Restaurant dress codes?

[mikkiblueeyes]

We got the DVD for Magical Gatherings and they showed the restaurants and everyone was dressed so nicely. Except for Victoria and Alberts is there a dress code to the nicer restaurants? I really don't want to have to pack dress clothes.

thanks

Michelle

 

[KFISCHER]

Here's mine.

V and A's has a definite dress code........men have to wear coats.
I always wear a tie as well.

Some of the other nicer restaurants, like California Grill and Citrico's, have a dress code of smart or business casual.

My own dress code: if it's a nice place, wear something nice. I think you'll feel better.

Exception would be the restaurants in the parks, where you're not expected to run back to your hotel, change, and come back.

 

[stinkerbelle]

"officially" - the only place with a dress code is Victoria and Alberts...every where is "park attire"

I was at the California grill in January in jean capris and my grumpy sweat shirt...did I feel underdressed? Yes. Did it matter? No.

 

[diswedwish]

If I remember correctly, when we made PS for CA Grill and somewhere else that I can't remember they did say no tank tops. On our last trip we ate at a lot of the nicer restaurants - it was my bright idea to bring a change of nicer clothes, store it in a locker and change. We spent all day at the parks, and since it would've taken more time than we wanted to spend to go to POR to wherever we were going that seemed the best solution. Well, that lasted about a day Too much trouble... Since it was Jan. and chilly we didn't have a problem with the tank top thing. And I did feel a bit underdressed in jeans at some of the restaurants, but no one made me feel that way but me. So the slight self-consciousness was worth the time we saved. You just have to decide what's more important to you, and have a good time when you're there

 

[stinkerbelle]

diswedwish - you are half right - it's no tank tops for MEN I believe.

I've worn tank tops to some of the nicer restaurants and was never asked to cover up.

 

[madalex]

I have the PS confirmation sheet from the trip we took in February 2004. The confirmation sheet included a "Hints and Policies" sheet, one of which is the designation of "Dress Code - Dressy Casual." This is described as "Collared shirt prefered for gentlemen. No tank tops, t-shirts, cut offs or jeans."

However, of the restaurants we went to, the only restaurant this dress code was applicable to was Citricos and it did not apply to Flying Fish, Spoodles, Bistro de Paris, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse or Artist Point.

Thus, as others have said, there is no official dress code even at many of the high end restaurants, although I personally always wear at least khakis and some sort of collared shirt at all such restuarants.

 

[DebbieB]

When I made a PS for Yachtsman's Steakhouse last fall, I was told the dress code was no tank tops, no swimwear. Most of the people were dressed in polo type shirts and dressy shorts or pants.

 

[Uncleromulus]

In speaking with the managers at many of these restaurants over the years, the only really enforced "code" is no bathing suits and no tank tops for men. And even the tank-top thing is waived on occasion--we've seen several gentlemen at high-end restaurants in tank tops, so it appears that isn't always enforced.
That said--we almost always go to every WDW restaurant in theme park casual--a Disney T-shirt, nice walking shorts. It has Never, ever been any sort of problem--in fact, no one pays any attention.
It may well be that Disney would like to enforce a more upscale dress code, but they probably can't--they would lose too much valuable business and folks might gravitate to the much more relaxed off-site dining spots.
Bottom line--dress "up" if you want to (lots of people do) but you don't really HAVE to.

 

[crisi]

Keep in mind that the Magical Gatherings DVD is a marketing peice. Bet nobody had hat hair or a sunburn either. Nor was anyone's child throwing a tantrum because they'd gone commando all day without a nap and mom just said no to a spinny light thingy.

In truth, there are a number people in the restaurants who spent a little too much time in the sun, who are borderline on "should have changed after spending the day in 90 degree heat." Who have "humidity hair" and its cousin "hat hair." And are not nearly as good looking and significantly grumpier than you see in marketing videos. Most however, are dressed fairly nicely (after all, Dad has the camera - so you tend to wear your nicest shorts and shirts on a WDW vacation).