PSA: Signature Restaurant Attire

[PlutoTheDog89]

I've seen a lot of threads popping lately with questions about appropriate attire at Signature restaurants. My guess is that it's due to such hot weather and people wishing to be comfortable while they dine.

Let me start by saying that with the exception of Victoria & Alberts, Park attire is allowed at Disney Signature restaurants.

Next, please keep in mind that when asking this question, people's views differ dramatically. Some believe that guests should dress neat while dining at a Signature restaurant; others believe you should dress up for your reservation; and some believe you should be comfortable.

What's Not Allowed
According to Disney Dining policy, the following attire is not allowed at a Signature Dining Restaurant:
- Clothing that contains offensive language
- Clothing that is offensive (transparent, etc.)
- Clothing that is excessively torn
- String bikinis and bikini bottoms
- Costumes (Guests under the age of 10 and select special events are exempt)

This means that the following IS allowed:
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Tank tops
- Strapless tops
- Sandals and Flip Flops

^^ That's the Disney rules. Now, everyone is different. Personally, my family rarely goes to any restaurant without showering and changing first, especially a Signature. We like to head back to the room and grab a shower, then change into something nice depending on the restaurant. We don't overdo it, but we do try and look presentable.

We travel during Christmas. It's normally comfortable outside, so I'll wear a button-down shirt, khakis or dark-wash jeans and boat shoes or sneakers.

Last year it was very hot. I adopted the "Country Club" style of dressing. I wore a lot of polos, non-cargo shorts and boat shoes or flip flops.

The girls in my family went with neat tank tops, blouses or sweaters and dark-wash jeans or khakis. They did wear neat shorts a few times.

I can post some pictures if you'd like. I don't have the time right now but figured it'd be helpful to post for those that are asking.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Wear what you want

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with @pumba, with one additional thought.
Personally, maybe just me, I strongly believe Tank Tops for men are not appropriate at upscale, Signature restaurants for dinner.
We choose to dress in "resort casual" for Signatures, I just think tank tops on men are not appropriate for men at Signatures.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Tank top in a park I am ok w, in a resort not so much

 

[otterpop]

....We just ate at Narcoossee's last week and I wore my cleanest white tank top, flip flops, and my wife made me wear a belt so my shorts wouldn't sag down to my butt....

 

[TeresaWen]

This is what I see as the dress code for signatures. Not too different but it does list all swim wear as not permitted - not just bikinis and does call out tank tops. Curious where you got the above list?

Dress Code

Guests at this Signature Dining experience are asked to adhere to a business casual dress code.

Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jackets are optional.

Women may wear dresses, skirts or dress shorts with blouses or sweaters.

Not permitted in the dining room are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and shirts with offensive language or graphics.

Bottom line - as long as a diner adhere to the "not permitted" list they are within Disney standards. Anything above is personal choice and so dependent on circumstances. Anything below this is truly pushing the envelope at ANY dining establishment.

 

[Lehuaann]

Policy per the 2016 Disney Dining Brochure -

Signature Restaurants provide unparalleled cuisine served in elegant and relaxed surroundings.

• Dress Code for Signature Restaurants is Resort Casual. Not permitted in dining room: tank tops, swimsuits or swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing of any kind, or T-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.
  
  

 

[Uncleromulus]

Tank tops don't really apply to what women might wear..things that are dressy but might barely resemble a tank top.

Meant to apply to men in those old style undershirts, or sports driven tank tops like beach volleyball players might wear..

 

[Lisa F]

Tank tops don't really apply to what women might wear..things that are dressy but might barely resemble a tank top.

Meant to apply to men in those old style undershirts, or sports driven tank tops like beach volleyball players might wear..

I always thought of a tank top as anything sleeveless but there is a difference between a woman wearing a pretty cami and a man wearing an undershirt on the outside.

 

[Nancyg56]

My family always goes to the room to shower and change before dinner, so we are not usually in "park" attire. We do not go to a signature restaurant for lunch, but honestly we do not wear the "forbidden" clothing there either.

SOme day I am going to go to V&A. I can still remember my first visit to Disney. Buddy took me to The Top of the World for dinner. Oh my goodness!!!!!! There was something so wonderful about leaving the MK, which was the only park at the time, and then getting all gussied up for a lovely formal dinner. I loved the contrast. Men who were wearing shorts and tees were in suits and ties, and women were in their best evening dresses. I do miss that.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I always thought of a tank top as anything sleeveless but there is a difference between a woman wearing a pretty cami and a man wearing an undershirt on the outside.

There certainly is a difference!! And the tank top provision is meant to keep undershirts out of the restaurants.

 

[Nancyg56]

LOL! About 10 years ago we planned out "first trip back" since our one and only real family vacation in FL, which left my DH and I shellshocked and numb for months! LOL! Anyway, my big ol' "manly man" had packed a few tank tops and wore his "good" one on our first MK day, which included lunch at CRT with our own little Princess. Well..... The poor guy never packed one of those things again. It seemed like every Pincess stopped by him, Snow gave him a signature kiss while he babbled that he had waited all his life to meet her, and every moment was captured, and then scrapped by my DD. We all see a grown man who finally had left all his cares behind, enjoying a wonderful experience with the child who hung his moon and who raised his sun, but he sees that shirt. Never went anywhere underdressed again!

 

[pumba]

I am pumba with one A...the other Pumbaa with two a's goes to Disney more often ...she has been to many restaurants ..sit down and signature restaurants...we go to the TS ones with clothes that would be appropriate for any occasion...as long as it is not revealing, disgusting, or offensive words.... My husband always wears a colorful t shirt with disney on it.and shorts...I wear my shirts and shorts and sneakers or my LL bean sandals...in other words...we have seen all kinds at all restaurants...as long as the men take off their hats ..I am good with that...

 

[Lisa F]

There certainly is a difference!! And the tank top provision is meant to keep undershirts out of the restaurants.

I am not one who gives a crap about what anyone else is wearing, however if someone came in what looked like their pajamas i might do a doubletake. I might gag a little if there was a ton of exposed body hair

 

[pumba]

pjs bottoms are Walmarts main attire...hahaha...

 

[Micca]

It probably varies a bit by region, but I believe most of the U.S. is pretty much a jeans/shorts & t-shirt kind of society. A lot folks just don't dress up to go out to dinner--with the exception of some high end eateries where more formal dress may be required. In central Florida with the hot weather/humidity and the fact that a lot of people are on vacation, it's probably even more relaxed. I'm not here to argue if that's good or bad, but I believe it's an accurate appraisal.

When it comes to Disney dining, I think the rules are lenient to make people feel comfortable wherever they dine (except V&A's where dressing up is a part of the experience.) At WDW there are folks from all over the globe cutting a broad swath of clothing choices. If you're easily offended by the attire of other people, you're asking for trouble at WDW eateries.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Women can wear sundresses, sleeveless or camisole type tops. The tank top prohibition, where it has been enforced, was only enforced regarding men. And it hasn't always been enforced.

 

[addiln]

People will wear what they want to wear and are comfortable with. As long as it in not offensive I really don't care what other people wear. It is not my job to police them. That is what the cast members are there for.

 

[thumpergirl101]

For my Disney College Program I worked in a Signature restaurant, and was deployed to another Signature. There are only a few dress code rules that we enforced:

• No tank tops for men. My restaurant even had some button-down shirts that men could borrow if they arrived in tank tops. But tank tops on men were not allowed in the dining room.
• No hats for men. Unless there was a compelling reason like a disfiguring scar, we always asked men to remove their hats.
• No swimwear. This rule was enforced for men, women, and children.

These specific rules were enforced largely due to guest complaints. People who dress up for a nice (and expensive) meal usually aren't pleased if the family next to them came straight from the pool. We actually received complaints about all of these issues, which led to strict enforcement.