Vent about dress codes at Disney...

[jtdl]

On vacation I enjoy showering/shaving and throwing on at least Dockers, button down shirt and real shoes for dinner. I do not do this for any person but myself, it just feels more comfortable to eat dinner like this.

But no I do not expect anybody else to feel or do as I do.

Now if I went and paid a few hundred bucks for dinner and did not feel the atmosphere was in line(for whatever reason) with the price I paid, I would not complain, I would just CHOOSE to spend my money elsewhere next time. I would not expect everyone else to get out of their Park(McDonalds) clothes just so it could be more in line with what my idea of what a nice dinner is all about. I really doubt that clothing of other guests would be on my list of reasons to never go back to a restaraunt.
QUOTE]

Totally agree. What other people are wearing does not make my meal! Sure, if they were dirty, smelly, etc. that would interfere with my meal, but WHY WOULD I CARE what someone else in the restaurant it wearing. I have never been much of a "follower"- feeling comfortable doing only what others are doing. If I want to get all dressed up to go out for dinner, I will, I don't care if nobody else will be dressed to the nines, and vice versa. I do what I feel comfortable doing regardless of what others are doing! How do the clothes that other people are wearing create an "atmosphere"? For me atmosphere is created by decor, lighting, smells, company - not other peoples' clothing! And if you consider people who aren't even in your party as "decor", there's a problem.

 

[beccasmom]

I agree, too. I was just thinking that this morning while coming into work. Really, many folks don't seem to put any pride in the way they dress - I've noticed this both at work and in church. It is sad. Our work environment is business casual (and casual on Fridays, but with major restrictions that became necessary to enact). Some of the things I see (especially in the summer months!) are unbelievable. I don't think it takes much effort to put on a nice pair of slacks and a nice sweater, top or blouse/shirt. As far as at church, don't get me started.

 

[budbeerlady]

I would expect this thread if I were reading about vacationing in the Hamptons or someplace Not child friendly like WDW. I could see your complaint if we were all on a cruise ship and didn't adhear to the "dress" code. I dress up very nice on our cruises we take, but then again I am never more than 10 min from my room on the ship and I dont have a child with me. And for the record, except for the nights he wore his tux DH wore black jeans and a collared shirt to dinner.(gasp!!!!) And no one even batted an eye! If you dont like it, go else where. I guess I just dont get, THIS IS WALT DISNEY WORLD, it was made for children and fun family memories.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Why is it "sad" that people some people don't care too much how they dress? Should we all support the crazy American fashion craze and buy desinger rags and support the Paris Hilton all fluff no substance lifestyle?...Though she certainly dresses well. Do the clothes really make the person? I'd really like to not believe this, if you don't mind.

As long as people are clean and respectful what's the diff? It's Disney not NYC.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

I would expect this thread if I were reading about vacationing in the Hamptons or someplace Not child friendly like WDW. I could see your complaint if we were all on a cruise ship and didn't adhear to the "dress" code. I dress up very nice on our cruises we take, but then again I am never more than 10 min from my room on the ship and I dont have a child with me. And for the record, except for the nights he wore his tux DH wore black jeans and a collared shirt to dinner.(gasp!!!!) And no one even batted an eye! If you dont like it, go else where. I guess I just dont get, THIS IS WALT DISNEY WORLD, it was made for children and fun family memories.

This is what I have been thinking the whole time I have been reading this thread. Disney is a place to be young and have fun and let the ever day worries just wash away in a fairytale land. I have no problem with people wearing whatever they choose and living however they choose. As long as your are not being rude to my family, I pay you no attention. If you want to dress up at a place that you deem dress code worth then go ahead... why would it matter if everyone else is not dressed the same as you
It seems to be that people have lost the focus of what Disney was suppose to be... and that includes Disney itself at times. Once again this is a place for fun and worry free days... not a place of whos wearing what were... heck I think everyone should were Mouse Ears everywhere

 

[Texa]

heck I think everyone should were Mouse Ears everywhere

Great idea!

 

[honeymo78]

I have no problem abiding by the "business casual" dress code at the 2 "signature" restaurants we have chosen to eat at during our Feb vacation. We will most likely be in jeans, sneakers, polo for DH and knit top/plain cotton top for me - exactly what we are wearing to the parks that day. If it's warmer Dh will be in khaki shorts and I will probably have on a skort or "dressy" shorts, again our normal park attire. As long as this is what disney's requested attire is we will have no problems adhering to it. Just b/c I don't want to get dressed up doesn't mean I don't want the kind of food served at these signature restaurants and should have to eat in the parks (although Epcot does have some nice offerings but I'm more of a MK girl). To be honest I go there for the food, not the atmosphere.

I don't agree that there needs to be a dress code other than no swimsuits, etc. But I will comply with what they have now. If it goes much further (ie no jeans, shorts, sneakers) I probably will no longer eat there. If I can't be comfortable in the park wearing what abides by the dress code I'm not going to bother eating somewhere on vacation that makes me go and change first.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have to disagree with you and refer you to the July 2005 allearsnet.com blurb (previously referenced in this thread) where they announced the "business casual" dress code. It specifically states that jean pants are acceptable, along with dress shorts.

Personally, I don't know why someone else's fashion choice would ruin a meal, but I'll let Disney police their own dress code and just have a good time without worrying about what someone else is wearing. I don't expect Disney to force people to exceed the "business casual" policy they have created just because someone else envisions it differently.

I agree. If Disney had a code that required dress pants and shirts that is one thing. Personally, I wear what I want, and feel special when I dress to my own liking. I never worry about what others are wearing, and would never let it affect my dining experience. I have seen people dressed to the gills who still look like an unmade bed, but when my DH wears his nice jeans and a good shirt his nice jeans and a good shirt he really looks put together. Just please do not look at his shoes.....he still wear what my BIL calls his 70's sliders. You know the ones that zip up the side? I'd rather see him in sneakers. That sight may ruin someones dinner!

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't fault anyone for wearing jeans/t-shirts to a nice restaurant, but sometimes it just astounds me that people think being slobs/loud/obnoxious/not-tipping is acceptable just because they are on vacation.

Okay, I don't get it. How is following the dress code by wearing or dress shorts the same as behaving like an unrefined jerk? How can you reach from jeans in a restaurant that has stated that the dress is acceptable to becoming a sloppy, loud obnoxious cheap non tipper? I think that discussing what manner of dress is suitable is a far cry from this type of attack.

 

[Jen D]

All this talk about jeans being more acceptable in Florida is interesting but I really think jeans have come into their own everywhere and are pretty much accepted... I equate most Disney signature restaurants with the "casual" upscale style that is the rage everywhere now, typified here in NYC by Danny Meyer's restaurants like the Union Square Cafe. At that restaurant (similar in cuisine and decor to the California Grill) you might very well see folks in suits eating after a day at the office, or a party of folks dressed up because it is an anniversary or mom's dinner, but you will just as often see people in "smart casual"-- dressed for "going out" in smart, stylish clothes, and often jeans fit into that category these days, like it or not. These restaurants don't have any official dress code that I'm aware of but as in any upscale dining experience you will probably feel more comfortable if you smarten yourself up a bit.

I personally think Disney's dress code is about right-- a gentle encouragement to dress with a little more care for these restaurants but still allowing peope to casually enjoy a fine dining experience without having to do a lot of extra packing.

 

[Nancyg56]

It doesn't mean the same as the in the workplace in the Northeast (and other cities) but it is business casual in much of FL.

Disney should drop the term business casual and just describe the attire they're looking for.

There you go...problem solved.

 

[Karenj2]

Obviously I agree with the OP - if you're planning on going to an upscale restaurant, then dress for the occasion. If you have clean, non ratty jeans or dress shorts (as stated before), that's fine. My DH has worn khaki's and a nice golf shirt (collared), and looks good. If you were going to [insert your favorite local four/five star restaurant here] at home, would you dress in sports shorts, flip flops, or have a tshirt with who knows what on it? (I hope your answer is no) I don't care that the restaurants are part of the park - they were made to be upscale places (both food and ambience) and should be treated a such.

I have seen people in gym shorts with Tshirts (with whatever slogan they want to proclaim to everyone who looks at them) at some of the nicer restaurants. I'm sorry, but that's not appropriate. You don't have to wear a suit and tie, but at least try to keep your appearance neat. (Besides, after spending all day in a park on a hot day, wouldn't you WANT to change into something that you haven't been sweating in?)

And for those that have commented about not wanting to drag their kids to the hotel to change: When I was about 10 years old, we came to WDW, and every evening we'd come back to the hotel, get changed and dressed up, and head out for our evening meal. (older sis was 13, younger was 7) We all enjoyed it - it was a treat to go to a "fancy" place all dolled up (and the restaurants we went to weren't even that fancy). Plus, taking that break to get dressed up gave us a chance to rest up, so we behaved better at dinner. (Not that we would have been allowed to misbehave.)

And finally, even if the OP invited the flaming in her first post, she most certainly didn't invite people to attack her personally. I read through all 10 posts, and she was mocked, called a snob, told to go elsewhere if she can't stand it, etc... That is SO unDisney-like.

And on a personal note - be careful when you assume whether or not someone is a parent. You could be touching on a very sore subject... Not everyone that is childless is that way because they want to be. If luck had been in my favor, DH and I would have had multiple kids by now. I know that's a major tangent, but when people made the comments that "obviously she doesn't have kids", that bothered me. [end of personal vent]

 

[jann1033]

I don't have kids, and I don't want to be flamed either, but I think it sort of goes along with the dress code issue. I believe that one of the reasons that people do have a tendency to dress down a bit at the Disney resort restaurants is because there are always children at those restaurants. And so even the more sophisticated restaurants such as California Grill and Jiko don't have a real sophisticated feel to them. Personally I'd feel kind of silly going to a whole lot of trouble getting dressed up to go to Jiko only to be seated next to a table with twin 3 year olds who are coloring on the tablecloth all evening.

.

yes, it might be an expensive meal but it is still a meal in a theme park complex so i don't really think you can expect people to dress like they might at a 3-4 star off property place.

however i have to say either i just never noticed or people do not dress sloppy like this in winter as i really can not think of any time i have seen people in raggedy or dirty clothes at a ts place( i can't even think of many in the parks as pople are usually much more dressed up than say at a local amusement park)..they always look clean and neat in any resort restaurant i have been to. . so i think it must be more of some want much more formal clothes which is way beyond what even disney feels is needed

 

[Kathy C]

I have to agree with Shelly. When I go to Disney, especially in the summer, I'm going for the casual atmosphere. Our attire, whether it be jeans or shorts, is always ironed, and we are always well groomed. I think it's a personal preference on what you wear to dinner. While you're sitting and eating, you don't see people from the waist down anyway!

 

[Peter Pirate]

So Karen, it's unacceptable for me to wear my new $60.00 Mickey Mouse T to dinner at Jiko...The one the same WDW Company sold me earlier in the day?

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Why is it "sad" that people some people don't care too much how they dress? Should we all support the crazy American fashion craze and buy desinger rags and support the Paris Hilton all fluff no substance lifestyle?...Though she certainly dresses well. Do the clothes really make the person? I'd really like to not believe this, if you don't mind.

ITA

 

[maggs]

Ragarding returning to the hotel to change I dont see why I should have to. I wear clean clothes each day, I am on my own with the kids and we do not look unkempt in our shorts and tshirts. I wear a great deodrant! My kids are well mannered and always say please and thank you to the waiting staff - I have even been complimeted on their manners at two restaurants. I would much prefer that than have a comment passed on their clothes.I am very comfortable with the way I dress and with my hygene.

Maggs

 

[Karenj2]

Honestly (IMHO), it depends... is it a nicely embroidered Mickey T, or is it one of the screened t-shirts? (I'm half kidding.)

Disney apparel, in general, is acceptable, because Disney doesn't make distasteful clothing. Not everyone wears Disney T's to the parks or restaurants, though.

Tshirts are like billboards - they proclaim whatever the person wants to proclaim to anyone that happens to glance at the shirt. For example, my DH has a Tshirt that says "I'm EZ!" in bold lettering across the front. (On the back is the company who produces the EZ product, but most people don't notice the back.) There are times and places for DH to wear that shirt. (I prefer he doesn't wear it to casual church functions, or even when we're eating at a mid-scale restaurant.)

If Disney has a particular ambience that they are going for at the upscale restaurants, then they need to 1) redefine the guidelines to describe what "business casual" means and 2) actually enforce them.

Until then - wear whatever and I'll bite my tongue.

On another sidenote (talking about business casual in FL) - when my position (as well as a few others from PA & MD) got moved to a new department based in Florida, we had a meeting to get everyone aquainted with each other. I walked into the hotel in my tan slacks and nice shirt (and shoes), and ran into a coworker from MD who was in nice slacks, dress shirt and tie. We started chatting, and I asked if he had met the new boss, and he said "he's right over there" and pointed... My new boss was in a grubby tshirt, nasty, too short shorts, and sneakers! Granted, he had been working out, but he had time to change before meeting us (and he didn't change before we went out to dinner)! To me, that was an indicator in how little he cared for us (which was later proven true).

 

[Texa]

I dont think this is going to be resolved because everyone has a different idea of what is acceptable on vacation. I was even thinking of the poster who made the comment about not dressing up for church. My pastor wears jeans, but our church is called "The Country Church", so that is the norm there. I think all we can do is be familiar with what Disney wants at their signature restaurants. If they accepts jeans, then jeans it is! If when you make a ressie you are told what the dress code is and you don't find it acceptable (whether it too dressy or not dressy enough) then don't eat there. My hubby would never be comfortable eating at V&A and I accept that. If I want to go there I'll take my cousin or SIL and we will dress up and love it. My husband would love (but my mom wouldn't not be comfortable) at HDDR and Trails' End and that is okay too. Disney has made their call, for now. Let's accept it for what it is and agree to disagree about the rest.(although I think I'm going to make the mouse ear suggestion!)

 

[Harmony]

And on a personal note - be careful when you assume whether or not someone is a parent. You could be touching on a very sore subject... Not everyone that is childless is that way because they want to be. If luck had been in my favor, DH and I would have had multiple kids by now. I know that's a major tangent, but when people made the comments that "obviously she doesn't have kids", that bothered me. [end of personal vent]

First off, I'm sorry that the comment bothered you and I'm so sorry for your pain. (many of my friends can't have children either and it's always such a sad situation)

Please know that the comment wasn't meant as a jab to anyone without children. It was just a comment to show that someone who doesn't have children would naturally have more time to dress and primp as opposed to someone who is running after a toddler. That is just a fact. That comment wasn't meant as something more and I'm sorry that you were hurt by it.