What do you wear to dinner?

[PhilharMagician]

Just because you call out us Democrats, I'm going to call you out LOL.
Disney's website actually only states the dress code for resort signatures. They no longer list it for in park signatures.

Which is sad. The dress code should be in effect at the resort signature restaurants. It is nice to be cleaned up and dressed somewhat better for a signature restaurant.

Last time we were at the Bistro de Paris or Monsieur Paul as it is now called, we had a loud family with a pile of kids that were out of control and they were all dressed there park hopping finest. It was quite romantic for my wife and I to enjoy our anniversary dinner ad drop $200.00 all while enjoying someone else' ignorance. I was very disappointed that this was not addressed, but there had to be 10 of them and in the end it is all about money and there check had to be insane.

 

[Gomer]

While I may not agree with your delivery here, the message is sound.

There is a dress code. Disney even states it CLEARLY. Most places don't even bother to be so explicit. Disney does it to hopefully avoid having to show someone the door because they wore mesh shorts with a sleeveless shirt.

In the real world it's sort of common knowledge. You go to a nice place, you dress nicely. For some reason, at WDW, a lot of people don't want to be bothered with that. And despite Disney's clearly stated dress code, they don't bother to do anything about it.

I agree that they list the dress code clearly there. But about as many people read that as read those end user licensing agreements when you install software. Approximately 0.01% (that’s scientific….I did the survey ). And really I was commenting on the distinction between classes of signature. There was a seeming consensus in this thread to list signature dining as above non-signature dining while at the same time differentiating resort to park. But Disney only tacitly does it through the inclusion of dress codes in the fine print for some and nothing for others.

If they really want to create experiences catering to all, they could make it a bit more obvious than it is that hotels are for the fancy people and parks are for the riff raff. That way you keep that illusory bubble of your subjective criteria for fine dining if you want, while still providing clear and suggested alternatives for those who either have no interest in dressing up at all, or just don’t see the need for it at a theme park. In the end though, Disney won't do that because they don't care. They want your money, and as long as you aren't driving people away in droves, they won't care.

 

[Lucky]

Last time we were at the Bistro de Paris or Monsieur Paul as it is now called, we had a loud family with a pile of kids that were out of control and they were all dressed there park hopping finest. It was quite romantic for my wife and I to enjoy our anniversary dinner ad drop $200.00 all while enjoying someone else' ignorance. I was very disappointed that this was not addressed, but there had to be 10 of them and in the end it is all about money and there check had to be insane.

In a theme park restaurant you just have to expect that. They set prices high because they can, not because they think it will screen out families like that one.

 

[xdan0920]

I agree that they list the dress code clearly there. But about as many people read that as read those end user licensing agreements when you install software. Approximately 0.01% (that’s scientific….I did the survey ). And really I was commenting on the distinction between classes of signature. There was a seeming consensus in this thread to list signature dining as above non-signature dining while at the same time differentiating resort to park. But Disney only tacitly does it through the inclusion of dress codes in the fine print for some and nothing for others.

If they really want to create experiences catering to all, they could make it a bit more obvious than it is that hotels are for the fancy people and parks are for the riff raff. That way you keep that illusory bubble of your subjective criteria for fine dining if you want, while still providing clear and suggested alternatives for those who either have no interest in dressing up at all, or just don’t see the need for it at a theme park. In the end though, Disney won't do that because they don't care. They want your money, and as long as you aren't driving people away in droves, they won't care.

Wether people read it or not is immaterial. It's not only written clear as day, it's also just common knowledge. If you are paying for a nice meal in a nice atmosphere, you should dress nicely. Easy peasy.

 

[xdan0920]

In a theme park restaurant you just have to expect that. They set prices high because they can, not because they think it will screen out families like that one.

Doesn't have to be that way though.

 

[Gomer]

Wether people read it or not is immaterial. It's not only written clear as day, it's also just common knowledge. If you are paying for a nice meal in a nice atmosphere, you should dress nicely. Easy peasy.

Except for in a park where signature restaurants like Le Celier, Monsieur Paul, and Brown Derby have no dress code. There the price and atmosphere don't equal dressing nicely. Which is all my point was. Disney applies dress codes inconsistently. Where they do apply them they enforce even more inconsistently. Whether its written or not, the thing that is clear is that it is not clear to guests. If Disney truly wants hotels to be a place where people dress up and parks the place where you can eat at a signature without dressing up, then they could promote that much better. As of right now, most park guests don't understand that.

 

[BuddyThomas]

Let me guess, you're one of the ones that show up in boards shorts & t-shirt. Believe it or not, some of us don't want to eat our dinner while seeing some 40 year old guy's arm hair hanging from his tank top. There's a difference between showing up for dinner wearing a jacket & tie and at least making the effort to wear a shirt with a collar and a pair of pants without mustard stains

Boy this is going downhill fast, in exactly the same way the previous, now locked thread on this exact subject did.

I'm of the mindset that people just need to mind their own business and stop playing Fashion Police, and realize that it is a theme park and not the French Riviera.

Sheesh!

 

[daisyduckie]

The Disney dress code is wishy-washy at best. They list what is acceptable, what is not, and leave a huge grey area for people to guess and figure it out on their own. I know if I am eating at one of the nicer restaurants, I do put some effort into how I dress. But I don't sit there and point my finger at those in their shorts and Mickey Tees.

 

[slappy magoo]

You are really trying hard to get this thread locked, aren't you?

I think at this point The Mom usually deletes his flamebait (and replies to said flamebait) but leaves the thread intact. Why should everyone else have to suffer?

Edit: See? Now most people have no idea what I'm talking about.

 

[The Mom]

The OP asked, "What do you wear to dinner?' Not what you think others should wear.

If I'm eating in the parks, I wear whatever I wore during the day - dress shorts (just above knee) and modest sleeveless or short sleeved top in summer, long pants in cooler weather. If dining at a nicer resort restaurant (most have two or three from casual to signature) I wear nice pants and a dressier top, or a long cotton skirt. I wear sandals, rather than my usual walking shoes and socks. I might wear a simple linen shift. But that's as dressy as I get unless I'm attending a wedding, or some sort of cocktail party.

When I was young, and my daughter was little, we would often wear sundresses.

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Except for in a park where signature restaurants like Le Celier, Monsieur Paul, and Brown Derby have no dress code. There the price and atmosphere don't equal dressing nicely. Which is all my point was. Disney applies dress codes inconsistently. Where they do apply them they enforce even more inconsistently. Whether its written or not, the thing that is clear is that it is not clear to guests. If Disney truly wants hotels to be a place where people dress up and parks the place where you can eat at a signature without dressing up, then they could promote that much better. As of right now, most park guests don't understand that.

Yeah, I agree with you for the most part. However, I think their website does clearly state where there is and isnt a dress code. It is applied consistently imo... resort signatures have a dress code, everything else does not.
They probably don't enforce it for the reason you stated before, that it would probably suck to be turned away from a reservation you booked 180 ago because you weren't dressed appropriately and we all know disney would not want to ruin someones vacation over clothes.
I'm not entirely sure how they could promote it better. But either way back on topic...

The OP should wear whatever is comfortable to dinner unless dining where there is a dress code.

 

[Hockey89]

Yeah, I agree with you for the most part. However, I think their website does clearly state where there is and isnt a dress code. It is applied consistently imo... resort signatures have a dress code, everything else does not.
They probably don't enforce it for the reason you stated before, that it would probably suck to be turned away from a reservation you booked 180 ago because you weren't dressed appropriately and we all know disney would not want to ruin someones vacation over clothes.
I'm not entirely sure how they could promote it better. But either way back on topic...

The OP should wear whatever is comfortable to dinner unless dining where there is a dress code.

Sad state of affiars, they have to tell people not to wear a tanktop or bathing suit to a meal that can cost a couple of 2 over 200 bucks...Just a sad statement on our country... It should be common sense....

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

When we eat at Signatures, my husband and son will wear shorts or dockers and a collared shirt. I normally wear capris and a dressy shirt or long sundress. For *normal* TS restaurants, its usually park attire, shorts and nice Tshirts (I actually iron Tshirts LOL) We dont get REALLY dressed up, casual and comfortable is the way to go

 

[The Mom]

Sad state of affiars, they have to tell people not to wear a tanktop or bathing suit to a meal that can cost a couple of 2 over 200 bucks...Just a sad statement on our country... It should be common sense....

The bathing suit is common sense. Tank top can be an issue. They can be very, very casual and revealing looking, especially with short shorts, or they can be paired with a skirt or dress slacks, and accessories, and look very dressy.
I've seen tank tops with embellishments that make them quite dressy looking with long skirts or dressy pants. Something like this:

I would wear this with white or black (or grey) pants or skirt (I have a black/white/grey print gauzy one with some silver threads in it), nice sandals, and my jet earrings and bracelet and feel dressed up enough for any signature restaurant on property. Tank top or no. So even though I would not be following the letter of the law, I would be following the spirit of it. While others could follow the letter of the law, but not the spirit, and look like a slob.

There used to be a designation of "resort casual", but unfortunately not enough people knew what it meant. WDW may refer to itself as a resort, but it really isn't - at least not like resorts I've visited.

 

[Lucky]

Tank top can be an issue. They can be very, very casual and revealing looking, especially with short shorts, or they can be paired with a skirt or dress slacks, and accessories, and look very dressy.
I've seen tank tops with embellishments that make them quite dressy looking with long skirts or dressy pants.

Yes, but I think the no tank tops is mostly aimed at men anyway.

 

[Hockey89]

The bathing suit is common sense. Tank top can be an issue. They can be very, very casual and revealing looking, especially with short shorts, or they can be paired with a skirt or dress slacks, and accessories, and look very dressy.
I've seen tank tops with embellishments that make them quite dressy looking with long skirts or dressy pants. Something like this:

I would wear this with white or black (or grey) pants or skirt (I have a black/white/grey print gauzy one with some silver threads in it), nice sandals, and my jet earrings and bracelet and feel dressed up enough for any signature restaurant on property. Tank top or no. So even though I would not be following the letter of the law, I would be following the spirit of it. While others could follow the letter of the law, but not the spirit, and look like a slob.

There used to be a designation of "resort casual", but unfortunately not enough people knew what it meant. WDW may refer to itself as a resort, but it really isn't - at least not like resorts I've visited.

Oh I agree that can work for a female which you showed above....I was talking more about men in wifebeaters... I have seen them at sig places....

 

[psukardi]

Oh I agree that can work for a female which you showed above....I was talking more about men in wifebeaters... I have seen them at sig places....

I believe the political correct term is sleeveless shirt. And what's the big deal? Why do we have to have sleeves? People are up in arms over people wanting you to wear a collar. Might as well just go in in your swimming trunks

 

[The Mom]

Oh I agree that can work for a female which you showed above....I was talking more about men in wifebeaters... I have seen them at sig places....

Never mind - I was thinking of women. And undergarments should not be seen in public - either gender.

 

[ChrissyBethS]

lol....I forgot the best part. Our first evening there IS our wedding anniversary. We are celebrating with our 5 year old at Chef Mickey's. Thanks for all the ideas! We will be bringing 2-3 sundresses each

 

[Phonedave]

Thank you for the polite reply.

I get what you are saying. And as I initially said, I get that I'm probably in the minority. Seeing people relaxed in Disney World is what makes the experience for me. So many people, with so few cares. Making someone uncomfortable to fit my definition of what is acceptable just isn't worth it for me. There is no objective truth to correct dress codes. They change by culture and era. Most companies allow you to wear jeans and tee-shirts to work now, so why can't I wear a tee-shirt to Yachtsman?

I guess it depends on what a person is comfortable in. I work from home a lot, so my dress code there is jeans/shorts and a T-shirt - people wonder why I even bother - why not work in sweats. Because then I don't feel "at work" I guess. But I am just as comfortable in a jacket and tie. As long as there is climate control, I don't find putting "nice' clothes to be uncomfortable. I guess many people do.

Dress codes at restaurants (and in general) were created to keep the riff raff out of high society establishments. Created so you immediately spot someone who "doesn't belong". I kind of like the idea of everyone being on equal footing in Disney world without having to mark your pedigree. But again, I'm a strange guy with strange opinions. I don't expect all to agree.

I like that thought. Sort of puts it in a different light.


-dave