Unfortunately, you can not get to Disney's Castaway Cay without a cruise. You also can not stay overnight on Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line ships only dock in Castaway Cay for the day. Your cruise itinerary will dictate how long you spend at Castaway Cay.
It's not possible to stay overnight on Castaway Cay. Your ship will dock at the island at around 9 am and leave at around 4 pm. So the longest you can stay on the island is around seven hours.
As long as it's portable and you can pack it in your luggage, you should be fine using it. I'll also remind you that there are a number of umbrellas available along the beaches that are free of charge if you don't want to bring the tent with you. I hope this helps.
The island is still largely undeveloped as only 55 of the 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) are being used. Castaway Cay now has approximately 140 Disney Cruise Line permanent residents who keep the island running daily.
Luckily, Castaway Cay does have a cell phone tower, so your mobile data should get plenty of bars.
Food and Beverages
Complimentary food, water and soft drink are provided at no extra cost at Castaway Cay. There are several venues on the island.
You won't need cash
As with all Disney cruises, Castaway Cay is all about making things as convenient as possible for the guests. Disney Cruise Line operates the entire island, so nearly everything is already included in the cost of your cruise.
Can you buy alcohol in Castaway Cay? Guests can purchase alcoholic drinks at several bars on Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. The island's four beach bars – Conched Out Bar, Heads Up Bar, Sand Bar, and Castaway Air Bar – serve beer, cocktails, and frozen drinks.
All About Castaway Cay, Disney's Private Island
Some itineraries even have two days as Castaway Cay. This is an island where magic really happens! The ocean is barricaded by reefs and netted to keep larger fish (and sharks) out, so you can swim in calm, crystal blue waters without fear of interlopers.
Soft drinks are included at no extra cost with meals, while additional charges apply for bar drinks, beer, wine and bottled water. There is no charge for soft drinks at the Beverage Station on Deck 9 of the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder.
Snorkeling on Castaway Cay (Paid or FREE)
If you search far enough you will find one ship with Captain Mickey at the helm. If you have your own snorkel gear, snorkeling is free, you just need to wear one of these inflatable yellow life vests (see pic above). They are free to use. Otherwise, you can rent snorkel gear.
You can expect the same signature Disney hospitality on Castaway Cay as you find on board the ship. Towels are provided as you disembark, and complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas are set up on the white-sand beaches for maximum convenience.
The setting is breathtaking, the activities plentiful, and all of the little details are taken care of, including towels. When you disembark your cruise ship to enjoy your time on Castaway Cay, you will be welcomed to Disney's private island by helpful Crew Members handing out towels.
"Splash" (1984), a smart and genuinely funny comedy, was a critical and commercial success that instantly resonated with audiences. The movie was filmed in multiple locations, but the famous scene where Madison (Daryl Hannah) meets Allen (Tom Hanks) was filmed along the beach of what's now known as Castaway Cay.
The walk really isn't that bad, and can actually be faster than the trams. Like so many things Disney, there is a convoluted backstory to go along with Castaway Cay, some of which you can pick up on as you wander the island, looking at signs and other little clues.
The drinking age aboard Disney Cruise Line ships and Disney Castaway Cay is 21, with a valid photo I.D.
Bringing your own snorkel gear is an excellent idea! A mask, snorkel and fins are all allowed. Fins are not required for snorkeling on the island, so if you don't want to bring your fins from home, that's okay! However, wearing a life vest is required in order to snorkel in the lagoon off Castaway Family Beach.
One of my favorite things about Castaway Cay is that the island is barricaded with reefs and netted to keep sharks and the larger fish out. The water is crystal clear and it's amazing how far out the shallow water goes.
How hard is it to get a cabana on Castaway Cay? It is difficult to get a cabana on Castaway Cay – as there are only a limited number, they are usually booked up by Concierge guests and Platinum Members of the Castaway Cay Club, before Gold and Silver members have even had a chance to book.
Disney Cruise Bar Menus
Each glass of wine in the Sommelier Bin is $10. You ask your Server for a glass of white, red, or sparkling wine. They will choose one for you based on which bottles they already have open. You could really get lucky and get a much more expensive wine for a bargain price.
Q: What age must a Guest be to drink alcoholic beverages on the ship? A: The drinking age on board is 21, and a valid photo I.D. is required.
Castaway Cay is an ultra-tidy, 1,000-acre splash of sun and sand located in the northern Bahamas. Owned by the Walt Disney Company, the island is used exclusively for Disney passengers -- though alert cinephiles might also remember it as the spot where Tom Hanks finds his mermaid (Daryl Hannah) in "Splash."
Castaway Cay 5K Schedule
I typically walk the majority of the 5K and finish in just under an hour. There is a digital timer at the finish line to clock your time. The first time we went back to the ship to change into our swimsuits.
If you have a verandah stateroom on the starboard (right) side or the aft of the ship, you will get a great view of Castaway Cay when docking. Otherwise you will get a great view on the open decks but if having breakfast at Cabanas, grab one of the outside tables at the back of the ship.
At Castaway, your only option is to give it to Guest Services the night before. They will keep your passports in their safe and the Customs agent may or may not stamp it the following morning. The reason Guest Services gave is that the agents do not always carry a passport stamp with them. Hope this helps!