Signature Dress Code

[Summer2018]

In the parks, it makes perfect sense that many people are going to be dressed more casually than they would at a restaurant in a deluxe resort.

I would hope that people having dinner at a signature restaurant located in a deluxe resort would make an effort to dress appropriately. For those of us dressing up for a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary, it would be nice if we weren’t surrounded by a sea of diners dressed as if they were eating at McDonalds. When I am at an upscale restaurant outside of WDW, I see very well-dressed people at the other tables. At my nephew’s 5 star restaurant on Long Island, it’s a regular fashion show night after night.

Sweaty people in shorts and t-shirts ruin the ambiance IMHO.

 

[smcabee]

Follow the not permitted list and you will be fine at any Signature restaurant in park or at a resort with the exception of V&A of course.

 

[Spencer Wright]

You are completely overthinking it.
Very very few restaurants have a dress code.
Its normal to eat in park attire and honestly would be a bit weird if you were dressed to impress in the parks.
Not only do I wear shorts, t-shirt, yoga pants, sweatshirts, sneakers.... to signatures especially when in the parks but um if its August and 95*F with the heat index being 105*F you can bet your butt I'm also sweaty and nasty walking into that ADR and I have done so to a number of QS, TS, and signatures.
This isn't formal night on a cruise, its a theme park.

I totally agree with this. I normally dress pretty formally year round, and the trip before my 2017 I did make sure to dress 'appropriately' for certain ADR's (i.e. polo shirt and khaki shorts), and it was HORRIBLE. There is no need, so last trip I went much more casual (i.e. gym shorts and t-shirt). I felt under dressed at a few restaurants but its not a huge deal.

I would wear a t-shirt and gym shorts, but my shirt was not wrinkled, I always had sleeves, ect. Keeping in mind its FL and a theme park theirs plenty of room for flexibility!!

 

[OneinThree]

I totally agree with this. I normally dress pretty formally year round, and the trip before my 2017 I did make sure to dress 'appropriately' for certain ADR's (i.e. polo shirt and khaki shorts), and it was HORRIBLE. There is no need, so last trip I went much more casual (i.e. gym shorts and t-shirt). I felt under dressed at a few restaurants but its not a huge deal.

I would wear a t-shirt and gym shorts, but my shirt was not wrinkled, I always had sleeves, ect. Keeping in mind its FL and a theme park theirs plenty of room for flexibility!!

Totally get the whole casual attire thing in the parks. There seems to be no point in walking around the parks in khakis and collared shirt when it's 95 degrees and humid. In the resort signatures, not so much. Really no excuse for walking into a restaurant with stated dress code, in gym shorts and t-shirt.

 

[MomOTwins]

I really never understood the concept that what other guests are wearing can ruin a meal for some people. I don't pay much attention to guests at other tables when I eat, and frankly, I'd feel like I was invading privacy if I was scrutinizing their clothing choices. When I dine out with my DH on a special occasion, we are looking at and talking to each other, not scanning the surrounding tables and thinking "EGAD, that woman is in flip flops" or "ugh, horror, an un-collared shirt." The room decor and music is ambiance enough for me.

But that's all really an aside, which is to say that based on what the OP described, they will be on the better-dressed end of in-park restaurant guests. It's Florida. It's hot. It's a theme park. What do people expect?

 

[OneinThree]

I really never understood the concept that what other guests are wearing can ruin a meal for some people. I don't pay much attention to guests at other tables when I eat, and frankly, I'd feel like I was invading privacy if I was scrutinizing their clothing choices. When I dine out with my DH on a special occasion, we are looking at and talking to each other, not scanning the surrounding tables and thinking "EGAD, that woman is in flip flops" or "ugh, horror, an un-collared shirt." The room decor and music is ambiance enough for me.

Dress codes for fine dining have always been a thing. Probably more necessary now than ever, given this reality:

based on what the OP described, they will be on the better-dressed end of in-park restaurant guests.

That's really not a dig at the OP. I'm all about the shorts and t-shirts in the parks. However, we've become such a bunch of slobs as a rule, that every other person looks like a total hot mess. Whatever, but the idea this doesn't detract from the ambiance and atmosphere at a signature restaurant doesn't make a whole lot of sense, tbh.

 

[NYCgrrl]

The next time I go to WDW I'm going to have to pay more attention to what others are wearing.
I've certainly seen t shirts and shorts but am thankful I missed the gym shorts what with my thinking they only belong in a gymnasium or during some sort of sport event.
Also seen packs of "young adults" toddling along in matching onesies guzzling beer @ Epcot and I'm sure they'll feel as embarrassed in later life viewing pics of the time as I do seeing photos of self wearing navy blue lipstick. Oh but I still think orange lipstick is cool. Memory lane digression over.

I honestly feel sorry for people who can't dress to the bare minimum dress code that some Disney restaurants request. Still, they make a great "What not to do" moment for the next generation.

 

[OneinThree]

I've certainly seen t shirts and shorts but am thankful I missed the gym shorts what with my thinking they only belong in a gymnasium or during some sort of sport event.

You didn't know? Most peoples' gym shorts have never been within miles of a gym these days.

 

[AngiTN]

In the parks, it makes perfect sense that many people are going to be dressed more casually than they would at a restaurant in a deluxe resort.

I would hope that people having dinner at a signature restaurant located in a deluxe resort would make an effort to dress appropriately. For those of us dressing up for a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary, it would be nice if we weren’t surrounded by a sea of diners dressed as if they were eating at McDonalds. When I am at an upscale restaurant outside of WDW, I see very well-dressed people at the other tables. At my nephew’s 5 star restaurant on Long Island, it’s a regular fashion show night after night.

Sweaty people in shorts and t-shirts ruin the ambiance IMHO.

Some will not. I'm going to say it could well be most guests on some nights so I hope the last sentence it mostly hyperbole and it won't truly impact your meal in any meaningful way. Because even if dressed up if it's 95 with 95% humidity you may see sweaty people. And sometimes luggage limits what one brings. Or plans don't allow the break you hope for

 

[jlee003]

packed a couple of polo's and some nice Khaki shorts for resort signatures, and will will rely on park attire for the rest.

 

[Lisa F]

You're right. I had to dig it up, but here it is from MDE:

"Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.

Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition."

What a weird dress code
so women MUST expose some leg or they'll be turned away? Unless jeans are being worn in good condition. It's oddly specific. I know they won't but what a weird way to phrase it, basically saying women can't wear long pants.

 

[freshmanjs]

In the parks, it makes perfect sense that many people are going to be dressed more casually than they would at a restaurant in a deluxe resort.

I would hope that people having dinner at a signature restaurant located in a deluxe resort would make an effort to dress appropriately. For those of us dressing up for a special occasion such as a wedding anniversary, it would be nice if we weren’t surrounded by a sea of diners dressed as if they were eating at McDonalds. When I am at an upscale restaurant outside of WDW, I see very well-dressed people at the other tables. At my nephew’s 5 star restaurant on Long Island, it’s a regular fashion show night after night.

Sweaty people in shorts and t-shirts ruin the ambiance IMHO.

If you're having a special occasion dinner where you really care what other people are wearing, you should not have it at a theme park resort.

 

[ChanduTail]

Dress codes for fine dining have always been a thing.

Dress codes are really going the way of the dinosaur. I can think of very few fine dining venues in major US cities that still have a formal dress code. (I don't really consider any Disney restaurant except V&A to be "fine dining" "Nice," though, with good food, yes!)

I don't really have a horse in the race because I like to get dressed up for dinner, whether I'm going to a restaurant on vacation or at home. It's fun for me. It's probably not fun for people who have to dress in business suits for work every single day. I don't really notice or care what other people are wearing. I care more about how other people smell because that is something you will notice even if you don't want to. To each their own, as they say. If you don't want to eat dinner next to a (showered) person in a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, Disney World might not be the place for you.

 

[OneinThree]

If you're having a special occasion dinner where you really care what other people are wearing, you should not have it at a theme park resort.

Is that why Disney refers to these restaurants as "fine dining", and references a dress code?

 

[freshmanjs]

Is that why Disney refers to these restaurants as "fine dining", and references a dress code?

Actually, yes. That is exactly why the dress code allows almost anything, but thanks for the snarky face. It's a theme park resort. People wear t-shirts and shorts. Even in the signatures. If that's not what you're looking for, then dine somewhere else.

 

[OneinThree]

People wear t-shirts and shorts. Even in the signatures.

That would definitely be the exception, as opposed to the rule. Yes, you're still a total slob if you show up to a resort signature in flip flops and t-shirt.

It's a theme park resort.

It really isn't that difficult a concept to grasp that Disney offers a variety of experiences for resort guests. They distinguish "casual" from "fine", for a reason.

 

[OneinThree]

I can think of very few fine dining venues in major US cities that still have a formal dress code.

This is true. I'm going to guess based on my experiences at WDW and on this forum that a disproportionate amount of Disney's guests need the hand-holding provided by an actual dress code, which is why they maintain one.

If you don't want to eat dinner next to a (showered) person in a Mickey Mouse T-shirt, Disney World might not be the place for you.

.

Since when is showering optional? God help us.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Actually, yes. That is exactly why the dress code allows almost anything, but thanks for the snarky face. It's a theme park resort. People wear t-shirts and shorts. Even in the signatures. If that's not what you're looking for, then dine somewhere else.

Onslow likes this kind of thinking

 

[freshmanjs]

That would definitely be the exception, as opposed to the rule. Yes, you're still a total slob if you show up to a resort signature in flip flops and t-shirt.



It really isn't that difficult a concept to grasp that Disney offers a variety of experiences for resort guests. They distinguish "casual" from "fine", for a reason.

It really isn't that difficult a concept to grasp that if they are going to have a written dress code, then that means that what's allowed in the dress code is acceptable. So far in this thread, you have made snarky faces at me and questioned my intelligence. ***?

 

[freshmanjs]

That would definitely be the exception, as opposed to the rule. Yes, you're still a total slob if you show up to a resort signature in flip flops and t-shirt.



It really isn't that difficult a concept to grasp that Disney offers a variety of experiences for resort guests. They distinguish "casual" from "fine", for a reason.

Last time I went to Eleven Madison Park, there was a table of guys in t-shirts and jeans. I guess I should have let that ruin my meal at one of the best restaurants in the world. Thankfully, I was able to pull myself together and enjoy it despite their offensive attire. LOL.