Dress Code

[IndianaDVCMember]

Does anyone have a link as to the dress code requirements for California Grill?

 

[ducklite]

Slacks or DRESS shorts, collared shirt for men. For women slacks, dress shorts, skirt, blouse or dress.

No flip flops, bathing suits, t-shirts, tank tops.

We saw them turn a couple away who were wearing non-dressy shorts and tanks last month. Yeah!

Anne

 

[Grammyof2]

The CM told me yesterday - no bathing suits. She also said business casual. That is a really big spread, IMO. I asked if it was dress slacks and a collared shirt and she said shorts were acceptable - but a collared shirt. There was a hot thread on this last week, so maybe you should look at that.

 

[raidermatt]

From Allears.net:

No hats, swim suits, swim suit coveralls, tank tops, T-shirts, torn clothing or flip-flops. You can wear - dress shorts, pants, jean pants, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pants. Restaurants now requiring Business Casual include: Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge), California Grill (Contemporary), Citricos and Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian), Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Flying Fish (Boardwalk), and Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club).

http://allearsnet.com/din/restnews.htm

Without any commentary on what should or shouldn't be, there are some obvious inconsistencies. For example, in the "can" list, dress shorts are there, but no other shorts are listed in the "can't" list, leaving "dress" open to a lot of interpretation. Sweatshirts are not addressed.

In the "can" it lists "pants", which is a pretty broad classification.

Try calling and you may get some very different definitions.

From what the vast majority of posters say, it seems that in practice, swimsuits, swimsuit coverups, tanks (for men), athletic shorts, sweats, torn or dirty clothing, and baseball hats are the risky items, though even enforcement of some of those is not uniform.

 

[mle1111]

From those who have been, what were people mostly wearing? BF and I are planning to go and do mostly TS at these restaurants. Does he need a tie anywhere, or would he stand out if he had one?

 

[raidermatt]

I believe the only place a tie is required is Victora and Albert's at the GF.

For the others, I don't know that he'd stand out, but he'd definitely be in a small minority. I don't see that being a problem for anyone, though, if that's what he wants to wear.

 

[Kata]

Sorry I haven't been paying too much attention to the dress code issue because my trip was so far away but now it is getting closer and I want to make sure that I dress correctly,am I correct in assuming that any restaurants not on the list for business casual it is ok to wear jeans and a t-shirt? Thanks!!!!

 

[Got Quattro?]

The inforce no actual dress code...but frequent California Grille diners like myself and other whish Disney would INFORCE the resort casual dress caode at least.

Which means Dress shorts, colored shirts and sun dresses.

if I am paying for 2 people to eat a $100 meal, I do not want to see your tank top t shirt and bellybutton ring while I am eating my veal. (not you personally)

 

[Supercod]

Hi Kata, they better not be as I don’t do the having to dress up to pay to eat food rubbish. I don’t mind if it’s a wedding or special event but it’s my money and I dress as I like ;-) mind you maybe I don’t eat in the restaurants that have dress codes in Disney so have never came across that problem.

 

[BCV23]

From those who have been, what were people mostly wearing? BF and I are planning to go and do mostly TS at these restaurants. Does he need a tie anywhere, or would he stand out if he had one?

A tie is not needed anywhere even at V&A which only requires a jacket on men.

In our experience, there is a wide variety of dress at most signature restaurants. But business casual is probably as good a way as any to describe what most folks wear with the exception that nice shorts on men are common in warmer months. But don't worry about it. Dress neat and clean and as you wish minus swimwear. If you enjoy dressing to the nines, you won't feel out of place. If dress shorts and a polo shirt are your idea of dressing for dinner while on vacation, you'll be fine too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Disney is enforcing a dress code for some of the signature restaurants. It is important to note that, while they use the term "business casual", it doesn't mean what most of us think it does. They use a definition that includes good-condition jeans and dress shorts (which some folks have pointed out actually is 'business casual' in hot spots like Florida - and here in Phoenix).

IMHO, they are just trying to eliminate the most casual of outfits: swim wear, shorts/flip-flops/t-shirts, ripped apparel, etc. Personally, what someone else is wearing while I'm eating has no effect on my enjoyment of the meal. However, this is a very polarizing issue....

 

[BCV23]

Hi Dr. T, where have you seen a dress code enforced? I know Anne has reported it at a couple of places but we sure haven't seen it personally.

Of course V&A is an exception. We've never seen anyone dressed inapproriately there.

 

[Collette]

My niece and I had a 9 pm dinner at the California Grill last month. It was the first time either of us had been there. We were dressed casually - dress shorts, capris, blouses. I'm one who is more likely to choose a more casual restaurant because I don't especially want to bring along dress clothes. While no one made us feel uncomfortable in any way, it was one great dining experience and I felt like I wanted to be dressed up a bit more.

Collette

 

[Allison]

I was told no flip flops but nice jeans were fine by the CM I talked to when I booked my reservation.

 

[iwaseeyore]

We ate at CG last month, as well as Narcoosees. I didn't bring a collared shirt but did bring some very nice and expensive shirts without collars. Not a t shirt with a saying but shirts without collars none the less. I also wore sandals without backs once and birkenstocks once. I wasn't given the third degree. I wasn't told I was the dregs and refused entrance. I think if you look reasonably dressed you will be fine.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Oh here we go again.

No flip flops? What will young girls/women wear on their feet? All I see these days are the brightly colored (matching) flip flops everywhere. These won't be allowed?

Personally I have never had or seen a code enforced yet (and I'm a very casual dresser) although my bets are on CG if they are to be enforced. Note: We are WDW restaurant regulars.

Got Quattro, I'm paying as much as you, more actually because there is always four of us. I'm not offended by whatever clothes you might choose to wear, why do you care what we wear?

Collette, a great dining experience makes you feel like you should be dressed up more? Why is that? I see no correllation to great food and a collared shirt.

Personally I think WDW should enforce a real dress code for the parks, as well. Think how much more enjoyable the experience would be mingling amongst the well dressed and well heeled crowd without the hairy arm pits, bare legs & smelly feet...

 

[PamNC]

We went to CA Grille this summer and wore our park attire. I'm sorry, but we didn't have time to "change" nor did I want to waste my vacation time doing so. Granted we weren't in cut off shorts, or muscle shirts or anything like that. Just shorts & tees. We were let in with no problem.

I sort of "resent" this dress code thing. It's a theme park destination for goodness sake. If timing/proximity to where I am at the time allows, we do change into something other than park attire for the nicer restaurants, but if it's not possible...they will get me as I am.

I think as long as you're not dressed too "sloppily" like in a bathing suit top or something like that, you'll get in.

PamNC

 

[Collette]

I'm not sure why, Peter Pirate - it's just a feeling I had that night that I wanted to be wearing something else. Another day, another time, I may have felt differently. Many of those dining that evening were quite well dressed which probably influenced what I felt about the way we were dressed. I know there was a lawyer's convention at the resort. I'm sorry if it seemed like I was implying that I thought anyone else should. That certainly wasn't my intent. Just offering the perspective I had. (And I think that my idea of "dressing up" would probably seem quite casual to some.)

I see no correlation between great food and a collared shirt either. That night I felt like I was paying for the whole experience. A great dinner for me is the whole package - the place, the ambiance, the food, the service, the company I am with - which can even be at our local cafe. I just wanted to be wearing my khaki skirt and favorite blouse that night

Collette

 

[Peter Pirate]

I was mostly funnin' Collete, but thanks for the excellent response. I certainly agree that we all view things differently and from a different place. For me, WDW dining is a great dining experiences that I look forward to every few weeks, it's not just a once a year, vacation type thing and I think that is reflected in my attitude towards the dress code...But the fact that I live in the Keys probably is most telling as to why I'm as laid back and casual as I am, we consider flip flops and a t shirt to be over dressed.

 

[liamsaunt]

This dress code has been mentioned for a couple of years, but every time I have been at California Grill I have seen all kinds of outfits, from suits to t-shirts and shorts on men, cocktail dresses to theme park attire on the ladies. If Disney is actually enforcing the code now I think that is great, though perhaps they should think of another term than "business casual" to describe what they are looking for. In my CG experiences, most people (the ones I noticed) dressed in something like chinos and a collared shirt for men, blouse/light sweater and capris or skirt for ladies. Our next CG adr is on my DH's birthday, so we'll be a bit dressy as we are celebrating!