What do you "pack" for your day at Castaway Cay?

[kkayluvsdis]

Hi There,
We're excitedly preparing for our first Disney Cruise in February!

I've searched, but without success, for recommendations on what to pack for a day at Castaway Cay. Sunscreen is one obvious item, but what else do you typically take off the boat with you to help enjoy your day at CC. We have three kids, so I'm wondering, do we pack sand shovels/toys ?

I would love any insight you might be able to provide! Thanks so much!

-Kelly

p.s. Not CC specific, but can we bring our own water bottles/tervis mugs from home to fill at the drink stations on board? I've read conflicting reports on this. Figured I'd throw this question here as well, so as to not start another thread.

 

[TestingH2O]

Sunscreen for sure. Grab towels as you get off the ship.

If your kids want toys, I'd suggest bringing some inexpensive ones from home. There aren't any provided.

I'd also suggest water bottles. It can be a hot day and hydration is important. (Yes you can bring your own, but you should use disposable cups to fill them rather than touching your cup to the drink fountain.)

One other thing you might consider is snacks. While food is provided, sometimes you just need something quick.

 

[PurplePencil]

Sunscreen for sure. Grab towels as you get off the ship.

If your kids want toys, I'd suggest bringing some inexpensive ones from home. There aren't any provided.

I'd also suggest water bottles. It can be a hot day and hydration is important. (Yes you can bring your own, but you should use disposable cups to fill them rather than touching your cup to the drink fountain.)

One other thing you might consider is snacks. While food is provided, sometimes you just need something quick.

Make sure the snacks you bring are packaged commercial food (ie. Granola Bars, Fruit snacks, pretzels)

 

[TestingH2O]

Also the single serve cereals on the buffet.

 

[CamColt]

For a day at CC, I pack mostly the typical things I would pack for any beach day, sunscreen, lip balm, hat, bottles of water, camera/phone, book, etc... One item I did not think about on my first trip to CC and have since learned to pack it every time is dental floss. If you plan to eat the ribs at Cookies, you may be very glad you have it.

 

[kkayluvsdis]

Thanks for the responses all! We have some "smaller" sized sand toys that would fit in luggage that I'll plan to bring. With this being our first time we're prepared for this to be a learning experience and will hopefully get a chance to do it again

For parents with young kids, did you utilize the child care on Castaway Cay? Did your kids enjoy it?

 

[mernin]

Does anyone know what the costs of the sand toys are at cc?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

can we bring our own water bottles/tervis mugs from home to fill at the drink stations on board? I've read conflicting reports on this. Figured I'd throw this question here as well, so as to not start another thread

While you can bring your water containers onboard, DCL does request that you use their provided cups to fill your container at the drink station. You can fill your bottles/mugs directly from the tap in your room. It's the same water at the drink station as from your tap in your room.

 

[dcassetta]

We always bring one brightly colored beach towel with us on cruises. The ship has plenty of towels to use on excursions, but sometimes when you're on the large beach seeing your bright towel makes it easier to find your chairs

 

[Marc D]

While you can bring your water containers onboard, DCL does request that you use their provided cups to fill your container at the drink station. You can fill your bottles/mugs directly from the tap in your room. It's the same water at the drink station as from your tap in your room.

View attachment 213862

On my recent cruise (Dec 30th on the Wonder), the top sign was not there and everybody was refilling personal mugs directly from the machine. I was the only one using the paper cups to refill my Tervis and got strange looks from other guests when doing so. I never saw any CM enforce that rule.

Talking of cleanliness, only on the Wonder have I seen communal sinks with running water and soap at the Cabana's entrance. The CM posted there now distributes paper towels to dry your hands, not the antibacterial wipes still given when entering MDR's. We thought it was a great improvement - we are freaks about hand washing onboard.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

On my recent cruise (Dec 30th on the Wonder), the top sign was not there and everybody was refilling personal mugs directly from the machine. I was the only one using the paper cups to refill my Tervis and got strange looks from other guests when doing so. I never saw any CM enforce that rule.

Talking of cleanliness, only on the Wonder have I seen communal sinks with running water and soap at the Cabana's entrance. The CM posted there now distributes paper towels to dry your hands, not the antibacterial wipes still given when entering MDR's. We thought it was a great improvement - we are freaks about hand washing onboard.

But the "USE FRESH CUPS FOR REFILL" banner was still on the machine?

 

[Marc D]

But the "USE FRESH CUPS FOR REFILL" banner was still on the machine?

I'm not sure. The straw dispensers were on top where the portable sign used to be but I did not notice if the sign on the machine was still there. I just did what I've always done. I knew I should have taken more pictures...

 

[egesicki]

For parents with young kids, did you utilize the child care on Castaway Cay? Did your kids enjoy it?

My boys enjoyed it. It has a net or screen over most of it to filter the sun, and it's all sand. The CMs organize different activities like digging in the sand for dinosaur bones, limbo, etc.

 

[PrincessNP]

If I remember the sand toys were around $20 for a package of four or five toys. We just bring them back every Cruise.

My girls love the kids club on CC. Same safety regulations and there are no pools there (that would be a safety issue for me at least), just water features and tons of sand. They also like to play with the other kids. Gives us some adult time on the main beach.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

I was looking at maps of CC and came across an older one. Is there no longer a teen beach? If your kids are too old for scuttles cove, is there anything for them besides tether ball and other sports i believe is what I saw. Meaning, any crafts or beach for older kids with supervision?

 

[bbel]

I was looking at maps of CC and came across an older one. Is there no longer a teen beach? If your kids are too old for scuttles cove, is there anything for them besides tether ball and other sports i believe is what I saw. Meaning, any crafts or beach for older kids with supervision?

Edge and Vibe meet up on the island (they will let the tweens/teens when and where beforehand). They do activities together, games, scavenger hunts, ride pelican plunge. They can hang out in teen hide out (music, volleyball, table tennis, card games) and there are counsellors there, usually Edge and vibe. They go for lunch together. There are things navigated, and they also go with what the teens are feeling.
Although while there is a base with Counselors it's just like the ship, if they make friends and decide to wander off, chances are the Counselors won't know where they are.
There was a teen beach but I believe it got washed away, although last I heard they were going to try and bring it back...
There's also teen excursion, wild side, if enough teens sign up for it.

 

[tigerchic89]

we also bring a travel sized baby powder.. great for rubbing sand off skin

 

[peachypie]

I'm not sure. The straw dispensers were on top where the portable sign used to be but I did not notice if the sign on the machine was still there. I just did what I've always done. I knew I should have taken more pictures...

I too received strange looks when I filled my Hydroflask with the cups provided. The signs were there but off to the side of the machine by the straws. Even though less visible, I don't think people care to follow the rule. I literally heard one child tell her mom " mommy, the sign says you are supposed to use a cup to refill"
The mothers reply was "it's ok" ....ugh!
I overheard another cruiser asking his friend "we are allowed to use our own water bottles??? " I think the wording on the sign is a little misleading. I even read it a few times thinking I was doing something wrong.

Overall, I am really glad I brought the 3 Hydroflasks for myself and family. They were a pain to pack because they took up so much room but we used them frequently. Especially on CC day as it was quite hot.

 

[hpsalb]

I pack like I'm going to the beach for the day - sunscreen, hats, etc. I usually take some sort of mesh bag for toys, so that sand will filter out. I do generally take some small sand toys so that the kids don't ask about buying anything at CC. I don't recall taking any drinks with us, but it's not a bad idea to take something especially for the kids. Grab some towels as you get off the ship.

If you need lifejackets or anything, they have them available for you. ODS has done the kids club at CC once and he enjoyed it, but was ready to leave as soon as we came. They don't offer any swimming activities at the club for safety reasons, so I think he was ready to head to the beach with us. I recall there being a fort of some sort, tables, etc.

 

[Napoleon Dynamite]

You can get the bucket and shovel set for like $10 or less on the island. Makes a nice item to bring home.