Originally Posted By dshyates In tropical locals, I have no problem with dress shorts, collered shirt, and sandals at the upscale family restaurants. But I still think that since Disney has so many dining options, the deluxes should have one restaurant each that is no shorts/t shirts. How hard is it to throw on a pair of linen slacks and collared shirt? And you would still be comfy for nighttime park activities.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I wonder how many restaurants at WDW do not allow shorts at dinner time? V&A, France?
Originally Posted By danyoung yates, I'm betting that there simply isn't enough clientele in any one hotel, deluxe or otherwise, to totally support a fine dining restaurant. No, they're all depending on the crowds from all over the property, who are either coming from or going to the parks. As such, the attire requirements are going to have to be much more relaxed. There's always V&A's, which is very exclusive (and very small!).
Originally Posted By ChiMike I wish, a whole heck of a lot more. I know where Dan is coming from. However, these restaurants were built and placed on property under a different mindset. Especially California Grill. When it was 'Top of the World it was meant as the final destination of someone's day. There was no reason not to dress up. Just as V&A's is today. Even if someone wanted an early dinner because the park was open late, chances where they weren't stay at POP Century, they were a guest somewhere along the monorail line so it wasn't that hard to go back and change after dinner. Especially since the MK was pleasant during the day so there was less of a need to feel that a nice dinner wasn't good enough for nightime. So, the mindset has now changed and t-shirts are okay as long as they don't have Lady GaGa on them. Well, then I won't go. Plenty of other places to choose from. To me it's a shame that the dress code is that lax and so loosely enforced. It's not hard for me to stay away from those restaurants. Happy to dine at Shulas. Dan has every right to go as he does, but I agree with the idea that folks don't want to spend that kind of money on a special dinner if there is a chance that it will be a less than ideal environment. Just don't want it lost on anyone that California Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish, Artist Pointe, let alone the GF three, were all setup to serve nice dinners with theme park commando'ing farthest from the mind of the original designers. A stiff night-cap was more intended.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>yates, I'm betting that there simply isn't enough clientele in any one hotel, deluxe or otherwise, to totally support a fine dining restaurant. No, they're all depending on the crowds from all over the property, who are either coming from or going to the parks. As such, the attire requirements are going to have to be much more relaxed. There's always V&A's, which is very exclusive (and very small!). << That's an excellent point too Dan. The mindset and guest dynamic has changed. When 'Top of the World was built there was less of a need to have a healthy population of formal dinner customers since there were many less facilities. Another example of Disney overbuilding.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom It seems to me that if you showed up to CG dressed up in a suit and tie, woman in a gown... you would be in the vast minority and that is sad. You would think CG would try to lean more toward formal instead of virtually anything goes except bathings suits or profane tee shirts. And ChiMike, I am cringing everytime I hear you say "go commando" because I alwasy go commando while at WDW. I'm sure my use of the word commando is very different from how you are using the word. And I only have one thing to say. It's called chafing.
Originally Posted By ChiMike hahah.. No I certainly was adopting others terminology for running from FP machine to FP machine in 95 degree heat after dining on Surf and Turf and Scotch.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The rest of the year, it's just a two-tone light scheme on about a third of the mountain. The beams and panels are different colors (all of one are orange and the other are blue/purple...I honestly can't remember which is which, and it doesn't appear to come out well in photos), which looks kind of neat, but you can tell that the back/sides of the mountain aren't lit at all. There are several areas (Town Square, Harbor Blvd bus drop-off area) where you're looking at the dark sides of the mountain, or can see both the lit and dark parts (from Splash Mountain, near the hub, and from any skewed viewing angle), which just looks really strange.<<< Really? I've seen vids of if flashing is sequence, the panels all lighting up... Maybe that's in Tokyo, like TDLFan said...
Originally Posted By danyoung >So, the mindset has now changed and t-shirts are okay as long as they don't have Lady GaGa on them. Well, then I won't go.< While this of course is your right, it's a shame that you or others would pass up on such a terrific experience as the CG just because the dress code isn't strict enough for you. Personally I don't even begin to notice what others are wearing when I'm dining there. I always have a great table by the window overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon, I have a fantasic waiter, a glass or 3 of some really fine wine, and absolutely incredible food. The attire of my fellow diners is so far below my personal threshold as to be completely a non-issue for me.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<So, the mindset has now changed and t-shirts are okay as long as they don't have Lady GaGa on them. Well, then I won't go.>> I wouldn't necessarily jump to that conclusion ChiMike. If a formal dining experience is what your looking for at WDW for say a special ocassion then CG may not be your place. Think of it more as a casual or dressy casual dining experience and your right at home. I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater here. I think CG is fine on it's own merits.... formal dining attire may not be one of those merits. But as long as there are other locations on property for formal attire, who cares. I'm not an expert with the many restaurants over at the Swan and Dolphin... do they have formal dress policies?
Originally Posted By ChiMike I think the DL effect is overrated. The static lighting at WDW seems great. Well, when it is all turned on and the mountain is clean. The mountain needs a repaint with refreshed lighting. Nothing wrong with that, in my book. The problem lately is the garish, tacky nature of current decorating. In that case and the case of the classic Space Mountain or Castle, I always fall down on the side of simplicity = beauty. I rather the original architectural design be highlighted than try to guss it up as something it is not.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I think the DL effect is overrated. The static lighting at WDW seems great. Well, when it is all turned on and the mountain is clean. The mountain needs a repaint with refreshed lighting. Nothing wrong with that, in my book.<<< I agree, but I do wish SOMETHING special was added to the lighting scheme... maybe lights on the towers? I'm all against garish looks, like on the Castle, but SM always looks... dull.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>While this of course is your right, it's a shame that you or others would pass up on such a terrific experience as the CG just because the dress code isn't strict enough for you ... The attire of my fellow diners is so far below my personal threshold as to be completely a non-issue for me<< No, there are many more issues that prevent me from dining. I refuse to make advance reservations outside of 14-21 days. I typically only want to plan where to eat no more than 24 hours out. The last two meals I have had at California Grill were horrible, awful service, and a noisy dining room with a lot of kids. That drives my decision much more. The idea of a lax dress code only reinforces my opinion not to give them a third try. I don't wear a suit either. Nor would I want to. Plenty of places to do that in Chicago or on other non-Disney travels. What I do want is a clear line of demarcation where families are invited to dine and where they are not. In my opinion Flying Fish, California Grill, Artist Point, Jiko are all locations that should be offered to those without dining patrons under 12. I want to be dining with folks around me who aren't sweaty with BO because they showed up late because of the monorail and now want to rush through dinner because they will miss MSEP. It is distracting, just as distracting as having people sit down in front of you in an empty theater and then talk though the entire presentation, because they have already seen it. In some cases it isn't Disney=bad, it is that the bad manners of Disney's guests. Something more prevalent than in the past, therefore something I choose to avoid in favor of more discriminating establishments. Dress code is far down on that decision list, especially when I will probably be dressed like you. That make more sense Dan, at least where I am coming from?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>If a formal dining experience is what your looking for at WDW for say a special occasion then CG may not be your place. Think of it more as a casual or dressy casual dining experience and your right at home. << As I said to Dan, I'm not looking for a formal atmosphere First, rather an atmosphere that allows for a better experience. That might in fact be casual. But as of right now, in 2011, it surely isn't the California Grill. You might find that a stricter dress code might diminish the other issues that I find occurring there. Which in my mind are unacceptable.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >> I'm not an expert with the many restaurants over at the Swan and Dolphin... do they have formal dress policies?<< Not only do they, there pricing and non-participation on the DDP help weed out folks that shouldn't be coming unless they specifically intend to have a formal, long, expensive, dining experience. California Grill's food has yet to be awful. However, it is no better IMO than the Dolphin Swan locales.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I come from the other school of thought. I live in a major city that has incredible food and restaurants. While vacationing at Disney I'm definately not looking for a formal dining experience. Just not my thing. I don't want to be eating park food but there are some on property restaurants I really enjoy and hit every trip. I'm not expecting to be served food at reasonable prices since its' Disney and everything seems to have the "Disney tax" added onto the price. My complaints tend to focus more around lack of menu options and the screaming kids at the table next to isn't really kewl when I'm about to drop $100 per person for a meal.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<While vacationing at Disney I'm definately not looking for a formal dining experience.>> Tom, I don't think Mike is saying he wants it to be completely formal, just that the place emanate a sense of class, rather than the standard theme park vibe of children running a muck and people looking slovenly.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Yeah, I got what he said lound and clear Hokie. I'm sorry, I'm not going to be much help here.... can't think of a single place on WDW property that is going to be kid free. Sounds like he already knows about the restaurants over at the Swan and Dolphin. That's all I have to offer. I was merely stating my discontent with on property restaurants, not necessarily kids but screaming kids and lack of menu options. Oh course that also includes being able to get into an on property restaurant since I don't use the DDP and also don't book meals.
Originally Posted By danyoung >That make more sense Dan, at least where I am coming from?< Yup. I guess it's safe to say that your experience and mine vastly differ. I've never experienced noisy kids or bo or a bad waiter. And I've dined there at least once a year or so for the past 15 years. I did just have to shush a lady and her 2 idiot kids during an entire movie last week, though!
Originally Posted By dshyates See, I get a little offended when people say things like they should exclude kids. Especially in a place like WDW. I take my 2 daughters (15,10) everywhere I go and have NEVER had a problem with their behavior. I would not think twice about taking them to any restaurant on the planet. But I also think that dressing for dinner plays a big part in their behavior. The other night I made them put on a dress to head to Tchoup Chop for appetizers. I just talked to the Bull and Bear Steakhouse at the Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek and they have a dress code of business casual. No shorts or t-Shirts. It is without a doubt the nicest restaurant on Disney property. <a href="http://www.bullandbearorlando.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bullandbearorlando.com/</a>
