Vent about dress codes at Disney...

[agotta]

Flame away, but I am tired of seeing people told it is OK to go to any of Disney's nice (not necessarily signature) restaurants in jeans or shorts and t'shirts. Maybe this is just me, but I look forward to at least once nice meal every trip and yes DH and I do dress up a bit. Seeing tourists in jeans or worse yet shorts ruins the ambiance of the restaurant for us. I can understand at the park restaurants, but not at resorts sit-downs.

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

I agree with your post as relating to nice dining in resorts however for places like Alfredo's, Le Cellier, Chefs De France, Coral Reef, or Brown Derby I disagree. Resturants in parks require such a walk to get to, I just don't like the idea of hoofing it through the parks in fine duds especially on a hot Florida day. Again for places like Jiko and California Grill......I'm with ya.

 

[agotta]

No, I said that. I don't think anyone should have to "dress" up at park restaurants. Dh and I are looking forward to a nice anniversary dinner at Yachtsman and I read another post were the OP was told jeans or shorts and a "nice" shirt were ok.

 

[DaisyGirlAllTheWay]

Totally agree, when I went to Narcoossee's in Aug, we were told by the CM taking th ADR that there is a dress code in place, we got all dressed up to come to a restaurant full of jeans, shorts and any think else casual you oculd think of...I looked around and felt comepletely out of place. Why make up rules if you are not going to enforce them? If I knew it was like that I would have just gone as I was from the parks.

 

[shellybaxter]

Sorry, I never have understood why the way someone else dresses should make one bit of difference to someone else's enjoyment of a meal. I agree that people's behavior, including any children in attendance, makes a difference in my enjoyment, and would in most people's enjoyment, but I could care less what someone else looks like. Heck, I probably wouldn't even notice unless they were really fancy dressed up and then I'd think they were pretty/handsome.

Disney resort hotel are still just disney hotel restuarants - part of a theme park complex. I think its great that Disney has made a restuarant like Victoria and Alberts that has a required dress code. Everyone knows its a "special place" and they treat it accordingly, but I think it would be wrong for disney to make "special" restaurants out of all of the upscale hotel restuarants as well. Families coming back from the parks to the AKL should have the choice of a buffet or a true sit down like Jiko. They shouldn't have to have "dress up" clothes for every night of their trip in order to have good food.

Just my opinion of course.

Shelly

 

[disneydom]

I will have to agree with agotta people look like slobs in some of the sitdown resterants nice jeans,dockers and a collerd shirt would be nice, we always go back and change into something nice, just one of my pet peves

 

[agotta]

Sorry, I never have understood why the way someone else dresses should make one bit of difference to someone else's enjoyment of a meal. I agree that people's behavior, including any children in attendance, makes a difference in my enjoyment, and would in most people's enjoyment, but I could care less what someone else looks like. Heck, I probably wouldn't even notice unless they were really fancy dressed up and then I'd think they were pretty/handsome.

Disney resort hotel are still just disney hotel restuarants - part of a theme park complex. I think its great that Disney has made a restuarant like Victoria and Alberts that has a required dress code. Everyone knows its a "special place" and they treat it accordingly, but I think it would be wrong for disney to make "special" restaurants out of all of the upscale hotel restuarants as well. Families coming back from the parks to the AKL should have the choice of a buffet or a true sit down like Jiko. They shouldn't have to have "dress up" clothes for every night of their trip in order to have good food.

Just my opinion of course.

Shelly

First of all, I didn't say anything about children. If you have well behaved children, by all means bring them. And I don't understand why I have to pay $150 and go to ONE specific restaurant if I want a nice meal. If I am going to a nice restaurant full of people in shorts and tank tops, then don't charge me 2TS. I am not arguing with you, I just don't understand. If you dont' want to dress up, fine, don't go to the nice restaurants, or maybe go during lunch, when it's not quite so "nice".

 

[cigar95]

. . . . . but I think it would be wrong for disney to make "special" restaurants out of all of the upscale hotel restuarants as well.

I don't think it's a coincidence that all of the places at which Disney has recently implemented a moderate dress code are at resorts in which there are other sit-down dining alternatives. That way each resort still has a place at which one can dine in their park attire, while some also provide a place for those who want to enjoy a more upscale experience.

I think the alternatives are:

CA Grill -> Concourse Steakhouse
Yachtsman -> YC Galley
Jiko -> Boma
Flying Fish -> various Boardwalk eateries
Citricos, Narcoosees -> GF Cafe, 1900

did I leave any out?

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

No, I said that. I don't think anyone should have to "dress" up at park restaurants. Dh and I are looking forward to a nice anniversary dinner at Yachtsman and I read another post were the OP was told jeans or shorts and a "nice" shirt were ok.

Sorry about that agotta....I completely missed that you said that at the end...glad we agree.

 

[Mandabella]

Sorry, I never have understood why the way someone else dresses should make one bit of difference to someone else's enjoyment of a meal.

Just my opinion of course.

Shelly

It's my opinion as well Shelly. We just got back from our trip yesterday. We attended Party for the Senses which has a dress code. I couldn't even begin to tell you what other people were wearing because we were too busy focusing on trying all the food/wine to pay attention to other people's clothes/shoes. I wore a skirt and DH wore slacks and a shirt.

We follow the dress code, but I could care less if the people sitting next to me follow it. As long as they behave "appropriately," I'd doubt I'd notice who was eating near me let alone if they were wearing jeans or not.

 

[agotta]

I don't think it's a coincidence that all of the places at which Disney has recently implemented a moderate dress code are at resorts in which there are other sit-down dining alternatives. That way each resort still has a place at which one can dine in their park attire, while some also provide a place for those who want to enjoy a more upscale experience.

I think the alternatives are:

CA Grill -> Concourse Steakhouse
Yachtsman -> YC Galley
Jiko -> Boma
Flying Fish -> various Boardwalk eateries
Citricos, Narcoosees -> GF Cafe, 1900

did I leave any out?

But these are the same restaurants I am talking about. I have seen countless threads where people are told it is OK to go to these restaurants in park attire. As long as it's not bathing suit cover-ups and flip flops.

 

[Lewisc]

You're confused. Jeans and shorts comply with the dress code for all the restaurants, except for V&A.

There are resorts that still enforce a dress code, just not at WDW. I don't understand why you expect guests should exceed the dress code.

You can either accept the way people dress, skip the signature restaurants or vacation elsewhere. I understand your point. On some level I agree with it BUT Disney and the vast majority of customers don't.

 

[Briarmom]

I don't think it's a coincidence that all of the places at which Disney has recently implemented a moderate dress code are at resorts in which there are other sit-down dining alternatives. That way each resort still has a place at which one can dine in their park attire, while some also provide a place for those who want to enjoy a more upscale experience.

I think the alternatives are:

CA Grill -> Concourse Steakhouse
Yachtsman -> YC Galley
Jiko -> Boma
Flying Fish -> various Boardwalk eateries
Citricos, Narcoosees -> GF Cafe, 1900

did I leave any out?

We are going to some of these in a couple of weeks. What are we supposed to pack? Last time we went to Flying Fish right before we went to Jellyrolls (and may again this time) so I wore nice jeans and a cute top. So, in all seriousness, what do we pack to dress 'right' for Jiko and CA Grill? What if it's hot out? Dress shorts are not acceptable for men with a collared shirt? And what do men wear on their feet?

 

[agotta]

You're confused. Jeans and shorts comply with the dress code for all the restaurants, except for V&A.

There are resorts that still enforce a dress code, just not at WDW. I don't understand why you expect guests should exceed the dress code.

You can either accept the way people dress, skip the signature restaurants or vacation elsewhere. I understand your point. On some level I agree with it BUT Disney and the vast majority of customers don't.

Thank you for clarifying, but no I am not confused. Business casual is not shorts or jeans.

 

[cigar95]

We are going to some of these in a couple of weeks. What are we supposed to pack? Last time we went to Flying Fish right before we went to Jellyrolls (and may again this time) so I wore nice jeans and a cute top. So, in all seriousness, what do we pack to dress 'right' for Jiko and CA Grill? What if it's hot out? Dress shorts are not acceptable for men with a collared shirt? And what do men wear on their feet?

For the upscale places, the standard is what's known as "business casual". You can find details here:

http://allearsnet.com/din/restnews.htm

Look under "July 2005".

For the most part, there's still a lot of leeway - sounds like they really want to avoid the ratty cutoffs and tank tops, rather than make it a full-scale "dress-up" environment.

However, it sounds like these guidelines aren't actually enforced strictly. I've heard multiple reports, and haven't actually heard of anyone being turned away. No idea how far out of line one would have to be at the Yachtsman, for instance, to be sent away.

 

[Briarmom]

Thank you for clarifying, but no I am not confused. Business casual is not shorts or jeans.

According to Disney, it is:

Upscale resort restaurants change dress code to Business Casual! No hats, swim suits, swim suit coveralls, tank tops, T-shirts, torn clothing or flip-flops. You can wear - dress shorts, pants, jean pants, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pants. Restaurants now requiring Business Casual include: Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge), California Grill (Contemporary), Citricos and Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian), Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Flying Fish (Boardwalk), and Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club).

 

[agotta]

I guess I don't think that dress shorts, pants, jean pants, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pants is the same as coming straight from the parks in jean shors (I am not talking cut-offs) and t-shirts. I am talking about dressing NICELY. This is my personal opionion and Disney can "word" it any way it wants too. In the end it doesn't matter because they will let just about anyone, dressed anyone come into any restaurant, with the exception of V&A. If they do turn someone away, I would expect that gues would end up complaining and get to go back anyway.

 

[cigar95]

I guess I don't think that dress shorts, pants, jean pants, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pants is the same as coming straight from the parks in jean shors (I am not talking cut-offs) and t-shirts. I am talking about dressing NICELY. This is my personal opionion and Disney can "word" it any way it wants too. In the end it doesn't matter because they will let just about anyone, dressed anyone come into any restaurant, with the exception of V&A. If they do turn someone away, I would expect that gues would end up complaining and get to go back anyway.

Agotta, I can understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, it seems that there aren't enough WDW guests who feel the same way you do to provide the type of place you're looking for - On one hand, you've got the quasi-nice places that are at least trying to encourage people to dress a little nicer, even if not everyone follows the guidelines, and on the other hand you've got Vickie & Al's, where it's going to cost you an arm and a leg to guarantee a nice ambiance.

You're looking for somewhere in between, and for the moment, at least, it's just not there. Perhaps there are off-property places, if you tend to rent a car?

 

[agotta]

Agotta, I can understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, it seems that there aren't enough WDW guests who feel the same way you do to provide the type of place you're looking for - On one hand, you've got the quasi-nice places that are at least trying to encourage people to dress a little nicer, even if not everyone follows the guidelines, and on the other hand you've got Vickie & Al's, where it's going to cost you an arm and a leg to guarantee a nice ambiance.

You're looking for somewhere in between, and for the moment, at least, it's just not there. Perhaps there are off-property places, if you tend to rent a car?

Thanks for the suggestion. I am not looking for an answer, just fustrated. Dh and I do rent a car, but only go off property to visit friends (and that is usually only once). I think that a lot of the Disney resort restaurants are nice and it's too bad that people don't treat them as such.

 

[BCKatie02]

According to Disney, it is:

Upscale resort restaurants change dress code to Business Casual! No hats, swim suits, swim suit coveralls, tank tops, T-shirts, torn clothing or flip-flops. You can wear - dress shorts, pants, jean pants, collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pants. Restaurants now requiring Business Casual include: Artist Point (Wilderness Lodge), California Grill (Contemporary), Citricos and Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian), Jiko (Animal Kingdom Lodge), Flying Fish (Boardwalk), and Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club).

Perhaps 'Business Casual' is not the proper term to use for the new dress code if this is the definition. It's confusing. My work has a Business Casual dress code and I would never be able to wear shorts or jeans to work. That being said, I see nothing wrong with having to get a little dressed up to go to a "signature" restaurant.