no booked activities on Castaway Cay- what can I do?

CanuckOnaBoat · Oct 15, 2022

We did our final payment too late to be able to find open activities to book on Castaway Cay.

Can we still get off the ship in Castaway Cay with no bookings?
Is there anything to do in CC without a booked activity?

I'll be with 2 kids: ages 7 and 9
Disney Wish Dec 12-16

Thanks.

unrequited23 · Oct 15, 2022

Don't worry you will be allowed off the ship.

The only thing we booked ahead of time were floats/tubes for the kids. I've read that they never run out, but I just wanted something booked on my itinerary on the app.

My kids were 7 and just turned 10 the day before embarkation when we were there. They were happy to swim, play in the sand, eat ice cream, look for turtles, and swim some more. We did take some super small sand toys with us.

NAB · Oct 15, 2022

Well the kids can still do the kids club on the island or just enjoy the beach and water.

Geomom · Oct 15, 2022

Definitely get off the ship at Castaway. It's Disney's private island. Go to the beach (you can grab a towel as you leave the ship.). Cookout type buffet food is included at Cookie's and Cookie's Too. Pelican plunge is a water slide/play area off the family beach. There are definitely sports type things as well. While we prebooked the 'getaway package' for snorkel equipment rental, float rental, and bike rental --you can rent all those things separately just by going to that area. There is a snorkeling beach area before the family beach, you're required to wear Disney's free inflatable vests, but you can use your own snorkel equipment as well. There are tram stops to take you from the ship to various parts of the island. Part of the bike path is also the 5k path--so you can do that on your own as well. Oh, and there are character meets on the island! We accidentally came across Goofy and Pluto.

Also, plenty of people enjoy Castaway without booking anything! It's a beach day!

Cheburashka · Oct 15, 2022

The only thing you want to book on CC is a bike rental imo, and even if you can't book that in advance, you can sign up on the island (btw when you book that online it will say "8am" but that's only a default time for the computer and there is no specific time you have to show up for your bike rental).

CC is a perfect little island for spending the day. It has a beach, loungers, waterslides, AquaTrikes & floaters and snorkel equipment that you don't need reservations for, a place to grab lunch, drinks and ice cream, shops, etc. The bike path on CC is very nice, some of it shaded, and leads to an observation tower with great views, and also to the end of the adult beach, so the whole family can get a view of the undeveloped beach/ocean.

Karin1984 · Oct 15, 2022

Does your family like the beach?
If yes, then do not worry.
If not, look at the rentals they have.
If all else fails, go back to the ship.

Chemist · Oct 15, 2022

We never book anything on Castaway Cay, We get off the ship and grab a couple of chairs. Then we head over to Pelican Plunge early while there aren't lines.
Sometimes we rent snorkel gear, sometimes we don't.

Its a lovely beach day. That's all you need to know!

CamColt · Oct 15, 2022

In 25 visits to CC, we have only booked 3 things, parasailing twice and stingrays once. My DSs have done the jet skis though. We have also done the 5K a handful of times, once being the CC Challenge.

A typical CC day for us includes finding a spot on the beach (near the wedding area) and relaxing there. Sometimes DH will rent a bike(mostly when the kids were younger and they would ride together) while I soak up the rays. We will eat lunch at Cookies then spend the afternoon sitting out at the Heads Up Bar enjoying some cocktails, the view, and some music. It's a perfect day for me!

Marthasor · Oct 15, 2022

We've never booked anything on CC. There are plenty of things to do without reservations (including simply hanging on the beach and swimming in the water). You can also rent things once you are on the island. They will also have activities that do not require advanced reservations - simply look on the app on your CC day to see what is listed.

Aimeedyan · Oct 15, 2022

I love Castaway because I don't have to pay extra $$ for things to do! Nice perk of Disney cruises.

Since it's your first visit there, I personally would not fill the day with add-ons and instead explore all the (included) options. But if you get ansy and want to try something, it's easy enough to do once you're there.

DisneyPiPhi · Oct 16, 2022

We never book anything at Castaway Cay and always have a fantastic beach day. A couple of times we have walked up and rented bikes or snorkels, but I never reserve those in advance. You will have a fabulous time playing on the beach and exploring the island!

lostprincess_danie · Oct 16, 2022

My DD and her friend didn't want to leave the island kids club, begged us to let them stay. They do all kind of outdoor games and have their own splash pad/water area. The beach has plenty of chairs, the sand is nice and soft, and the water is clear and calm (although in December it might be a little chilly).

CanuckOnaBoat · Oct 22, 2022

NAB said:
Well the kids can still do the kids club on the island or just enjoy the beach and water.

oh wow! there's a kids club on the island? do we have to go early to get a spot?

CanuckOnaBoat · Oct 22, 2022

Marthasor said:
We've never booked anything on CC. There are plenty of things to do without reservations (including simply hanging on the beach and swimming in the water). You can also rent things once you are on the island. They will also have activities that do not require advanced reservations - simply look on the app on your CC day to see what is listed.

thank you! i did not know this. i really need to get more info about CC.

CanuckOnaBoat · Oct 22, 2022

Geomom said:
Definitely get off the ship at Castaway. It's Disney's private island. Go to the beach (you can grab a towel as you leave the ship.). Cookout type buffet food is included at Cookie's and Cookie's Too. Pelican plunge is a water slide/play area off the family beach. There are definitely sports type things as well. While we prebooked the 'getaway package' for snorkel equipment rental, float rental, and bike rental --you can rent all those things separately just by going to that area. There is a snorkeling beach area before the family beach, you're required to wear Disney's free inflatable vests, but you can use your own snorkel equipment as well. There are tram stops to take you from the ship to various parts of the island. Part of the bike path is also the 5k path--so you can do that on your own as well. Oh, and there are character meets on the island! We accidentally came across Goofy and Pluto.

Also, plenty of people enjoy Castaway without booking anything! It's a beach day!

thank you! this is really helpful. i had no idea. i really thought it was just cabanas.

NAB · Oct 22, 2022

CanuckOnaBoat said:
oh wow! there's a kids club on the island? do we have to go early to get a spot?

No you just drop them of like you would the ship . You sign them in on the island. Can get them at any time. It’s been awhile but I believe they will even take them for lunch over at Cookies if they are there over lunch.

My kids loved it there.

tvguy · Oct 22, 2022

We booked snorkeling. After snorkeling we rented a bike. No reservation, and no shortage of bikes, at least on our cruise. Just walk up.

Geomom · Oct 22, 2022

CanuckOnaBoat said:
thank you! this is really helpful. i had no idea. i really thought it was just cabanas.

Oh my, thankfully not just Cabanas...there are so few of those only concierge guests are able to book them! And they're expensive...

Here's the link to Disney's info:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ports/castaway-cay/

Click on 'things to see and do'.