Dresscode at Calif Grill

[Connears]

Last visit to WDW at christmas we ate at Artist Point and were told there was a nice casual dress code, so I made DS(15) were khaki pants and nice polo shirt(he was not so happy) when we got there, folks were in jeans and sweat pants. We have ADR at CG this june and we will be at MK and jump over for dinner at 8pm and return to park. We want to be comfortable to tour MK, but wonder if we will need to be more upscale with dress? Anyone else done the same? We are WDW veterans of many visits, but never really thought about dress codes for any restaurant on site(even Yachtsman, Jiko). Any comments?
Connears

 

[bicker]

Not every guest is taking the dress code advisory to heart, so you'll have a similar situation at California Grill as you had at Artist Point.

 

[Leota]

Bicker is right. Even tho they have a "dress code", it's not really enforced. You'll see all kinds of dress, just like you did before the "code". I enjoy dressing a bit for a nice dinner, so it's no skin off my back. I say go in what you are comfy in unless that equals a bikini top with spandex bike shorts or the like....

 

[shellybaxter]

I thought Cali Grill was the one restuarant I'd read about that took the "no collarless shirts" rule seriously. Does anyone else remember reading that?

 

[bicker]

Collarless shirts are fine. I wore this shirt (in red, though) to California Grill last time:

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What they keep closer tabs on is tank tops:

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Those aren't allowed.

 

[allshookup]

We were dressed casually but nice for CG on Christmas night. My DD & I had on pantsuits, my DS had on a collar shirt & sweater vest, my DH had on a polo shirt & khaki pants. I think a lot of people were dressed up because it was Christmas. I was rather suprised that the hostess insisted my DD & DS remove their Mickey Santa Hats though. I thought that was a bit much! I don't think they would've been offending anybody since it was Christmas after all.

 

[heathrow42]

Connears, how did you feel about seeing folks in sweat pants at Artist point? Did they look out of place to you? or did you think "shucks I got dressed up for nothin'!"

That said, my opinion is that Cali Grill is a little more formal than Artist point. At Cali Grill, the setting is a little bit more open, like everyone is on display at their tables... as a result, if you are an observant person you will notice what everyone is wearing (and be noticed). You will see people dressed up, especially around the 7-10pm time. I would say, dress like you are going to a nice family dinner.. your son could probably where a solid tshirt with a button shirt over it to the park, and then button his shirt up for dinner, jeans and nice shoes (Docs or the like).

Also, no baseball caps! DH wears a baseball cap all the time, everywhere, no matter what he is wearing! Usually he takes it off when he gets to the table.. but last trip they wouldn't let him on the elevator till he took it off.

--heather

 

[Connears]

I did think that dress was a it casual for christmas day at Artist Point. If I was going to be able to change prior to returning to park, the dress you suggested forDS would be fine. June 21 is too hot at WDW to wear layers of shirts and long sleeves. I don't quite know what to do..we do not want to return to swan to change..too much time from park touring. We would all probably like to wear shorts due to the weather, but we can try to accomodate dress code.
Connears

 

[lizanne]

It's been a few years but we used take our kids to CG in July and they wore khaki shorts and golf shirts. No problem. My husband usually wore dockers.

 

[majortom]

From my most recent experience, there is no enforcement of the dress code unless you are wearing a hat for religious reasons. There were many people there in t-shirts (including me), there were several kids wearing mouse ears, and at least one or two others with baseball hats. My guest was the only person they seemed to bother about his hat.

(For a description, see this thread.)

 

[Uncleromulus]

To all of which I'd just add that "jean pants'" and "dress shorts" are an acceptable part of the Disney version of the "business casual" code.