Ahoy, Bradley!
Thank you for reaching out to planDisney with your question. With April almost halfway underway, your May sailing will be here soon. I love cruising this time of the year, as I find the weather practically perfect. Fingers crossed you'll experience the same next month on your Disney Cruise Line vacation.
Bradley, the cabanas on
Disney Castaway Cay are quite popular with cruise Guests. They are often booked early through the online reservation system, which opens based on your Castaway Club status or whether you've selected to stay in a Concierge-level stateroom or suite. My first suggestion is to keep checking for any online cancellations as often as possible. Guests have up to three days before embarkation to make changes or cancel in the "My Plans" section of the website or the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. I've heard of Guests having luck securing one by continuing to log in to their cruise reservation up until that day. If you don't have any success in the next few weeks, immediately upon boarding, head to
Guest Services to ask to be put on a waitlist. It's hard to say how likely you are to get one on board, as it depends on how many other Guests are interested and get on the waitlist for your particular sailing. In late 2025, Disney Cruise Line added more cabanas to the inventory on Castaway Cay, which has helped, so it never hurts to keep trying.
I am so excited for you to experience
all that a Disney Cruise Line has to offer, including a magical day on Castaway Cay, Bradley! The good news is that there are plenty of loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas, and hammocks spread throughout the Castaway Family Beach areas and Serenity Bay (18+ only). If you select a spot on one of the family beach areas, you'll have the ship as your backdrop, which makes for some memorable photos. There is also plenty of shade from the colorful umbrellas and mature palm trees. I enjoy relaxing under the shade part of the day and pulling one of the beach chairs down by the water to feel the warmth of the sun and get my toes in the beautiful, turquoise water. And when you are ready to eat, Cookies BBQ and Cookies Too will be open for a delicious lunch close by. If you decide to enjoy Serenity Bay, lunch is served at Hangar 98 BBQ.
Best of luck trying to secure a cabana, Bradley. Please let us know if you have any other questions before your magical voyage with Captains Mickey and Minnie begins.
Nancy