So what if I WANT to dress for dinner ...

[fla4fun]

I usually don't give the other diners a second look, unless what they are wearing borders on the outrageous (the only word I could think of for a family forum - and I'm sure we've all seen some real interesting outfits from time to time). It's not unusual at all at the resorts to see people in anything from semi-formal wear to resort casual wear when dining. I used to stop and have dinner a night or two a week when I worked closer to Disney, and I would be wearing my business wear to dine. I never felt out of place. I do think Disney should do a better job of enforcing the business casual at their signature restaurants though. When I book one of those, I expect to have to dress a little nicer. But I would say that you wouldn't be in the minority if you decide to go back to the room and change before dinner.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

NO, dress up! It's your vacation, most people come to Disney like they were doing yardwork, I would be embarrassed. I take pictures all throughout our trips and I want to look good. I always dress nice like I do to work or the mall. Casual dress. No one looks at me like Im stupid. Plus I can't stand paying $40+ a person if the table next to me looks like they mowed the yard (visor, cotton loose shorts, sneakers and oversized socks). Sorry I work at a clothing store so appearance means alot in my line of work.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

NO, dress up! It's your vacation, most people come to Disney like they were doing yardwork, I would be embarrassed. I take pictures all throughout our trips and I want to look good. I always dress nice like I do to work or the mall. Casual dress. No one looks at me like Im stupid. Plus I can't stand paying $40+ a person if the table next to me looks like they mowed the yard (visor, cotton loose shorts, sneakers and oversized socks). Sorry I work at a clothing store so appearance means alot in my line of work.

YARDWORK!!

I love it!

 

[dreambound]

This is a funny question because I'm actually nervous about feeling out of place in our casual clothes. I cringe to think of myself in jeans and a hoodie at Le Cellier. We will dress "for dinner" a few times but a few times we won't have that opportunity. I guess I have to remember I'm dining in a theme park and the rules are a little different.

Thanks all. Its good to know that I have a "support group." I know no one will be looking at me but I still like to fit in KWIM. To each his own but in general I think I was born a few decades too late. I like a little formality in my life at appropriate times.

And to be honest - I can't see why DH would be more comfortable in a pair of jeans vice a pair of khakis (I'm sure he could argue the opposite ) I was especially looking forward to dressing up a little for the California Grill. Our kids are young and the parks close early in January anyways, it is doubtful we will spend a lot of time at the parks in the evening. Even if we do get to go back, it's not going to be for long. They can survive a few hours in their nicer clothes.

Let's see -

Day 1 Chef Mickey's - We'll have travelled all day; it will be nice to be out of travel clothes.
Day 2 - California Grill - Yup, bolstered by the knowledge that people won't point and laugh we are dressing up. We're going to watch Wishes from there.
Day 3 - WCC - Gonna keep it casual. Seems like a casual kinda place.
Day 4 - Kona Café - casual "nice" (read no jeans).
Day 5 - LTT - Kids will be dressed like pirates.
Day 6 - going to do counter service. Gotta press my evening gown.

So all told no too many nights but some.

 

[paulh]

glad that most here dress up for dinner,DW spends that much on clothes for holidays(vacation) we have to dress up a differnt out fit each night.eroupean we go for at least 2 weeks next year 3 weeks,dont want to look at the clothes bill
Paulh

 

[jimmalru80]

its something we always do dress up for evening meal,we do the same as you go back and change.And no you wont look out of place
Paulh

Our family does this as well. We feel very comfortable doing it this way and I'm sure you will too. We build our WDW vacation around our meals and it's a special time for us.

 

[dizneekim]

Allegro-

Good for you! I have been sad the last few times we've had dinner at the castle and seemed to be the only ones who made an effort to even freshen up for the evening. The castle has always been a special meal for me, and I like our appearance to reflect that. Not fancy dress, but tidied up and neat. When we last dined there, we listened to screaming children throughout most of the meal, and just general noise and commotion. I know it is a family restaurant in a theme park, but it makes me sad nonetheless. I hope there are more dining companions like your family when we are there next month-keep up the good work!

 

[OKW Mom]

We are DVC w/AP and we figure we move at our own speed. That includes: bathing, changing clothes to fit the occasion.

For my DH 55th B-day we got gussied up, (khakis, collarless dress shirt for DH, Titanic replica dress (Rose's red/black Jump dress) for me...worked on that thing for 3 weeks prior to the trip).

The staff at Narcossie's actually mentioned how nice it was for us to dress for the occasion. Later at the MK for Illuminations there was a little pointing and staring at a dressed up couple-that's OK maybe more will join our ranks!

DDP has diluted to "occasion" of eating at the TS restaurants and our experience at the Turf Club was more like a night in a gym locker room (large man in cotton knit shorts sitting spread legged while huffing down dinner) There was not a lot left to the imagination.

Just think, if kids can be Pirates and Princesses....we can dress for dinner!

With all the DDP participants there is less of an experience and more chowing down.

 

[Booyakasha]

We are DVC w/AP and we figure we move at our own speed. That includes: bathing, changing clothes to fit the occasion.

For my DH 55th B-day we got gussied up, (khakis, collarless dress shirt for DH, Titanic replica dress (Rose's red/black Jump dress) for me...worked on that thing for 3 weeks prior to the trip).

The staff at Narcossie's actually mentioned how nice it was for us to dress for the occasion. Later at the MK for Illuminations there was a little pointing and staring at a dressed up couple-that's OK maybe more will join our ranks!

DDP has diluted to "occasion" of eating at the TS restaurants and our experience at the Turf Club was more like a night in a gym locker room (large man in cotton knit shorts sitting spread legged while huffing down dinner) There was not a lot left to the imagination.

Just think, if kids can be Pirates and Princesses....we can dress for dinner!

With all the DDP participants there is less of an experience and more chowing down.

I think this is well said. Disney has these "business casual rules" for the signature restaurants. However, Disney's idea of buisness casual is not reality. Business casual is not shorts, jeans, or tshirts. It is collared shirts and nice pants. Resort casual is shorts. They are trying to make an effort to maintain some sort of ambience in the signature restaurants but it is poorly written and executed. It is too bad that some people see these nice restarants as just another place to "slap on the feedbag", thereby making the experience less special for other people. The DDP is partly to blame for this.

B.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

My family has been using the DDP since its inception and I resent that posters are saying that the DDP is to blame for the dress code at WDW. People have been dressing shabbily for quite some time at WDW. Its DISNEY's fault for not enforcing it. Not those who choose the DDP.

The United States in general has taken on a more casual mode of dress. DH and I hate to go to our favorite steakhouse (Gibson's), where we spend well over $200 and seated next to us are people in jeans. Granted, their jeans probably do cost more than my slacks or skirt does, but IMO opinion jeans are jeans.

The DDP is taking the rap for all things gone wrong/bad at WDW. I can see the next thread ......DDP caused tropical storms at WDW.

Come on, people in general have gotten more casual. Its a shame, and something that doesn't make me happy, but its the truth.

 

[chrismb22]

Add me to the dressed up list!! I only planned on restaurants near our hotel (WL) so we can change first without taking too much time away from our park days (CG and Artist Point). I am packing my high heeled boots and a skirt just for that occasion (so if someone sees me, please don't take a photo for the "what not to wear" thread. I'm ONLY wearing them to dinner )

 

[Booyakasha]

My family has been using the DDP since its inception and I resent that posters are saying that the DDP is to blame for the dress code at WDW. People have been dressing shabbily for quite some time at WDW. Its DISNEY's fault for not enforcing it. Not those who choose the DDP.

The United States in general has taken on a more casual mode of dress. DH and I hate to go to our favorite steakhouse (Gibson's), where we spend well over $200 and seated next to us are people in jeans. Granted, their jeans probably do cost more than my slacks or skirt does, but IMO opinion jeans are jeans.

The DDP is taking the rap for all things gone wrong/bad at WDW. I can see the next thread ......DDP caused tropical storms at WDW.

Come on, people in general have gotten more casual. Its a shame, and something that doesn't make me happy, but its the truth.

No one is saying that DDP carries all the blame but it certainly contributes to it. The DDP allows people to go to restaurants that they may not try if there was no dining plan. These people may or may not be used to dining in these restaurants and may be unaware of how they differ from some of the non signature restaurants. I think Disney is mainly to blame on this as I am sure if they told people they needed to wear business causal the majority of the people would abide. By that I mean real business casual not "disney business casual" as soon as you tell someone it is OK to wear jeans t-shirts or shorts there really is no dress code IMHO.

Cindy's Mom, I do agree with you that we are becoming more casual. As the restaurant business especially in the likes of Chicago becomes more cut throat restaurants are not going to turn away diners, because it is what is in their wallets/purses that is more important than what they are wearing.

I can't even post on this family friendly board what I saw last time I was at Gibson's.


B.

 

[sandym718]

We went back to the resort each day for swimming/naps for the kids. We dressed nicer for dinners. DD would usually wear a sundress, myself a skirt or dressier capris and a nice top. DH and DD wore khaki shorts or pants and polo-type tops. We never felt out of place, it felt nice to be all clean again (we showered too) for the evening. However, for most restaurants just wearing regular park attire is fine, too.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

DF and I are planning on going back to our room to shower after the parks. We also plan on dressing up (meaning DF in khaki's and a button up shirt and me in dressy pants, a dress, or jeans and a dressy shirt). We will be on our honeymoon and want a chance to dress up a little. Our ADR's are at Narcoossee's, California Grill, Citrico's, Yachtsmen Steakhouse, and Cinderella's Royal Table.