Upcoming Wish cruise questions

[CeCe0906]

Sailing on a short 3 night Wish cruise in early August with my 10 yr old granddaughter, and 13 year old niece. 1st cruise ever! I did splurge for consierge, so I know I can get a little extra help from the hosts in the lounge, but I'm a planner who likes to know before I go. And I've seen online mentions that our cruise is sold out, so it's going to be busy.

I have bought the photo package, do I need to do anything once I board? Or do they just scan your Disneyband like in the parks at photo ops?

Have some Castaway Cay questions.

Guests ashore says 8:30, how crazy is it to debark at that time? Do you need to be ready early? Is it better to let the "rope drop" people clear out, and then leave like at 9 or so? Unfortunately I didn't win the cabana lottery, so I don't have that perk.

I have seen mention of shuttles to beach area, or do you walk? How far?

How do the kids club work on island, can you drop in, my granddaughter is 10.5 yr old, so I think she should be able to go with my niece to Edge, if she wants to. The reason I ask, is that I have seen mention of a time when that group have reserved time on the slide platform in the water? Thought they might enjoy that and I could relax from shore and watch for a bit. They both swim well, but we plan to stay together in the water bc I'm a worrier, but they would have kids club hosts there, correct?

I have prebooked a banana boat ride and the paddleboats, but mainly just plan to chill on the beach/water with floats. What's the beach chair etiquette? Do people claim one with their stuff and just return as they do stuff? Like we play in the deeper water, the kids stay in the shallows while I sit on beach. We get up to do something like a snack or bathroom or banana boat ride. Do leave our towels and stuff( not talking about phones etc, but like a beach bag with sunscreen, or towel/water) or pack up and take with us each time, then look for a different place to sit? (I REALLY wanted that cabana!)

Any conseirge perks on Castaway that I should be aware of?

One last thing, I know it can rain anytime, it happens. However my granddaughter has some anxiety issues around rain; you should have seen us one Aug in DW during the usual shower. She had a raincoat, poncho and umbrella, and would only venture out from under cover when it was only lightly raining. So is there a place to shelter if a shower comes through? She can really get panicked if I don't have a plan.
(Another reason my cabana fail is annoying, I had it all worked ou!)

Thanks!

 

[bbn1122]

I will tackle the Castaway Cay question.
The 8:30am is the soonest you can leave the ship. You could get off anytime the ship is at that port/island. Some people never get off. And you can get off and on all day.

The shuttle runs from near the ship to various stops. If you want the adult beach, then you need to switch to a 2nd shuttle.

You can walk, there are photo Ops and Characters along the way.
It is a bit of a walk to the first beach area.
Many folks walk both ways. My family tends to shuttle back after a long fun day!

 

[bbn1122]

My kids are grown, so I can not help with Kids Clubs.

Beach chairs and umbrellas, everyone kind of claims them for the day. You can leave your stuff and go on your excursion. We have never had a problem. But of course do not leave valuables.
And regarding the rain. There are bathrooms, shops and the covered patio area at Cookies where the serve lunch.

My family did Concierge many years ago but we snagged a Cabana.

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

[auntlynne]

You might get priority disembarkation at CC. I never rush off the ship, so never have a crowd. Linger over breakfast and make your way down.

Remember - towels are provided. There are bins of them at the exit of the ship. And drop off on the way back aboard. (No fresh ones on the island - take what you expect to use. (There are also towels on the pool deck when on the ship).

I would leave the Magic/Disneyband on the ship - you don’t need the tan line and do need your room key. One less valuable to deal with.

The first tram Is about a 5 minute walk. It will get you to the buffet (Cookie’s Too) and the Family Beach. (If the kids go off for kids club activities, you could take the opportunity to see Serenity Bay, the adult-only beach. If nothing more than to seethe island. The water and view over there is different - very open with pale clear water.

Walking from the ship to the Family Beach takes about 15 minutes. Paved the entire way. Plus time for photos. You can pass the shops and restrooms along the way. Shops can close before the island shuts down. Middle of the day, after lunch, is a good time to visit - to avoid peak sun and let food digest. Inventory at the shops is not identical. And CC merchandise is often only found on the island.

You can catch a second tram that serves Serenity Bay at the drop off you will use for the Family Beach.

For your water activities, you will receive instructions for meeting location. Most likely, it will be Boat Beach.

The blue arrows are the tram stops for getting to the Family Beach. Red arrow points to Boat Beach. These maps are also big signs on the island. You can pretty much follow the crowd.

Cabana guests may have golf cart transportation from close to the ship. Concierge may also; it’s been at least 9 years since I visited CC as Concierge.

I usually say there’s not a problem getting a lounger; but a full Wish? Typically, you find your seats, plunk down your stuff for the day. Most people bring just what they need and leave everything else on the ship. No passports - just a driver’s license for grandma. Room keys for each person. Camera or phone to get memories. Sunglasses, sunscreen (for repeat applications), hat, coverup - so you have something under your rump when sitting at picnic table in a cookie’s pavilion for lunch. Towels you remembered to pick up as you exited the ship (yes, a re-mention, as even veteran cruisers are known to forget them.) Kindle readers bring theirs and just put it at the bottom of their bag (standard beach bag). Insulated water bottle if so inclined.

Lunch is available for a few hours; including fountain drinks and water + soft-serve ice cream. It is not available all day - don’t show up late and be disappointed. It’s nothing to write home about, but you can pick something that will keep you between breakfast and dinner. There are bagged chips and fruit (if there’s no line, I have asked for just a bowl of grapes). There are two buffet areas (same good and set-up; each has lines on both sides - sometimes people all go to one side.

Rain - the loungers are set amid beach umbrellas. If not, head over to the big Pavilions at the buffet. Yes, it can rain - very similar to FL - an afternoon shower or deluge, which usually is time limited. And sometimes it just ends your beach day. If she needs it, take an inexpensive, disposable plastic poncho (~$1.50 from your local store). It comes compactly folded, is lightweight, and stores well for years. Bring her small foldable umbrella, too. Just reduce her anxiety.

Floats are available for rent - you should be able to rent one in person if you decide you want one. In the past, life jackets have been on the beach (required for snorkeling).

 

[Craig90day]

Curious on the concierge cabana piece. Did you book prior to the 120 window and still not get the cabana?

 

[auntlynne]

I take a picture of this almost every visit:



Pelican Plunge - the slides. No cameras/phones allowed on the ”ride.” Swim over from the beach.



Just part of the Family Beach at the end of the day. Cast members open all the umbrellas in the morning and close them as we leave. Straighten the chairs and rake the beach.



A look at Serenity Bay:





The Family Beach area has a rock wall breakwater - you won’t get carried out to sea. Also, a predator net designed to keep large animals out of the swimming area.

There are a lot of manned lifeguard Stations scattered in the water in the swimming area. Even when almost all guests have gone back to the ship around 3:40 (All-aboard is still an hour later).

 

[auntlynne]

Curious on the concierge cabana piece. Did you book prior to the 120 window and still not get the cabana?

The increase in number of Concierge cabins on the Wish has even made it a challenge for them. There can be a chance someone opts out once onboard, so put your name on the waiting list if interested.

 

[Maisie78]

A note on Edge/Kids Club. Edge is not like the kids club. There is no check in or check out - kids come and go as they please. As to whether or not the 10.5 yo will be allowed into Edge, my understanding is it is based on space - on a full cruise, they may not be able to accommodate that. I would suggest going to Edge soon after you board during the open house. I had two kids in Edge on two cruises that went to CC in the past year and they either weren't doing an "Edge only" time at Pelican's Plunge or we didn't know about it, so I can't speak to what level of supervision they might have during such an activity.

 

[CeCe0906]

Curious on the concierge cabana piece. Did you book prior to the 120 window and still not get the cabana?

Yes I sent my email at the first available date at 12:01, and didn't get a cabana. There are twice as many consierge cabins on the Wish as there are cabanas. Especially with a full ship, it isn't guaranteed. Maybe someone will cancel, and I'll get one from waitlist, or we will make a friend with one. I'm sure we will have a good time anyway. The golf cart transport, towels, beverage and a guaranteed spot plus a shady spot to chill midday would have been nice, but I guess I can console myself with the$$$ saved

 

[CeCe0906]

A note on Edge/Kids Club. Edge is not like the kids club. There is no check in or check out - kids come and go as they please. As to whether or not the 10.5 yo will be allowed into Edge, my understanding is it is based on space - on a full cruise, they may not be able to accommodate that. I would suggest going to Edge soon after you board during the open house. I had two kids in Edge on two cruises that went to CC in the past year and they either weren't doing an "Edge only" time at Pelican's Plunge or we didn't know about it, so I can't speak to what level of supervision they might have during such an activity.

Thanks, I'm a little on the fence with her being with the older kids, but I don't think they would want to split up. On a 3 day, there won't be much time for kids club anyway.

 

[CeCe0906]

You might get priority disembarkation at CC. I never rush off the ship, so never have a crowd. Linger over breakfast and make your way down.

Remember - towels are provided. There are bins of them at the exit of the ship. And drop off on the way back aboard. (No fresh ones on the island - take what you expect to use. (There are also towels on the pool deck when on the ship).

I would leave the Magic/Disneyband on the ship - you don’t need the tan line and do need your room key. One less valuable to deal with.

The first tram Is about a 5 minute walk. It will get you to the buffet (Cookie’s Too) and the Family Beach. (If the kids go off for kids club activities, you could take the opportunity to see Serenity Bay, the adult-only beach. If nothing more than to seethe island. The water and view over there is different - very open with pale clear water.

Walking from the ship to the Family Beach takes about 15 minutes. Paved the entire way. Plus time for photos. You can pass the shops and restrooms along the way. Shops can close before the island shuts down. Middle of the day, after lunch, is a good time to visit - to avoid peak sun and let food digest. Inventory at the shops is not identical. And CC merchandise is often only found on the island.

You can catch a second tram that serves Serenity Bay at the drop off you will use for the Family Beach.

For your water activities, you will receive instructions for meeting location. Most likely, it will be Boat Beach.

The blue arrows are the tram stops for getting to the Family Beach. Red arrow points to Boat Beach. These maps are also big signs on the island. You can pretty much follow the crowd.
View attachment 777390
Cabana guests may have golf cart transportation from close to the ship. Concierge may also; it’s been at least 9 years since I visited CC as Concierge.

I usually say there’s not a problem getting a lounger; but a full Wish? Typically, you find your seats, plunk down your stuff for the day. Most people bring just what they need and leave everything else on the ship. No passports - just a driver’s license for grandma. Room keys for each person. Camera or phone to get memories. Sunglasses, sunscreen (for repeat applications), hat, coverup - so you have something under your rump when sitting at picnic table in a cookie’s pavilion for lunch. Towels you remembered to pick up as you exited the ship (yes, a re-mention, as even veteran cruisers are known to forget them.) Kindle readers bring theirs and just put it at the bottom of their bag (standard beach bag). Insulated water bottle if so inclined.

Lunch is available for a few hours; including fountain drinks and water + soft-serve ice cream. It is not available all day - don’t show up late and be disappointed. It’s nothing to write home about, but you can pick something that will keep you between breakfast and dinner. There are bagged chips and fruit (if there’s no line, I have asked for just a bowl of grapes). There are two buffet areas (same good and set-up; each has lines on both sides - sometimes people all go to one side.

Rain - the loungers are set amid beach umbrellas. If not, head over to the big Pavilions at the buffet. Yes, it can rain - very similar to FL - an afternoon shower or deluge, which usually is time limited. And sometimes it just ends your beach day. If she needs it, take an inexpensive, disposable plastic poncho (~$1.50 from your local store). It comes compactly folded, is lightweight, and stores well for years. Bring her small foldable umbrella, too. Just reduce her anxiety.

Floats are available for rent - you should be able to rent one in person if you decide you want one. In the past, life jackets have been on the beach (required for snorkeling).

Thanks for all the details!

 

[Scubadaddy32]

We were on a full ship in Feb. We ate breakfast at the buffet on board and then went to CC probably around 9:30 or so. We took a lot of pictures with the characters on the way to the beach, so we weren't in a big hurry and there were plenty of lounge areas available during the day.
The buffet on CC is open from 11:30 - 2pm so keep that in mind as well.

 

[RedHead0186]

Floats are available for rent - you should be able to rent one in person if you decide you want one. In the past, life jackets have been on the beach (required for snorkeling).

Unclear whether the MB+/DB+ will work to get on/off castaway cay. Since it's just Disney's private island there really isn't port security like at the other ports of call. Of course, your KTTW card will also work for that (and for making any purchases on the island), just wanted to note there's some speculation about whether the MB+/DB+ can be used sometimes for getting on/off the ship (I think a few of us were debating it on another thread, the wording from DCL is a little unclear).

 

[tink1970]

We were concierge in Oct/Nov on the Wish and unless things have changed...no priority disembarkation (and it was CRAZY rope drop) even for suite guests. I would communicate with both shoreside concierge and the hosts that you're interested in being on the wait list for a cabana if you're still interested.

That said, have a wonderful cruise!

 

[travelfun1234]

Hi. We sailed on Disney Wish last week. We had a buffet breakfast on the ship. There is no breakfast on the island.

We headed down at around 9:15.
The weather was absolutely beautiful and the ocean was flat.

Since the weather in the Carribbean can change from perfect to a hurricane in an instant, we skipped the characters and took the tram to the family beach straight away.

We set up in front of Chonched Out Bar. This turned out to be a very central spot: close to lifeguards, Cookie's bbq, ice cream stations, rinse-off stations, and bathrooms.

Lots of nearby places to take cover, if needed.

Don't worry about the cabana. It isn't necessary.

We left our things there when we walked to Pelican's Plunge.

We ate lunch at Cookies at around 1:45 and returned to the water for a while.

We shopped for souvenirs at the end of the day and took the tram back to the ship.

My kids never want to go to the kids' clubs, so I can't speak about that.

I hope you have wonderful weather! Happy sailing!