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

[MarkLem]

We like CC. It does help if you are beach people. Our kids 8, 6, 3 spend all day on the sand & water & love it. Nice water (allbeit cool), beach, cold drinks, good food. What's missing?

 

[Cass]

It depends on how well travelled you are ~ there are much nicer beaches in the world, so if you have travelled you might think it's no big deal.

Personally I think CC is a unique experience and a little piece of heaven.

 

[grlzmom]

I love CC, however, my dh doesn't really like it all that well (which is surprising, because he is a beach person). But, that works out fine with me because when one of our kiddos gets fussy and has had enough sand (and that is bound to happen with seven of them), he happily takes them back to the boat and the rest of us (me included) can keep on enjoying the day.

He does however, enjoy the food from Cookies.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I mean, don't get me wrong -- it's very nice, but after about 2-3 hours, stick a fork in me, I'M DONE! About the only thing I really like is Cookie's BBQ. I read about how some people would like to go there more than once during a cruise and I don't know why??

Now, don't be afraid, there must be someone else who isn't that crazy about Castaway Cay...

Completely disagree. We loved being able to lounge around on the hammock and swim in the beutiful water. We did nothing extra as far as recreation and still wished we could stay longer. We are not really beach people either. I loved it!

 

[minniemouse1]

We really enjoyed castaway cay on our last cruise. We were on the cruise with our 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 yo DDs and they loved the sand and water. I was just trilled that I didn't have to pack them up and run around a port all day! I think this was the most relaxing day for me because my kids were so happy and my DH wasn't dragging us around. Soon we will be at CC for the 3rd time and with an addition. Our 7 month old DD will be going on her first cruise! My other 2 DDs will be 4 and 3 so they should really enjoy CC again.

My husband has snorkeled and played volleyball at CC and really enjoyed it.

 

[disneyfan73]

We loved Castaway Cay and wished we could have had more time there. We did a 7-day eastern back in late Nov. We would have gladly given up a day at St Maarten or St Thomas for another day at CC. We love the set up and the hassle free environment!!! Not to mention the Disney characters running around.

 

[Amberle3]

My husband and I love the island, but over the course of 40-some cruises we have met several fellow cruisers who are not "beach people." Many of them would do maybe an hour or two and then head back to enjoy the ship.

I suspect that's what we'll be doing. I am definitely not a beach person. I can count on one hand the number of times in my entire life I've ever said "let's go to the beach". I'll want to spend a bit of time a the adult beach, maybe some snorkelling, have lunch and then it's back on the ship for me!

 

[mickeyboat]

We loved CC for many of the reasons already listed above. DD's were 3 and 4 and spent the whole day playing in the sand and in the water. No running around, no worrying about a schedule, no worrying about my kids safety or the safety of my belongings. It was heaven. But I can see why someone who enjoys a lot of activities might be bored by CC, but after being on the Magic for 6 days and having been in 2 ports already, I was ready for some plain odl relaxation.

To each his own.

Denae

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Love CC!!!!!! But like an above poster mentioned, really do not like the fact that it happens on the day before you leave - getting back to the ship, showering, dinner, packing, packing, packing -

Just wish CC would fall on a different day -

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

Soory, But You Must Be Missing Something When You Go. The Beach Is **** And Span And The Service Is Great As Is The Atmosphere! My Dh And I Would Move There If They'd Let Us!

 

[cjsmith]

My husband and I are big time beach people. I grew up right near the beaches on Long Island and live a mile from the beach down here in Naples Florida which the travel channel has now picked as the best beach!!

That being said, while I do enjoy our time at CC, I also have some complaints about the island. I hate the feeling that if we don't get off the ship first thing in the morning that we can't get seats for our family. The mad dash to try and get a hammock is also alittle crazy for me. 2 out of our 4 times there people took the floats that we rented while we were taking a walk or at lunch even though we left them all piled up and at our chair with things on them! It's a beautiful place and I love the water there, but let's face it, the family beach gets very crowded as does the water near the shore's edge.

Even with all of this, I still do love my time there and wish I was there right now!

 

[QuiltTeddy]

I'm not normally a beach person, but I thoroughly enjoyed lounging at the adult beach. Very relaxing and had a good time with friends just chatting.

Didn't think Cookies was all that great, but that's just our opinion.

 

[knyisles]

Lets start by saying ths island is beautiful......and has a ton of potential....but with all the hype about this wonderful island.....my whole family (there were 8 of us) expected more - a lot more. I agree the best part was the lunch. I expected the island to be more like river country. However, there were no slides, no games, no fun activities in the lagoon area. Many kids were too small to reach the rope on the rope ladder they have setup in the lagoon. I can't believe disney charges for floats and tubes. It is their island. Didn't we pay enought for the cruise. Floats and tubes should be free and plentiful. We rented them and had them taken when we went to the game room. Speaking of the game room - We were on the December 2nd Wonder and several of the "games" were broken....2 of the pool sticks were broken, 2 of the shuffleboard sticks broken, the big connect four game broken....it was a joke to walk all the way to the game room and have everything run down and broken - then to return to our chairs and find our floats and tubes gone. We also got off the ship early to get a hammack and had that taken away too. Pretty soon they will start charging for towels and chairs. What a let down. I must say it is beautiful - but was very disappointing. Anyone else have the same problems?

 

[crisi]

We aren't beach people and enjoyed CC more than I thought we would. The kids had a great time in the water.

Snorkling was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. We had some light choppy waves and I was pretty exhausted by the time I got in.

But I do kind of agree....a few hours and I'm done. I'm not going to be the last one on the ship wondering why the day can't be longer!

I didn't think lunch was great.....OK, but not great. This may be because we were starving early and by the time lunch was served had reached the "done" point.

Didn't have a problem with tube and float rental - we were warned - the kids had their own. We should have brought sand toys - far too few of them on the beach and far too pricey at the gift shops.

 

[Stinasmom]

Yeah! If you live in Florida...it's another beautiful beach, tropical waters, palm trees, ho hum...

Coming from a snowy climate (20 degrees and possible snow showers predicted today) just reading about Castaway Cay warms my toes! I can't wait to go!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

What an interesting thread!

Personally, CC is my ultimate favorite stop in the Disney Cruises. (Our 10 year-old DD's too!)

However, my DH thinks the same as you. He just thought 'CC is great, but not all THAT great.' I replied, 'you've got to be kidding! I wish every beach was like CC.'

He doesn't DISLIKE it, but just wants to try something new on each cruise. (More excursions, etc.)

It's funny though. When I learned that DCL was offering a two-stopper at CC for Thanksgiving 2005, I secretly booked to hold a spot so I could have time to 'sweet-talk' him into going. When I finally did mention it to him, he was excited to do it. 'I thought you didn't really care for CC,' I said. He said, 'it's a warm beach in November, away from the cold, hey, I'm all for it. I like it well enough!'

 

[tecdavidt]

knyisles you made a great point, why does Disney charge for floats and tubes on their own island. It isn't like they are in competition with any other vendors of tubes. We are on a cruise, most people won't be packing floats in their suitcases to use on CC or taking Disney's floats them home. These items should be included in our cruise fare. If Disney can offer free pop on their ship then can offer free floats. I am surprised they don't also charge for the hammocks and chairs.

Castaway Cay is nice but it is over hyped. It is a beach and it would be more fun if the stop was at the beginning of the cruise instead of the end. The cruises I have taken with the last day being a sea day are great. Packing isn't such a big deal on those last days. When you are at Castaway you do have the mad rush back to the ship, clean up and eat dinner then pack. The evening activities and mad rush erase the relaxation one had on the island.

Cookies BBQ, I have never liked it. My husband does. I am on a gluten free diet and frankly, Cookies is not gluen free friendly. Fruit and a plain burger no bun and that was what I could eat period. Not my idea of a good lunch. A salad bar would be a nice addition to Cookies or at least Disney needs to provide an area for their guests with special diets on Cookies. In 7 Disney cruises the servers are pretty good about my special diet but never has anyone asked on CC day. The ship that day is no better, they serve the exact same menu at lunch.

Kathy

 

[lwilliam]

but I love CC
just my opinion.

 

[Mboothby]

Not gonna flame. We're all entitled to our opinions, but in My opinion, it is paradise on Earth and I can't imagine a better place to be, EVER. LOVE IT!

 

[ohiominnie]

A salad bar would be a nice addition to Cookies or at least Disney needs to provide an area for their guests with special diets on Cookies.

On the recent 10 day cruise they had a big bowl of Caesar salad and a CM was dishing that out to ppl who wanted some. Don't know that much about a gluten free diet and if Caesar salad is allowed, but thought I'd let you know.