Any tips for Castaway Cay first timers?

[Constant]

We are due to go on our first cruise in a couple of weeks and in all the research can't find much specific info on Castaway Cay unless I have missed something obvious! I have been reading in a number of trip reports people going to get 'their spot' or 'being stuck out back'. I don't know realistically how much time we will spend on a chair or lounger but I am hoping to take the kids off to give DW at least 1 hour peace to relax and enjoy a book, maybe by hiring bikes.

So reading between the lines the etiquette for CC is much the same as a Disney waterpark, i.e. you get there first and stake claim for a day? As opposed to a Disney resort where CMs would remove towels etc. if left unattended for some time?

Either way I am interested to hear what people do when arriving at Castaway Cay? Do you hire tubes? Fav place settle down? Do you rearrange the chairs in a particular way? Always meet Captain Jack?

Any other tips / tricks for a first timer? We are a family of 4 kids 2 and 5 so will be on the family beach.

Steve

 

[BealsRwe]

People do seem to try to get there early to secure spots. We get off at our leisure after breakfast. We have never had a problem finding a chair or beach loungers. We just did the snorkle excursion on the island, and all we really needed was a chair to throw our stuff. We picked up after snorkling and took to lunch with us. If you have a good beach tote, carrying a bit will be easy. Don't bother taking beach towels with you. You can get towels right as you get off the ship. Towel drop offs are all over the place too, so you don't even have to carry back to the ship.

 

[Angie_Ohio]

It is nice to get a few chairs under an umbrella to allow you to escape the sun. We have had good luck traveling down the beach a bit. We try to get two or three chairs since we have a party of 7.
We have rented rafts and tubes. We enjoy the relaxation of the island. Cookie's Barbeque is easily reached from any part of the beach. Yum! I'm hungry just thinking about the good food. There is a water play area for the kids, but a pail and shovel are great for all ages. We purchased them right at CC. You can bring them from home if you like.

 

[skiingfast]

I have heard many people say it was easy to find chairs. I can't think of anyone saying it was hard.



If you plan to snorkel do that early before the water gets cloudy from people playing in it.

 

[bettyboop42413]

Is there a cost for food on Castaway Cay (not including alcohol)?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Is there a cost for food on Castaway Cay (not including alcohol)?

No. Just like on the ship, it's all included. You can buy smoothies in a little coconut shaped thing with straw that my kids liked. It's a souvenir cup so they enjoy using them at home too.

Ice cream cones and non-alc. drinks are unlimited.

 

[bettyboop42413]

You can buy smoothies in a little coconut shaped thing with straw that my kids liked. It's a souvenir cup so they enjoy using them at home too.

Yummy!

 

[lenny1105]

We have always just taken our time around castaway- spending some time in the snorkling area, and some on the adult beach. We never have had issues finding chairs- but it has never been a huge priority for us- it's always worked out.

Also, it is nice that you can use your room key on the island to pay for things- so it is one less thing you have to worry about!

 

[cakesnjammom]

CC is awesome and big. There are plenty of "spots" but the ones closer to the ship get taken pretty early. Just continue on until you find an open one. If you are looking for a hammock or a special place then I would go early or later in the afternoon some may become available. CC is a paradise all in itself...take time to take in the scenery

Food is free and good! Enjoy!!

 

[bellanapoli]

What time do most people seem to get off the ship in Castaway Cay?

 

[ashman]

If you have folks who like to play in the sand, bring your own toys from home MUCH cheaper! If you have your own mask and fins, you can bring and use your own as well.

 

[Magic3forme]

CC is my favorite place on Earth.
We tend to go further down the beach to find a spot, it is less crowded. (the closest spot from the ship fills up quicker.)

Take the tram even if you have kids to see the whole island. There is an adult only section in the back (and its own food place.)

2 years we stayed late and the beach really thins out. They brought pizza out at Cookies Bbq and we took a relaxing walk back to the ship!

I always bring mini sand buckets and shovels from the dollar store.

 

[tinkmom2]

We are one of those that get off the ship first thing to secure our spot. We grab the two chairs and the lounger with the umbrella. But we usually give it up around 10 because that's the time Jack Sparrow is on Castaway.(You run over there wait in line and interact with Jack) We drop the kids off at Scuttles after lunch and head to Serenity Bay for a bit. Then it's back to the ship for us. My youngest is tired by this time so we take a nap while my oldest is off to her group or the arcade. I ran into one of my fellow Disers riding a bike around Castaway or you can rent a float, grab a hammock, and have a cocktail. One tip watch your food at Cookies. If you leave your table for any reason you will find little birds in your food lol! There are tons of characters on the island so bring your camera.

 

[Grandma4ever]

What time do most people seem to get off the ship in Castaway Cay?

I believe that you can begin to leave the ship around 9 to 9:30. You will have a rush at the start with all of us got to get the most folks. Then it is hust people getting off when they are ready. The crowds peak at about 11:00 to 1:00 and then they begin to thin.

• It has been said but if you move away from the ship there will be chairs available.
• Snorkle in the morning as the sand does get mixed in the wayter and it is harder to see what you want.
• Don't forget the sun screen and put it on often.
• You might want to consider the Stingray Excursion. These are captive ray and they trim the stinger. You get to feed them and they get up close and personal. It is a good excrusion for 1st timers.
• Remember you can rent floats and bikes
• Most important just take it as it comes and try to relax and enjoy the day.

Don't try to do it al;l it can't be done and you lose more in the process.

 

[Page4]

The water at the family beach gets cloudy from all of the people having fun in the water. If you want to see it at its most beautiful get there a little early. I really love seeing that clear water. The other areas..adult beach and the water bike area stay crystal clear. It's awesome.

 

[Ephany]

If you do the snorkel/bike/float/stingray excursion, what do you do with the floats/snorkel gear while you're biking or eating? If there's no lockers, can you just leave them by your chair or do you need to take them with you everywhere you go?

 

[hortontrio]

I agree with others. CC is GREAT!! We just got off the ship on Tuesday and really miss it. When we docked it was storming bad so they delayed us getting off for a little bit, but we got off shortly and walked to the picnic areas, first time didnt realize the tram takes you right to where we walked too, so would take the tram. We got a a seat closest to Gils Fin shop and got our snorkeling gear as soon as they okayed it from the storm. We snorkeled and had a great time. DO go early if you want to snorkel. Next time we are going to do the sting ray excursion so if you have time etc i would do that, its very contained and nice area to be up close with the sting rays. If you have kids let them experience Scuttles Cove, its like the oceaneer club/but its at CC and my DD6 LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Its a very relaxing fun day, just take your time and if you dont see it all, just book another cruise..if this is your first cruise, you WILL be hooked the minute you walk on the ship!!!

 

[hortontrio]

If you do the snorkel/bike/float/stingray excursion, what do you do with the floats/snorkel gear while you're biking or eating? If there's no lockers, can you just leave them by your chair or do you need to take them with you everywhere you go?

We just left our snorkel gear by our chair, plenty left their floats also and one fmaily actually gave us their float because they were done with it. I felt totally safe leaving things behind. The snorkel lagoon and stingray thing is next to each other, but even if your chair is away from them i wouldnt see a problem. The only people on CC is those on your cruise and i dont knw of anyone on here that has ever gotten anything stolen, though i may be wrong. hope that helps

 

[WDW Enabler]

I believe that you can begin to leave the ship around 9 to 9:30. You will have a rush at the start with all of us got to get the most folks. Then it is hust people getting off when they are ready. The crowds peak at about 11:00 to 1:00 and then they begin to thin.

• It has been said but if you move away from the ship there will be chairs available.
• Snorkle in the morning as the sand does get mixed in the wayter and it is harder to see what you want.
• Don't forget the sun screen and put it on often.
• You might want to consider the Stingray Excursion. These are captive ray and they trim the stinger. You get to feed them and they get up close and personal. It is a good excrusion for 1st timers.
• Remember you can rent floats and bikes
• Most important just take it as it comes and try to relax and enjoy the day.

Don't try to do it al;l it can't be done and you lose more in the process.

The water at the family beach gets cloudy from all of the people having fun in the water. If you want to see it at its most beautiful get there a little early. I really love seeing that clear water. The other areas..adult beach and the water bike area stay crystal clear. It's awesome.

We have only been to castaway once, so take what a say with a grain of salt. We had never snorkled before but some people we met on the DIS allowed us to borrow some gear so we went out to see Minnie. The bottom silt does stir up easily but settles very quickly. We waited less than 2 minutes and the water was clear enough to allow us to take photos with the minnie statue. So in other words, do not stress, enjoy your time on castaway. If you try to see it all in your first visit you will be to busy to enjoy it. Remember there is always your next cruise.

Michael

 

[hazlnut]

Don't worry, be happy!

If you want the beach to yourself, get out there by 9am.

Take a swim, go snorkeling, then kick back and people watch for a while.

Get an early lunch, walk around, one more dip in the perfect blue water, then take a nap.

If you want to sleep in, there will still be lots of spots by 12 noon and all day.

The wait for food will be about 10-15 minutes at 1pm. You can go back on the ship and have no wait at all.

You can get 1 adult fun package and 1 kid package (snorkel, bike, tube) and share everything--even the bike.

CC is the best part of the cruise. Enjoy!