Will we be turned away for "Park" clothes???

[MargoBoo]

Our bags are packed and in the car... we are flying out in the morning. I have read a few threads and now worried about our ADR's and our clothes. I have had shirts made for each day, being this is our first trip and we plan to wear shorts everyday. I thought I had read somewhere that shorts are acceptable everywhere except V&A.
Here is where our ARD's are:
Thursday - Le Cellier
Friday - California Grill
Saturday - Kona
Please tell me we are ok with our Disney family shirts and shorts!!

Margo

 

[Bob P]

You will be fine. The dress code exists, but is not really enforced. And the dress code is there to keep a) men with tank tops and b) anyone in swimwear from entering the restaurants.

 

[jennynoel]

California Grill does have a dress code - polo shirts and dressier shorts would be okay.

Le Cellier and Kona Cafe will take you as you are!

 

[rysmama215]

We were at CG last week - the "dress code" is pretty flexible even there. We were there at dinner time - 7:00 ADR - and the dress ran from people in dresses in suits to people who had just come in from the parks in shorts & t-shirts.

As long as you're not wearing bathing suits, or tank tops, you should be good.
(oh, and as an aside, if you're going in the evenings, bring a sweater or jacket, or even a pair of jeans - it was chilly at night!)

 

[Booyakasha]

There is a dress code at CG. Although people do it, it is not appropriate to wear park type t-shirts. If you can't abide by the dress code than you always take the chance of getting refused service, as well you should if you don't follow the appropriate dress code.

I talked with a CM when I made some recent reservations because they have to go through the dress code policy when you book. I told her I knew the drill and she said she had to go over it anyway as Disney has been receiving a lot of complaints about sloppy dress in the resturants that have a dress code and it is looking at inforcing it more stictly in 2008. I think that this is a great thing. There are so many restaurants for you to choose from. If you don't want to wear business casual clothes that is fine, don't go to a restaurant that requires them. Pretty simple.

B.

 

[Hopefully]

California Grill has a Business Casual dress code. They read that to you when you make your ADR's. T-Shirts and park shorts are not Business Casual.
Will they turn you away - probably not. Should you wear them - No.
Have a great trip.

 

[Lewisc]

Following is a cut and paste from the 2008 DDP brochure

Yes, the following Signature Restaurants have a business casual dress code:
e Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
e California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
e Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
e Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
e Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
e Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
e Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Men: Dress slacks, jeans, trousers, or dress shorts, short or long-sleeved shirt with a collar or t-shirt required. Jackets are optional.
Ladies: Jeans, skirt, or dress shorts with blouse, sweater or t-shirt, or a dress required.

Disney's definition of business casual is permissive.

Your understanding of what is required under the present dress code is incorrect.

There is a dress code at CG. Although people do it, it is not appropriate to wear shorts and t-shirts or even jeans for that matter. If you can't abide by the dress code than you always take the chance of getting refused service, as well you should if you don't follow the appropriate dress code.

I talked with a CM when I made some recent reservations because they have to go through the dress code policy when you book. I told her I knew the drill and she said she had to go over it anyway as Disney has been receiving a lot of complaints about sloppy dress in the resturants that have a dress code and it is looking at inforcing it more stictly in 2008. I think that this is a great thing. There are so many restaurants for you to choose from. If you don't want to wear business casual clothes that is fine, don't go to a restaurant that requires them. Pretty simple.

B.

 

[Booyakasha]

Following is a cut and paste from the 2008 DDP brochure


Disney's definition of business casual is permissive.

Your understanding of what is required under the present dress code is incorrect.

Thanks for the post.
I was going by what the CM told me, She said that t-shirts are not acceptable. I have edited the original post to remove jeans. I have no idea why Disney calls it business casual if you can where shorts and t-shirts. Pretty poor terminology. It seems like even Disney is confused on what you can an cannot wear to "business casual" restaurants.

Bottom line. Park attire is not appropriate.

B.

 

[Bob P]

Bottom line. Park attire is not appropriate.

B.

Hi,

I'm not trying to be difficult here, but I stand by my original post at the top of the page. You may feel it is inappropriate (we usually dress up a bit for CG, but we often wear shorts there), but you will be surrounded by people in park attire.

No matter what the CMs say on the phone, they are trying to keep men with tank tops and anyone with swimwear from trying to enter.

 

[Lewisc]

You may not think, and ITA, park attire isn't appropriate for signature restaurants in hotels (such as CG) but it's clear most guests park attire meets Disney's definition of business casual.

It would be hard for Disney to change the rules, during 2008, since the 2008 brochure is clear.

I guess Disney doesn't want homemade cut off shorts but doesn't want to ban Disney themed T-Shirts.

Thanks for the post.
I was going by what the CM told me, She said that t-shirts are not acceptable. I have edited the original post to remove jeans. I have no idea why Disney calls it business casual if you can where shorts and t-shirts. Pretty poor terminology. It seems like even Disney is confused on what you can an cannot wear to "business casual" restaurants.

Bottom line. Park attire is not appropriate.

B.

 

[Philadisney]

this post reminds me of my 4th of July holiday trip with my parents last year. I spent a day at MK with my mom - middle of July, sweltering HOT, me in a little minnie mouse tee and shorty shorts. we had plans to meet my dad at the Contemporary for dinner at the California Grill and he was supposed to bring a dress for me to change into. Well, he FORGOT, and i was so embarrassed i hid behind my mother at check in, fearing they'd turn us away. but we had no problems. (Although honestly, I would have been more comfortable if I had my dress!)
you should be fine at Kona & Le Cellier.

 

[Booyakasha]

I can only go by what Disney says. For the signature restaurants I was specifically told that "casual t-shirts with designs on the front" were not considered Disney's definition of business casual. I assume this means Disney t-shirts also. Does this mean that if someone shows up to CG in a Mickey Mouse t-shirt they will be turned away, of course not. That does not make it right. The signature restaurants are very nice restaurants that cost a lot of money to dine at. I think that some level of appropriate dress is important to the overall experience as does Disney. They just can't seem to really define it too well (as is evident by this thread) or enforce it. Park attire is another generalization. A lot of people wear nice shorts and a polo shirt to the park, a lot of people wear clothes you would wear to a gym. It is my opinion that when you attend a signature resaurant you should be presentable with nice pants or dress shorts and a collared shirt for gentleman. Just becasue you can get in to a resaturant in sloppy clothing does not make it right. Will Disney not let you in, probably not but there is a certain amount of social decorum that goes with dining at one of these signature restaurants in Disney or any other restaurant of this calber for that matter.

B.

 

[MargoBoo]

WOW!! I appreciate everyones suggestions and opinions. I will post on Sunday night how everything turned out!!

Thanks again!

Margo

 

[Uncleromulus]

Good grief guys--here's the actual dress code for California Grill:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage
T-shirts (absent any offensive logo/language) are clearly acceptable. As are shorts. As are jeans.
It's one thing not to like it the code and it's one thing to suggest that you personally will dress better. But the bottom line is that park cloths that meet the code WILL get you in California Grill and all other Signature spots. And there will be many folks dressed exactly that way.

 

[iHEARTflorida]

if i was to eat at boma or le cellier are you not allowed to wear tank tops?

 

[Inkmahm]

Good grief guys--here's the actual dress code for California Grill:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage
T-shirts (absent any offensive logo/language) are clearly acceptable. As are shorts. As are jeans.
It's one thing not to like it the code and it's one thing to suggest that you personally will dress better. But the bottom line is that park cloths that meet the code WILL get you in California Grill and all other Signature spots. And there will be many folks dressed exactly that way.

Exactly.

We eat at a Signature Service restaurant for dinner every night of our WDW trips. If I'm IN the park (like at Brown Derby) I'm going to be wearing park attire and not hauling a change of clothes with me. Chances are I'm coming straight from the park to go to CG, Jiko's, yachtsmen steakhouse, etc. too. I'll be wearing park attire as will many of the other guests.

do I mind if people want to dress up in their best instead of coming comfortably? Nope, go right ahead. Just don't expect me to do it, too.

 

[Lewisc]

I posted similar information from the DDP brochure, some posters have trouble accepting it. Disney's definition of "business casual" is rather unique.

I wonder if a Sea World or Universal logoed T-Shirt would be considered "offensive"?

Good grief guys--here's the actual dress code for California Grill:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage
T-shirts (absent any offensive logo/language) are clearly acceptable. As are shorts. As are jeans.
It's one thing not to like it the code and it's one thing to suggest that you personally will dress better. But the bottom line is that park cloths that meet the code WILL get you in California Grill and all other Signature spots. And there will be many folks dressed exactly that way.

 

[Uncleromulus]

You're right--it would be hard to find a more relaxed definition of business casual. Good one about those Universal T-shirts!!
iheart: Tank tops are fine at both of those spots. Neither is a "signature" restaurant.

 

[chaoscent]

"We eat at a Signature Service restaurant for dinner every night of our WDW trips. If I'm IN the park (like at Brown Derby) I'm going to be wearing park attire and not hauling a change of clothes with me. Chances are I'm coming straight from the park to go to CG, Jiko's, yachtsmen steakhouse, etc. too. I'll be wearing park attire as will many of the other guests.

do I mind if people want to dress up in their best instead of coming comfortably? Nope, go right ahead. Just don't expect me to do it, too."

------------------
I agree. You know, I try my best to never, ever post anything that someone else will take offense to. I am thankful that I have a place to come to with questions and get answers from people who have "been there, done that". I do enjoy sitting back and watching people getting their shorts in a bunch over "following the rules" and I normally just pass by these posts. However, this one really bothers me. As the poster above says if I am in the parks (I normally book CG when I am going to be in MK) I wear park clothes. I follow the written dressed code. I don't wear a bathing suit or a tank top. Do I see people in there dressed to the nines, Yup and that's their choice. But I really take offense when someone tells me that it doesn't matter what the dress code is, I need to dress up when I go to CG. If I don't play by their rules, I am wrong?
Penny

 

[Allison]

Good grief guys--here's the actual dress code for California Grill:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=CaliforniaGrillDiningPage
T-shirts (absent any offensive logo/language) are clearly acceptable. As are shorts. As are jeans.
It's one thing not to like it the code and it's one thing to suggest that you personally will dress better. But the bottom line is that park cloths that meet the code WILL get you in California Grill and all other Signature spots. And there will be many folks dressed exactly that way.

Thank you for posting this. If Disney's okay with tshirts, then anyone can wear a tshirt if they want. It's not our job to impose our personal dress code on other people.