How do you book a cabana?

[BosMan]

I have heard that people stay up late to book a cabana on Castaway Cay. This is our first Disney cruise, and I'd like to book the cabana. Our check in night is Jan 18th?
Is it easy to book? do I log into DCL res. and go to activities?

If anyone can walk me through step by step I'd appreciate it. I just don't want to be shut out because I was in the wrong place...

Thank you in advance...!

Fantasy May 18

 

[andrewket]

Unfortunately, as a first time Disney cruiser your chances of reserving a cabana are near zero. They are frequently fully booked by Platinum and Concierge cabins before gold, silver, and first time cruisers are given access to trip planning.

Having said that, the way to do it is to log into Disney's website and go into trip planning at midnight on the first day that you're able. If it means anything to you, I've been to Castaway Cay 4 times now, including last week. I had been considering reserving a Cabana for our next cruise in April since I will be traveling with my 86 year old Aunt, and I thought it would give her a nice place to hang out and serve as a "focal point" for my family (18 of us). I decided the return on investment is just not there. We didn't get to the beach until ~9:45, and you had to be back on the ship by 4:30. We actually packed up around 3 to try to get some aquaduck time in before everyone else went back to the ship. Unfortunately lots of other people had the same idea and the line was longer than average.

A

 

[MouseMomx2]

You can also stalk the DCL website looking for a cancellation. They happen fairly regularly. Check as often as you can and you just might snag one.

Good luck!

 

[Namsupak]

Bosman I think I remember you posting on one of the concierge threads. Before the 18th make sure to talk to your shoreside concierge. The number is 1 (866) 784-1654. Let them know you want a cabana and which one. The family cabanas are 1-17. If you want to do it yourself at midnight the day of then you can also login to the DCL website. Go to the "My Cruise activities". Then go to the Castaway Cay Day. Then you will see a whole bunch of activities the cabanas are at the bottom. Just pick the one you want and add to cart. Even if you do this I would recommend you let the shoreside concierge know and they can check this for you as well. Normally the shoreside concierge call you before the 120 day mark.

 

[Namsupak]

... serve as a "focal point" for my family (18 of us). I decided the return on investment is just not there. ...

We use the cabana as a focal point as well. We actually really enjoy the privacy of the cabana and we try to book one every-time. For us it really is worth it and it makes Castaway Cay even more enjoyable. OP just know that the cabana max is 10 people, the first 6 are included in your cabana price, each additional up to 10 is $50 extra. For 18 people you would need 2 cabanas.

 

[BosMan]

Yeah, we are booked in concierge. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.!

Bosman

 

[bceagle76]

how much is a cabana

 

[PrincessShmoo]

how much is a cabana

On the Family beach $499 - good for up to 6 people. Additional people up to 10 max $50 each.

On Serenity Bay $399 - good for up to 4 people. Additional people up to 6 max $50 each.

 

[scrapbookjulie]

Shoreside concierge will probably recommend that you book the cabana yourself at midnight. By the time they get in to the office in the morning, the cabanas are usually long gone! When I booked ours last month, the family cabanas were gone within 2 minutes of the booking window opening. There was one adult cabana left, but chances are that was gone in the morning, too. When you log in to book port adventures, go immediately to the Castaway Cay adventures and pick your cabana. Hit the confirm button right away. I'd chosen #5. By the time I reread the info and hit confirm, that cabana was gone. I quickly exited and grabbed cabana #7. That was the last one. Seems like the low numbers and high numbers went first, and the ones in the middle went seconds later.

 

[andersonfamily]

Make sure you hit confirm before you go off to make other reservations! Ours were also gone in the first 2 minutes of booking. The first time we did it online we forgot to hit confirm and had to start over.

 

[Princess Bette]

You can also stalk the DCL website looking for a cancellation. They happen fairly regularly. Check as often as you can and you just might snag one.

Good luck!

This is how I got one last time! Trying very hard for our March Spring Break cruise, but I am not holding out much hope this time!

Good luck!

 

[BosMan]

Is it better to have a high # cabana or a low #??? what are the different advantages?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it better to have a high # cabana or a low #??? what are the different advantages?

I believe the lower numbers are closer to the food and the higher numbers are more "private feeling" further out.

 

[Billinaz]

Bosman I think I remember you posting on one of the concierge threads. Before the 18th make sure to talk to your shoreside concierge. The number is 1 (866) 784-1654. Let them know you want a cabana and which one. The family cabanas are 1-17. If you want to do it yourself at midnight the day of then you can also login to the DCL website. Go to the "My Cruise activities". Then go to the Castaway Cay Day. Then you will see a whole bunch of activities the cabanas are at the bottom. Just pick the one you want and add to cart. Even if you do this I would recommend you let the shoreside concierge know and they can check this for you as well. Normally the shoreside concierge call you before the 120 day mark.

If you are sailing in a concierge cabin, I wouldnt try to get a cabana by emailing them. It probably wont do you any good at getting one.

Your best bet is to be on the webpage at the 120 day mark, right at midnight. Go to port adventures on the castaway cay day and add the cabana quick. For our next cruise they lasted 8 minutes.

Practice getting to that point so you wont have a delay. Start a couple minutes early and keep refreshing!

If you dont get one, the concierges have a fwe cabanas held for them, go up to the lounge as soon as you board and ask the concierge to book one of them for you (its the higher number cabanas)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you are sailing in a concierge cabin, I wouldnt try to get a cabana by emailing them. It probably wont do you any good at getting one.

Your best bet is to be on the webpage at the 130 day mark, right at midnight. Go to port adventures on the castaway cay day and add the cabana quick. For our next cruise they lasted 8 minutes.

Practice getting to that point so you wont have a delay. Start a couple minutes early and keep refreshing!

If you dont get one, the concierges have a fwe cabanas held for them, go up to the lounge as soon as you board and ask the concierge to book one of them for you (its the higher number cabanas)

That would be the 120 day mark.

 

[Billinaz]

 

[Billinaz]

That would be the 120 day mark.

Um, yea, thats what I typed (eventually)

 

[Namsupak]

The lower cabanas are closer to the restrooms and cookies too. The ones about 11 and up are on a more private area of the beach. Across from about 1 through 10 there are chairs/loungers in front and you can wade/swim in the beach directly in front. The higher ones during low tide the water is low and there are not beach loungers directly in front, also to go out for a swim then you have to go a little to the left. It makes a difference if you are trying to watch kids from in front of your cabana. We have had 3,5, and 14/15 in the past. The lower mid numbers are perfect for us. I believe #1 is the only handicapped accessible one.

Certainly booking at midnight is a good option to ensure you get what you want. We have always just made this a shoreside request. And yes I believe they save some for concierge guests in addition to book onboard the first day.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Shoreside concierge will probably recommend that you book the cabana yourself at midnight. By the time they get in to the office in the morning, the cabanas are usually long gone!

This has been my experience. I attempted two cabanas, before I finally confirmed one. Yes, they go that quickly.

OP, do not login before midnight, otherwise you won't be able to make any reservations.

 

[BosMan]

Cabana #8...... on the May 18th Fantasy cruise