First cruise Disney Dream Jan 2018!!

[Lola_Stark42]

I am running the Dopey challenge in 2018, and decided to book the Disney Dream cruise on January 8th. I have never been on a cruise before, and I want to do the Castaway Cay Challenge. I just called Disney to book a Veranda room on level 10. I would love any and all information on things to do/excursions/any reservations I need to look at making. Also would love to hear other people's experience on the Disney Dream or the Castaway Cay Challenge. TIA!!

 

[Shanti]

I am running the Dopey challenge in 2018, and decided to book the Disney Dream cruise on January 8th. I have never been on a cruise before, and I want to do the Castaway Cay Challenge. I just called Disney to book a Veranda room on level 10. I would love any and all information on things to do/excursions/any reservations I need to look at making. Also would love to hear other people's experience on the Disney Dream or the Castaway Cay Challenge. TIA!!

Congratulations! You'll love the Dream with all its activities onboard. Are you referring to the Castaway Cay 5K? That is something you sign up for at Port Adventures once you board the ship. We did it during our first cruise, which was over New Year's, and even at that time of year it was a hot and humid run. So my main advice is to protect your skin from the sun, stay hydrated, then take a swim in the cold Castaway Cay water right after your run to cool off.

 

[Ghen]

The Castaway Cay 5k is a flat run, completely on pavement. It is inland and not along the water. The middle 2 miles are a loop through a wooded section of the island where there is no breeze. Overall, the run is warm. We read on a website recently that there was discussion about changing the course.

 

[Dug720]

The Castaway Cay 5k is a flat run, completely on pavement. It is inland and not along the water. The middle 2 miles are a loop through a wooded section of the island where there is no breeze. Overall, the run is warm. We read on a website recently that there was discussion about changing the course.

And there IS an incline on the hill loop. Not a ton, but there IS an incline.

 

[Lola_Stark42]

I'm referring to the Castaway Cay Challenge, where you run one of the races during the WDW Marathon weekend, and then run the Castaway Cay 5K, and get a shiny medal with the cruise ship and castle on it. Because who doesn't need more shiny things?!

Besides that, I've been reading about excursions and the things to do on the ship and such. There's SO MUCH! I can't imagine cramming half of it into four days! Is there anything that should be on my "must do" list?

 

[Dug720]

I'm referring to the Castaway Cay Challenge, where you run one of the races during the WDW Marathon weekend, and then run the Castaway Cay 5K, and get a shiny medal with the cruise ship and castle on it. Because who doesn't need more shiny things?!

Besides that, I've been reading about excursions and the things to do on the ship and such. There's SO MUCH! I can't imagine cramming half of it into four days! Is there anything that should be on my "must do" list?

The only "must do" is know and acknowledge that you CANNOT do everything.

 

[pbjotter]

Hi,
We're running the castaway cay challenge as well. One thing on the ship that you have to try is the Aqua Duck water coaster. On our last cruise in January, the temp was chilly so it was a frigid experience but still lots of fun! The enchanted artwork around the ship is also worth checking out. The midship detective agency (especially popular with the kids on the ship - but parents enjoy it too) allows you to uncover hidden images behind certain pieces of artwork around the ship in order to solve a mystery. Very entertaining. The running/walking track circling deck 4 (I think) is neat - especially first thing in the morning at sunrise. It's neat to see the sun rise over the ocean while running (or walking). The fireworks over the ocean on pirate night are another thing to add to your "must see" list. My daughter loves to order milk and cookies from room service, or mickey ice cream bars (no charge). I have to admit that I love getting a mickey ice cream bar from room service as well. We're thinking of trying a dolphin or sea lion experience in Nassau but we don't have any prior experience with port adventures in the Bahamas so we can't speak to which ones are best. Hope you have a wonderful time planning your cruise adventure!

 

[Neptune's Fork]

The OP is talking about something different from the usual Castaway Cay 5k, the one she's talking about is a more 'official' one where records are kept. I thought I heard for that one the course is a little different too.