Castaway Cay Private Cabanas

[DVC Jen]

We had cabana 19 when we stopped at Castaway Cay off the Dream last December (2011). We have been to Castaway Cay a few times but this is the first cabana we rented. Since it was just me and my mom this trip and no kids with us we decided to rent in Serenity Bay. It was so nice to have some place just quiet and more private. I loved the hammock, having a shower and I really liked the private transportation by the cabana host!
We definitely agreed that we would do this again. Luckily it was warm enough to go out swimming since we were there in December so having the shower and floats was great.

I am doing a blog on my December trip including the cruise. I am about to write up my post on my Cabana stay and add more photos but I thought I would share here also.

You can see my post and all the photos here http://dis-n-that.blogspot.com when I finish it.

Cabana 19!!!

Great shot of cabana 19 from the beach side

picture with the loungers and inside shot

inside

we also liked having the fridge inside. the cold wet towels were great when coming out of the salty ocean after a swim

a shot from the deck

We had that same cabana in May on our May 18th Magic sailing. LOVED IT! Worth every single penny!

 

[disneyholic family]

We are struggling with the cabana decision. It seems so costly. Yet I feel we would enjoy the experience.

We're not sure about committing to the cabana, as if anyone could, who is not platinum or concierge, irregardless of the hefty price tag.

I've heard there have been some complaints recently. I'll try to recap.

It appears the wood is graying on the private deck, walls, and structure. This diminishes the ambiance, and contributes to splitters.
The shingles were split in areas, creating vulnerability to weather.
The lush tropical vegetation that's filling in, prevents line of sight and communication between adjoining cabanas.
Even with Tram help, folks still had to walk 30 feet.
Sand was reported on the private beach chairs and loungers along the shore.
The umbrellas in several areas were not centered over the loungers.
Rust may have been spotted on the fridge that contains the chilled towels and fruit bowl.
Bird droppings were sighted in the mesh sun screen above the cushioned loungers.
The ceiling fan has only two speeds.
The piped in music can't be changed to your IPOD stream.
The hammocks may have had frayed lines in photo # 6 ?
The lock set in photo #12 in thread 53774548 looked displaced and non functional.
The entrance sign displaying the cabana info was leaning and not vertical.
Paint/stain was peeling at the base of the entry door.
Host failed to show in 5 whole minutes after THE BUTTON was pushed.
The palm tree blocked the view of the ship.
Water pressure in the outdoor shower was to high.
The float mats and tubes had sand on them.
The soft plush towels provided failed to clean sunglasses well.
The sun screen is only offered in two SPF's.
The Evian water misters were too cold.
The included sand toys looked used.
Some reported having to travel 1000 feet to get snorkel gear.
No bathroom in the hut.
Bathroom was 200 feet away.
No one reported a lage plasma or LCD screen.

I'm not sure I could commit, at this price level, with all these oversights in maintenance, design, and service. With these issues, would anyone book? It's amazing DCL reserves any of these huts. Why are they so popular considering all the flaws involved?

Did I get you? This is a counter post, which I feel is warranted.
This post is implied humor, to offset all the serious cabana discussions. Just trying to put the details into perspective.

For the newbies ignore my text as it is fiction. Like April Fools in July.

TO RECAP THIS POST IS A JOKE

You had me until the flat screen
You don't want to know what I said in response to the sandy floats and sunglass unfriendly towels!!!!!

Foolish of me - it was your post after all!! I should have known!!

Good one

I have to say I'm worried what you're going to post on April 1st!!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Are the wristbands for the SB cabanas and the FB cabanas the same?

We are a party of 11 (9 adults, 2 kids) and will need 2 cabanas. If one ends up on SB and the other is on FB, can we use the wristbands to visit back and forth? -- Suzanne

 

[disneyholic family]

Are the wristbands for the SB cabanas and the FB cabanas the same?

We are a party of 11 (9 adults, 2 kids) and will need 2 cabanas. If one ends up on SB and the other is on FB, can we use the wristbands to visit back and forth? -- Suzanne

would you really want to do that? serenity bay and the family beach are pretty far away from each other requiring a tram ride to get from one to the other..

 

[SuzanneSLO]

would you really want to do that? serenity bay and the family beach are pretty far away from each other requiring a tram ride to get from one to the other..

I agree that it would not be ideal. If it is the only option because we can't get 2 on the FB, then it's better than telling one member of our group that they can't join us at all. -- Suzanne

 

[disneyholic family]

I agree that it would not be ideal. If it is the only option because we can't get 2 on the FB, then it's better than telling one member of our group that they can't join us at all. -- Suzanne

does your booking window open at 120 days?
if not, this entire discussion may be academic.

when my booking window opened (at 120 days), the SB cabanas were completely booked within one minute after the window opened..
the family cabanas were only half booked by the 120 day people..
i haven't looked at it since to see if the rest were booked at 105 days..

 

[RaglanRoad]

I finally finished up my post on my Cabana. I posted a few photos earlier but added a lot on the blog. I also uploaded a video of Cabana 19 Serenity Bay.

http://dis-n-that.blogspot.com

 

[SuzanneSLO]

does your booking window open at 120 days?
if not, this entire discussion may be academic.

when my booking window opened (at 120 days), the SB cabanas were completely booked within one minute after the window opened..
the family cabanas were only half booked by the 120 day people..
i haven't looked at it since to see if the rest were booked at 105 days..

We are only silver, but when my booking window opened for our trip on the Fantasy in October, there was 1 SB cabana left. I had the impression from this thread that SB is often the last to fill up.

Our group in not sailing until summer 2013. While I am aware we may end up with nothing, I was just wondering if we end up with a FB and a SB, we could make it work. -- Suzanne

 

[hLecky09]

i remember checking out the information for private cabanas and it cost a TON and plus you had to book it way far out

 

[disneyholic family]

I finally finished up my post on my Cabana. I posted a few photos earlier but added a lot on the blog. I also uploaded a video of Cabana 19 Serenity Bay.

http://dis-n-that.blogspot.com

thanks for sharing the blog, pictures and video!!!!

 

[DVCNuts]

Cost for one day: $499. The view: priceless.

This is the view from Cabana 8. We were lucky enough to get it BOTH days were were in CC on the 6/29/12 Dream double dip. We reserved it again for our next cruise. We have decided this is the ONLY way to do Castaway Cay from now on! Fridge, fan, view, ice and drinks on request, suncreen, fresh water shower, uncrowded beach, AND John Stamos in the cabana next to ours!

I would do this over any other shore excursion any day.

 

[Quagmire]

We had a cabana at Serinity Bay # 19 and it was worth every penny. My parents went along with us on this trip and without the cabana, would not have been able to stay on Castaway Cay due to the intense heat of the day. When we return in 2014, we plan on getting another one as it was one of the highlights of our trip.

 

[WDWLVR]

Another fan of SB Cabana #19. While it would have been too expensive for just my DH and I sharing it with friends made it more affordable and more fun. An awesome way to spend the day at CC.

 

[toy]

Cost for one day: $499.
This is the view from Cabana 8. We were lucky enough to get it BOTH days were were in CC on the 6/29/12 Dream double dip. We reserved it again for our next cruise. We have decided this is the ONLY way to do Castaway Cay from now on! Fridge, fan, view, ice and drinks on request, suncreen, fresh water shower, uncrowded beach, AND John Stamos in the cabana next to ours!

I would definitely pay $499 if John Stamos comes with the cabana next door.

 

[DreamGirl90]

Is the fan in the cabana single speed or is it adjustable?

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I would definitely pay $499 if John Stamos comes with the cabana next door.

Wonder if they charge extra for eye-candy?

 

[disneyfan888]

We have a Cabana booked for our Nov cruise. I know that water, soda is included along with sunscreen, fruit, floats and the bike rental. I think I read that their is a button where one can call for drinks. Does this rule apply for food? If we did not want to go all the way to the BBQ buffet, does someone take food to the cabanas? A friend told me she thought they did, but I want to know for sure. Is their an additional charge to have food delivered? I saw videos where they show the cabanas to have plates and utensils.

 

[disneyholic family]

We have a Cabana booked for our Nov cruise. I know that water, soda is included along with sunscreen, fruit, floats and the bike rental. I think I read that their is a button where one can call for drinks. Does this rule apply for food? If we did not want to go all the way to the BBQ buffet, does someone take food to the cabanas? A friend told me she thought they did, but I want to know for sure. Is their an additional charge to have food delivered? I saw videos where they show the cabanas to have plates and utensils.

no they don't bring lunch to you..
they will take you in the golf cart to the BBQ and bring you back to your cabana, but they won't bring lunch to you.

 

[DVCNuts]

Is the fan in the cabana single speed or is it adjustable?

Yes it is adjustable

 

[disneyfan888]

no they don't bring lunch to you..
they will take you in the golf cart to the BBQ and bring you back to your cabana, but they won't bring lunch to you.

Thanks for the info!