Multiple Signature Dining Experiences

[TPCShauna]

DH and I are on DxDP and are having several meals at the Signature Dining Restaurants. I'm working on my packing list at the moment and trying to figure out how to pack the minimum amount for all these dinners without having to do laundry.

My question: If you have 4 signature dining meals, what do you pack to wear to them? Same skirt/different blouses for each? Two dresses for all 4? 2 sets of separates that can be mixed and matched to make 4 outfits? Two pairs of nice pants and 4 different shirts for DH?

We are planning to shower and change before each experience. My biggest concern is that DH tends to drop stuff on himself at dinner and I have a hole in my lip (figuratively - as in I drop stuff, too.)

I'd like to keep the bulk to a minimum. What do y'all do?

 

[Clotho]

I usually pack one dress and a skirt/blouse combo with maybe two blouse options. Then I can mix it up a little. I like to have a few options anyway, because I don't know what I will "feel" like wearing, ya know?

I would think that would cover it.

 

[webray]

Pack a couple pair of capris, different tops to match. For hubby, pack a couple pair of slacks and some polo shirts. If he tends to spill, the best thing you can pack is a tide stick. You can rub the stain right out, let the shirt dry and he can wear it again the next day, good as new.

You can also go in the shorts/top you wear to the parks at most of the signature restaurants. Dress code is suggested, not mandatory. We change for CA Grill, usually because we are celebrating or with someone celebrating.

 

[Pakey]

We eat at signatures every night on each vacation. In cooler months, we plan on getting 2 wears out of our dinner clothes except for V&A and Bistro where we dress way up and for those we take separate outfits. In warmer months, we take enough clothes for the parks and dinners for each day we are there as we have found that we are uncomfortable after just one evening, especially in the shirts/tops. I cannot relax and enjoy a nice meal if I feel grungy.

 

[Clotho]

We eat at signatures every night on each vacation. In cooler months, we plan on getting 2 wears out of our dinner clothes except for V&A and Bistro where we dress way up and for those we take separate outfits. In warmer months, we take enough clothes for the parks and dinners for each day we are there as we have found that we are uncomfortable after just one evening, especially in the shirts/tops. I cannot relax and enjoy a nice meal if I feel grungy.

Pakey, we are mostly the same way. Our September trips, we have a different outfit for every day for sure (sweaty!!), and almost as many for night. It feels soooooo good to go back to the hotel, cool off, shower and clean up, and put on fresh clothes! It makes me feel human again!

In a not so hot time, I would imagine being able to mix and match a little more than in summer.

 

[oybolshoi]

We take a garment bag and I load it up with sundresses ... some are more casual than others but I find them a lot more comfortable and fun to wear than pants (but that's just me ... I hate pants ... ).

 

[Pumbaa_]

i have a couple of great pairs of dressy capri length pants. they are polyester and very wide leg and never wrinkle and pack small Bring 2 tops that can work with the pants and good to go (i don't wear skirts )

Bring a travel size laundry detergent. If you HAVE to, you can handwash something in the room and line dry in the bathroom.

most important, be comfy and have a great time!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I think it depends on what you feel comfortable doing. If you normally wear a pair of pants or a skirt twice w/o washing them, I'd plan to do that. Noone in my family wears anything twice, w/o washing it. We take an outfit for daytime, then return to the room, freshen up & change for dinner. Yes, we bring a lot of clothes. Bottom line, do what you'll feel comfortable with. Noone will know you wore the pants/skirt already.

 

[oybolshoi]

I think it depends on what you feel comfortable doing. If you normally wear a pair of pants or a skirt twice w/o washing them, I'd plan to do that. Noone in my family wears anything twice, w/o washing it. We take an outfit for daytime, then return to the room, freshen up & change for dinner. Yes, we bring a lot of clothes. Bottom line, do what you'll feel comfortable with. Noone will know you wore the pants/skirt already.

We do this too ... we always leave the parks and go back to the room to clean up and change clothes. There's no way I'm dining in a signature restaurant covered in theme park sweat and grime.

 

[kimis]

With the airlines cutting back on lagguage this is what we do. I take one pair of dress slacks for dh with a few collared shirts. For myself I usually take one pair of dress pants with a couple of shirts. We do signature resturants almost every night also. For us it is part of the disney experience.
I do laundry halfway between our trip.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

We did four signature's on our last trip and packed 4 different outfits. It was fun. Just made the suitcase heavy.

 

[Clotho]

And I don't know about you guys, but even being a plus-sized gal, my travel dresses are some of the lightest, unbulkiest things I own! Have you been to Travelsmith? They have fantastic base pieces which don't wrinkle, are lightweight, breathable, and in some cases can be washed in your sink and be dry by the next day. I had a few pieces I took when I hiked around Europe, and this was a godsend! No need to run to a laundromat in Ireland--just wash in the hostel sink and ready to go the next night!

They aren't cheap, but they last forever! And are flattering and simple, so they go with lots of occasions.

NOTE: I have NO idea why Dis is cutting out the "tiny URL"in the links below. The links were three lines long, and I didn't want to clutter the post with the full URL's. SO if you put "tiny URL" in where the *'s are (push those two words together, no space), they should work.

Like, I love this reversible tank dress--can go from an elegant meal one night in basic black, to the next night at a dance club with more color!
http://*******.com/5dbrvm

This ensemble comes with three pieces at one price. They look for sophisticated together, but worn separately (remove the jacket, or pair the top with some jeans, etc), and you can achieve different looks.
http://*******.com/5zyd7y

Oh, and I really like this four piece set, too. Again, paired the way they put them can be more sophisticated/conservative, but I can see all these pieces paired together and apart in so many ways, you could have dozens of outfits with only a few pieces. I know the duster isn't of interest in the summer, but for winter WDW travelers, having a sleeved jacket to throw on for evening would be welcome. And remember, you can wash these up in your sink and they will be dry and wrinkle free the next day!
http://*******.com/67fq9e

This one is cotton gauze, if you cringe at poly/span mixes. This is meant to be wrinkly, so it works well for travel, and is very flowy.
http://*******.com/64ohce

I know it sounds like I work for them, but I just endorse them from experience!

 

[TPCShauna]

Thanks for all of this fabulous info!

I'm going to take the suggestions of bringing a couple of mix and match sets. We'll be there in December so hot and sweaty is not an issue. I'm more concerned with conserving packing room.

I'm going to pack two pairs of nice slacks and 4 shirts for DH. That will give him plenty of choices.

I'm planning on a black skirt and dress with a twinset and cardigan for me. All of those will mix and match to give me 4 outfits (actually, more than that but I only need 4 so I'm set.)

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate the help!