News New Caribbean Beach Resort table service restaurant announced - Sebastian's Bistro

[NiarrNDisney]

I remember back in the 90s when Ariels was a high end seafood and steak restaurant...it was very nice...not sure why the closed it.

I believe the reason Ariels closed was because it wasn't as popular as the other restaurants between the Beach and Yacht Clubs, then Boardwalk opened with more restaurants so Ariels went to private events and meeting space. I know recently it opened again to act as a restaurant during Ale & Compass refurb.

 

[Incomudro]

I've got to agree with the detractors here a bit.
I don't mind the use of the character, but the design - while attractive - and a much needed replacement for Shutters, is kind of just a clean, modern, generic, any hotel design.
It's attractive, but soulless.

*I think that's a lobster buoy design on the back wall.

 

[Missing20K]

It would be a fine addition to most any strip mall. I liken the "theme" far more to Key West, the Carolina Coast areas, or Bermuda, than anything remotely Caribbean.

A brighter color palette, a greater mix of materials (including items like old "washed up" wood beams, corrugated metal, old tires, and other "found" articles commonly used in Caribbean laypeople "construction"), and more "mismatched" chairs and light fixtures would have all given a much more unique themed environment to "transport" the guest to a Caribbean jerk shack or fish house.

Key West

Carolinas

Bermuda

Caribbean:

Unless they are going for the Colonial look of the Caribbean, in which case who cares what it looks like. Which, I must assume, was the intent here.

Wait, nevermind, the intent is to not make any Guest too upset or ask any questions. Mission accomplished. More milk toast, anyone?

 

[SteamboatJoe]

It would be a fine addition to most any strip mall. I liken the "theme" far more to Key West, the Carolina Coast areas, or Bermuda, than anything remotely Caribbean.

A brighter color palette, a greater mix of materials (including items like old "washed up" wood beams, corrugated metal, old tires, and other "found" articles commonly used in Caribbean laypeople "construction"), and more "mismatched" chairs and light fixtures would have all given a much more unique themed environment to "transport" the guest to a Caribbean jerk shack or fish house.

Key West

Carolinas

Bermuda

Caribbean:

Unless they are going for the Colonial look of the Caribbean, in which case who cares what it looks like. Which, I must assume, was the intent here.

Wait, nevermind, the intent is to not make any Guest too upset or ask any questions. Mission accomplished. More milk toast, anyone?

The interior drawings of the Coronado I have seen looks like it suffers from similar design flaws.

I would've liked to have seen something themed to a colonial era fort with scars and artifacts of a Pirate attack or something like Blue Bayou but set in an intimate tropical plaza in the daytime. An inn at Shipwreck Cove, Captain's quarters, or a secret cave or cove would've also worked.

 

[Andrew C]

Caribbean:

Unless they are going for the Colonial look of the Caribbean, in which case who cares what it looks like. Which, I must assume, was the intent here.

Wait, nevermind, the intent is to not make any Guest too upset or ask any questions. Mission accomplished. More milk toast, anyone?

Ummm...isn't the entire theme of the resort one of a Caribbean colonial look?

 

[HauntedPirate]

No, no, we all have it wrong. Guests customers are clamoring for a modern industrial look that has no soul or character. It's all the rage, you know, most Target stores near me are doing away with most colors in their stores for the generic wood and metal look. Very bland, very vanilla, very boring. Disney is simply giving customers what they want!

The thing is, Disney used to give guests what they didn't know they wanted until they experienced it.

 

[Missing20K]

Ummm...isn't the entire theme of the resort one of a Caribbean colonial look?

I’m busted. Got me there.

 

[Andrew C]

No, no, we all have it wrong. Guests customers are clamoring for a modern industrial look that has no soul or character. It's all the rage, you know, most Target stores near me are doing away with most colors in their stores for the generic wood and metal look. Very bland, very vanilla, very boring. Disney is simply giving customers what they want!

The thing is, Disney used to give guests what they didn't know they wanted until they experienced it.

People on this forum have different opinions on what they consider good refurbs and what they consider bad ones. As you are aware, that isn't anything new.

 

[OG Runner]

If I can't have Sebastian Bisque followed by his legs drenched in drawn butter this is an utter waste of a name.

Le Poisson! Somebody had to say it.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

No, no, we all have it wrong. Guests customers are clamoring for a modern industrial look that has no soul or character. It's all the rage, you know, most Target stores near me are doing away with most colors in their stores for the generic wood and metal look. Very bland, very vanilla, very boring. Disney is simply giving customers what they want!

The thing is, Disney used to give guests what they didn't know they wanted until they experienced it.

I don't dislike the modern look Disney is going for by any means, but I agree that I want Disney to give me something that I don't already see anywhere else.

Disney Springs in some areas looks like any other outdoor shopping mall.

Give me something that I can't see anywhere else.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Give me something that I can't see anywhere else.

Maybe a Disney character no other non-Disney restaurant could use.

Wait, apparently that’s wrong(!) bad(!) tacky(!) according to some who fancy themselves too sophisticated for such things.

 

[baymenxpac]

No, no, we all have it wrong. Guests customers are clamoring for a modern industrial look that has no soul or character. It's all the rage, you know, most Target stores near me are doing away with most colors in their stores for the generic wood and metal look. Very bland, very vanilla, very boring. Disney is simply giving customers what they want!

The thing is, Disney used to give guests what they didn't know they wanted until they experienced it.

to quote the west wing, disney under iger is, "like the french radical, watching the crowd run by and saying, 'there go my people. i must find out where they are going, so i can lead them.'"

 

[AEfx]

Disney Springs in some areas looks like any other outdoor shopping mall.

Give me something that I can't see anywhere else.

Shhhhh! Don't go pointing that out. Some people get veeeerrryyy sensitive when you mention how large chunks of Disney Springs (including the stores in them) are indistinguishable from the outdoor outlets that litter every coastal state on both seaboards...

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Shhhhh! Don't go pointing that out. Some people get veeeerrryyy sensitive when you mention how large chunks of Disney Springs (including the stores in them) are indistinguishable from the outdoor outlets that litter every coastal state on both seaboards...

I miss Pleasure Island, which really helped make Disney Springs/Downtown Disney a destination in it's own right.

Now I feel like DS is a place people go because there's nothing else to do after the parks close, out of desperation as opposed to enthusiasm.

 

[MickeyWiki]

Its interesting that they chose Sebastian. For a little context, when the restaurant was known as the Captain's Tavern, Sebastian appeared on the kids menu that doubled as a paper hat. Not to mention for a while the Little Mermaid appeared thought the resort on the mugs, in Centertown, the gift shops and even in the kids pool. By the mid 2000s it was all Nemo and Pirates.

 

[Kman101]

I'm looking at it differently. I'm looking at a company that is using the things that make them known worldwide. They tried to put no characters in Epcot and people kept asking "where are the characters?" I like that Disney is adding characters into more parts of their parks, I'm glad they are making that change.

But at the same time, you disrespect the rest of us and get in a snark about old Epcot. You want us to respect your opinion then show some back. You're approach was wrong. I'm glad you like characters. I do too but they don't NEED to be everywhere. Why is that "more Disney?" Disney used to be more than just plastering characters everywhere. Sorry it hurts to hear about how things used to be. They worked, even if the company wants you to think they didn't. Guess we'll have to disagree on this one. Enjoy the character tie-ins. I'm sure there's more to come. (FYI, I've suggested numerous IPs for Epcot. I'm not against characters when used correctly, but their problem is slapping on the character for the sake of it. Why can't some of you ask for more than just accepting whatever they give you?).

You CAN critique something you love. It's not "hating it". Why is wanting something better so wrong? I just can't look at something with rose colored glasses.

 

[surfsupdon]

Its interesting that they chose Sebastian. For a little context, when the restaurant was known as the Captain's Tavern, Sebastian appeared on the kids menu that doubled as a paper hat. Not to mention for a while the Little Mermaid appeared thought the resort on the mugs, in Centertown, the gift shops and even in the kids pool. By the mid 2000s it was all Nemo and Pirates.

You are correct. I have that hat!!

I remember when Little Mermaid characters popped up on signage at the main pool. Even at age 12 I felt it cheapened the look of the CBR. I hated it.

 

[Bocabear]

This restaurant reminds me of the free breakfast area at a Hampton Inn.. SERIOUSLY what is up with their interior design department...I can't imagine anyone walking in and thinking...Wow I feel transported to the Caribbean...Pure Disney magic...
Instead it is like...Wow I am paying $17.00 for a hamburger in a Hampton Inn Cafeteria?

 

[Andrew C]

This restaurant reminds me of the free breakfast area at a Hampton Inn.. SERIOUSLY what is up with their interior design department...I can't imagine anyone walking in and thinking...Wow I feel transported to the Caribbean...Pure Disney magic...
Instead it is like...Wow I am paying $17.00 for a hamburger in a Hampton Inn Cafeteria?

Did shutters make you feel like you were transported to the Caribbean? Because it always made me feel like I was being transported into a place that couldn’t decide whether it’s theme was that of a tex mex restaurant or Carribean inspired, with a touch of Luby’s cafeteria.

 

[Incomudro]

Did shutters make you feel like you were transported to the Caribbean? Because it always made me feel like I was being transported into a place that couldn’t decide whether it’s theme was that of a tex mex restaurant or Carribean inspired, with a touch of Luby’s cafeteria.

No, Shutter's didn't.
And that's why this generic theme illustrates a missed opportunity.