How strict are dining reservations on time?

[myxdvz]

I'm with you Diane I guess if I stayed at BWV my home and sleep in the nude that I could just go to breakfast like that, I am at home

No one said anything about going to breakfast in the nude so I don't know where you got that info from.

As has been said in this thread and discussed in other threads, people look at PJs differently. I probably blame Ally McBeal for that.

I also go to work in flip flops and no make up. I'm sure some people are laughing at me hysterically and think it uncouth. *shrug*

 

[curtis_lake]

I would hope they would turn you away for inappropriate clothing if you or kids come down in PJs. This is not a quick service counter meal or coming down to grab some coffee and bagels, and with everyone paying over $25 each you should be dressed appropriately.

 

[Hopefully]

But you are not at "Home", no matter what you choose to think. You are in a deluxe resort hotel. PJ's outside of your own Villa are inappriopriate. And I consider it rude and inappropriate in the concierge lounge as well.
As you can see from the reply's, most people do feel the same way.

 

[Happy99]

let them sleep in a pair of shorts and a tshirt so they are already dressed or a pair of sweats

I too think that pj's anywhere outside of your room or balcony is considered rude. Would you leave your house and walk down a couple of blocks in your pj's?

 

[tjkraz]

When staying at hotels, we routinely go to concierge or breakfast in our PJs.

So sorry it offends people it is what it is.

That is inappropriate and rude to fellow diners. Unless an establishment is specifically hosting a "PJ night", sleepwear is not appropriate restaurant attire.

No one said anything about going to breakfast in the nude so I don't know where you got that info from.

It's the logical extension of your apparent "it is what it is" mantra. Admittedly it's a bit extreme since there are public decency laws. But surely you don't believe ANYTHING which isn't illegal is appropriate for a restaurant?!

Are swimsuits appropriate? Two-piece bikini on women and european briefs on a man?

How about lingerie? A bustier or garter & stockings. I've never seen a restaurant policy that prohibits lingerie.

How about club wear? Leather...zippers...spiked heels. As long as everything is covered, it shouldn't be "illegal"...but is it appropriate for breakfast at Chef Mickey's?

 

[myxdvz]

It's the logical extension of your apparent "it is what it is" mantra. Admittedly it's a bit extreme since there are public decency laws. But surely you don't believe ANYTHING which isn't illegal is appropriate for a restaurant?!

Are swimsuits appropriate? Two-piece bikini on women and european briefs on a man?

How about lingerie? A bustier or garter & stockings. I've never seen a restaurant policy that prohibits lingerie.

How about club wear? Leather...zippers...spiked heels. As long as everything is covered, it shouldn't be "illegal"...but is it appropriate for breakfast at Chef Mickey's?

I actually don't care what other people wear. If a woman is comfortable wearing a two-piece bikini and they're not turned away -- who am I to judge?

I've been to a lot of cruises, and was surprised at the European children swim attire for girls. Do I care enough to raise a fuss about it? No. Do I judge the whole European community? No.

I didn't ask about legality or morality at all. I did wonder if we will be turned away and/or if they have strict dress code. No one wants to be turned away. If they have a dress code, we will follow them. But, and you can choose to flame me for this -- if people are within the dress code and are admitted, I really couldn't care less if it breaks other's people sense of appropriateness. It seems some people are just concerned that they're PJs but if they're shirt/shorts that the kids slept in, it wouldn't matter. But some people's barometer is that any clothes you slept in can't be used outside the room ... so it's really very arbitrary.

And no -- I am not turning this into edge case debate of what's right and what's wrong. I wanted to know, if my kids woke up late and for us to make our appointment (which I have already cancelled), they'd have to roll out of bed, freshen up and go straight to breakfast is the only way to make it... will we be admitted.

 

[Happy99]

I think it depends on how like PJ's they look.

These are both PJ's

My question to you is this, would you do this at home? Go to your local place for breakfast with the kids in PJ's. if you wouldn't do it at home why would you do it on vacation and obviously you do not care what others think and will do whatever you want anyway. But you posted the questions and others replied. Anytime you post anything there will most likely be people that do not agree with you. You can either get angry at it or ignore it

 

[crisi]

I suspect you'd could get away with your youngest two in Pjs, and maybe not the four year old, but I suspect that the rest of you would get told to change unless the jammies could pass for clothes (Lounge or yoga pants and a tshirt). Running to the marketplace is a little different than spending an hour at an expensive buffet breakfast with a lot of cameras.

Disney does turn away people in swimwear including coverups.

I don't have any issue with running to the concierge lounge or the marketplace in jammies myself, though it would be rare I'd do it (maybe very late at night or very early I the morning when the chances of being seen by anyone but the staff are slim). But a restaurant once you are past toddlerhood is pushing it.

 

[myxdvz]

I think it depends on how like PJ's they look.

These are both PJ's

My question to you is this, would you do this at home? Go to your local place for breakfast with the kids in PJ's. if you wouldn't do it at home why would you do it on vacation and obviously you do not care what others think and will do whatever you want anyway. But you posted the questions and others replied. Anytime you post anything there will most likely be people that do not agree with you. You can either get angry at it or ignore it

I'm not angry -- and I'm not ignoring it. I'm surprised though at the conclusions, generalizations and logical extensions being made.

We've decided to cancel our 7:40am since the chances of us making it are slim. We'll be much better making our 9:50am reservations with time enough to make the kids presentable to the masses

Anyways - as to your question. It really all depends. Normally, our local place have no deadlines/time limit so we can take all the time we need to prepare the 4 kids.

However, there have been times when the kids have to be dropped off at school and everyone is running late, so the 2 younger boys go in the car in their PJs (or in whatever they slept in plus coat) -- so the 2 older girls won't be late. Or something comes up at 10pm, everyone is in their jammies and someone realizes we need milk, or something for the next day. So, yes I will go to Target/Walmart in my sweats/PJs. Normally we'd drive thru if we can and not subject everyone to our attire.

Re: hotels and breakfasts -- the only times we've really done this is when the breakfast closes at a certain time, and the options are to either:

1) Have the hubby (who's dressed up) go down and grab food for everyone (6 people), go back to the room and eat there
2) Miss breakfast and deal with 4 cranky, hungry kids
3) Deal with the consequences and bring 4 kids to breakfast in their jammies

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Clean up the night before. Throw something on. Put your hair in a pony tail. Let hubby shave. Do whatever else you must do after breakfast. You can roll/straighten hair, put on makeup, brush your teeth, etc. afterwards. I had to put some thought into teethbrushing...but isn't it better to brush after you eat?

Actually, this is more for the kids. I don't normally wear PJs to bed, and what I do wear, I don't feel comfortable going out in. So DH and I would most likely be ready -- it's the 4 kids that are probably literally going to be rolling off the bed, getting a gargle, some water in their faces and straight to breakfast.

If we have time, of course they'll get dressed up.

I might just cancel the 7:40am one. The kids body clocks would still think it's 6:40 and that would be TOO early for them.

I asked my question the way I did because I am a bit perplexed why changing clothes is such a big deal. I know that some people are more high maintenance than others. I was only trying to suggest that you put off any high maintenance routines until after breakfast.

 

[AmyB2006]

I think you'll be much happier with the later reservation. I always have good intentions of getting up early and all that jazz, but I never make it.

Now my bkfst reservations are usually 9:00 or after LOL.

And as far as your original question, they do give you a 15 min grace period. I've been told this by the restaurants themselves and by Disney Dining, several times. The answer is always the same. That is not CM courtesy, that is the grace period allowed.

 

[myxdvz]

I asked my question the way I did because I am a bit perplexed why changing clothes is such a big deal. I know that some people are more high maintenance than others. I was only trying to suggest that you put off any high maintenance routines until after breakfast.

No issues with me and DH. Not sure how many kids you have though But 4 kids? It could be a challenge.

 

[tjkraz]

Anyways - as to your question. It really all depends. Normally, our local place have no deadlines/time limit so we can take all the time we need to prepare the 4 kids.

That's a rationalization. We all have appointments to make...often at inconvenient times: school, church, dr appointment, haircut, etc. But when the appointment--or Disney dining reservation--is accepted, it comes with certain obligations to appear in a presentable manner.

However, there have been times when the kids have to be dropped off at school and everyone is running late, so the 2 younger boys go in the car in their PJs (or in whatever they slept in plus coat) -- so the 2 older girls won't be late. Or something comes up at 10pm, everyone is in their jammies and someone realizes we need milk, or something for the next day. So, yes I will go to Target/Walmart in my sweats/PJs. Normally we'd drive thru if we can and not subject everyone to our attire.

I see nothing wrong with these examples. All are quite a bit different than PJs in an expensive Table Service restaurant.

Re: hotels and breakfasts -- the only times we've really done this is when the breakfast closes at a certain time, and the options are to either:

1) Have the hubby (who's dressed up) go down and grab food for everyone (6 people), go back to the room and eat there
2) Miss breakfast and deal with 4 cranky, hungry kids
3) Deal with the consequences and bring 4 kids to breakfast in their jammies

With all due respect, those options give the impression that Disney is at fault and you have no other choice in the matter. To which I would add the option:

4) Set the alarm 30-60 minutes earlier and make sure everyone is dressed.

I'm a parent myself so I get it. You can't always get the perfect ADR time and it's often difficult to corral everyone in the morning. Few people want to set the alarm for 6:40am to make a 7:40 breakfast reservation.

But when you accept that reservation, you bear the burden of being on time and presentable. Sounds like you made a good decision to cancel.

Even if YOU wouldn't be offended by the PJs...others may be. The point of "etiquette" is to provide some objective standard for public behavior. You aren't going to find any etiquette guide which states that PJs are acceptable restaurant attire.

You can twist it around and say that others shouldn't be judging, but objectively your fellow diners have a right to expect everyone to be dressed in proper day attire.

 

[Minniesgal]

I actually don't care what other people wear. If a woman is comfortable wearing a two-piece bikini and they're not turned away -- who am I to judge?

I've been to a lot of cruises, and was surprised at the European children swim attire for girls. Do I care enough to raise a fuss about it? No. Do I judge the whole European community? No.

I didn't ask about legality or morality at all. I did wonder if we will be turned away and/or if they have strict dress code. No one wants to be turned away. If they have a dress code, we will follow them. But, and you can choose to flame me for this -- if people are within the dress code and are admitted, I really couldn't care less if it breaks other's people sense of appropriateness. It seems some people are just concerned that they're PJs but if they're shirt/shorts that the kids slept in, it wouldn't matter. But some people's barometer is that any clothes you slept in can't be used outside the room ... so it's really very arbitrary.

And no -- I am not turning this into edge case debate of what's right and what's wrong. I wanted to know, if my kids woke up late and for us to make our appointment (which I have already cancelled), they'd have to roll out of bed, freshen up and go straight to breakfast is the only way to make it... will we be admitted.

you might not care but it would make a lot of other diners feel uncomfortable which is what is inappriopriate and unacceptable.

 

[Kae]

I would like to add that the 9:50 ADR at Cape May is one of our Favorite time to go to Cape May. Nobody yelling at their party to get a move on so you can make rope drop, those folks are gone. So go enjoy have a nice breakfast, you may never do an early ADR Char Breakfast again.

Kae

 

[Sur]

Please come in your jammies.... I like a good morning smile!

Any future plans to stay at the Grand Floridian and have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare? Please update if you do!

I'm not being cynical... just seeing the replies to the OP, I can imagine the responses in person. We get a kick out of people and their different lifestyles.

Opted to edit to give clarification: We stayed at Iberostar Grand in Mexico, $700/night on up rooms. We went to lunch wearing "sporty" shorts and nice shirts and oh boy the looks from some that "dress" for lunch!! It was a buffet off the pool, mind you. Seeing people do their grocery shopping in pj's made me take a second look, at first, now it seems a little common (for teens, I guess). My neighbors commented to other neighbors that I went out to get the mail with a towel on my head once.... oh, the HORROR!! lol

I wouldn't be poking fun at OP or others... just watching people from different viewpoints react is very interesting!!

 

[nalajms]

How early is too early?
Again, just curious. If they turn us away - that's fine too. We'll hang out somewhere.

I would send hubby down there early. If they are busy, you could be waiting past your reservation. If you end up having to wait, there's a nice kids seating area with a tv playing old Mickey cartoons. My kids love it there.

As for PJs, I completely understand! My 3yo sleeps in exercise shorts and t-shirts, I do as well if my PJs are in the wash. We roll out of bed and are ready to go When it's warm, most people are in flip-flops and very casual wear. I have yet to see anyone being turned away from a restaurant, even the ones at the Grand Floridian. We certainly never have.

Good luck and have fun, it's your vacation too

 

[AmyB2006]

Please come in your jammies.... I like a good morning laugh!

Any future plans to stay at the Grand Floridian and have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare? Please update if you do!

I'm not being cynical... just seeing the replies to the OP, I can imagine the responses in person. We get a kick out of people and their different lifestyles.

I'm with Sur on this one. Honestly, I wasn't going to touch the Jammie debate with a 10 foot pole. But this made me laugh. I know I would never show up to a restaurant in my jammies, but if I see someone else do it, I would get a good chuckle out of it. I certainly wouldn't be offended, but others obviously would.

I would send hubby down there early.

With regards to this, Disney restaurants (most of them) won't check you in much less seat you without your entire party present. I've run into this several times.

 

[nalajms]

With regards to this, Disney restaurants (most of them) won't check you in much less seat you without your entire party present. I've run into this several times.

Yup, they won't seat you unless the whole party is present. But the order of "check-in" makes a difference if they are busy. There have been times when we had to wait for others in front of us with reservation times later than us because they checked in first. So it really doesn't hurt to be 20-30mins early.

Obviously if you have a 9:50 reservation and check in at 8:50, they won't seat you at 8:50

 

[gdrj]

Only reason why I ask is because we ARE staying at BCV. It is technically our home for the duration. When staying at hotels, we routinely go to concierge or breakfast in our PJs.

So sorry it offends people it is what it is.

I was going to keep my mouth shut but couldn't...

Unfortunately the casualness of some people "it is what it is" is not an uncommon theme.

or that it is "your home" ,you do realize this is a marketing tag line and not meant as permission to hang laundry near the pool, do an oil change in the parking lot, or invite over friends and bring a charcoal grill to Storm-a-long Bay.

I will restrain from getting on a soapbox about common courtesy. Are wearing PJ's to breakfast the worse thing in the world, no but having consideration for others (even if you don't know them) is what is appropriate