The Best Perks of Disney’s Castaway Cay
When you sail away on a Disney Cruise, you are bound to receive an endless amount of perks. From fine dining to live, Broadway style shows, the magic is present at every turn. Disney offers cruises through Alaska, to European countries, down the Californian coastline, and other tropical destinations.
Disney offers a variety of options in the Caribbean. One of the biggest upside to sailing with Disney through the Bahamas is getting the opportunity to visit Castaway Cay. Castaway Cay is an island reserved for Disney guests sailing through the Bahamas and Caribbean. Disney owns this island, and guests are invited to privately enjoy all it has to offer.
Immersed in Paradise
From the moment you disembark from the ship, Castaway Cay will truly immerse guests into a Disney style paradise. The island was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 1996 and has since hosted guests from all over the world. This Caribbean port of call includes recreational activities, shops, bars, water slides, and of course many classic Disney character visits.
The private beach has complimentary beach chairs, umbrellas, tram rides, food, and entertainment. A world class Disney staff waits on you as you enjoy your day at the beach. There are endless possibilities of activities and events to be discovered on the island.
Exciting Activities
As you come to the arrival plaza, guests can choose to either walk to the beach or take a quick tram ride free of charge. The family beach is the first stop, and guests are welcomed with Mount Rustmore, a Disney take on the iconic Moust Rushmore landmark.
The family beach includes two Castaway Cay souvenir shops, barbeque style meal stations, and a beautiful beach covered in white sand and palm trees. Character greetings and dance parties with Lilo, Stitch, and a few other beloved Disney characters can be found in the main pavilions located close to the beach. The family beach is also home to an assortment of recreational activities, from boat rentals to a snorkeling lagoon.
For those wanting to explore under the sea, an assortment of marine life can be found by snorkel right off the shore. An explorer’s trail is available for those who are a little less experienced. Visit Marge’s Barges & Sea Charter Dock if you or your travel party is interested in offshore recreation by a glass bottom or fishing boat excursion. Gil’s Fins and Boats is home to aquatic gear rentals such as snorkels, aquatic tricycles, paddle boats, paddle boards, kayaks, and other exploration equipment.
Flippers, fins, floats, and inner tubes are also available for guest rental at various locations. Another exciting addition of the Castaway Cay island is the Pelican Plunge platform. As guests swim away from shore, they will find a fun water play area home to two waterslides, a bucket dump, and a small lagoon.
Guests of all ages will find this oceanic attraction to be an exciting and refreshing perk to the typical port destination.
Fun for Younger Travelers
If younger guests are hoping for a little more on-land fun, they are invited to check out Spring a Leak, another water play area where kids will find pipelines, misters, and sprayers.
Children can play in the water and enjoy themselves without even having to go into the ocean. Two pavilions, Grouper Game and In Da Shade, bring guests into a playful oasis with relaxing fun. Both are located in shaded areas and offer an assortment of sports games.
Basketball, foosball, table tennis, ping pong, life size chess, and other exciting activities can be found in these hangouts. If those don’t offer enough, a sports beach can be found to include tetherball and sand volleyball.
Lastly, a Teen Hideout is also available for those older kids looking to explore and enjoy the island on their own, while making friends and engaging in various activities.
Fun for Parents Too
When parents are looking for a little quiet time on the island, Scuttle’s Cove is available the entire time the ship is docked.
Here Disney councilors offer complimentary childcare for children ages three to twelve. Scuttle’s Cove offers supervised youth activities, a whalebone digging site, and a water play area. Adults can then escape to Serenity Bay, a spot on the island reserved for guests eighteen and older.
It is a secluded area on the far side of the island, away from the more active family beach. Here adults will find specialty beverages, cabanas, massage tables, and a luxurious, tropical hideaway.
Magical Excursions to Castaway Cay
For those guests and families looking for a more adventurous Castaway Cay experience, numerous excursions may be planned in advance, at the Guest Services desk onboard, or at the Port Adventures station on the island.
These specific excursions are ticketed and may be booked up to one hundred and twenty days in advance. Sailors can choose from a variety of activities, all of which give a high quality experience on Castaway Cay. Two of the most popular options include parasailing and watercraft ski adventures.
Parasailing is available to guests ages eight and up. Guests will be strapped in as they enjoy an aerial view of the beautiful island. Ski Adventures allow guests to engage in a guided tour while riding on their very own watercraft. Ocean life will be present as they learn about the region’s history and it’s marine life.
Other excursions include walking and kayak nature adventures, Castaway Cay sandbar beach adventures, glass bottom boat voyages, Abaco Rigid Hull snorkeling adventures for adults, and an Abaco backcountry fishing adventure.
Extreme Getaways
For a day full of activities all rolled into one, guests may select the extreme getaway package. With this option, Castaway Cay visitors will receive a one-hour bike rental to travel across the island, a float or tube rental, snorkel equipment rentals, and enjoy time with Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure.
This package is available to guests five years or older and is expected to keep guests active while enjoying their day on Castaway Cay. A newer event that may interest more active guests is the Castaway Cay 5k.
RunDisney introduced this running challenge exclusive to guests of the Disney Cruise Line and Castaway Cay, allowing them to be active and compete on a five kilometer run through the island.
* Special thanks to Lexsie Ditter for writing this article!