Best spot on Castaway Cay.

[HoosierFantasia]

I would like everyones input on their favorite spot on Castaway Cay. We are a party of 8 adults and 3 kids(2,4,5). We would like to be near the kid area but also would like a beach spot with lots of shade and a hammock would be nice. You see, I would like the ideal spot that will make everyone that gets off the boat late, jealous!

Anyone have any good spots!

Bill

 

[KeenHo]

Bill:

Last May we got off the Magic as early as possible and I hustled to get chairs (or whatever I could find) for our family (4) and a friend's family (4) that were traveling with us. The only area I could find ample chairs and shade available was at the far end of the family beach. The spot was great, plenty of shade and sun with a hammock near by. It was even close to the Volleyball net (in the water), bike rental, Cookies BBQ and the restrooms.

If I could have made the area I found closer to the ship, but still have all the perks, I would do it. Other than the distance from the ship, it was great! I am happy about how it worked out. Good Luck to you in your search for the perfect spot! Enjoy your cruise too!

Howard

 

[HoosierFantasia]

That sounds like a good spot! Probably have to be one of the first off the ship to get that one.
Any other ideas out there?

Bill

 

[paulh]

Send the fastest runner of the boat first tell them not to wait for the tram as it takes longer and as soon as they hit the sand cut across the beach and keep moving till they reach a good point all you have to doo is find them at the frount
Regards paulh

 

[HoosierFantasia]

No tram, hit the beach running. Believe in or not the fastest runner in our group will be the oldest. My father just ran in hte mini-marathon in Indy last weekend and he likes to get up early. PERFECT!
Bill

 

[tony3331]

went on 4/27 and what a mess alot of people drag there chairs up to the water and plop themselves like hippos in the water so you kind of zig zag your self in the water there were even some chairs floating in the water i dont expect this to continue as disney takes care of this kind of stuff but all i can say is run like the wind

 

[gscott8075]

This is one place I am a bit selfish. In the morning, we snorkel with the kids. Then, we go for a bike ride as we talk about the Secret of Gorda Cay article which is available on the boards somewhere. We discuss the pre-Disney life on the island.

Then, before lunch, we drop our DD's at the kids area and my wife and I lose ourselves on the adult beach. It is the hidden treasure of CC and totally underutilized.

We try to spend 3-4 hours there - we reconnect, lay in the shallow water, watch the minnows swimming about, look at the sky and relax, relax, relax.

One more month - I can hardly wait!

 

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

Originally posted by tony3331
people drag their chairs up to the water and plop themselves like hippos in the water

That was too funny. I won't be able to look at people with a straight face when I get there. (If it's hot, I'll be one of them) Maybe some designated entry/exit lanes would help. Pretend you're on the Jungle cruise!

 

[pmgreene]

I have to admit, I am always surprised by the advice to run, run, run to get a "good spot". We didn't dilly-dally along but we kept our island time pace and did just fine. We have been to Castaway Cay three times and have gotten a great site each time. Soooo many people get off the ship and stake a claim at the first patch of beach they come to. Where you pick up snorkeling gear is just packed! As you walk further down the beach it becomes more and more sparsely populated.

IMO the best place is the area by the water volleyball net. There is a bathroom closeby as well as the great bar over the water (where you can get sodas in a can). There are also some wonderful hammocks a little further down (now, those might be worth hustling for). Someone correct me if I'm wrong but just on the other side of the bathroom I mentioned is a beach area that had maybe ten people max each time we were there and I don't think it is the teen beach.

As someone else said, the adult beach is a MUST. We missed it our first trip there but were thrilled when, on the same cruise, we got to hit CC again (our cruise had a change of itenerary because of bad weather and we were fortunate enough to do CC twice that trip!!!) and spent the whole time there after dropping the kids off to play.

Have to agree about the hippo remark, too! When you see how common that it, you'll get a good laugh!

Wherever you end up on the beach just remember everything is "island time" so sit back, sip a cocktail and HAVE FUN!!!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

Island time......
Because everyting be Irie Mon!
Oh wait thats Jamaica. I think it applies to all islands though.
Thanks for all your input. I am sure I will be one of those running off at the rope drop. And if I happen to drag a chair to the water I won't look like a hippo, You will probbly think that an albino barracuda washed ashore! This boy from Indiana nees to work on his tan in a bad way.
Bill

 

[daltonsdodisney]

Hi, fellow Hoosier! We're from Bedford. Anyway, do people actually run after getting off the ship? Am I going to feel a little pushy trying to worm my way in between people and leave my family behind in search of the perfect spot? Don't get me wrong, it's not above me. I've been to WDW many a time where I've staked out an early curb for the parade or hit certain rides at certain times to avoid long lines, etc.. but it's just too bad there's not adequate amenities (hammocks) for all. I hate to stress my whole party out in search of the perfect spot. How does the typical cruiser react once debarking at Castaway Cay?

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I can't answer your question as this will be our first Disney Cruise. But it sounds like some people may be in a hurry to grab their best spot. I will be ther to be one of the first off and probably will just walk very fast. However, if someone jogs passed me, being the ultra competitor I am, I probably will pick up the pace!
Bill

 

[disneyholic family]

well......we never lie in the sun...or the shade for that matter...
we live 10 minutes from the beach and in 12 years of living here, have never done that....
i'd rather be up and doing stuff...
it's so boring lying down and doing nothing....but that's me.....
welll...anyway...

we'll take our time getting off the ship....this IS a vacation after all........we'll mosey out to the island......do our activities (i've already reserved our snorkels, bikes and floats)...
we'll do a bit of the shaded activities (like ping pong)...
a bit of water volleyball.....
maybe a sand castle or two...

and then we'll see how fried our brains are by that time...

as for the chairs in the water...
that's a very traditional thing to do with plastic beach chairs...
everyone here does that....

my daughter was just at the beach yesterday.....she and her friends went on the spur of the moment so they didn't have their swimsuits....no matter...they just went in in their jeans...(oh joy....nothing like washing salt covered slimey jeans....)

 

[paulh]

The advice i gave was what was asked how to get a good spot we were not the first of the boat and we only walked fast found that most people tended to stay near the first point of entry yo the beach and found this croweded donnt just go with the heard
move up the beach and it will be quiteter and more plessent food and amminitys are all close by and dont forget the island was made to take all the passingers of the ship
Regards paulh