Which cabana on Castaway Cay would you recommend?

[Campbem]

Hello all!

I will be setting sail with the wife and kids in December on our first Disney Cruise onboard the Fantasy. Can't wait!

We are going to book a cabana so wanted to get some feeback from ya'all on your reviews of specific cabanas on CC. We'll have to be on the family beach side so I'm more interested in those but others reading may appreciate any feedback on the adult beach cabanas as well.

If you stayed in a cabana did you like the # you got or would you have rather had another one, why or why not? Any other insights or tips on cabanas would be appreciated!

Thank you!
Mike

 

[Ravenne]

Sadly, as it will be your first time sailing with DCL, unless you're in concierge the chances of you getting a cabana is slim to none. That's because people in concierge gets to book them at 150 days out whereas first timers don't get to book anything until 75 days out and all cabanas are typically gone by then. You might luck out with a cancellation. I know that doesn't answer your question, however.

 

[Campbem]

Sadly, as it will be your first time sailing with DCL, unless you're in concierge the chances of you getting a cabana is slim to none. That's because people in concierge gets to book them at 150 days out whereas first timers don't get to book anything until 75 days out and all cabanas are typically gone by them. You might luck out with a cancellation. I know that doesn't answer your question, however.

Sorry, important note! I should have mentioned that we are in concierge. Otherwise I wouldn't be holding my breath

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hello all! I will be setting sail with the wife and kids in December on our first Disney Cruise onboard the Fantasy. Can't wait! We are going to book a cabana so wanted to get some feeback from ya'all on your reviews of specific cabanas on CC. We'll have to be on the family beach side so I'm more interested in those but others reading may appreciate any feedback on the adult beach cabanas as well. If you stayed in a cabana did you like the # you got or would you have rather had another one, why or why not? Any other insights or tips on cabanas would be appreciated! Thank you! Mike

We have stayed in 4 and 5 both a good location, not yo far go walk to cookies two or a bar or the shops or bikes, but private and quite.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[CarolyninCO]

Hello all!

I will be setting sail with the wife and kids in December on our first Disney Cruise onboard the Fantasy. Can't wait!

We are going to book a cabana so wanted to get some feeback from ya'all on your reviews of specific cabanas on CC. We'll have to be on the family beach side so I'm more interested in those but others reading may appreciate any feedback on the adult beach cabanas as well.

If you stayed in a cabana did you like the # you got or would you have rather had another one, why or why not? Any other insights or tips on cabanas would be appreciated!

Thank you!
Mike

It's so funny you posted this - tomorrow is our 150th day out, and I spent a solid 2 hours looking at videos on youtube trying to compare cabins. Hope you get some more responses today!

 

[MadaNickDis]

We have stayed in #2 twice. Love the proximity to Cookies and to the bathrooms. We'll be in #3 in 3 weeks. They are the closest to the non-cabana beach, so if you want a quieter experience, choose a higher number. No matter which you get, you will LOVE it. Good luck!!

 

[jenf22]

We were in #7 and loved it! We've only done it once though, so I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[Campbem]

It's so funny you posted this - tomorrow is our 150th day out, and I spent a solid 2 hours looking at videos on youtube trying to compare cabins. Hope you get some more responses today!

Let me know how you will be doing that, what's I've seen on the official disney site is everything for concierge can be booked 120 days out. Have you been contacted by the shoreside concierge already or how are you putting in your request? Feel free to PM if you like, thanks!

 

[momto2girls]

We've stayed in 4, 5, 6, and 10. They were all great! I liked 4, 5, and 6 because they were close to the bathroom and Cookies, but not *too* close.

 

[CarolyninCO]

Let me know how you will be doing that, what's I've seen on the official disney site is everything for concierge can be booked 120 days out. Have you been contacted by the shoreside concierge already or how are you putting in your request? Feel free to PM if you like, thanks!

From what I've read here, you can email shoreside concierge at 150 days out and put in a request for things like a cabana, Palo, etc. As I understand it, there is no guarantee, but the concierge puts in your request so that you don't have to log in at 120 days. (And you have to be paid in full at 120).

To the experts: Did I get that right?

 

[barbja99]

We have stayed in #2 twice. Love the proximity to Cookies and to the bathrooms. We'll be in #3 in 3 weeks. They are the closest to the non-cabana beach, so if you want a quieter experience, choose a higher number. No matter which you get, you will LOVE it. Good luck!!

You mean, of cabanas 1-17, 17 will be farthest from the ship (and non-cabana beach) and closer to serenity bay?

Here's a map:

http://www.southpol.ca/travel/dream2011/castaway_cay_map.jpg

"U" says cabanas 1-17. I couldn't tell if it was 1-17 with 1 starting on the left (farthest from the ship) or the right (closest to the ship). Either is logical in its own way.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You mean, of cabanas 1-17, 17 will be farthest from the ship (and non-cabana beach) and closer to serenity bay?

Here's a map:

http://www.southpol.ca/travel/dream2011/castaway_cay_map.jpg

"U" says cabanas 1-17. I couldn't tell if it was 1-17 with 1 starting on the left (farthest from the ship) or the right (closest to the ship). Either is logical in its own way.

Yes, #1 is closest into where Cookies/restrooms are and #17 is furthest out on the point. But, not that close to Serenity Bay cabanas.

 

[Meghatron]

We lucked into #5 on our last cruise (was the only one available when Silver booking opened) and it was AMAZING. Perfect distance to bathrooms and food while still being far enough from the chaos to be relaxing and give my kids their own space on the beach.

 

[dclwonderprincess]

We were in #9, it has a perfect view of the ship and wasn't too far from the restrooms or cookies.

 

[ktb2002]

From what I've read here, you can email shoreside concierge at 150 days out and put in a request for things like a cabana, Palo, etc. As I understand it, there is no guarantee, but the concierge puts in your request so that you don't have to log in at 120 days. (And you have to be paid in full at 120). To the experts: Did I get that right?

Yes you email them at 150 days out with all of your requests. I logged in at midnight at the 120 day mark and all of my requests, including my first choice of cabana were already in there. In fact only 2 cabanas were left then quickly gone. The only thing they had an error on was only one adult was booked for brunch instead of both. I have them 3 choices of cabana numbers in the order I wanted them, and did get my first choice.

 

[storknurse13]

We have been in #3 and loved it. The cabanas are very close together so all are in a fabulous location! Take whatever you can get because they are all good!

 

[Runnergal]

We were in cabana #5. It was wonderful. We did not request a specific cabana. I think they are probably all fabulous, to be honest.

 

[lymaniii]

Not to thread jack too much, but are they worth $500? That's how much they cost, right?

 

[Belleluvswdw]

Is it worth it is really a personal thing... It is expensive - my husband could have a PS4 for less, lol, - but I find it worth it to truly enjoy the island experience.

We've done 7 cruises without a cabana, so I'm well versed in the family beach "run for chairs with an umbrella." And the shuffle of - "you go with the kids and I'll watch the stuff, then we'll switch..." I don't find this fun. I also don't like rushing to get out the door in the morning in hopes of securing a good spot. I want to enjoy the time with my family, not guarding our place and stuff.

The past few cruises we have had a cabana and it was great! Quiet beach area where it is easy to spot your family members in the water. Cold drinks and towels, sunscreen and snacks at your fingertips. Close proximity to food and bathrooms. Shelter from the afternoon downpour, lol. Cushioned chairs, equipment rental included. No having to guard our stuff...

Now that we will have a 6 month old on our Aug cruise, I really want the cabana again. She is fair skinned like her red-headed momma, so direct sun needs to be minimal. And it will guarantee us a shaded private area to nurse and for her to take a nap undisturbed. Not to mention a place to just relax while the teenagers hang on the beach and snorkel, etc.

So for us, the cabanas are worth the cost, for others maybe not so much. Depends what you are looking to get out of it.

 

[kaseyC]

My favorites are 3, 4 or 5. For us it's just the perfect location.