History of Castaway Cay - Very Ironic

[RJake1]

Ever notice the airstrip at Castaway Cay? When biking there last cruise, a cast member told me the history of CC.

Seems a very wealthy family owned it at one time and they built the airstrip. Flew in/out for vacations. Nice work if you can get it.

The family went bankrupt and the island changed hands a few times.

CC was eventually purchased by the Pablo Escobar drug smuggling cartel and was used as a base of operations for smuggling marijuana and cocaine into the USA. The airstrip made it ideal for that purpose.

Escobar got busted (or killed) and the island was confiscated by the Bahamian government.

Disney bought it from them.

Of course, Disney invested millions to make it the charm it is today. But the history is very ironic.

 

[bobsuzla]

I still think Disney should develop the Island a bit more. I haven't been there, so I don't want to ruin its charm or anything, I just imagine that there could be more to offer such as a water park or an exclusive all inclusive resort...

 

[MoranClan]

Hello Everyone..

If you want to read more about Castaway Cay go here..Gorda Cay

Have fun

Bobby

 

[Mark_F]

Originally posted by bobsuzla
I still think Disney should develop the Island a bit more. I haven't been there, so I don't want to ruin its charm or anything, I just imagine that there could be more to offer such as a water park or an exclusive all inclusive resort...

NO NO NO NO NO!!

As you have said - you haven't been there ... doing what you say would totally destroy the value of the place.

 

[TraSee]

I'm with Mark ... NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! Leave it as it is. I'm afraid you are going to get a lot of feedback from ppl who wouldn't change a thing. Don't make a judgment until you've been there!

 

[jlawall]

The charm of CC, is really wonderful. It definitely calls to us each summer. This summer we are going to try the kayak tour to see more of the island. Everyone should at least go bike riding and check all the available areas. Thank goodness, DCL turned a negative into a magical positive.

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I have just a few words as to why Disney will NEVER have a resort or over night stay.........BUGS....BUGS.......BUGS

 

[ksjayhawks]

MoranClan

Thanks for the link--that was a great article!

We agree--leave the island alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ThreeCircles]

I too hope that Disney doesn't "over-kill" Castaway Cay. The island has been made into a beautiful and relaxing paradise by Disney Imagineers and horticulturists and I wouldn't want to see that changes. (Especially the relaxing part!)

Could Disney do it? Yeah, I think so. Even the bugs, which I too understand are remarkable, wouldn't be that much of a hurdle to overcome. Let's remember that WDW is in Florida in the middle of what was once a swamp.

One interesting thing that I note is the location and position of their dock they built. It's very, um, how could you say, "two-sided." I wouldn't be surprised to see them build so that two ships could dock at Castaway Cay at the same time. If they ever do expand the fleet, they may want to have this option open.

 

[TiggerKing]

Thanks for the link to the article. That was a great read.

 

[gottaluvdisney]

They rebuilt the dock after the hurricane washed it away, was it Hurricane Debbie or Floyd? In '99, I think. Anyway, I don't think they will every have two ships there at the same time...could you image the scramble for the beach chairs and hammocks with two ships! Plus there are not enough facilities (dining, restrooms) for an additional 2600 people.

 

[m-sjaxjag]

MoranClan -

Thanks for the link. The article was very interesting. Too bad the author never got to see his grandfathers house.

Maybe he will make another trip back.

THANKS AGAIN !!

 

[Mary Anne]

How many days a week is Castaway used now? I could see them adding a ship that they fly people to the island, stay at a delux resort for 2 / 3 days and then cruise to Mickey. Not saying it could happen, but anything is possible.

 

[inkkognito]

It was Floyd that wiped out the dock...we were on the last Wonder cruise before the one that went to pick up the crew members.
I remember the big flap when Disney put banana boat rides and boat rentals on Serenity Bay, the adult because...if that destroyed the ambiance, I can't even imagine the outcry over a resort!
Barb

 

[tvguy]

Normally Castaway Cay is used 3 days a week. I guess there are some cruises that make 2 stops, and those weeks it would be used 4 days. So they could add 3 ships to the fleet and never have more than one ship at Castaway Cay or at Port Canaveral.
I think, however, there is a delicate balance between price, and customers. Could they maintain their prices and still fill 5 ships every week? Probably not. Now, a new, permanent ship on the West Coast, with a new Castaway Cay type island in Baja would be fun. Or maybe 2 ships?

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

I agree with Mark_F, leave it alone. Isn't the remainder of the island left as a nature preserve?

We have enough developement going on in the world. Let's leave a little bit of paradise for the native creatures. And I think it's crowded enough when a full ship disembarks. Castaway Cay is perfect the way it is.