What are the top 3 must-do experiences for families at Castaway Cay to make the most of the day?”

Ahoy, Jamarius! Thanks so much for bringing your Disney Cruise Line question over to planDisney. It sounds like you and your family are getting ready to set sail on your very first Disney cruise later this year and are looking for all the top tips to make the most of your time onboard.

Disney Castaway Cay will easily become one of your family’s favorite places on earth as you soak up the sun at Disney’s very own private island paradise in the Bahamas. One of the best things about Castaway Cay is that it serves as an extension of the ship, so most of the amenities found on shore are included and any purchases can simply be charged to your stateroom using your DisneyBand+ or complimentary Key to the World Card. There is so much to enjoy at Castaway Cay, so let me give you my three must dos.

1. Unique Photo Opportunities: Castaway Cay provides the perfect blend of island vibes with touches of Disney magic around every turn, so you definitely want to capture some family photos throughout the day. There will be character appearances around the island, so be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for the times and locations where you can find Mickey and his friends dressed in their best beach attire. Whether you choose to go during a character meet and greet or not, be sure to get family photos in front of the iconic Mount Rustmore, which features the faces of some of your favorite Disney pals in a style that you simply cannot find anywhere else. Finally, don’t miss your chance to pose with a sand sculpture of everyone’s favorite summer-loving snowman next to the Olaf’s Summertime Freeze smoothie stand.
2. Buffet Lunch: During your visit to Castaway Cay, the ship’s dining team comes ashore and provides lunch right on the island. A complimentary, barbeque buffet lunch is offered at Cookie’s BBQ and Cookie’s Too BBQ along the Castaway Family Beaches, plus there is an adults-only buffet at Hangar 98 BBQ out by Serenity Bay. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, fish, baked beans, pasta salad, fresh fruit, and a number of other items, plus drink stations with water and sodas. There are also soft-serve ice cream stations, which is my favorite way to stay cool on those warm beach days. For an extra special treat, grab cookies from the buffet and use the soft-serve station to create your very own ice cream cookie sandwich.
3. Swimming at the Beach: Although I am not usually a beach person, I love swimming in the clear blue waters at Castaway Cay. The calm waters are perfect for every member of the family to take a dip and there are plenty of places to swim along the Castaway Family Beaches. However, if you get the opportunity, I cannot recommend the adult-exclusive beach at Serenity Bay enough! The kids can participate in youth activities with the staff at Scuttle’s Cove and you can take the tram over to the peaceful tranquility of Serenity Bay for at least a little while.

I hope that gives you a few ideas about how to enjoy your stop at Disney Castaway Cay. Once you visit, I promise that you will want to go back again and again.

If you have any other questions as you get ready to set sail this summer, feel free to reach back out to planDisney. Happy sailing!

Catherine