New Disney World Dress Rules Spark Mixed Reactions

Imagine this: You’ve just spent the day hopping between rides, melting under the Florida sun, and now you’re heading to your Disney resort for dinner. But as you approach the entrance of Disney’s latest fine dining establishment, a sign catches your eye—and it’s not the menu. It’s a dress code.

Is this Disney magic leveling up… or is it leaving casual guests behind?

Disney World: Goodbye to a Classic, Hello to Couture

For years, Shula’s Steak House was a quiet powerhouse at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, serving up prime cuts in an atmosphere that balanced elegance with accessibility. But recently, the longtime favorite quietly served its last meal.

Rising from its ashes is something far glossier—Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, a culinary import known for its luxurious settings and bold menus. Already a success in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, Bourbon Steak is preparing to bring its award-winning flavor to Disney property by summer 2025. But it won’t just be the food turning heads.

The Fine Print Guests Might Miss

In what seems like a small footnote on the resort’s website, a significant detail reveals a shift in tone. Here’s what diners are being told:

“This restaurant is one of our Signature Dining experiences. Guests are expected to dress accordingly in attire that respects the restaurant’s sophisticated and upscale aesthetic… Please no swimwear.”

In other words: if you were planning to swing by in your Mickey tank top and wet board shorts—think again.

While not entirely unprecedented—fine dining venues like Victoria & Albert’s, California Grill, and Takumi-Tei also enforce dress codes—this may come as a surprise for casual visitors staying at a family-friendly resort. It signals a new chapter where more “premium” experiences are being carved out on property, complete with elevated expectations.

What’s Behind This Refined Turn?

The timing of Bourbon Steak’s debut, alongside massive room renovations and convention center expansion at the Swan and Dolphin, seems to reflect a broader strategy: courting not just families, but professionals, event-goers, and adults seeking luxurious getaways within the Disney bubble.

Could this trend reshape the entire resort experience?

Disney’s recent partnerships and updates suggest a balancing act—preserving the carefree magic of childhood fantasy while also nurturing high-end hospitality for older audiences. Restaurants like Bourbon Steak serve as testing grounds for how far guests are willing to go in embracing that duality.

And yes, that includes ditching the flip-flops for something a little more formal.

What This Means for Disney Guests—and What Comes Next

Whether this refined approach becomes the new normal or remains an isolated choice at select resorts remains to be seen. But there’s no denying that Bourbon Steak’s introduction marks a shift in how Disney navigates its evolving audience.

Will more dining locations adopt stricter guidelines? Will guests start bringing polo shirts alongside their ponchos?

One thing’s certain—those planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2025 might want to leave a little extra space in their suitcase… for slacks.