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Character dining considerations

Chef Mickey

Chef Mickey
Image: Ashley, Flickr (license)

There’s no dress code for character dining experiences, but many guests opt to dress up for these occasions. Character meals are a prime photo-taking opportunity, both for your own casual photos and for official photographer shots. Younger guests often opt to stop in at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique before a character meal so they can show up all decked out like one of the princesses they’re going to meet.

Do note that costumes are fine for small children, but they’re not permitted for guests age 10 and up. Adults will have to stay away from dressing up like their own favorite Disney characters outside of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Theme park casual

Dining at Disney

Theme park casual is the standard pick for nearly all dining opportunities at Walt Disney World. If you’re dining in one of the parks, you really have no option but to wear the same clothes you’re visiting the park in. It doesn’t make sense to dress up too much when you’re walking around in the heat and humidity all day, so tennis shoes, tank tops, and shorts are all fine.

If you can wear it in the parks, you can wear it to your lunch or dinner reservations. Swimwear and clothing with offensive language or images is not permitted in the parks. Men should always wear a shirt and everyone needs to wear shoes (seriously, wear your shoes).

Dressing for your experience

Dining at Disney

Image: Derek Hatfield, Flickr (license)

Though you’re not required to dress up for most Disney dining experiences, the theme park crowd is incredibly diverse, so you should never worry about looking overdressed if you do. If you’re celebrating a special anniversary with dinner in Epcot and you want to wear something special, by all means, do.

If you’re dining at a resort for dinner, there’s a greater chance that those around you will be dressed a littler nicer. This is a great opportunity to slip into something just a little more formal to honor the special experience of dining at a nice Walt Disney World restaurant. After a long day of slathering on sunscreen, sweating it off, and getting splashed by questionable water on the attractions, it can feel divine to take a quick shower and put on clean clothes for a nice dinner.

The bottom line with Disney dining is that while there are a few modest restrictions, you should do what makes you feel the best in most situations. Put on a glitzy cocktail dress just to order dessert in Epcot’s Italy, or revel in the fun of indulging in elegant filet of beef at The Hollywood Brown Derby in a pair of shorts and your much-loved Chucks. Make the most of every moment and – whatever you’re wearing – savor every bite.

 
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