Dress Code Question - What Would You Do?

[Summer2018]

In 2008, we celebrated New Year's Eve at Yachtsman Steakhouse. During the day we purchased matching Disney New Year's Eve themed t-shirts and hats which were very festive. We debated wearing the more dressy outfits we packed for the evening or the much more casual holiday t-shirts. When we arrived, we got some stares from other diners dressed rather formally. Our waiter got a kick out of our attire. We started our meals feeling sel-conscious, but were put at ease by the restaurant staff. Since then we dress according to the restaurant in sundresses. My husband wears polos or Hawaiian shirts. We are more casually dressed for buffets than signatures. I would be mostly concerned with not getting a shower after a long day in a hot park. But that is me, and it isn't for me to judge others. Live and let live.

 

[Farro]

Point taken. You're totally right. I think my feathers just got a little ruffled. And I was also curious about how many people actually adhere to the dress code, i.e., would I stand out like a sore thumb or just be one of many people who choose to wear casual clothes to signature restaurants? When I first posted the question, I wasn't sure what to do. People's responses have definitely shaped my opinion (to pack a dress and wipes in my bag).

To answer that question - we adhere to the dress code.

Casual doesn't mean gym clothes, it can mean a sundress for me - which I would have no problem wearing to Jiko.

 

[Micca]

We dress for comfort. I don't want to go anywhere to eat or do anything after I've been in hot sweaty clothes all day, I wouldn't be comfortable. Doesn't mean I'm all gusssied-up, but it means I've changed into fresh/clean clothes (probably after I've showered.) Still, it might be t-shirt and shorts that aren't something I might sleep in. I don't pay much attention to what anyone else is wearing in restaurant, but I might wonder of they are comfortable in what they are wearing. If I've been in a park all day in January and haven't been particularly warm or had a Mickey Bar soil my shirt, I might go to dinner in those clothes.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

For the Signature Dining Restaurants, a "Business Casual" dress code is in effect.

Isn't this WHOLE DISCUSSION about circumventing Disney rules?

 

[Pumbaa_]

No

 

[maryj11]

I would just wear some dressy type shorts or capris and carry a nice shirt to change into.

 

[maryj11]

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.

What type of wipes do you recommend? Last year i took some (cant remember what they were) but they were way to thin. I need something thick?

 

[AngiTN]

Isn't this WHOLE DISCUSSION about circumventing Disney rules?

Of course not. Besides, what you quoted is not a Disney rule.
Disney doesn't have a dress code requirement
They have a few items that are not allowed to be worn and no one has suggested anyone wear any of those items.

 

[piccolopat]

What type of wipes do you recommend? Last year i took some (cant remember what they were) but they were way to thin. I need something thick?

Have you tried Cottenelle's fresh care wipes?

 

[piccolopat]

What type of wipes do you recommend? Last year i took some (cant remember what they were) but they were way to thin. I need something thick?

Have you tried Cottenelle's fresh care wipes?

 

[maxiesmom]

I think dressing up is part of the fun of going to the signatures. And dressing up for me is a nice skirt and top, with sandals that are comfortable enough I can wear them in the parks. I have seen people very dressed up, and I think they look very dashing!

 

[GoGoBeans]

It's certainly inconvenient for someone in my situation. Since I'll be walking around a theme park all day in August in FL, I want to dress as comfortably as possible. To me, that means a t-shirt and athletic shorts (they're not super short, by the way). To fulfill the restaurant's guidelines, since I'm staying off-site, I'd need to choose one of a few inconvenient options: (1) carry around fancy clothes all day, (2) pay an extra $8 for a locker on top of the pricey meal, (3) pay for a round-trip uber to shower and change, or (4) dress in less comfortable clothes at the park. A lot of people have mentioned that you can wear slightly nicer clothes to the park to fulfill the requirement, but most of the options they suggest are not as comfy as athletic shorts in my opinion. For some, I'm sure that would be a great option! But I don't want to feel less comfortable all day in order to fulfill a restaurant's (very lenient) dress code for dinner. Especially if I'm going to show up and see a lot of other casually dressed diners, as disneyvoice mentioned she saw at Jiko.

I'm still thinking I'll pack a dress in my bag, but I wanted to address this comment since I've seen a few like it. It CAN be hard to abide by the dress code when you're staying off-site, trying to save money, and wanting to make the most of your time. Especially when nothing's really at stake. They're just clothes!

inconvenient for your situation? I don't get that. You selected the restaurant knowing the guidelines and made the choice to stay offsite. I think that is all part of accountability for personal decisions rather than inconvenience of the guidelines to you.

FWIW I wear dresses to the parks because I find them more comfortable than shorts. That's my choice. I would also wear dresses to dinner.

 

[Anthony1971]

I think people are very confused with signature dining and dressing up... in cities where most people are dressed up it is corporate money paying the bill and even with that a lot of people are wearing jeans--I am sure the late Steve Jobs ate at many "signature" restaurants in his jeans black none collard **** and sneakers...please let me know if any place turned him away? I am by no means saying dress like a homeless person but a solid color tee shirt and decent shorts are fine... Jeans are acceptable anywhere as they are very fashionable.. wearing a tee shirt with those jeans and they require a jacket no problem they will lend you one... dressing up is an opinion these days some say suit some say jeans...even cruise lines have revised dress up night to jeans and collared shirt preferred...but solid tees are fine (see Celebrity, Princess etc much less Disney or RCCL) My rule of thumb.. If I am paying I will wear what I want if you are paying and you feel I should wear a collard shirt I will...I am there to eat a nice meal and enjoy the company I am with not anything else....

 

[maxiesmom]

I think people are very confused with signature dining and dressing up... in cities where most people are dressed up it is corporate money paying the bill and even with that a lot of people are wearing jeans--I am sure the late Steve Jobs ate at many "signature" restaurants in his jeans black none collard **** and sneakers...please let me know if any place turned him away? I am by no means saying dress like a homeless person but a solid color tee shirt and decent shorts are fine... Jeans are acceptable anywhere as they are very fashionable.. wearing a tee shirt with those jeans and they require a jacket no problem they will lend you one... dressing up is an opinion these days some say suit some say jeans...even cruise lines have revised dress up night to jeans and collared shirt preferred...but solid tees are fine (see Celebrity, Princess etc much less Disney or RCCL) My rule of thumb.. If I am paying I will wear what I want if you are paying and you feel I should wear a collard shirt I will...I am there to eat a nice meal and enjoy the company I am with not anything else....

Disney has a dress code of their own. It is very lenient, imho. As long as you are not wearing something on the forbidden list, you will be fine.

 

[VAfamily1998]

What type of wipes do you recommend? Last year i took some (cant remember what they were) but they were way to thin. I need something thick?

Shower pills https://www.amazon.com/ShowerPill-A...F8&qid=1502211936&sr=8-1&keywords=shower+pill
They come individually wrapped.
I highly recommend them! I am a triathlete, and the place where I do my long bike rides (70-100 miles) is about an hour drive from my house. I use these to clean up in the restroom after my ride and throw on some clean clothes--and I feel "fresh" enough to stop at a store or coffee shop on the way home.