surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
I saw the app now includes Sebastian’s Bistro. Getting closer.
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News Caribbean Beach Expansion
- Thread starter danlb_2000
- Start date
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
Thanks @WDWtraveler
Was the Martinique area really chewed up from vehicles and needed new landscape? Or was it just to maybe start over and make new? Was it all landscape—or just on the bay front?? Any thoughts if other islands will get the new landscape treatment?
Was the Martinique area really chewed up from vehicles and needed new landscape? Or was it just to maybe start over and make new? Was it all landscape—or just on the bay front?? Any thoughts if other islands will get the new landscape treatment?
Here is an aerial view of the area from yesterday https://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/di...ld-port-royale-expansion---september-2018.htm
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
Based on this pic it does in fact look like Martinique got new vegetation all over, but keeping the palms. Looks sharp!
peter11435
Well-Known Member
Hopefully they do all the islands for a fresh consistent look.
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
I hope so too. I love the tropical, jungle look. But not the overgrown, lacking maintenance look.
Obviously the OPR area, Riviera Resort, and both SkyLiner stations will have new, fresh looking greenery planted. Bc those places are all new. Martinique has new flowers and shrubs. I too hope it spreads to include the Trinidads, Jamaica, and Aruba.
WDWtraveler
Well-Known Member
The Martinique area was / has been open to guests during the entire construction period. While some portions of the Martinique parking area were closed, the grounds were not damaged during the construction (except a minor area for an electrical upgrade). Since the Martinique area is between the new Riviera tower and the re-imagined Town Center, I think Disney wanted to make it appear fresh and decided to update the landscaping. If you recall, the Martinique buildings were re-painted about 1 1/2 years ago when the construction first started.
The entire Martinique grounds were re-landscaped from the bay front, inside patios, and parking areas. The parking area itself was not re-landscaped. However, as one poster commented, the oak trees and palm trees were kept. I can't say if other areas of the resort will be similarly re-landscaped. We'll just have to wait and see.
P.S. As I wrote this comment, it was going to be only one of two comments that I have posted without photographs. To preclude this, I have attached one additional ground level photo of the construction progress at the main Skyliner station near the new (not officially open yet) entrance to Caribbean Beach Resort. The small building in the left foreground is the security guard shack at the entrance road.
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lawdogNOLA
Active Member
Oh, so that was from yesterday, September 29, 2018. It looks like 2 taxis are coming in from the northern entrance/exit(?), with the type of folding sign that often has directions on it and is often found at the entrances to WDW resorts, just underneath the porte cochere (covered entrance). The northern entrance/exit is blocked off due to asphalting, but might this have been a soft opening yesterday?
peter11435
Well-Known Member
Those look like company vehicles to me.
lawdogNOLA
Active Member
I finally saved the picture for greater close-up inspection and I believe you are correct. They are likely WDW security SUVs. I did find another folding directional type sign, further in the entrance area, deeper into the interior from the entrance area, but still outside.
Also, on the pathway leading to the lighthouse right where it branches off from the main walkway on the waterfront at Centertown, you can see tables and chairs, and directly across the walkway, more tables and chairs. This is likely for the food court, which is also going to have covered exterior seating. And, of course, they're still doing roof work.
TJJohn12
Well-Known Member
So... now I'm nervous-obsessing with our check-in next Saturday. From my perspective, I wouldn't expect all those chairs and tables to be sitting outside for very long at all before a load-in.
I'm seeing some roof painting still going on, but mostly detail work here and there. For instance - I see they've moved the ladder in for some finishing work. I'd expect they'd only move TDO's ladder over here from SW:GE unless there was a rush to get things done once and for all.
Wherever the ladder is, an opening can't be far!
lawdogNOLA
Active Member
Nice pictures! So, it's not opening "this morning". That's not exclusionary of October 1st, but it looks like they've still got some roof work to do. Looks like my prediction isn't going to make it. But they're close. The close-up of Sebastian's Bistro and the Banana Cabana Bar shows artwork on the walls inside Sebastian's.
A good sign of when they're opening it is when they put up the signs on the new entrance on Victory Way. I've always thought that's probably the last ting they'll do, assuming that they'll immediately shift entrances. They also need to change out the map signs around the resort to put OPR back on them (and update maps on the WDW website).
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castlecake2.0
Well-Known Member
A random thing to notice but caught my eye; shouldn’t it be spelt the British way “Centretown”, not Centertown? Maybe deemed to confusing. Anyways, the whole thing is looking great and I can’t wait to check it out on my next trip!
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
When does customs house come down? I’d like to be there if they implode it 
Patcheslee
Well-Known Member
Well I haven't seen the tickets on sale for it yet so maybe just a normal tear down.....When does customs house come down? I’d like to be there if they implode it
surfsupdon
Well-Known Member
Growing up we literally always stayed at CBR. I am talking 1988 when I was 6 years old through the late 90s. Loved it there. Walking in with my dad to the Custom House to check in while the girls (my mom and sis) stayed in the car was always a treat.When does customs house come down? I’d like to be there if they implode it
Do you all remember the live parrots that used to reside inside the Custom House? Great memories. Glad to see CBR growing in such a nice manner.
