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News and Photo Tour: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Dining Options During Construction


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Thanks to the huge brouhaha that it caused, most of us know that Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort at Walt Disney World is undergoing a massive renovation starting — well, now.

Contruction at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Contruction is Underway at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

While the resort undergoes what is from all accounts going to be a gigantic, transformative makeover, dining options are obviously going to be impacted. In fact, Caribbean Beach Resort’s only bar, Banana Cabana, and its only sit-down restaurant, Shutters, are closing to make way for the overhaul.

Shutters Entrance

Shutters Entrance Last Week

Obviously, people still need to eat, though. So we’ve been monitoring the situation closely. As part of that, we’ve visited the resort a couple of times over the last two weeks to bring you descriptions and photos of everything, as the transitional plans shape up.

As of press time, Banana Cabana is still open, but will close in the near future.

Banana Cabana is closing during refurbishment this spring.

Banana Cabana is Still Opened as of Press Time

The updated buffet area is now open for breakfast and dinner. We’ll take a closer peak at the set up there in just a moment.

Let’s take a look at it all — what you can expect if you’re visiting or staying at Caribbean Beach Resort sometime in the foreseeable future.

Martinique Island Market

During our first visit last week, we were able to get a first look at the new Martinique Island Market.

Martinique Island Market Sign

Martinique Island Market Sign

Martinique Island Market Sign

Martinique Island Market Sign

Yep. Your eyes do not deceive you. The Martinique Island Market is a repurposed hotel room.

They’ve added a window in the door to make it look a little less…hotel room-y?

Martinique Island Market

Martinique Island Market

Inside, the set up is similar to many grab and go areas in other resorts.

Menu -- Click to Enlarge

Menu — Click to Enlarge

A bookcase held an assortment of refillable mugs, Mickey krispies, fresh fruit, and assorted chips.

Grab and Go and Refillable Mugs for Purchase

Grab and Go and Refillable Mugs for Purchase

A cooler was stocked with additional items, including fresh fruit, Uncrustables, desserts, wine, beer, and more.

Cooler with Grab and Go Options

Cooler with Grab and Go Options

There are some actual meals here. The day we visited, there were chicken Caesar wraps, Cobb salads, and pre-made sandwiches, all ready to go.

Grab and Go Wrap

Grab and Go Chicken Caesar Wrap

Grab and Go Cobb Salad

Grab and Go Cobb Salad

Grab and Go Sandwiches

Grab and Go Sandwiches

A separate cooler held additional bottled drinks, like water, juice, soda, and milk.

Grab and Go Drinks

Grab and Go Drinks

There was also a microwave for warming purchases. We found a selection of Twinings tea, Nutri Grain bars, and Pop Tarts as well.

Microwave for Warming Foods

Microwave for Warming Foods

A coffee station dispenses java as well as hot water, and condiments are available for customizing your hot drink.

Beverage Station

Beverage Station

A tiny pastry case shares counter space with the coffee station, and offers up assorted bakery items like muffins, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies.

Bakery Items

Bakery Items

Updates About Refillable Mugs Stations, a Bar, and More

You might be wondering where the refillable mug station is, since it wasn’t in the makeshift Martinique Market. We were, too.

According to cast members that we talked to, refillable mug stations will be by the small rooms where ice is dispensed. They were scheduled to be available possibly as early as Friday, May 5, but we have not seen them yet.

Construction and New Dining Set Up

Construction and New Dining Set Up

Because a bar is pretty much a requirement for a vacation for lots of us, we also asked if there would be a bar opened to replace Banana Cabana. We were told that there will be a bar constructed in the Old Port Royale parking area. Think “pop up” bar, like you often see around Disney during special events or extra busy times.

Sign Showing Access to Banana Cabana -- For Now

Sign Showing Access to Banana Cabana — For Now

For now, though, guests can still access Banana Cabana through the pool gates.

New Caribbean Beach Resort Dining Area and Construction Area Photos

We were back again this week so that we could share with you the very latest updates to the area.

Old Port Royale Centertown and its restaurant, Shutters, is now, well, shuttered.

Construction Sign

Construction Sign

Construction

Construction

Even the circle leading up to the building is closed.

Construction

Construction

The new food area is set up by the Fuentes Del Morro Pool, which is the main pool for the resort with the fort and play area. It’s located directly behind Old Port Royale Centertown.

Fuentes Del Morro Pool Area

Fuentes Del Morro Pool Area

The makeshift dining area is comprised of a tent that houses a buffet as well as a Disney Food Truck for guests seeking a la carte options.

Enter this covered area, and you’ll find ordering areas and cashiers on the right hand side. There, you can either pay for the buffet, or if you prefer, you can go to the left and place your food truck order.

Covered Food Area

Covered Ordering Area

We snagged a copy of the buffet menus, complete with pricing, for you to see.

Buffet Menu -- Click to Enlarge

Buffet Menu — Click to Enlarge

The Superstar Catering Food Truck (usually parked in Disney Springs) was on duty the day we visited. No word yet on whether the food truck options will change or expand.

Food Truck in New Food Area

Food Truck in New Food Area

Food truck options include some hot grilled items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Note that food truck breakfast options are available 7:00-11:30AM, and lunch and dinner are available 11:30AM-9:00PM.

Food Truck Menu -- Click to Enlarge

Food Truck Menu — Click to Enlarge

Randomly, there’s also a coffee station outside the tent as well.

Drink Station

Coffee Station

Once you pay for the buffet, you’ll be given a wristband, which gives you access to the actual buffet line.

Temporary Food Area

Ordering Area

Both seating and the buffet itself are located inside the air-conditioned tent, and we were happy to see culinary staff preparing some food right there on the line.

Seating in Temporary Food Area

Buffet Inside the Tent

Items on the buffet are labeled directly on the glass so that you know what you’re getting. There was a selection of cut fruit, and containers of butter and cream cheese were available for toast and bagels.

Condiments

Fruit, Butter, and Cream Cheese

We found standard Disney breakfast buffet items the day we visited, including these guys!

Buffet

Mickey Waffles and Toppings

Freshly made Mickey waffles always bring smiles to our faces. :-)

Mickey Waffles on the Breakfast Buffet

Mickey Waffles on the Breakfast Buffet

Toppings for the waffles included blueberry and strawberry compote as well as warm syrup.

More Buffet Items

Blueberry and Strawberry Toppings

Savory hot items included potato casserole, link sausage, and scrambled eggs.

Buffet Items

Buffet Items

There were also island crepes and individual veggie fritattas.

Buffet Items

Buffet Items

Of course, guests could also take advantage of all the bacon and ham they could eat.

Buffet Items

Buffet Items

Buffet Items

Buffet Items

A separate section held breads and pastries, and included bagels, muffins, and danish.

Pastries

Pastries

A beverage station was located to one side of the tent.

Drink Station

Drink Station

If you’ve visited Caribbean Beach Resort before, then the lanterns, tables, and chairs in the dining area will probably look familiar to you.

Seating in Temporary Food Area

Seating in Temporary Food Area

It’s important to note that you can use this seating area whether you’re dining from the buffet, or you’re purchasing your meal from the food truck.

Seating

Seating

Well, that’s all we have so far! We know that these closures and changes impact quite a large number of you, so we’ll continue to monitor the situation and update you with news and photos as the story continues to develop!

But for now, what do you think of the dining and drinking changes happening at Caribbean Beach Resort during this massive construction period? Leave a comment and let us know!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and:


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