Please update me on the dining attire . . .

[stacie_d]

We have purchased the dining option for our vacation and there are some "upscale" places I would like to go. Although we are less than two months from our trip, we have still not made any PS, but I think we are ready to. But, before we do, we would like to have a quick update on any "dress codes." Exactly which restraunts require certain attire? I understand there have been some recent changes to the dress code and just want to be up to date before we make our plans.

Thanks!

 

[lclark0621]

I believe (I could be wrong) the only resturant with a dress code is V&As.

All other resturants allow you in wearing what you wore all day at the parks. Of course you can go back to your hotel & clean up and dress nicer, but you dont have to.

 

[sleepydog25]

Actually, Artist Point says their dress code is "smart casual." I take that to mean no shorts or tanks or t-shirts; plus, I rather enjoying changing out of park attire for a nice dinner as it makes the meal seem special. That being said, last week when DW and I ate at AP, we saw a couple of patrons in shorts and t-shirts. I don't know if they felt out of place, but everyone else was there in slacks, collared shirts, or dresses. Last August, we actually saw some nice cocktail dresses, too.

 

[Forever42]

Victoria and Albert's requires jackets for men, cocktail attire (I think?) for women

California Grill, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Jiko, etc, ask for smart casual, I think they're calling it now. There have been reports of the Bistro de Paris turning people away if they're not dressed along the smart casual line. If we plan on going to one of these restaurants, we'll plan accordingly - either just go right to the restaurant from home, or wear something that will travel well at the park.

Everywhere else it's pretty much themepark attire.

 

[buckylarue]

There have been reports of the Bistro de Paris turning people away if they're not dressed along the smart casual line.

OK. I can sorta see the resort hotels (or even Downtown Disney) having more upscale restaurant choices that suggest/require a certain attire, but...

Bistro de Paris is in a THEME PARK, and they don't allow THEME PARK ATTIRE?!?!?!

 

[Uncleromulus]

That was what one report suggested--not sure if it's true or not.
As of what I know now, lclark0621 has it right--the only real enforced code in existence at WDW is at V&A. All the other "smart casual", "business casual" etc codes are still merely preferred/suggested methods of dressing. But absent a swim suit and perhaps a tank top on men, most anything else will get you in any WDW restaurant.
Now --how you or I might feel "uncomfortable" or out of place when dressed in shorts and a Disney T is a subjective matter. I've eaten in all the major hotel restaurants at WDW numerous times and almost always in theme park casual. Never EVER felt out of place and cannot recall anyone at the restaurants even noticing--or caring. There is another dress code thread currently running that indicates a family in theme park casual was outside Jiko looking at the menu when they were "recruited" by the podium staff to come in and have dinner!!
So--make what you will out of the dress code business. And as lclark0621 also said, it's easy to dress up for any restaurant if that's what you want--but (currently, anyway) you don't have to.

 

[ducklite]

OK. I can sorta see the resort hotels (or even Downtown Disney) having more upscale restaurant choices that suggest/require a certain attire, but...

Bistro de Paris is in a THEME PARK, and they don't allow THEME PARK ATTIRE?!?!?!

I work with a lady who was turned away from Bistro because they weren't appropriately attired. They were bot in shorts and t-shirts and sandals. Bistro told them they would make a later PS for them if they'd like to change and come back. They handled it quite graciously according to the coworker. They ate at Chef's instead.

Anne

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I have PS for Cali Grill and Flying Fish, and was told both follow the "smart casual" attire policy.

 

[BCV23]

I work with a lady who was turned away from Bistro because they weren't appropriately attired. They were bot in shorts and t-shirts and sandals. Bistro told them they would make a later PS for them if they'd like to change and come back. They handled it quite graciously according to the coworker. They ate at Chef's instead.

Anne

You know, if that happened to me, I would ask to speak to a manager. I suspect that was a CM abusing their position. From time to time over the years, we've encountered a couple of CMs at the French pavillion with a bit of attitude. Most are charming, friendly and completely delightful but a couple of them....

I agree with Bucky... to expect anything other than theme park attire in a theme park is ludicrous.

 

[ducklite]

You know, if that happened to me, I would ask to speak to a manager. I suspect that was a CM abusing their position. From time to time over the years, we've encountered a couple of CMs at the French pavillion with a bit of attitude. Most are charming, friendly and completely delightful but a couple of them....

I agree with Bucky... to expect anything other than theme park attire in a theme park is ludicrous.

Our PS's were made through whichever concierge we were staying with at the time, and they send a little note via email with your PS's after they make them. They also indicate the dress code for that restaurant. Bistro was smart casual. They also tell you that when you book a PS. It's not like it's a surprise, and anyone showing up for a PS not dressed as requested and turned away really has no right to complain. My DH wore chino's and a polo, which is what he'd wear to the parks in the cooler months anyhow. What's the big deal?

Anne

 

[BCV23]

Well I don't think of it as a big deal but I would ask for a manager.

First of all, most guests don't make their reservations through concierge. We don't even make ours through concierge when we're staying concierge!

Secondly, "resort casual" has never excluded shorts or T-shirts....just swimwear amd tanks. But that isn't really germaine because if your friends made a PS through Disney Dining or at Epcot, it would surprise me if they were told resort casual since Bistro is in a park not one of the resorts.

My husband and sons don't wear Tshirts to the parks anyway but that is beside the case.

Yep, I would ask for a manager.

 

[ducklite]

OK, but when you call to make a PS through Dining Reservations, you are given the same information, "Smart Casual".

When you make the PS through whatever manner you do, you are told "Smart casual". Maybe they need to better educate people what smart casual is, because it's NOT shorts and t-shirts. Smart casual, resort casual, business casual, dressy casual all mean basically the same thing, and that isn't shorts and t-shirts.

Anne

 

[BCV23]

Smart casual might not mean shorts and tshirts to you but it certainly does in WDW....has for many years. All that is said is "No tank tops and no swimwear."

Secondly, are you sure that you're told smart casual when you make a reservation for Le Bistro. We haven't dined there lately but I don't remember that.

And to me resort casual and business casual are very different...but that is me.... not WDW policy.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

My Passporter states " No tank tops" for Bistro De Paris - I would think that it would be stated by the CM when you make the PS but I have never ate there so I can't comment on that.

 

[stacie_d]

Thanks for the comments. I know this topic has been discussed quite a bit lately, and just wondered what the concensus was.

I guess we will just plan on packing an variety of clothes--some lightweight casual pants, some nice shorts, etc. It will be so hot, I figure we will want to change into some fresh clothes before we head to dinner anyway.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The solution in the one case is quite easy--just don't go to Bistro. It really isn't that great a restaurant that it should require any dress code.
As to the rest--when is a "code" a requirement?? Or a suggestion?? Far as I am aware, all the codes that the CM's will spout out when you make PS are preferred/suggested ways to dress. The # of folks in shorts and t's still eating in ALL of the WDW restaurants seems to indicate that much.
Will they ever get around to making certain types of dress a requirement?? Word was California Grill was up to something like that, but I've yet to hear a report that it is actually so--

 

[lclark0621]

It is absolutly crazy for any of the resturants in the parks to have a dress code (other then no tank tops & no swimsuits).

I mean these are resturants INSIDE theme parks. For the resturants to require anything other then what people where in the parks is insane. These are THEME PARK resturants here. Most people do not go to the theme park just for dinner. Most people going to the resturants are on vacation, they hit the park early & they stay there all day. As long as people are not wearing tank tops & swimsuits they should be seated in any of the theme park resturants.

 

[Lewisc]

It is absolutly crazy for any of the resturants in the parks to have a dress code (other then no tank tops & no swimsuits).

You're looking at a the upstairs part of one restaurant, technically a separate restaurant, that's trying to give customers that chose to eat there a fine dining experience.

I suspect many of the guests who eat there go back to their rooms in the afternoon, shower change and go back to EPCOT for dinner and Illuminations.


Uncleromulus--I agree I wouldn't expect many places to be enforcing a dress code but if I was told it was smart casual and I was wearing a t shirt or jeans I really wouldn't be able to complain if I were turned away. I know it's subject to interpertation but I thought dress shorts were acceptable resort casual for men and women.

 

[ducklite]

The TRUE definition of resort wear does not include shorts or t-shirts.

Anne

 

[BCV23]

Where do you find a "TRUE" definition of resort wear?

And boy, shorts not being resort wear would be news to some of the nicest resorts in Hawaii.