Don't Flame Me -- Does Anyone Else Think Castaway Cay Is Not All That Great??

[suzannef]

i HAVEN'T BEEN TO CC YET SO i CANT GIVE AN OPINION BUT I WAS WONDERING IF THE WATER IS STILL COLD IN MID MAY. WE LOVEEEEE THE BEACH AND MY KIDS WILL SWIM EVEN IF THE WATER IS FREEZING BUT I'M MORE ON THE WIMPY SIDE.




TIA
SUZANNE

 

[sjreed]

When we were on the Wonder in October, CC was NOT our last day. Our last day was a sea day. Did they change this recently? It was nice to have a sea day for our last day, very relaxing and plenty of time to pack. That being said we LOVED CC.

 

[westjones]

I just always wish it wasn't on the last day (I know, 4 day cruises have changed this, but I've never experienced it)....I just had the CC day, then the rush to get back, get the kids showered, to their clubs, debarkation talk, kids program, dinner, pack, pack, pack, pack.....UGH.

This is how we felt too. We just did a 4 night and LOVED having the day at sea after our day at CC. We were much more relaxed at CC this time and enjoyed it so much more. On past cruises we had to get the kids back and cleaned up for the "Farewell" show with the kids clubs and start packing (with all of our wet stuff still very wet).

On the 4 night, it was so much better. We all decided we liked the 4 night better than the 7 night! That will be the one we choose for now on (unless they change CC to the last day of the 4 night also).

Oh, and as for CC, we love it there....BUT, if it were just DH and me there without kids we would probably not stay as long (we are really beach people, but our kids have a blast and we love watching them have fun).

DJ

 

[kmiles]

I LOVE Castaway Cay!

That's all I have to say.

 

[tecdavidt]

Ceasar Salad is not gluten free, gluten free is no wheat, no malt, no barley, no oatmeal (cross contamination). No "modified food starch" in the ingredients. A regular salad bar with basic ingredients would be a good offering to add to Cookies BBQ. Kathy

 

[SSSneezy]

We are beach people and it was the highlight of the trip.

 

[pth]

My wife loved CC. I thought it was very pretty, but, after 4 hours, I had enough. I got pretty bored.

 

[wide awake]

My DS is gfcf, and on CC day I think he'd be safe with fruit, hamburger patty, a kosher hot dog (no bun), corn on the cob, plain or BBQ chips, and potato salad as long as mayo is gfcf, and coleslaw. The virgin fruit drinks would be okay too. Of course on CC day DS doesn't want to take the time to eat so not much of a problem. I love sitting on the beach and relaxing, but love the different ports also so wouldn't book a 2 CC stop cruise.

 

[soccercruiser87]

i LOVE castaway cay..its so much fun!

 

[april riddle]

I am not a fan of the beach per say since I burn pretty easily and although we spent about 4 hours on the beach I was ready to leave before that. My DH and sons really enjoyed themselves. Right after lunch they grabbed an ice cream and we went back to the ship where they went to the movies. I got the packing done. next year I am not sure I will even get off. That being said DH and sons loved it.

 

[LoveMyBaby]

I liked CC, however I agree that it didn't quite live up to the hype. I just expected there to be more to it. I did enjoy it and look forward to going back. One thing that I think would make it better would be more food options. Cookie's has extremely limited variety. A separate restaurant with a completely different theme would be nice.

 

[cristit14]

I really enjoyed CC, but I think I would enjoy any beach where I don't have people trying to sell me stuff. About the only thing I didn't like was Cookies BBQ. I guess my expectations were too high after reading the boards. I thought it was only okay. I did enjoy the salad that I got there though. That being said..... I can't wait to go back!

 

[scrapcreator]

We enjoyed CC on our first cruise in Oct. Once we got over the shock at how crazy crowded the family beach was (at home we stay away from the beach when they are that crowded), got our equipment and found a place to relax we had a great time. We went with the package that included bikes, so after we snorkled and floated, we road our bikes way out past the adult beach (away from the crowds) and watched the waves break on a beautiful beach.

Jeanne

 

[aliwas]

Yes, I think that was my only complaint was the crowded water. We got chairs next to the divider between the beach area and snorlkel lagoon. It was so crowded later in the morning you couldn't enjoy the water. I know if I ever return I will head farther down the beach where the crowd thins out. We didn't stay on the beach long, we stayed a couple of hours, then ate lunch, shopped before it got crowded and went back to the ship. Got beautiful pics of the water, gorgeous colors.

 

[tbert5]

We were on the Thanksgiving cruise & got 2 days at Castaway- (1st & last).
That was the highlight of the cruise. On the last day- we were one of the last families to get back onto the ship. It was wonderful- I almost cried when it was time to leave. Also did the bananna boat ride with DD & that was fun too.

 

[abusymommy]

We've been on 2 DCL cruises and I had such high expectations for Castaway Cay that when I got there I thought it was fine, but not spectacular. The water was freezing and I don't think that disney has done as much to the island as they could have (A water park would be great and would help with the congestion at the family beach). I'm sure they will continue to develop it as time goes on.
The best part about cruising though is you don't have to get off the boat if you don't want to, so when we went on our second cruise we stayed on the ship the Castaway Cay day. Yes...can you believe it...we were able to dock in January and we stayed on the ship! If you ever want to be on the ship when you can have the pool to yourself, your own private waiters and an entire ship to yourself, try staying on board when the mad rush is going on to get off the ship. Swimming at the beach would have been nice, but the peace and quiet we experienced staying on board was awesome!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Because it was breezy, chilly and it drizzled some, our stay at CC was short (we were on the island maybe for 3 hrs, then went back on the ship). Though our stay was short...I thought the island was beautiful. I think we would have enjoyed CC more and stay longer if the weather was nicer.

 

[gonna go cruising]

CC is the highlight of our trip. The main reason we have booked with Disney is CC! So relaxing. Cant beat it.

 

[zeldacruiser]

Part of what makes Castaway Cay so relaxing for me is that I get off the ship and the beach is right there. No finding a taxi or arranging an excursion. Easy to go back on the ship if you forget something.

On our first cruise, the weather was perfect at CC, and we spent the whole day there. Second time around, it poured down rain much of the day, our banana boat ride was cancelled, and we ended up having to go back on board early due to lightning. But we still had a great time - whole family played water football at the deserted family beach, and we spent our banana boat money on 2-for-1 Bahama Mamas. The day wasn't what we expected, but we'll never forget it!

I agree that the Cookie's food is pretty limited. Of course, it would be better if they offer more selections, but if they don't, you could pack up some room service to take ashore (although that probably wouldn't help gluten-free, since sandwiches would be what packs best).

 

[UGAFan0829]

Well, I have to agree with the original poster and say that CC wasn't all that I thought it was cracked up to be. Now, I do love the beach...we go to PC Beach every year, and I love it there, but for some reason CC just didn't strike me. I think one reason may have been because the family beach was so crowded, but yet when the DH and I went over to Serenity Bay I found it a little boring. I guess I'm just not one of those people who's much for sitting back and watching. I like to be in the action, playing in the water and having fun.