Getting nervous - do I need to be concerned??

[Travis B]

I did CG in a polo or short sleeve button up and khaki shorts and felt just fine. The fact that you are concerned shows you care about your appearance, and that your park clothes will probably be more than adequate for dinner. Put the concern out of your mind and enjoy a delicious dinner.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I got all dressed up for Cali Grill one year only to be seated at a table next to a guy wearing a track suit and sneakers. So... The last time we went, I wore nice printed shorts, a flowy tank top, and leather flip flops. If they aren't going to enforce a dress code, then I'm not going to hassle with changing into anything special.

thing is...a track suit and sneakers is not against the California Grill dress code. so it's not that they aren't enforcing the "code," it's that the code is arguably too lenient. but I think they believe they will have more backlash about a stricter dress code.

 

[owynn]

I've been to CG 3 times. Each time I was in cargo shorts and a t-shirt. My wife was dressed similarly. We've gone there directly from the parks, not stopping to change or freshen up. There will be a mix of dress there, but I have never been made to feel uncomfortable. In face, I've eaten at most of the signature restaurants at WDW, and the only one I dressed up for was V&A, because you have to.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I know it is a signature restaurant - will we be completely 'out of place' in our park clothes??

1) Nope.
2) Unfortunately, the term Business Casual has lost a lot of meaning at WDW.
3) They rarely enforce any kind of dress code at Signature Restaurants (except V&A).

 

[Uncleromulus]

In the end it's up to Disney--they "suggest" a code-- how they would like you to dress-- but that itself isn't enforceable.

And they realize like the OP, many folks are coming from or going to the parks before or after dinner. To make them spend valuable hours just getting dressed for one dinner would not be in Disney's best interest.