Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<what time frame Spirit that you walked into King Stefan's and Top of the World. I go back 25 years for visits and NEVER found this to be true- ever. Now again usually my trips were summer time and more crowded....but some were post labor day trips also.>> Top of the World closed around '93 and we regularly did Sunday Brunch there and I don't ever recall making a ressie, unless it was a holiday ... and if waited at all, it was 10-15 minutes. King Stefan's except in the busiest of times could be walked into for lunch (the meal we usually had) ... and I walked up and was seated immediately as late as a decade ago ... granted, not on the buesiest of days. But the point was that pre-DDP and 'free' dining, it wasn't a chore to dine at WDW. Now ... it isn't a chore for me anymore because I will only dine at WDW locales where I can get significant discounts with CM pals (love that 40% off at Sanaa and Wave and Captain's Grille etc for lunch) or I have something at a bar or I dine at non-Disney owned and operated locations ... never have a problem walking into Portabello or Fulton's or most Swan/Dolphin locales (unless there's a huge convention going on). I don't at all miss my days of calling WDW and booking 10 table serve meals for a week stay and having to plan my days around dining ...
Originally Posted By Bolna I am really not too concerned about dress codes and what other people wear. But I have seen people at California Grill which did not fit in at all. And I only ever noticed it at California Grill of all the signature restaurants. I think this restaurant might attract more people who aren't there for the dining experience but because they are told that it is a great place to see the fireworks from. Something which I don't agree with. Wishes is best viewed from Main Street and California Grill is actually a much prettier place in the evening sunlight than after dark...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 > DDP has let people who could/would NEVER had afforded and dare step into a WS restaurant or hotel rest. step into them. People of, how shall we say, freak out that there was French cusine at .......Le Chefs de France. Call 911! Now we have BURGERS at Chefs and people in tank tops and flip flops at Cali Grill...< <<I can't believe I find myself mostly in agreement with HMButler on anything, but he hit it on the nose here (well, except for the tank tops and flip flops in the California Grill - they still have a fairly strict dress code). There are a lot of people who used to be happy with burgers and fries, now dining in the nicer places in the World and expecting to eat . . . burgers and fries! It's the only reason you'll find a burger on the menu in Chefs de France.>> I agree with Butler and kinda disagree with Danny ... places like California Grill, Artist Point and Jiko (three of my favorites) DO have dress codes. But they're kind of like ethics laws for politicians or SEC laws for Wall Street bigwigs. No one enforces them. I've been at California Grill when folks with tees and sandals have walked in looking like they just spent a day in the MK in 90-degree heat plus humidity ... and they weren't turned away. They may have been seated in less desirable locales, usually the ex-bar area that the dining room swallowed years ago ... but Disney just flat out isn't going to turn away a guest for dressing inappropriately. They don't care. Walmarted World of Disney. And the burger first was added (it actually replaced a filet mignon and was priced at $23 vs. $28 for the filet) during free dining in 2006 (I know, I experienced it) ... and it was done for two reasons ... one, dumber/simpler eating guests and two, to save money by not offering a regular pricier beef option. At the risk of sounding like an elitist (again, a GOOD THING to be), but fine dining and ethnic cuisines aren't for everyone. There are people, many WDW guests, who have the palates of a simple petualant seven-year-old. They want simple burgers, plain pizza, chicken fingers, fries and absolutely no veggies. They used to be the folks lined up at Pecos Bill's or Liberty Inn etc ... because that's where they belong. But the DDP has made them a staple of all of WDW's high-end locales and it has really ruined dining largely on property. <<As to the original topic and the videos - while I agree that it was a simpler time, I much prefer today's pace to that of 1987, both in video production and in park storming. It's still all at MY pace. But there's so much more to do today that I need to hustle to get most of it done. And that works nicely for me!>> I don't agree that it was a simpler time. Simpler because only two parks? Maybe. But the entire experience was anything but. I think EPCOT for instance is vastly simpler today because instead of massive pavilions that you could spend hours in, you have quickee thrill rides and lots of dead/unused space. Maybe that gets you back to riding Space Mountain 78 times faster, but it sure doesn't say 'more complex' to me. You can say many things about WDW of the 21st century, but it's impossible to intelligently argue it is a classier feeling product now than it was in the late 80s.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>"Steak haché Angus, champignons et Bearnaise, salade ou frites"<<< Well, as much as I hate to admit this, that is a pretty standard menu offering in a Bistro in France.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Well, as much as I hate to admit this, that is a pretty standard menu offering in a Bistro in France.>> Wow...really? Haha
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But agreed, Sarah and I have often dressed nicely in the parks (well not ott, but I have worn slacks and a button up shirt, Sarah in a dress), because we wanted to eat at California Grill in WDW or Paris, or Napa Rose in California. Maybe I have lived in Europe too long, but I would never consider going to a nice restaurant in shorts, and I am appalled at the number of folks I saw wearing baseball caps indoors at restaurants. I was always taught that one removes their hat indoors.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>I am appalled at the number of folks I saw wearing baseball caps indoors at restaurants.<<< I have to carry it a step further because I am appalled whenever I see someone over the age of 12 wearing a baseball cap, unless, of course, they are actually playing baseball or, perhaps, golf. And if above 30 and it's on backwards...well, there is no end to the amusement that affords me.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am guilty of wearing baseball caps, especially in the parks. I am bald, so it stops my head burning and collects the sweat that hair would on most people. And sometimes I wear them backwards to protect my neck.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Seriously? I ALWAYS wear a baseball cap outside. I take them off when eating or if I'm somewhere inside for a long period of time. But chances are if I'm at the park, you're gonna see me with a hat on.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>...people in tank tops and flip flops at Cali Grill...<< <<Take a look at the item (actually from my collection) at the bottom of the page in this link: <a href="http://waltdatedworld.bravepag...d224.htm" target="_blank">http://waltdatedworld.bravepag...d224.htm</a> See the reference to The Gulf Coast Room? Elegant French service dining. Reservations necessary; coats for gentlemen, please.>> Yep ... was the classiest dining locale at WDW in the very early days ... until the Empress Lilly opened in '77 ... and was still one of the best. I never had a chance to dine there as my folks (rightly) didn't view it as 'a place you take kids' and by the time I was over 18 and going to WDW there were other places that appealed to me more. <<Any place on property in WDW still REQUIRE jackets?>> The ONLY place that does so is Victoria and Albert's ... and that is fitting since it's only a five diamond dining location. And truly amazing. (no chicken nuggets and chocolate chip cookies, though)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>. I never had a chance to dine there as my folks (rightly) didn't view it as 'a place you take kids' <<<< I whole heartedly disagree, my kids really enjoy 3 hour dining experiences, and would always opt for the parma ham and asparagus over the chicken fingers. It depends how you raise them. McDonald's is largely a waste of money for us as the kids don't really like the food.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Cali Grill just popped into my head. Personally I don't think you should be able to eat at places like Le Chefs de France/Bistro or Le Cellier without having a collared shirt either. When I was a kid we could only afford maybe one really nice sit down meal per trip(i.e. Le Cellier or something like that). And you better believe we had to go back to the hotel to change before we went to it.>> First, I gotta correct a little misstatement ... I don't consider Le Cellier more than an overrated theme park steak place. Better steaks can be had at any Longhorn Steakhouse for half the price ... and it certainly isn't a very MAGICal dining room either. Just gets so overrated by fans. But even though I'd rather see people dress better at some of EPCOT's nicer locales, I think it's asking too much in many cases because they are in a theme park. It's not the same as the California Grill. The MK may be at its doorstep, but it is a fine hotel dining location and if someone is leaving a park to dine there then I certainly think they can either dress better to begin with or, better yet, go back to their hotel and shower and change. If they don't 'have the time', then they can always dine at Cosmic Ray's.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<First, I gotta correct a little misstatement ... I don't consider Le Cellier more than an overrated theme park steak place. Better steaks can be had at any Longhorn Steakhouse for half the price ... and it certainly isn't a very MAGICal dining room either. Just gets so overrated by fans.>> I knew you'd have a comment for that, but I don't agree. I've had better meals at Le Cellier than steak places that were supposed to be "top of the line". I mean I've had better, but Le Cellier is still a great steak place.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Some photographic evidence that families can and do dress for fine dining at a theme park (and this hotel and restaurant put most of WDW to shame): <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150162622199998.306066.744599997&l=c2c54c25a7" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/media/...c54c25a7</a>
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We like to get a bit dressy for certain meals, at certain venues, whether in a theme park, on the Cruise Line, or in the Resorts. It still never fails to amaze me how some people will dress for the nicest venues. Tank tops, short shorts and flip flops on sweaty bodies aren't just sloppy-- they can be downright unappetizing!>> It's funny how many people have an entitlement mentality ... if I pay to go on a DCL cruise, then YOU won't tell me how to dress and IF I want to wear Walmart clothes to formal night THEN I WILL! What about those of us who do follow rules? Who do believe in dressing appropriately? Who do have ... ah ... class? That's right. We aren't entitled to a classy dining experience, even if we paid for such, because boors are entitled to be boors, right? Disney is so damn afraid to chase anyone who looks/acts like trash away or make them follow rules. Now, if you dress like someone with money, class and an education and you politely bring a concern to someone at WDW, most of the time you'll be met by the 'thank you for bringing this to our attention, have a MAGICal night' line of BS. But go into City Hall like a Jersey Shore reject, dropping f-bombs and being abusive and not only will you not get kicked out of the park, but you'll likely make a nice pay day ... Just another reason why WDW used to be a much classier place.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have only dined at Le Cellier once, but I have to say, it is one of the best meals we have had in WDW and was unique in many ways (never had cheddar cheese soup before or loganberry and blueberry cobbler before - both were awesome).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I am guilty of wearing baseball caps, especially in the parks. I am bald, so it stops my head burning and collects the sweat that hair would on most people. And sometimes I wear them backwards to protect my neck.>> Nothing wrong with wearing a cap outside at all ... I wear them all the time. I'd much rather have a cap on then have skin cancer. Now, if I were to walk into the Brown Derby, I'd take it off when I sat down at the booth/table. And if I were at Narcoosee's, I wouldn't likely even have it on when I arrived. But walking around a theme park in FLA without a cap isn't real smart, even if you have lots of hair.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Now, if I were to walk into the Brown Derby, I'd take it off when I sat down at the booth/table. And if I were at Narcoosee's, I wouldn't likely even have it on when I arrived.<<< For me, baseball caps always come off the minute I go through a threshold, sometimes before.
