Makeover for Castaway Cay

[AbsyBabsy]

Hey ya'll,

I just read in the Orlando Sentinel an article called "ISLAND HAPPY Disney unveils castaway Cay additions" you can read the article and see pictures and drawings on the Sentinel's internet site - go to travel - look to the bottom right of the page and you will see Florida Attractions. It is the first article.

According to the article, they will be expanding the family beach from 1000 ft to 1700 ft by relocating the teen area and stingray experience. They are adding a "Pelican Plunge", which will be a floating island with water slides for all ages. The kids will be happy with a new 200 sq ft wet deck with geysers in Scuttle's Cove and everyone will be able to play in an area designed to look blown away with water fountains and jets. For those with the extra cash - there will be 20 private cabanas that look more like little houses - complete with a covered deck and a dining area - if you pay extra you can just raise your flag for bar service! To get folks to the far part of the beach they will be extending transportation.

Now I can't wait to go back!! They plan to be finished by next summer. We should see if we can get special rates for a DIS friends cruise.

 

[mmouse37]

Hey ya'll,

I just read in the Orlando Sentinel an article called "ISLAND HAPPY Disney unveils castaway Cay additions" you can read the article and see pictures and drawings on the Sentinel's internet site - go to travel - look to the bottom right of the page and you will see Florida Attractions. It is the first article.

According to the article, they will be expanding the family beach from 1000 ft to 1700 ft by relocating the teen area and stingray experience. They are adding a "Pelican Plunge", which will be a floating island with water slides for all ages. The kids will be happy with a new 200 sq ft wet deck with geysers in Scuttle's Cove and everyone will be able to play in an area designed to look blown away with water fountains and jets. For those with the extra cash - there will be 20 private cabanas that look more like little houses - complete with a covered deck and a dining area - if you pay extra you can just raise your flag for bar service! To get folks to the far part of the beach they will be extending transportation.

Now I can't wait to go back!! They plan to be finished by next summer. We should see if we can get special rates for a DIS friends cruise.

Yep...it is exciting!! Someone beat you to posting though!! The info was posted yesterday...but still exciting news!!! See the "Makeover for Castaway Cay" thread.

MJ

 

[disney-akj]

I found it online at the orlando sentinel. I am not sure if the same article or not?? I was secretly hoping it would be done by March when we go : (

 

[DVCconvert]

Disney concept art of the new cabanas

16 to be placed on the family beach and 4 on serentiy beach.
3 levels of service will be available for purchase. Cabanas will hold 6 people, and included a dining area, fresh water shower and refrigerator.



Disney concept art of the new water slides

Images published in the orlando sentinel

 

[Verandah Man]

I found it online at the orlando sentinel. I am not sure if the same article or not?? I was secretly hoping it would be done by March when we go : (

Thanks for the links!!!


Well, they were there a few minutes ago........

 

[Dznefreek]

Here is the article . . . .

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...ey-castaway-travel083009aug30,0,6854765.story

Slide show pix 2, 3, and 4 show concept artwork . . . .
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...y-castaway-cay-pictures,0,300505.photogallery

 

[ppiew]

What? No private pools at the cabanas? (that's a joke folks) For SURE I will be thinking about being a stowaway on CC now!!!

 

[Morgey24]

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!

kcashner, may I suggest a 12 step group?
alternately, will you adopt my DD? I'm sure she'd fit in with your kids

 

[Verandah Man]

Here is the article . . . .

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...ey-castaway-travel083009aug30,0,6854765.story

Slide show pix 2, 3, and 4 show concept artwork . . . .
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...y-castaway-cay-pictures,0,300505.photogallery

Thanks!!! I just went back and found the links and was going to post them, see you beat me to it, LOL!!!

 

[makaylee]

The slide looks fun!

 

[pjpoohbear]

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

.

I was thinking the same thing. Being a family of two, my next thought was who on my cruise meet would want to cabana share with us, lol.

Pj

 

[DisneyDoc1895]

Since we are on the topic of CC, we just came back from our 2nd DCL cruise. On the first the kids (7 and 9) stayed with us the whole time on CC. This time they wanted to try some of the kids activities. We did the beaches in the AM, had lunch, and then they went with the camp. DW and I did some exploring, went to the adults beach and were a little disappointed. We like sitting at the bar, having a drink and enjoying the view. (DW is not a big beach person) At the adults section the bar had little view and no breeze.

Then we went to the Heads Up bar. It was incredible. It sticks out in the water a bit and had a great breeze. The view was perfect - blue water, the ship, the beaches. Hardly no one came out there - we had the whole place to ourselves. (I think the bartender was a little disappointed from lack of business, but we tried to help!)

Anyway, I definitely recommend it for a nice getaway.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Then we went to the Heads Up bar. It was incredible. It sticks out in the water a bit and had a great breeze. The view was perfect - blue water, the ship, the beaches. Hardly no one came out there - we had the whole place to ourselves. (I think the bartender was a little disappointed from lack of business, but we tried to help!)

Anyway, I definitely recommend it for a nice getaway.

After a dip in the ocean, I think I'll be doing a bit of hanging out there...and telling my family that's where they can find me!

.

 

[AlexandNessa]

OMG. You made my day!

Cabanas!

We rent one every cruise at Half Moon Cay when we sail on Holland America. Nothing. Nothing beats the Butler Package with Private Cabana on HMC! In fact, we have a b2b cruise this fall with bookend stops at HMC with a Butler package on each end.

Holland America lets you book them as shore excursions. Our cruise the end of October had the cabanas sold out months ago.

I hope Disney's are at least as nice as HAL's, if not nicer.

That REALLY makes our trip!

Only sad that DCL probably won't have them in place for our 5-night double dip cruise in May. Will have to hope they are somehow available for our WBTA. Hubby and I would be totally on that.

P.S. just reading the other posts re: HMC, which is really HAL's private island, but as parent company, Carnival started sailing there too. Prices for cabana rentals are cheaper for Carnival. On HAL, I can tell you that private cabanas are $279 for the day for up to 4 guests. If you want the Butler package, add $299. However, the Butler package includes a gourmet meal from their upscale restaurant (The Pinnacle Grill, so no BBQ food if you don't want it, would imagine that DCL would include Palo lunch then as opposed to the BBQ). Also, it includes pretty much all alcoholic beverage drinks. Would have to imagine that if HAL charges $569 for an upscale experience, that DCL would certainly be over that. We sail on HAL as 2 couples, so we always split the cost. Very well worth it us. YMMV.

Also, just the regular cabana package for $279 includes a "cabana boy" who will get your BBQ lunch for you so you don't have to wait in line. And the fridge comes with a few sodas and bottled waters (no alcoholic drinks). Honestly, having a table to eat at in the shade without having to leave your stuff is great. You have your own personal shower to rinse off, and keeping your things out of the sand is great too. The cabanas on HMC all come with snorkel gear as well as floaty mats for up to 4 people and your chairs in the sun right outside your cabana are reserved for you (your cabana boy will see to that). http://home.g-net.net/~cbrock/HalfMoonCay.html

 

[cmash95]

if i had a cabana boy, i wouldnt need a butler and goumet meal as well. disney has cabanas at their water parks and by the beach at several of their resorts. I don't know how much they charge for rental but I have seen them and they are nice. These look more like permanent huts that cabanas and I would definitely look into renting one. I wonder if you stay in a suite if you would get a complimentary upgrade on a cabana. also I hope they don't charge extra for their water park area. Royal Caribean put one in on their private beach but they charge extra to use it. Pretty tacky to me.

 

[robynchic]

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

I am right with you there! DHtb(to be) and I love the slides at the resorts at WDW and were both disappointed that we cannot go on the slide on the ship!

 

[pjpoohbear]

also I hope they don't charge extra for their water park area. Royal Caribean put one in on their private beach but they charge extra to use it. Pretty tacky to me.

Here Here!

 

[Weedy]

This was in today's Orlando Sentinel. Disney is expanding Castaway Cay. Go to this link for pictures.


http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...y-castaway-cay-pictures,0,300505.photogallery

 

[inmyis]

Love the expansion. We want the Cabanas NOW ...We sail in 3 weeks!

 

[mmouse37]

Love the expansion. We want the Cabanas NOW ...We sail in 3 weeks!

Please see this link to a thread already started on this subject.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2270405

MJ