Dressing for Bull & Bear: The Smart Way to Pack for Orlando's Top Steakhouse

By · Mom of five · Winter Park, FL

Published August 27, 2026 · Updated September 9, 2026

Live now: Bull & Bear availability

Booking a table at Bull & Bear at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando is a massive win for your trip. It’s widely considered one of the best steakhouses in the area, offering a major upgrade over standard theme park fare. But unlike grabbing a quick bite inside the parks, this dining experience comes with a strict dress code. You can’t just roll off Big Thunder Mountain and walk into the dining room.

Here is what you actually need to know about the Bull & Bear dress code, and how to pack for it without taking up half your suitcase.

What is the Dress Code?

The official policy is “Resort Elegant.” Inside the Disney bubble, fine dining rules can sometimes be a bit lax, but the Waldorf Astoria takes its atmosphere seriously. You are stepping out of the theme park hustle and into a refined, classic steakhouse environment. They expect the dining room to reflect that.

What Men Should Wear

You don’t need a tuxedo, but you do need to look polished.

What Women Should Wear

The “Resort Elegant” standard gives women plenty of flexibility.

What to Leave in the Room

Leave the theme park gear behind. The restaurant explicitly prohibits:

If you show up in your Mickey ears and a spirit jersey, you will likely be politely asked to change before being seated.

The Smart Move: Make It a Resort Day

When planning a Disney World trip, most people are hyper-focused on which parks to visit each day. But the absolute smartest move for a Bull & Bear dinner is pairing it with a dedicated resort day.

Rushing back to your room after sweating through a 12-hour park day just to quickly change is a recipe for stress. Instead, skip the parks, spend the afternoon by the pool, and take your time getting ready. It is a much better way to transition into a high-end dining mindset than sprinting from the bus stop to your hotel room.

The Major Shoe Mistake to Avoid

A Walt Disney World vacation means lots of walking—often 10 to 12 miles a day. We constantly remind planners to break in their theme park sneakers, but don’t make a major shoe mistake with your dinner attire. Do not pack a brand-new pair of stiff dress shoes or heels for this meal. Your feet will already be swollen and tired from your trip; bring comfortable, completely broken-in dress shoes so you can actually walk to the table without wincing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t follow the dress code at Bull & Bear?

The restaurant enforces its Resort Elegant dress code and may politely decline to seat guests who arrive in inappropriate attire like athletic wear, graphic tees, or flip-flops.

Can I wear jeans to Bull & Bear?

Yes, you can wear jeans, provided they are dark-wash, tailored, and free of rips, tears, or excessive distressing.

Are children required to follow the dress code?

Yes, children are expected to adhere to the dress code in a manner appropriate for their age, meaning no swimwear, casual athletic wear, or flip-flops in the dining room.

Do I need to wear a jacket?

While a sport coat or blazer is highly recommended and fits the upscale atmosphere perfectly, it is not strictly required for men to dine at Bull & Bear.

Go deeper — the full guides: The Insider’s Guide to EPCOT’s Regal Eagle Smokehouse: What to Eat, Skip, and Share · The Insider’s Menu and Booking Guide to California Grill · The Insider Guide to Vegetarian Dining in EPCOT’s World Showcase

SupaPark tracks live wait times and crowd forecasts, and pings you the second a hard-to-get reservation opens or a ride goes walk-on — free to start at supapark.com.

Keep planning: Bull & Bear · live dining reservation drops · is Lightning Lane worth it

Go deeper: the full guides