Dress Code Question - What Would You Do?

[Verity213]

My boyfriend and I have dinner reservations at Jiko and California Grill for our upcoming Disney trip. I know they're both signature restaurants that have a dress code. However, I also know that some people choose not to follow the dress code and aren't turned away.

If I was staying on-site, I would definitely change and freshen up before dinner. However, we're staying at a family member's house, who lives about 15 minutes from Magic Kingdom, and we'll be Ubering back and forth each day. Should I pack a dress in my park bag to change into before dinner? Or should I just wear my park clothes (solid color t-shirt, running shorts)? I don't want people to turn their noses up at me, but it also seems ridiculous to spend the time/money going home to change.

 

[Wish Upon A Starbucks]

I would change before dining. Can you leave the extra clothes in a locker while you're at the park?

 

[CinderellaDream]

I voted to spend the time/money to change. Personally, I would want to freshen up and change before a nice meal after being in the parks all day. Even more so if the weather was warm during my visit.

 

[squeezle]

Option #4: Fancy park clothes

Something like longer shorts and a moisture wicking polo for your guy & longer shorts or a skort and a cute moisture wicking tee or tank for you. Combined with a freshen-up in the washroom of the hotel before dinner and you should be fine.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I would change before dining. Can you leave the extra clothes in a locker while you're at the park?

This.

 

[SirDuff]

Can you "upgrade" your park attire? Your suggest attire is a little too causal (or would be for me). I've done park attire, but not when that was running shorts.

 

[wilkeliza]

If I'm going to a non-park signature that has a dress code then I plan to change and be dressed accordingly. So I rent a locker and keep my "nicer" clothes in there and then change either at the park or at the hotel before checking in for the reservation.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I'd use a locker to keep a bag with a change of clothes and some things to freshen up before dinner.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Can you "upgrade" your park attire? Your suggest attire is a little too causal (or would be for me). I've done park attire, but not when that was running shorts.

Agree with this. The dress codes are already so lenient you can meet it by choosing simply a different park outfit that isn't gym attire.
But, I will say if your upcoming trip is in August or September, you'll probably want to shower and change for dinner. You might even need to.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Don't you want to shower and look and feel nice?
Why spend all the money on signature dining if you are just going to treat it like dining at Cosmic Rays?

 

[nat8199]

I have just worn a cotton sundress (which I find cooler than short and tshirt) on days that we are eating at a signature. DH usually wears khaki shorts and a sporty collared shirt anyways. I would just dress a bit nicer and go straight to the restaurant.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would either pack extra clothes and store them in a park locker or I would "up" my park clothes for the day. We do the same as other PP's, if we are doing a signature and a park on the same day, DH and DS wear khaki shorts, a polo shirt and their regular park shoes (closed Keen sandals for DH and sneakers for DS) and I wear a cotton sundress and comfy sandals. We aren't incredibly fancy, but I don't feel underdressed either. Personally (not to get too graphic, but . . . ), I would probably pack a light sundress, flip flops, extra undies and some deodorant in a bag, store it in a locker and, when I got to the resort (CR and AKL), find a bathroom (won't be as crowded as the park bathrooms), do some freshening up and get changed. It isn't a shower, but it's better than driving back and forth IMHO!

 

[piccolopat]

I would either pack extra clothes and store them in a park locker or I would "up" my park clothes for the day. We do the same as other PP's, if we are doing a signature and a park on the same day, DH and DS wear khaki shorts, a polo shirt and their regular park shoes (closed Keen sandals for DH and sneakers for DS) and I wear a cotton sundress and comfy sandals. We aren't incredibly fancy, but I don't feel underdressed either. Personally (not to get too graphic, but . . . ), I would probably pack a light sundress, flip flops, extra undies and some deodorant in a bag, store it in a locker and, when I got to the resort (CR and AKL), find a bathroom (won't be as crowded as the park bathrooms), do some freshening up and get changed. It isn't a shower, but it's better than driving back and forth IMHO!

I agree. I would add that there are various kinds of "wipes" that can be used to easily freshen up in a restroom. I don't see a need to travel back and forth to take a real shower. Of course things might be different on a 98 degree, high humidity day.

 

[loves to dive]

You see people in every type of clothes in all the signatures. I always wear my park clothes but I tend to wear sundresses when it's hot so it's just a matter of going to the bathroom and using a wet paper towel to sort of freshen up, take off my cap and comb out my hair and I'm done. My son tends to wear cargo shorts and a polo shirt to the parks so he does the same thing - minus the hair thing because he keeps his hair high and tight. The only time we have gone back to the room and change is if we are back at the room anyway because we went to the pool. I wouldn't Uber back and I wouldn't carry fancy clothes, just up your park clothes for that day, regular shorts instead of running shorts and maybe a regular shirt instead of graphic tee if that is what you wear, a regular Tshirt would be fine.

 

[laurabelle]

My boyfriend and I have dinner reservations at Jiko and California Grill for our upcoming Disney trip. I know they're both signature restaurants that have a dress code. However, I also know that some people choose not to follow the dress code and aren't turned away.

If I was staying on-site, I would definitely change and freshen up before dinner. However, we're staying at a family member's house, who lives about 15 minutes from Magic Kingdom, and we'll be Ubering back and forth each day. Should I pack a dress in my park bag to change into before dinner? Or should I just wear my park clothes (solid color t-shirt, running shorts)? I don't want people to turn their noses up at me, but it also seems ridiculous to spend the time/money going home to change.

In your case I would pack a change of clothes and bring it with you. It doesn't have to be extra fancy. I wear sundresses at Disney most of the time and that would be perfectly acceptable at a signature restaurant. I like to change into nicer sandals. I also use deodorant wipes and body wipes to freshen up.

 

[smcabee]

As long as what your wearing to the parks is not on the prohibited list for the restaurants, no need to bring extra clothes or head back to the hotel to change unless you want to.

 

[Vowelmommy]

A sundress, sandals and some wipes to freshen up will take up very little room in your bag. Running shorts and a tee shirt are not appropriate for a signature IMO.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would bring a back sack with your evening clothes in it, and some baby wipes/brush/deodorant/makeup. You won't enjoy the dinner much if you feel self conscious about what you are wearing.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Please adhere to the dress code - it's there for a reason!

 

[MrsDuck]

We were so disappointed that the dress code was so lax when we went to Artist Point. I wouldn't overthink it too much and I certainly wouldn't Uber home to change. If you can comfortably fit your nicer clothes in your park bag, take them along with you or store them in a locker as others have suggested. If that's not going to be an option, just wear your park clothes - I guarantee you won't be the only one dressed that way.