Is wearing Crocs ok for Signature Dining?

[lisa3383]

Lisa .. I think you've likely seen my wife wandering the parks She'd rather die then ever wear a croc. To each their own.

As I said everyone is under different circumstances be it financial or time limited. But I have to disagree California Grill has won multiple national awards and is considered one of the best restaurants in the south east so it's hardly comparable to many places around here (and we frequent Boston often) .. not on DDP most of the signature meals are going to run triple figures for 2 people for a full meal, drinks etc.

I wonder how people would manage when you really had to dress up. (40's - 50's) How times change.

I agree with everything you say! Honestly, I've never eaten at CG as we've always done V & A as our nice meal. What I meant by 'not being comparable' was really more in guest expectations - in how they look/dress, not in quality expectations! I would venture to guess that some CG guests are dressed in shorts, while if that were outside the World things would be a bit different in that regard.

I wish I had the will to do like your wife! What can I say, other than: I am weak!!! You may see me with my $1,500 Louis Vuitton purse before you see me in heals at a theme park
If I had the 'strength' I'd do it (heck it would look at lot better)! lol

 

[TDC Nala]

I have a friend who does, and if they told her she couldn't, she'd be in there pointing out everyone else's crazy footwear.

 

[PrincessMama2007]

Can you call ahead and find out?

 

[Cixelsyd]

Thanks everyone for your reply.

People obviously feel very differently about this issue, but I think my basic question is answered in that I won't be turned away for wearing crocs to signature restaurants. I wanted to ask because "business casual" does not carry a definite connotation in the Disney context, and the dress code made no mention of footwear. It's only personal preference, but enjoying the parks and spending time with each other doing activities other than eating are more fun for us on this vacation, otherwise we would've gone during free dining and done the DxDDP.

I would not wear anything less than dress shirts/pants/shoes to a nice restaurant in my hometown. But as long as my outfit is within the confines of Disney rules, I wouldn't feel too bad for those who think the way I dress lowers their fine dining experience at Disney World. Heck, I think just the fact that I won't have to be in suit and tie 60 hours a week will make me too glad to care about the guy at the next table giving me weird looks about my shoes.

Thanks again for your responses. Now I can be at ease that I won't need to hear DW complain about how another pair of my size 13 shoes are hogging up all the room in the suitcase...

 

[crisi]

Also the dining plan isn't cheap! I'm paying $70/person for 5 adults, every day of my trip! Thats a lot of money! Some people may get basic for free, but that doesn't mean we should assume that everyone isn't paying for this option!

That's cheap. When we eat at CG we budget that per person just for that meal alone. Without wine. By the time we are done, we've spent around $350 for a family of four - and both my kids are under ten.

 

[lisa3383]

That's cheap. When we eat at CG we budget that per person just for that meal alone. Without wine. By the time we are done, we've spent around $350 for a family of four - and both my kids are under ten.

So you must get Deluxe DDP when you go to disney? I mean, now that they offer it, because its so cheap and all.

I understand that one meal may be a deal, thats why people do it -otherwise it wouldn't be worth the cost. I understand expensive meals, as I said we do V and A every trip (easily $150/person). However, I don't think spending $350/day on food is cheap. And I'm not talking one day of our trip, but everyday (my guess is that you don't eat at CG everyday). My point was mainly that wearing crocs isn't going to cheapen anyone else's experience! I think someone can dress nice enough and still wear crocs as to not be offending anyone. I think it is far more likely that a persons clothing can be offensive (torn, dirty, way to big/small, etc.). I think crocs are ugly, but the truth is that they are practical (its the same reason you will see lots of doctors and nurses wear them in the hospital).

 

[TPCShauna]

When I made my CG ressie yesterday, I was told no:

Ripped/Torn clothing
Hats for men
Tank tops
Swimwear

I WAS told that the attire was Business Casual. My Business Casual company allows men to wear Crocs as long as they are not the style with all of the holes in them (called Beach I think?)

DH will be wearing slacks, a nice shirt and dress shoes. I will be wearing a nice dress and heels.

I guess Crocs are fine if you wouldn't feel out of place in them.

 

[meowser]

I wore a skirt, nice shirt, and Crocs (Caymans, with the holes) to California Grill. I fit right in, no one stared at me, I was comfortable, and I didn't have to lug another pair of shoes on the plane. And I had a fantastic meal!!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I have VERY bad knees and have worn nothing but crocs for 3 years and we've been to Disney World 2-3 times a year and eat at all restaurants. DH also wears gym shoes all the time on vacation. For signature I wear a top and capris with my crocs and DH has a polo shirt, Dockers or nice jeans and gym shoes.

I feel that's well within the bounds of "business casual" at Disney and we have always been dressed the same as most of the other people in the restaurant, some being more dressy and some less dressy.

 

[wifey]

I saw people wearing Crocs even decorated ones everywhere last year, honestly don't worry too much about it I personally like the look of their Sassari range looks a bit dressier than the Cayman style (I own one pair of light blue Caymans very comfortable). Will keep the Sassari style in mind for our next trip

 

[LoraJ]

I always wear my dress crocs to nice dinners:

 

[honeymo78]

I really just don't understand how people keep saying disney is lax in enforcement of their dress code and how you should dress up for the signatures. If disney wanted a higher standard of dress, they would ask for it (and they have in the past and for the most part enforced it back then). As I stated before and Shauna confirmed - "business casual" at disney is much more relaxed than business casual in many other parts of the country. I'm sorry if you are offended when I wear my shorts, tee and crocs to dine at California Grill, but until that is no longer part of the dress code, I'll be wearing it and having a wonderful dinner, and not thinking twice about whether my dining neighbors think I should have dressed up more.

 

[mirmartinez]

I really just don't understand how people keep saying disney is lax in enforcement of their dress code and how you should dress up for the signatures. If disney wanted a higher standard of dress, they would ask for it (and they have in the past and for the most part enforced it back then). As I stated before and Shauna confirmed - "business casual" at disney is much more relaxed than business casual in many other parts of the country. I'm sorry if you are offended when I wear my shorts, tee and crocs to dine at California Grill, but until that is no longer part of the dress code, I'll be wearing it and having a wonderful dinner, and not thinking twice about whether my dining neighbors think I should have dressed up more.

I took a Global Management class last semester, and the term "business casual" was used to show the differences that exist between different cultures.Our class was quite large and diverse, we had students from around the world.
Our professor passed out a long list of clothing (including shoes) options and had us check what we would consider wearable.

The following class he passed out the same list, except after each
clothing item was total representimg the amount of students who checked it off.

to get to my point, the only items that received no checks are the ones not allowed in signatures (ripped jeans swim wear, flipflops) and one not included jeans that expose your boxer/briefs

After reviewing the results many classmates began to argue that ,hawaiian shirts, jeans, open toe shoes, bare legs, blah , blah , blah are not business casual.
My professor said told those students, that attidute towards their way is the right way , is missing the point "Different cultures, Different norms"

 

[BriarRosie]

I always went with 'resort casual'. My capris and a lightweight knit tshirt with sandals, I wouldn't feel out of place anywhere other than Victoria and Albert's.

I own hot pink beach Crocs, and I wouldn't feel out of place wearing them at these restaurants, either.

 

[tmonferdini]

We were at the world from June 1-11 and had 4 or 5 signature dinners scheduled. I wore my Croc Cleo's the entire time in Disney and DD9 & DS9 wore their "regular" crocs. DH also wore his new croc sandals and nobody looked at us "funny" or anything. We had usually been in the parks all day or were headed back to them.

As far as bringing dressier clothes to wear to these restaurants, that's fine if you want to, but it's not required. I followed the dress code and told DD13 "no tank tops", but when she pointed out a couple girls that had them on, I just explained what the rules were and told her that, just like life, "just because someone else does something they're not supposed to, doesn't mean you will".

Wear what you are comfortable in. We always did nicer shirts & even collared shirts for DH & DS9. We didn't even wear Disney-themed t-shirts, just nicer outfits, but that's just me. I planned everything out before we left (we had matching shirts and certain park shirts for certain days). I'm just a little OCD, but it was fun!!!

Tracy

 

[luckytobeme88]

I know that everyone has his/her own interpretation of casual dressing code. For instance, if I were from the Bermudas, my bermuda shorts with knee high socks are considered business attire. Like I have posted in another thread, I would be more offended if the guy/gal sitting next to me who is well-dressed but smells terribly. Don't be so caught up with how people are dressed at any eateries. It is like saying that hot dog eaters must dress down before ordering????

 

[Wendy31]

I too planned all our outfits for our WDW vacation earlier this month! Very fun!!

Anyway, for our meal at California Grill, DH wore linen khaki shorts, a sage green polo shirt, and his sandals. I wore a khaki skort, a sage green, scooped-neck cotton shirt, and sandals. DD wore a plaid sundress and white sandals. DS wore matching plaid shorts, a sage green polo shirt, and his sandals.

We fit right in - there were some people that were dressier than us, and there were some that were not as dressy. The guys at the table beside us were wearing flipflops. The man at the table behind us was wearing jean shorts. Lots of women were wearing capris. And I really didn't pay any attention to what people were wearing on their feet.

Anyway, I think Crocs would be fine. As others have said, Disney does have a dress code for their signature restaurants, and Crocs fit in their dress code as they've stated it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I always wear my dress crocs to nice dinners:

I like those, were did you get them?

 

[aribelle]

Wow...I guess I'll just apologize now for anyone who is so distracted by my wearing my crocs (the Rx style...ugly but keep me on my feet all day) and my blue jeans.....my T-shirt will likely have something Disney on it, so perhaps that will be less offensive to you?

Perhaps now that I know that I and my clothes will be so high on your list of sightseeing, I'll smile and wave as my kids (also in jeans and a T-shirt, unless they're in their Princess gowns or the handful of customs that I've made for them) and I are taken to our seat. I never realized that I was going to be the center of attention. It won't change my attire, as I wear my jeans and a shirt everywhere, including the dinner theatre we're going to tonight for my birthday. I spent too many years in high heels and pantyhose because it was required....I refuse to be that uncomfortable when I don't have to be. I also wear my jeans to church but then hey, I figure that since He is watching all the time, he's seen me in my, ahem, birthday suit, and He still loves me, so I'm fine with it. Oh...and at my church....I'm what some of you would call an "elder" because I'm on the church's board of directors, I'm a lay reader (read from the Bible at the pulpit), a chalice bearer (give wine at communion) and I am occasionally a youth leader (used to be full time, but retired when I had my own kids, now I fill in or guest when asked). And yet, in all these years not once has anyone objected about my clothing....I'd hope that Disney wouldn't either.

If people want to dress up, more power to you...go for it....my girls are in the dress loving stage, and I'm fine with that so long they don't expect me to.....since tonight is my birthday, I'm gonna guess they'll be wearing a dress as it makes them feel more "celebratory". And that's fine if THEY want it. Me...I'm fine with them in their PJs, but they won't wear them outside the house, lol. To me, celebrating has to do with who's face I get to see across the table, and what they are saying, not with the shoes I can't see under the table or even the shirt I can see.

But...I gotta say that I personally can't recall what the people at the table next to us, whom we had a few moments of conversation with even, were wearing Saturday night. It was an expensive restaurant, well over $100 a person when you're done (without alcohol), but they were commenting on my beautiful girls (dressed in jeans and a sparkly velvety babydoll shirt)....so maybe their compliments made me miss if the woman had on heels? I'm sure they were dressed, because otherwise THAT I would have noticed, but I can't tell you if she had on a shirt, blouse or the latest rock band T. And I'm drawing a total blank on him at all, clothes, hair color, everything. And I can't even recall if the others at the tables around us were male or female (or both!).

I guess what I'm saying is that my enjoyment of my meal/event has to do with myself and my companions....not with others in the restaurant. In fact, on the rare occasion that I have noticed others in the restaurant it's usually because they are so different they stand out (must be the subconcious mind picking them up because I certainly am not looking around for it)....such as the person in extremely bright colors, or the adorable child, or the "too much skin showing for my taste"......and even then it's either pretty rare that it occurs (which I doubt) or more likely just pretty rare that I notice. And frankly....at WDW, I would think that those in heels and dresses would stand out more than others in jeans and crocs. But even when I've seen the "too much skin for my taste" folks, I simply look away back to my companions and get on with enjoying my meal. I figure if their mommas don't object, that's their problem, not mine!

So accept my apologies for distracting you....and get back to looking at your companions instead of me, you'll be much happier!


All said very tongue in cheek of course...but the premise is the same....only YOU can allow someone else to ruin your experience in a restaurant.....unless they plop their jean clad behind on your lap of ourse, lol. I'd be more worried about the service and food disappointing after reading the mixed reviews about WDW restaurants than I would be about some jean clad customer at the next table over ruining my meal.

 

[ElizabethB]

A while back Disney tried to get a more business casual dress code in place for the signature restaurants -- no jeans, no shirts without collars, etc. It didn't work. It was not very well enforced, and it now appears they've given up even trying. The dress code now is definitely not business casual. And they are not calling it that either. It is also not resort casual by any means.

It's really just park wear -- except for no tanks on men and no torn jeans (although I wouldn't even expect enforcement of the torn jeans unless they were strategically torn to expose a great deal).

We've been to a couple of the Regional Dinners held during the F&W Festival. Even those are just park wear.

People don't dress up anymore and there is no sense trying to force them to!