Over dressed at California Grill?

[k_hase]

I've never gone to a park after a signature dining event either. We usually get our reservations for later, anywhere from 8-10PM and plan to spend 2+ hours there. By the time we leave most parks aren't open!!

And I've never NOT dresse as you described for signature dining. Its my chance to wear those clothes that I love and can't wear on a day to day basis. In fact, its one of the great pleasures I have at Disney is that I can bring 3 or 4 great dresses that might only otherwise get seen on NYE or a fancy wedding.

I find we do get stared at sometimes, especially on the bus or monorail!! But even as we walk through restaurants. Some of that is our size (I'm over 6' in heels and J is 6'5") but some of it is that we are dressed to the nines, so to speak!

I think you also get a different sense from the waiter--they know you aren't in a hurry, that you aren't going to a park soon, that you are there for a great dining experience. They might expect a bigger tip too...

As for what to do with an early ressie: Go right at the time or even a few minute late, order a before dinner drink at your table, drink the whole thing before you order anything. Then order each course you would like separately, waiting until you finish the one you are on. Otherwise your dinner will not stretch long enough to see Wishes from CG. After dinner sit at their bar and nurse a drink or a coffee...drag it out!! or shove a pair of flip flops in your purse and put your heels in a locker at what ever park you go to after!

 

[GoofyTraci]

thanks for the info. I have been looking to see if something later comes avail. I am really excited and can't wait to go. I think the idea of dressing up is great.

 

[tkldisney]

We always dress up, just makes me feel better and it is a special place.

 

[Dancind]

We've gone to MK a few times after CG, if they are open late. I usually wear slacks and a nice top, DH slacks and a nicer shirt. I take my comfy shoes (usually crocs) in a backpack and change shoes after dinner. Other than that, I'm good to go.

 

[GoofyTraci]

well just noticed that the park hours for MK close time is 7:00pm and no wishes that night anyway. So looks like I dont even have to worry about anything else other than showing up for dinner and having a great time with my husband.

 

[QTPie7375]

We were there on our honeymoon a few years ago and got dressed up (black dress for me and suit for hubby). Although we thought it was mandatory, we also did it because we wanted to. When we arrived we thought we were at the wrong place. Nobody was dressed and most were in VERY casual clothes. It is a gorgeous place though and you would definitely not be overdressed for the restaurant...dont worry about other people around you...enjoy yourself!

 

[shoes99]

We celebrated our 25th anniversary, and I went back to the hotel and put on a dress and low heels. DH just wore a open neck dress shirt and dockers. We felt great and were not overdressed. It was the evening of a pyrotechnic convention over the lagoon and we saw the most amazing set of fireworks. It was special.

 

[Tistal]

well just noticed that the park hours for MK close time is 7:00pm and no wishes that night anyway. So looks like I dont even have to worry about anything else other than showing up for dinner and having a great time with my husband.

If there is a party that night (which would make sense for the park closing early) there will be wishes for you to see still.

 

[nbenson]

We went to the California Grill in 2009. It was our first signature dining experience, at Disney on this trip. It was in 2003 when we last ate at an adult restraunt,since our trip in 2007 my son was only 1. In 2003 we ate at many nice restraunts,and the dress code was resort casual. No t-shirts,tanks,flip flops,etc. We were really surprised in 2009, everyone else had t-shirts on,some with liquor advertisments. My family gave me the stink eye.My children(husband too,sadly) were forced to put on the clothing they detest the most,only to look ridiculous, and they also had to take time to go back to the GF to change after dinner. I hate not being dressed appropriate, and we were akwardly, uncomfortably, OVERLY dressed.

 

[honeymo78]

Just a comment about the dress code in general - disney is usually enforcing its own written policy, however that policy seems to indicate both resort casual and casual - ie prefers dress shorts, pants etc but at the same time explicitly states t-shirts are okay. But again "prefers" not requires. When disney lets in people in swimwear and men in tank tops, they aren't enforcing the code, however most people seem to complain about the shorts and tees and not conforming - the dress code most certainly permits that.

We normally don't dress down for the parks - khaki shorts and a polo or camp shirt for DH and khaki shorts and a plain cotton top that I normally would wear to the office for me. Our footwear is for comfort. When disney's dress code was written differently - back when a collared shirt was required for men, DH's park wear still fit the bill (I can't remember the last time he wore a tee). Disney must have thought they were losing revenue with the more strict dress code so they changed their wording (around the time the DDP became more popular it seems) so more people would feel comfortable dining, or could still come even though they hadn't packed collared shirts.

You will see all ranges of clothing - hopefully all that isn't in violation of the code (bathing suit/tank top) - from shorts and tees to business suits from the conventioneers to even formal wear as some wedding parties have their receptions in the wine room.

I say dress up if you like. If it makes you feel good, do it. If dressing up is a hassle to you, don't feel pressured to do so. If Disney wanted everyone dressed differently, they would change the dress code wording again.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Couldn't have said it any better!!

You can dress up if you want to--but you don't have to.

 

[pixarmom]

Couldn't have said it any better!!

You can dress up if you want to--but you don't have to.

Agreed! We were at California Grill for a 5:30pm ADR in July. Like others said, I generally recall a range of styles, but didn't pay all that much attention. My husband and our boys all wore nice khaki shorts and polo shirts. It was a happy medium for the boys - more than t-shirts, but not uncomfortable for a 95 degree day! I wore a sundress, but that's my "park attire" because I wear dresses in the parks whenever it's warm enough. We were all very comfortable, but I would not hesitate to dress up more - I think we would fit in just as well.

For our next trip in February, we probably will dress up more because 1) the weather will be cooler; 2) we're celebrating my dad's birthday; and 3) MK closes early so we won't be out in the parks after dinner.

 

[prncess674]

a shirt and tie for the husband. Would we be the most dressed up? Would we be out of place?

Personally I would tell hubby to ditch the tie and swap it for a sport coat. Whenever I see grown men in a shirt and tie without a coat I feel like they either should be selling used cars or working at a tech store (think Best Buy geek squad.)

 

[MRS AR]

so what do u do when dinner is over? Do u go back to the room to change or hit the parks in that attire? Sorry if it is a dumb question but we will be there next week for dinner and had that same thought.

We were staying at the CR last May when we "dressed up" for dinner, so we just went back to our rooms, changed clothes, then caught the monorail to Epcot for the late night magic hours. We plan to do the same next year for our anniversary next May.