Castaway Cay Hurricane Damage

[tstan65]

Just returned from 10/02/04 Eastern on the Magic. We were the first cruise to return to Cataway Cay since Hurricane Jeanne. I am happy to report the island is open for business. All facilities look great! The cast did an amazing job recovering from two hurricanes. What you will notice is a lack of overhead vegitation since the hurricanes blew away a lot of leaves and branches from trees. As a result there is not nearly as much available shade on the island as there used to be. You will also notice the snorkeling lagoon does not have much to see. Disney was trying to create an artificial reef here and has been set back a few years by Mother Nature. IMHO the snorkeling is not worth the trip especially if you are renting equipment.

 

[OK_MickeyFans]

Thanks for sharing the good news. I have been wondering what happended to the island during the storms.

 

[mjf2001]

It was an amazing experience being at CC last Friday... the care for and love of this island by cruisers and DCL crew members alike were evident in how we all watched the approach from the back of deck 9, how we took it all in.... it was almost eerie to see all that BROWN, instead of green.... I have to say the DCL crew there outdid themselves. They really cleaned CC up beautifully, and Mother Nature will take care of the rest, I'm sure. We had such a great day... can't wait to spend TWO days there in '06! CC is the place for me, green or brown!

Michael

 

[disneybride96]

We were on that cruise also. I am sure a month later you can hardly tell. Tropical foilage grows so fast!

 

[@GoofyNut]

TSTAN65 and DisneyBride96, you were there when the Cruisetoberfest bunch floated in too. We noticed how much hotter it seemed without that beautiful foliage. Thank God they don't have "seasons" like we do up north or the foliage would have to get thru snow before it could sprout in the spring!

DisneyBride96 thanks for the big picture of most of the Island .. that one really showed the damage.

Can't wait till 06 when we are there for 2 days!

 

[FormerDisneyDavid]

I have photos I took of the Cruisetoberfest III October 2004 group on deck 7 aft if anyone would like them.

David