Mickey and Donald On beach at Castaway Cay; ship in background; family flying with characters
  • On Jul 11, 2025
    Rachel from VA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I keep running across things that say you need to pre-order food on Castaway Cay for special needs diets. But how do you go about making the order? Thanks!


    Ahoy there, Rachel!

    Thank you so much for stopping by planDisney with your dining accommodations question! I completely understand wanting to ensure everything is shipshape, especially when it comes to dining with special dietary needs. As a mom to a daughter who’s lactose intolerant (and someone who has a few food allergies myself), I totally understand how important it is to have everything sorted before you set sail on your magical adventure.

    So, let’s dive right in! One of the things I absolutely love about Disney Cruise Line is its rotational dining. Each night, you’ll dine in a different restaurant with a unique theme—but the best part? Your amazing dining team follows you every night! They really get to know your preferences (and your favorite dessert orders).

    On one of our sailings, we let our serving team know about my daughter’s preorder the night before our Castaway Cay Day, and they prepared everything in advance, telling us exactly when and where to pick it up. On another cruise, they even took care of all our special orders for the entire trip on the first night. Honestly, it really depends on your dining team, but every experience we’ve had has been filled with care, attention, and a little extra pixie dust. 

    I also recommend updating your party’s dietary preferences on the Disney Cruise Line app before you board. Just tap on each person’s name under "My Reservations" and add any allergies or dietary needs. It’s a simple step, but it helps the Cast Members be even more prepared for your family’s arrival!

    And while we’re talking about favorites, make sure you take full advantage of the character greetings at Castaway Cay. Seeing Mickey in his beach gear is a highlight every time!  Plus, I always find the cutest island-exclusive merchandise at the shops there (yes, I might have a growing collection of Castaway Cay gear!).

    Rachel, I hope this helps you feel even more excited and at ease about your upcoming cruise. If you have any more questions, feel free to visit us again.

    See you real soon, 

    Christina
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Meet the Panelist: Christina, Florida

Hiya Pal! I am an Instructional Designer by day and a Disney enthusiast by night. As a mom of two princesses, a wife, a runDisney finisher, a Disney Vacation Club member, and an annual passholder, my life is filled with magic. Although we live about an hour away, we love staying at different Disney hotels, visiting the parks, savoring different dining locations, and meticulously planning each trip. Adventure is out there, and I am here to help you find it!  Learn More About Christina

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