Dress Code Update; For the worriers

[Peter Pirate]

We ate at Artist Point last weekend and when making my reservation the CM said, direct quote "this is a Signature Restaurant with a business casual dress code...Business casual means no beach type attire."

Interesting, huh?

Oh, btw, our meal and service wasn't up to usual standards...Sadly the bill was. Another casualty of the dining plan???

 

[madalex]

We ate at Artist Point last weekend and when making my reservation the CM said, direct quote "this is a Signature Restaurant with a business casual dress code...Business casual means no beach type attire."

Interesting, huh?

Why "interesting"? This is not new. Not sure what exactly is meant by "beach type attire," but Business Casual dress code at many of the restaurants has always meant no swimsuits, no tank tops on men, etc.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Well, not interesting to you I guess because it sounds like you agree (with me, btw) that this is pretty much the way it is...There are, however, many folks here on the DIS who want us to believe Disney is cracking down on casual dress...I'm just pointing out that they aren't.

 

[smjj]

We ate there our last trip in Dec. and went to it directly from the park in our park attire(shorts and polo shirt with tennis shoes) for me. I can't remember what my wife wore but similar attire. We and about 5 other couples were the only ones in the place and no one said anything to us about our dress. Maybe with so few, they did not want to turn away anyone. The food was OK but not worth the price. We will not be going back...smjj

 

[k5thbeatle]

Dining plan is biggest mistake (well ok...amongst the biggest) Disney has ever made!

 

[byoung]

Going tomorrow not taking nothing but shorts. If they donn't let me in I'll go elsewhere.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Hi PP! Remember me? We don't always agree (the dress code issue seems to be your "thang") but I always enjoy your posts and we have shared some chuckles. I am not quite understanding this particular post, though. If the person on the phone said that business casual is required...what is your point? That you wore beach type attire to the restaurant (I think that is all you own, living in the Keys like you do, right? ) Was your thong sticking out of the back of your shorts?

 

[WillyDogs]

CM on the phone told me that shorts, a polo shirt, and tennis shoes were considered "Business casual" for the signature restaurants and I'd have no problem. When I ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse last september, I had no problem with this. Is it still the case?

 

[webray]

CM on the phone told me that shorts, a polo shirt, and tennis shoes were considered "Business casual" for the signature restaurants and I'd have no problem. When I ate at the Yachtsman Steakhouse last september, I had no problem with this. Is it still the case?

It is definately still the case. We have gone in park attire, and yes recently. As long as you aren't in a swimsuit you are good to go. This "suggested" dress code is such a joke. WDW needs to wise up like DL did many years ago and just stop trying. That line the cm has to say when you make a dining reservation is just wasted breath.

 

[bicker]

Disney relies on its guests to voluntarily comply with the dress code. They aren't imposing heavy-handed measures to force violators to comply.

 

[debbiedoo]

The dress code in restaurants is about a joke. As long as you are decently dressed (NO beach clothes, cut-off etc) you should be fine. The only restaurnant that I have been in that was up to par was Victoria's and Alberts.

 

[majortom]

Dining plan is biggest mistake (well ok...amongst the biggest) Disney has ever made!

Certainly up near the top of stupid decisions they have made. It is a program that limits access to a fortunate few, forces people into inflexible schedules (on vacation!) and lowers quality and service standards. Oh well.

/carmi

 

[majortom]

The dress code in restaurants is about a joke. As long as you are decently dressed (NO beach clothes, cut-off etc) you should be fine. The only restaurnant that I have been in that was up to par was Victoria's and Alberts.

When you say "up to par", do you mean based on food and quality standards or based on enforcement of a dress code?

/carmi

 

[Peter Pirate]

wildernesslodgelover, certainly I remember you...Although I thought you ALWAYS agreed with me. With this post I only meant that many folks like to spread the word that this code actually has some merit or carries some weight. But really, aside from beach attire you're getting in. Period. And my thong WAS sticking out of my shorts and I received many compliments, thank you!

majortom, well put. I toally agree. Many people don't seem to understand that this new 'free food' type promo causes specific changes in the way the restaurants operate and the Chef's are allowed to cook. A sad turn indeed.

 

[majortom]

With this post I only meant that many folks like to spread the word that this code actually has some merit or carries some weight. But really, aside from beach attire you're getting in. Period.

Disney's biggest problems with these dress codes (aside from their existence at all ), are their lack of uniformity in description and enforcement. Call five different times and have them described in five different ways. Short of complaining about hats worn for religious reasons, I have not seen any effort to enforce these codes at all.

These codes are a crutch used to replace quality service and food. When one is seated quickly, has great, attentive service, and excellent food, one does not pay attention to anyone else in a restaurant. When these are not as good, one begins to look at others and look for reasons for these problems (e.g. "I am getting poor service because there are too many people standing in the bar.").

And my thong WAS sticking out of my shorts and I received many compliments, thank you!

My recollection of rules from fashion 101 is that as long as it is out under 2 inches, it is considered stylish, over two inches is considered in poor taste (unless it is fuschia, in which case it is acceptable).

/carmi

 

[mrsltg]

Oh no! I'm getting more and more worried about my upcoming trips! We are going in August and we will be using the free dining (I'd be a fool to say "no thanks - this is a moral point"). Our girls will be with us so we're doing mostly meals to entertain them so food quality and presentation are not at the top of my list. HOWEVER, dh and I are going alone in December. We plan to go to Artist Point, Jiko, Fulton's, Citrico's, and - Liberty Tree Tavern (dh's choice - his birthday ). Is the food that I once loved going to be sub-par?

 

[majortom]

Oh no! I'm getting more and more worried about my upcoming trips! We are going in August and we will be using the free dining (I'd be a fool to say "no thanks - this is a moral point").

Did you compare rates with and without this "free" plan? There are many discounted rates (for example for AAA members and annual pass holders) that are cheaper and do not qualify for this "free" plan.

HOWEVER, dh and I are going alone in December. We plan to go to Artist Point, Jiko, Fulton's, Citrico's, and - Liberty Tree Tavern (dh's choice - his birthday ). Is the food that I once loved going to be sub-par?

Probably.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I agree that there is a good chance it (the food/service) will not live up to your recollection...Flying Fish has been my 'go to' through all of this...Knock on wood but we haven't had anything short of excellance there in over two years.

AP, as I stated, this weekends meal, while very good, wasn't as good and the service was not good at all (friendly, but not proper. I ordered a margarita pre dinner and then ordered the wine flight with my buffalo steak. Well, I just received my margarita when the soup and salad arrived at the same time, then two glasses of wine arrived, one for the salad, one for the soup...So now I've got a margarita, a soup with its wine, a salad with its wine all sitting in front of me, geesh )...Also, they've changed the presentation of the cedar plank salmon and my oldest daughter wasn't happy. The salmon was still good but not the "wow!" it was last time).

Jiko as well was a bit "less" on our last visit. The food seemed more bland and less exciting. They didn't seem to want to discuss wines this time and although friendly they did see to want us to eat and leave.

 

[Scotch]

Peter Pirate: I'm bummed to read about your experience at Artist Point. I've been wanting to try this place for years based on the glowing reviews on DIS but on each of our 4 previous trips we never had time to go there. I recently switched our June trip from the Poly to Villas of Wilderness Lodge and thought naturally we'd have to try Artist Point now. Planning to get the dining plan and hesitating over the 2 credit. It doesn't sound like it was worth 2 credits to you (if you used the plan) or the amount paid. Not sure what to do. I've tried to do a search of recent experiences at Artist Point on this board but the search feature has not worked for me for two days - keep getting an error message.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Scotch, I'd say it is still worth trying (I haven't written it off my list and won't unless the next meal is worse), remember I'm just one diner who finally had a less than perfect experience after probably 10 great ones...But go in remembering what happened to me and try not to let the meal get out of your control.