Makeover for Castaway Cay

[SnowWhite2]

Our Sunday paper has an article in the travel section about the updates to CC planned for the larger ships.

The stingray adventure and the teen beach will be relocated and the family beach extended.
There will be a water play area in Scuttles Cove, the kids programming area.
There will be cabanas with floors, fridges, dining area, bartender.
The are adding Pelican Plunge - two corkscrew slides for ALL ages in the family lagoon.
The tram will have a stop further down on the family beach.
Another food outlet serving the same food called "Cookies Too" (not too creative on that one)

I'll try to find a link to the story.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/travel/bal-tr.disney30aug30,0,4832410.story

It should be complete by next summer.

 

[kritter]

Our Sunday paper has an article in the travel section about the updates to CC planned for the larger ships.

The stingray adventure and the teen beach will be relocated and the family beach extended.
There will be a water play area in Scuttles Cove, the kids programming area.
There will be cabanas with floors, fridges, dining area, bartender.
The are adding Pelican Plunge - two corkscrew slides for ALL ages in the family lagoon.
The tram will have a stop further down on the family beach.
Another food outlet serving the same food called "Cookies Too" (not too creative on that one)

I'll try to find a link to the story.

It should be complete by next summer.

Thanks, for the info. We were there twice during our 8/15 cruise which turned into a double dip for us due to the two hurricanes out there. We could see the new area being built for the new ships to dock at. It is a big area. We were also told while onboard that right now only a small percentage of the island is currently being used. Can't wait to read the article. There was a lot of construction going on at CC while we were there. I will have to look for my pictures and post some of the construction that was going on....

 

[yazee1]

Did the ongoing construction have any impact on cruise passengers? I know there was equipment to be seen and the constructions sites but was their work going on while guests were on the island?

 

[kritter]

Did the ongoing construction have any impact on cruise passengers? I know there was equipment to be seen and the constructions sites but was their work going on while guests were on the island?

No the construction did not impact us in anyway. But yes, they were busy working both of the days that we were there!!

 

[mmouse37]

Cool!!! Would like to read that also!!!

I know after one of the hurricanes that damaged CC there was construction equipment on the island and even though it was visible, it did not really impact our experience there.

MJ

 

[BMICKEY]

We are traveling there on the Disney Magic on the October 31st cruise. We were not able to visit CC on our first cruise in 2007 because of a hurricane. Now I'm really nervous that the experience won't be the same. Is there someone I can contact to confirm any of this information? Thanks!!!

 

[mmouse37]

We are traveling there on the Disney Magic on the October 31st cruise. We were not able to visit CC on our first cruise in 2007 because of a hurricane. Now I'm really nervous that the experience won't be the same. Is there someone I can contact to confirm any of this information? Thanks!!!

Not sure what you mean. Are you worried that you will see construction equipment? Most likely you will but I don't think it should impact your day at CC.

but, you can contact DCL through this link which is also at the DCL FAQ link.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/contact-us/

MJ

 

[cakesnjammom]

great, thanks for the info! CC is going to be even more fun??? SO looking forward to our 1st visit!

 

[GoofyTraci]

Thanks for the info. It sounds good to me. But maybe I am just excited about the slide.

 

[ScotnSteph]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like there are some great additions and changes in store.

 

[lovesDCL]

thanks for the great info!!

looking forward to reading the full article

 

[stitchlovestink]

when I saw the title of this thread, I thought the OP has to be reading the Baltimore Sun travel section as I was reading this same article this afternoon. Looks like it should be nice.
And to add to OP's info: the cabanas can be rented at 'different levels'. you will be given a flag to fly at your cabana and it will let the servers know what 'level' you are. It appears that the highest level will have it own private server.

Thanks, for the info. We were there twice during our 8/15 cruise which turned into a double dip for us due to the two hurricanes out there. We could see the new area being built for the new ships to dock at. It is a big area. We were also told while onboard that right now only a small percentage of the island is currently being used. Can't wait to read the article. There was a lot of construction going on at CC while we were there. I will have to look for my pictures and post some of the construction that was going on....

bolding is mine...
It is 10%. But as they develop more of the island they are trying to do it in an 'eco' friendly way. I'm sure it will still stay a small percentage that will be developed though.

 

[chuff]

It is 10%. But as they develop more of the island they are trying to do it in an 'eco' friendly way. I'm sure it will still stay a small percentage that will be developed though.

I hope so. I can't imagine any reason why they'd need to develop it much further unless they're going to have multiple ships there at once or they're going to start staying more than one day. There's already way more to do than you can do in a day, and the island is beautiful as it is.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I'm not sure if there will be more than 1 ship there at a time, but I think a huge consideration is that the new ships are going to hold a LOT more passengers, I think like 50% more. I 'think' DCL realized that the family beach already gets pretty crowded and is not going to be able to accomodate those increased numbers when the new ships come to CC. This is all just MHO, no actual facts to base this on.

 

[kcashner]

Your "opinion" is dead on with the info we have been given. The new ships are MUCH larger with greatly increased capacity. The dock needs to be re-done to allow for the larger ships. The guest spaces need to be enlarged to allow for the increased numbers as well as to add more "stuff" than we currently have available.

We've sailed 4 times in 2009 (don't ask....) In each CC stop we saw construction; in no case did it interfere with our enjoyment of the island. They have 4 days a week with no guests on CC, so they can schedule things around guest visits!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Note to self: add to cruise budget for cabana at CC!

.

 

[mmouse37]

The cabanas sound very similar to the ones that they have at many vegas hotels and other resorts...Hershey Park even has them now at the new waterpark. We recently stayed in one in Vegas and we had a server, a small fridge stocked with water and sodas, fresh fruit our own real cushy lounge chairs, privacy, flat screen TV, etc.

I wonder how much they will charge. The cabanas at the hotels I have seen ranged from $100 to $500 per day, depending on the amenities!

MJ

 

[jilljill]

The cabanas sound very similar to the ones that they have at many vegas hotels and other resorts...Hershey Park even has them now at the new waterpark. We recently stayed in one in Vegas and we had a server, a small fridge stocked with water and sodas, fresh fruit our own real cushy lounge chairs, privacy, flat screen TV, etc.

I wonder how much they will charge. The cabanas at the hotels I have seen ranged from $100 to $500 per day, depending on the amenities!

MJ

This is taken from Carnival's website for their cabana rentals on Half Moon Cay:


Enjoy the ultimate in luxury during your stay on Half Moon Cay with the use of your own private cabana.

After being the first to tender ashore, you will find your cabana outfitted with a refrigerator, ceiling fan, air conditioner, table and chairs inside, as well as deck chairs and misting shower on the private terrace.

You will be provided snacks and an assortment of soft drinks and bottled water to quench your thirst.

You can pre-arrange rentals through our Staff onboard at the Shore Excursion Desk, please see the desk for availability


No prices were given on the site, but there is a pic of one and it looks cute. I think I remember reading on cruisecritic they have 14 of them and are priced by size and location on the beach.



eta: Looks like the pricing of the cabanas runs in the $250-$300 range plus extras. Couldn't figure out what was included in that price tho. Carnival and HAL share Half Moon Cay and they each charge a different price for the cabanas.

 

[smeecanada]

I'll try to find a link to the story.

It should be complete by next summer.

Have you been able to find a link yet?

Sounds like some great improvements. Although, I'm fine with Castaway Cay the way it is. A little piece of paradise.

 

[justmestace]

For that much $$, I'd say forget it! We've used the ones at several Vegas hotels, always gratis, but I wouldn't pay for it.
Princess' private island has the smaller shade cabanas at a minimal cost, and those work really nicely. I don't see any reason to need a fridge and all that. But I have to wonder how they'll run the electric to them??