Disney to Expand Castaway Cay Island Amenities
If the Disney Cruise Line is doubling their fleet in the coming years, it makes sense that Disney will need to expand their popular private island as well. Disney doesn’t plan to just add more beach chairs either. They are expanding the beach areas, adding more eateries, shopping and improving transportation.
“If I’m going to go from 2,700 guests to 4,000 guests, transportation is a critical piece,” says Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz
Additionally, Disney will expand the family beach area, add more water based recreation and open 20 private cabanas where guests literally raise a flag to signal their bartender!
The cabanas will hold six people and will have covered areas, decks, refrigerators, dining tables and chairs, lounge chairs, lockable storage and outdoor fresh-water showers. They will mostly be on the family beach, but Disney plans to have some at the adults-only beach, Serenity Bay.
While Disney has yet to set the cabana rental rates. Disney officials did say there will be at least three tiers of service available, including one with a personal host.
I doubt I’ll ever rent a private cabana as we like to be outside and tend to be ever moving. But I do like this added option. It sounds very posh, and I’m tempted to try it one day if we were splitting the cost with another family. Renting a cabana would definitely be a one-time splurge. But I’m sure it would be oh so much fun!
I am glad for the expansion of the gift shops, eatery, bathrooms and tram stop farther down the coastline from the current hub. You can find yourself getting to points on the island where you are a bit too far from a bathroom, bar, or eatery. Which some might think ok, until you need one them. And while it’s nice to be away from it all on this island paradise, it’s also nice to have the what you need when you need it!
Here’s several new island elements sport water features, which all sound very exciting!
• Pelican Plunge will be two corkscrew slides floating on a deck in the lagoon, just a short swim away. “The beauty of Pelican Plunge is that it’s for all ages: 6, 16 or 60,” says Ozer Balli, vice president of hotel operations for the cruise line.
• Disney storytelling will be evident with the Spring-a-Leak area, an all-ages play area designed to look like an island structure blown away by a “strong island breeze.” Amid all the fountains and water jets will be the leaning remains.
• A 200-square-foot wet deck with geysers — shaped like a captain’s wheel — will be added to Scuttle’s Cove, the area for children’s activities.
I love all these reported expansion details. I’m even more excited to spend time on Castaway Cay, which is always my favorite port of call on any Disney Cruise vacation.
What do you think? Are you excited for these changes? Do you think they will help?
The Orlando Sentinel has even more information. Head over there and read more
