate as a notch above a family restaurant and would simply be unable to demand a dress code.