Castaway Cay--what is YOUR favorite spot (for family)--any tips/hints?

[DisneyJulieZ]

We're boarding the Disney Dream on Monday for our 1st ever Disney cruise! SQUEEE!!! It's a family reunion (12 of us, from all corners of the country) and we'd love some advice on finding a great spot (7 adults, 5 kids ages 4-12) on the beach. Shade would be hugely appreciated!

Please guide this newbie to YOUR family's favorite/best location....and why it's the best.

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

And since it's our first cruise, of course the cabanas were all long gone by the time we got to check in online...so unfortunately that doesn't seem to be an option (as much as we would LOVE for it to be!)

And we do want to possibly try snorkeling and go on the water-slide/float thingy in the swimming area...so I guess I'm asking for a location that would be good for those things?
I would say the water-slide would be priority (over snorkeling)...

Thank you all! I know the Disboards people will be so helpful...you're just the best!

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

Pretty much any spot on the family beach will be good, so don't stress about this too much. Lots of shade available there. But if you want closer to the water, you need to get there as early as possible and the closer to the water, the less shade. My favorite spot on CC is not on the beach, but actually at the far end of island where you can ride a bicycle to (past Serenity Bay). It is so wonderfully quiet and secluded there. I always stop on the bike for pictures and just soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Quellman]

HERE is a nice map to view. If they like water slides, you may want to be close to section P, ideally closer to the spot marked 9. You will be close to food, and the kids fresh water splash zone. You can take the tram from the boat and get off at the second stop.

If you will be doing other excursions, using kids clubs, or wanting to play basketball and sports, you will want to be closer to beach K, spot 6, again close to food and rest rooms.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thank you so much! I love the information regarding shade and also the information about which types of activities are more closely located to various spots...
Disboards people rock!

 

[tltay2005]

Like Buzz said you need to get off early. If you do, you will have no problem finding chairs with umbrellas. This is the spot we had and it was between the snorkel area and Pelican Plunge. As you can see there were plenty to choose from, and this was mid June, which is their busy time of the year.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the picture tltay05!

So...I'm all about early...but what time is early?

I think all ashore is 9 AM? Do we need to get lined up somewhere inside of the ship at like 8:30 AM or so? Or is it not that crazy?

TIA!!!

 

[tltay2005]

Awesome! Thank you so much for the picture tltay05!

So...I'm all about early...but what time is early?

I think all ashore is 9 AM? Do we need to get lined up somewhere inside of the ship at like 8:30 AM or so? Or is it not that crazy?

TIA!!!

We got off around 9:30, after breakfast.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Does anyone else have any favorite, shady spots for family on CC?
Or any other hints/tips/ideas to make that day great for our extended family of 12?

Thank you!

 

[kuhltiffany]

Take a sharp left after the store and follow the bushes around. There's hammocks there in the shade that are often not so busy…

If your a Geo-cacher there is one on the island (far though, best if you rent bikes).

The "waterslide" is awful, drops you out way before you hit the water so it goes up your nose and you get disoriented, yuck! The platform is fun though, my kids love the water guns...

 

[Neon Cactus]

We were just there a little over a week ago on the Magic and I miss it already! We got a spot right around the corner from the Conched Out Bar and across from Cookie's BBQ. There are several hammocks there and a great spot by the water. Most of our group did the 5k, so we met on the ship at 8:15 and got off right away and walked to the start line. Two members of our group took our stuff and got our spots and got really good spots since it was so early. You might want to go further down the beach if you want to be closer to the waterslide. The water was pretty cold, so we never ended up snorkeling, but it was nice floating in a tube. If you have any in your group who enjoy running, the 5k was fun and it's free. You can walk all of part of it. And when you're done, they give you medals. It covers a good part of the island, so it's a great way to see some of it. It was my favorite part of the cruise. I hope you all get great weather and have an amazing time.

 

[Prose]

This is the area right around letter J on the map. Tons of shade from both umbrellas and trees, and a nice view of the ship. Take the tram all the way to the Pelican Point stop, then walk straight ahead past the rentals station. Very convenient to Cookie's Too for lunch!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Great info everyone!

So, this will definitely be an early morning arrival priority for us.

How much should I warn my group about the water slide drop? Will my 9 year old be okay? (he's a good swimmer)

Thank you!!!

 

[brussrus]

We like the area just before the family cabana private beach. There's a bar right there for drinks and plenty of shade.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thank you so much for that picture, Prose! I love getting a feel for the island before we get there, so I can help my large extended family (family reunions from AZ, NY and FL!) get a great spot to best fit everyone's "wish list"

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Is the "Pelican Point stop" the same as the "2nd stop"?
Just want to make sure we get off at the correct stop from the tram.
Thank you!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Great info everyone!

So, this will definitely be an early morning arrival priority for us.

How much should I warn my group about the water slide drop? Will my 9 year old be okay? (he's a good swimmer)

Thank you!!!

We love the slide. Never had a problem with it. Blow out when you drop out of the slide. That's my reflex reaction anyway. If your child is a decent swimmer there should be zero problem.

Is the "Pelican Point stop" the same as the "2nd stop"?
Just want to make sure we get off at the correct stop from the tram.
Thank you!!

Yes. 2nd stop is Pelican Point.

 

[lengmui]

This is the area right around letter J on the map. Tons of shade from both umbrellas and trees, and a nice view of the ship. Take the tram all the way to the Pelican Point stop, then walk straight ahead past the rentals station. Very convenient to Cookie's Too for lunch!

We go to the exact same spot. Also not too many people if you get off early, folks tend to like to get off at the first tram stop.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thank you! I truly can't express how thankful I am for all of you taking the time to reply with great information, descriptions, and pictures. You're all fantastic!

 

[egesicki]

We recommended the far part of the family beach. There is a part between the cabanas and a little bar hut, close to cookies2. Because it's further it doesn't fill up as much or as soon, at least the times we have been there. You can hear the steel drum music from the bar, and bathrooms are not far either.