Help with castaway cay

[KashasMom]

I agree with getting out earlier and you'll get lounge chairs. We like to have photos done with the characters and in front of (the back of) the ship. It's also a good time to drop a postcard at the post office with the hopes that it will actually reach. As far as eating - go early or go later. We've always managed to find a seat. Hope your next time is better.

 

[Southern Pirate]

we (mum dad boy 15 girl10) heading on our 2nd Disney cruise in July

1st one was sept 17

Everything was great except castaway cay which was a total bust so looking for help as to where we need to improve

We delayed getting of the ship until 1030 as we didn’t want to wait in hour long queues, so that probably didn’t help!

Anyway when we got to the beach there were no spare loungers anywhere. So we just lay on the sand, but it was too hot. The kids swam over to the raft but there was a 90 min queue for the slide so they came back.

Tried to get some lunch but they closed the tent as there were too many people in there.

Got the bus thingy to the next beach but it was similar. Ie no loungers free and beach packed.

That lunch tent was also closed to new queuers and we were told to come back after 2 (it was 12.30)

We then just decided to head back to the ship and enjoy the pool and eat at cabanas.

Is it always like that? If so what is the point?

Suggestions as to what I need to plan to try and make something of castaway. Family simply hate queues!

We have been to CC 8x now. At first we were rushing to get off, then when we realized we were on vacation, that changed. Now we enjoy breakfast, watch as the Captain expertly backs the ship in. (My wife can't back a car to save her life but the crew puts these big ships in and you never feel a bump). We leave the ship to make it to our excursions and then head for a nice steak lunch. (I think the steaks on CC are better than on the ship). After this is a little shopping to see if anything new is out then we head to the beach. By then, those that rushed off to be the first are tired out and making their way back or caught up in the lunch crowds. If you relax and enjoy what is available when it is available you will have a better vacation.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have been to CC many times on both the Magic and the fantasy. In summer and winter. Never had any problems so it’s hard to relate. I get off first as soon as they open and get chairs and umbrellas. I’ve never waited more than a few minutes to get off.
We always do the slides and have never had to wait more than 10 min or so. Hard to fathom they would be that busy but we have always been able to swim out and get on the structure. The only time we have been stopped was when the lifeguard would not let my daughter go because she has Down syndrome and was concerned about her swimming ability. We explained she’s a gold medal swimmer in special Olympics and swims better than either of her parents.

We get lunch around 12, stay until 2 or 3 and then head back to ship. Go in the slides there a couple of times and then relax until it’s time to get ready for early show and late dinner.

Sorry you had a bad experience. We love CC. We have been there once in Jan when the temp and water was uncomfortable but all other times it’s been perfect.

 

[Tim3888]

Curious -- how long of a cruise were you on? We did a 3-day for our first cruise and found that everything, including Castaway Cay, seemed more crowded and frantic across the board. We've done two 7-day cruises since then and they are a lot more relaxed. Seems like that should not matter relative to Castaway Cay since it is still just one day regardless, but it seemed like people on the shorter cruises are really focused on maximizing their time on the bigger activities / amenities (pools, Aquaduck, Pelican Plunge, shows).

Also -- on the early line to get off -- it does look really long and crowded, but that is just because it backs up until they open the gangway. Once they start letting people off, that line moves *very* fast, so don't be intimidated by it. It isn't like a line at Disneyworld.

 

[Cruise Diva]

We were at Castaway Cay in February and lunch at Cookies, Cookies II, and Serenity Bay ran from 11:30 A.M. to 2 P.M. I do not understand why you were told to come back for lunch after 2 P.M.

 

[Weedy]

Find two lounge chairs and walk around and get two chairs. The chairs are light and easy to carry. There are usually stacks of them in different areas

 

[Dug720]

Find two lounge chairs and walk around and get two chairs. The chairs are light and easy to carry. There are usually stacks of them in different areas

This. The chairs are grouped as 2 loungers and 2-4 chairs.

 

[Marc D]

The experience you’ll have at CC will vary not only between classes but between sailings. I’ve never waited more than a few seconds on Magic/Wonder to get off, and we are almost always in the first group off the ship, following the 5kers.

On two very full sailings on Fantasy, last December and a few years ago, we’ve had the line snaking up a few decks. Even then, the line disappeared in maybe 10 minutes. No need to postpone getting off a few hours because of that.

Last week on Dream, on both days we were there, there were absolutely no lines at 8:30 when the ship was cleared. We walked down and off the ship immediately on both stops. The second time, there were groups of loungers available throughout the day on the first family beach. We got a table at Cookies when we showed up and there were plenty of empty seats on the other side also.

 

[scuba]

OK, your renewed explanation makes more sense. Getting 3-4 loungers together could definitely be a challenge if you wait to get off the ship. We are early risers so we get up and eat breakfast at Cabanas and are still off the ship right after the 5k racers. Note that even when there is an initial crowd waiting to get off the ship, as soon as they open the gangways for passengers to get off, the line moves quickly. We generally get in line for lunch right after the lunch venues open as well, so even though there may be a line, we can usually find a table pretty readily. So, yes...I would say to plan to rise/eat a bit earlier. IMHO, I would not wait until after 3:00 to get off the ship, as you won't have very much time to enjoy the island and could end up being one of those "stragglers" that have to be shoo'd back to the ship because you don't want to leave but it's past all-aboard time.

Just off the Dream on Monday 3/11....general disembarkation started the exact same time my daughter and I left the ship for the 5k. It was quite confusing for us runners to determine if we were walking with the correct group of people to the starting line.

 

[Dug720]

Just off the Dream on Monday 3/11....general disembarkation started the exact same time my daughter and I left the ship for the 5k. It was quite confusing for us runners to determine if we were walking with the correct group of people to the starting line.

The 5K no longer gets off earlier than everyone else for 2 reasons...
1. That way Scuttle's Cove is definitely open and you don't have to wait to drop the kids.
2. It keeps people from registering for it and then just using it as a way to get to the chairs faster.

 

[tlprice]

I have been twice on the Dream (3 day and a 4 day) and twice on the Fantasy. We've never had to wait to get off the ship (although we are not super early morning people and made gingerbread houses on the Dream both times before getting off). We've never had a problem finding loungers or chairs. I prefer the chairs because I like to drag them down to the water and sit with my feet in the water. We also have never had issues with eating. There are many lines to get food and they all have the same thing. I think some people think they have to go to all parts of the buffet, but it is just the same thing in each section. Yes, you usually have to share a table with other people to have a place to sit, but that's not really a big deal.
My daughter did Pelican Plunge once and won't do it again. First, she was upset when they made her put a life jacket on without measuring her and she was tall enough to not have one, and then there was algae on the ladder and she HATES that, so she refuses to go back. We enjoy snorkeling, biking, doing the whale dig, floating around in the water, and just playing on the beach. I am not a beach person, but I LOVE Castaway Cay. I hope your next experience is better. I feel like each time we go it gets better and better.

 

[sunmoon620]

Been to Castaway Cay 12 times. Never have we had this experience and we are not early risers. Doesn't Cookies close at 2pm? Not sure why someone would tell you to come back after then? Pelican Plunge is a fluent situation with the crowd/line changing from minute to minute...so coming back after 2 would not actually help? The loungers on the main beach do get full pretty quick but we have always been able to find a spot if we just were patient. I have found that if you go away from the main areas that it is much easier. We now have all adults in our crew so we head over to Serenity Bay and have NEVER had trouble there. I have my favorite Hammock and we are usually able to get it even if we have to wait a moment or two while we sip an adult beverage. CC is my favorite place! We are always sad to see the day end!

I hope your next experience is better!

 

[scuba]

The 5K no longer gets off earlier than everyone else for 2 reasons...
1. That way Scuttle's Cove is definitely open and you don't have to wait to drop the kids.
2. It keeps people from registering for it and then just using it as a way to get to the chairs faster.

Someone should tell all the folks in sandals and long beach lounge pants carrying ginormous beach bags who took a running number before my daughter and I received ours last Sunday. It was sorta ridiculous and easily spotted by everyone so I suppose they didn't get the memo that the gig is up on folks trying to cheat the system like you describe.

 

[YawningDodo]

we hated the adult beach

It's not just me!

In Serenity Bay's defense, I think the weather was bad that day--it was windy and that side of the island was noticeably colder (this was in January so...swimsuit weather, but a bit chilly!), and as far as I could tell they'd closed down the beach for swimming (Exhibit C in why I'm never going to spend money on a cabana!). I just took one look at it after the family beaches and was like "...this is it?" and went right back to said family beaches after I was done eating lunch. I will say I liked lunch in the adults-only area; it was very peaceful and I had an easy time finding a seat in the shade.

On our next cruise, we are planning to switch it up and stay on the ship to enjoy empty pools and slides for a while in the morning, and eating lunch onboard before we head out to the beach. We will be doing beach stuff in Cozumel and Grand Cayman, so it won’t be our only opportunity. We will probably rent bikes and ride around for a bit before heading to the beach to snatch up the loungers left by those who have headed back to the ship. Has anyone ever done this, and does it sound like a decent plan or a terrible idea?

I'd check the app to make sure the slides on the ship will be open in the morning; on regular port days they open later in the day. Not sure about CC days. I'd also take a look at the weather that morning and be ready to shift plans depending on how it looks...don't know what time of year you're going, but when I went in January the day started out fairly nice but got progressively more dreary and chilly. I bailed back to the ship early because I was tired of swimming and it was too cold for sitting on a lounger.

Also -- on the early line to get off -- it does look really long and crowded, but that is just because it backs up until they open the gangway. Once they start letting people off, that line moves *very* fast, so don't be intimidated by it. It isn't like a line at Disneyworld.

Seriously, this. It's the same with people lining up for dinner; if you show up a minute or two after they actually open the doors you'll get in (or in the case of CC, out) just as quickly without having waited in a massive line of people. They kept reminding everyone on Good Morning Magic that there was no need to line up ahead of time for dinner, but every night there'd be a line at every dining room....

Seriously, don't line up for the dining rooms or to get off the ship. The two times I accidentally showed up early for dinner I just went off and sat down in one of the lounges for five or ten minutes before coming back to just walk right in.

 

[oufpat]

Our first trip to Castaway Cay will be this April. After watching You Tube videos, my grandkids are super excited. Which family beach as the slide area?

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Our first trip to Castaway Cay will be this April. After watching You Tube videos, my grandkids are super excited. Which family beach as the slide area?

It's all considered one family beach, but you will want the second trolley stop for Pelican Plunge.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

It's all considered one family beach, but you will want the second trolley stop for Pelican Plunge.

In our 8x at CC, this is also the more crowded beach, so be advised. The first is usually empty when we get there at 0830 for snorkeling.