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Castaway Cay Cabanas – Are They Worth The Cost? Update 2024

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Castaway Cay Cabanas offer you the most luxurious experience on Disney’s Private Island.

The Castaway Cay Cabanas are one of the most sought after upgrades on a Disney cruise. Even though they come with a substantial price tag, demand far exceeds supply.

Find out what is so special about the Cabanas on Castaway Cay, how much they cost, which are the best and how to increase your chances of being able to make a reservation.

Castaway Cay Cabanas

What are the Disney Castaway Cay Cabanas?

These are private cabanas which are located on the Family Beach and Serenity Bay.

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There are only 27 cabanas available on Disney’s Castaway Cay.

As there can be over 3000 people arriving on Castaway Cay when the ship docks you can see that demand is going to exceed supply here.

There are 21 Cabanas on the Family Beach on Castaway Cay.

The remaining 6 Cabanas are on Serenity Bay which is the adults-only beach.

All of your party has to be over 18 to have a Cabana on Serenity Bay.

All of the Castaway Cay Cabanas are 325 square feet except the Grand Family Cabana #21 which is twice the size.

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What is Included in a Castaway Cay Cabana?

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All of the Disney Castaway Cay Cabanas are a good size. They have an inside area as well as a large patio area.

The Grand Family Cabana is double the width of the other cabanas.

There is plenty of seating available inside and outside. The loungers outside are probably where you will spend most of your time!

One of the biggest perks of a Cabana is that you have a little piece of paradise all to yourself. Well, not quite.

However, it does mean that you will be on a part of the beach where it really isn’t crowded.

The parts of the beaches where the Cabanas are located are just for the Cabana guests. You really can escape the crowds here.

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Your Own Castaway Cay Hammock

Another fabulous benefit of the Cabanas is that they each have their own private hammock.

Anyone who has ever visited Castaway Cay will know that there are some hammocks available on Serenity Bay and the Family Beach.

You will also know that it takes a great deal of perseverance and luck to ever get to use one! They seem to be permanently occupied.

The Castaway Cabanas give you the luxury of your own personal hammock.

You will also have beach chairs and umbrellas set up on the beach.

No fighting with the crowds to get the best spot. This is your own private paradise on Castaway Cay.

Disney Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest

A huge perk is your very own Disney Castaway Cay Concierge.

These are the same people who are Concierge on the Disney ship.

They are there to help make your day extra magical.

There is even a call button for them in every Castaway Cay Cabana.

If you want to go anywhere on the island they will bring a golf cart to pick you up!

Another benefit is that tubes and floats are included in the price. You will find enough for each person located on the beach in front of your Cabana.

This is a $13 per person saving. These are a lot of fun.

We always prefer the tubes over the floats if we have to choose, However, here you get both included with your Castaway Cay Cabana.

Castaway Cay Bike Rentals are also included. This is usually $13 per person per hour.

Also included is Snorkel Equipment Rental. This usually costs $34 per day for adults and $18 for children.

These perks make the Castaway Cay Cabana cost a little more justifiable too!

Unfortunately, the snorkel equipment is not provided for you in your Castaway Cabana. You have to go to the snorkel rental location to pick it up.

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Inside your Castaway Cay Cabana, you will find a curtain in the corner. You can use this for changing in private.

This is very useful if you want to easily change out of your running gear after doing the Castaway Cay 5K.

You will find a small refrigerator inside your Cabana.

It is stocked with cans of Sprite, Coke and Diet Coke. It also has bottled water for you.

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Another nice touch is that you will have damp washcloths in the refrigerator. These are really nice for cooling you down in that Castaway Cay heat! There are ceiling fans to help with that too.

Another way to cool off is with your own personal Castaway Cay fresh water shower. This is a really nice touch.

One of the things I can’t quite understand about Castaway Cay is why there aren’t any lockers on the island. It makes things a little difficult as I am never sure how to take a good camera onto Castaway Cay and keep it safe.

However, there are no such worries if you have a Castaway Cay Cabana. There is a small personal safe inside your Cabana.

Sunburn is something which always has to be avoided. If you rent a Castaway Cay Cabana you will be provided with two bottles of Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion

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Always make sure you apply sunscreen. Nothing worse than a wonderful day on Castaway Cay followed by a sun burn. Not the memories you want to create.

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You will also find a large supply of towels in your Cabana. No need to pick them up when you get off the ship. Not a big deal, but these towels are nicer than the ones that are handed out to everyone else!

You will even find some magazines in your Castaway Cay Cabana. It’s a nice touch. Relax on your hammock and browse the magazines. It doesn’t get any more relaxed than this.

If you have young children you can also request that a Pack N Play is provided in your Castaway Cay Cabana. This is so useful if your little one likes a nap or just to use as a playpen.

Sand toys are also provided for your kids to use. Another nice touch that just makes the Disney private island Cabana experience that bit more special.

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Another really useful feature is the power outlets. If you want to stay connected or have just forgotten to charge your devices this is a nice thing to have.

You can have music in your Cabana too. Either your own or there is a system in the Cabana. Just be considerate about the volume. Don’t spoil paradise for your neighbors!

Want a snack? The Castaway Cay Concierge won’t bring you food, but there are snacks in your Cabana.

There will be a selection of fresh fruit, Kashi granola bars and Lays chips. It’s nice if you just want to grab a quick snack.

If you want something more substantial then you do need to go to one of the BBQ locations on Castaway Cay.

You can bring back the food to your Cabana if you prefer.

Prices for Lighthouse Point Cabanas Announced

Disney Castaway Cay Cabana Drinks Packages

You can pre-order a drinks package to be waiting for your in your Disney Castaway Cay Cabana. All prices are correct for 2018 but do not include a 15 % service charge. Here is what is available:

The Castaway Cay Thirst Quench Package. This is going to set you back $90. You will get six beers, one bottle of sparkling wine and one bottle of white wine.

Your choices for the beers are Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Lite. The sparkling wine choice is Prosecco or Asti Spumante. House Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or White Zinfandel.

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Here the beer choice is Heineken or Corona Champagne can be Tattinger or La Francaise. You can choose House Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or White Zinfandel. The cost is $125.

If you want to skip the bottle of wine but still want the beer and champagne the Castaway Beverage Adventure will be more your thing. This has 12 beers with a mix of international and domestic.

The Champagne is either Tattinger or La Francaise. The cost of the Castaway Beverage Adventure is $119.

If you just want a beer you can order a beer bucket which is priced from $26.50. Your choices are either 12oz imported beer, 16oz domestic or 12oz Coronas.

Castaway Cay Cabana Reservations

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Now for the difficult bit. You have decided you want to reserve a Castaway Cabana and you have got over the sticker shock (wee below). Not how do you actually reserve a Disney Castaway Cay Cabana?

To say that a Disney Castaway Cabana is the hottest ticket on a Disney Cruise is probably an understatement.

There are 27 Castaway Cabanas and thousands of people on the ship.

Many people are competing with you for that Castaway Cabana Reservation.

You book a Castaway Cay Cabana in the Port Adventures section online prior to your Disney Cruise. Certain categories of Disney Cruise guest have priority.

You have the advantage if you are in the highest tiers of the Castaway Cay Club.

In May 2023 a new level was added of Pearl – so now many guests in Cabanas will be at the Pearl Level (the highest used to be Platinum).

The way this works is that Concierge and Pearl Castaway Cay guests have priority because they can book many days before the other guests on the ship.

The Cabanas are usually all taken by Concierge and Pearl or Platinum guests, but don’t give up (see below).

Pearl Castaway Cay guests can book online up to 123 days ahead. Concierge guests have the edge over Platinum as they can request a Cabana 125 days ahead.

Sure it’s only a request, but if the Concierge can get it for you they will.

This is a huge advantage and another great reason to sail Concierge on a Disney Cruise if you will be sailing to Castaway Cay.

Gold Castaway Cay Club members can book 105 days ahead and Silver 90 days prior to sailing.

Unfortunately, it is a reality that it is mostly Disney Concierge guests who get the Castaway Cay Cabanas.

This is particularly true on the Disney Wish, Fantasy and the Dream simply because they have more concierge guests than the Wonder and the Magic.

And your chances of getting a Cabana if you are sailing on the Disney Wish and are not sailing Concierge are pretty much zero.

Your chances are increased if you are Pearl (and perhaps Platinum) on a less popular sailing on one of the classic ships.

However, you should not give up hope if you cannot get a Castaway Cay Cabana reservation. They do sometimes open up.

You should check regularly online. You may just hit it lucky.

People do sometimes cancel and maybe you win the Cabana lottery. Go to guest services as soon as you board the ship.

I have heard of guests getting a Castaway Cabana at the last minute. It probably won’t happen, but you can be certain it won’t happen unless you ask.

You have a slightly better chance of getting a Castaway Cay Cabana on Serenity Bay as this is the adults only beach.

There are only 6 cabanas there, but mostly there is less demand.

The procedure for booking #21 the Grand Family Cabana has to be reserved by calling Disney Cruise lines. You can also ask your Concierge if you are a Concierge guest.

Castaway Cay Cabana Cost

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All magic comes at a price. Although the Castaway Cay Cabanas are not cheap, most guests who have experienced them agree that they would book one again.

These prices for the Castaway Cay Cabanas include the Bahamian tax of 7.5%.

Most information online doesn’t mention that you have to pay this, but be aware that these are the correct prices for Castaway Cay Cabanas 2024.

Castaway Cay Cabanas Price Increase 2024

DCL announced a big price increase for cabanas in April 2023 and then another in February 2024.

The rate increase came into effect on 27 April 2023, but if you already had an existing booking at that date you will only be charged the old prices.

  • Family Beach Cabanas cost $880 (increased from $797.50) for up to 6 guests The cabanas can accommodate up to 10 guests. If you want to add guests this is an additional $56.00 (from $50) plus tax per person for guests 7-10.
  • Serenity Bay Castaway Cay Cabanas are $523 (from $493.90) for the first 4 guests. You can add up to another 2 guests for $56 each (from $50)
  • The Grand Cabana #21 has a daily rate of $1,238 (from $1,127.50)for up to 10 guests. The Grand Cabana can accommodate up to 16 guests. There is an additional $56 (from $50.00) plus tax charge per person for guests 11-16.

If we look at the recent price increases (since April 2023) these are substantial.

Family Beach Cabanas were previously $599 for the first 6 guests.

Serenity Bay Cabanas were $399 for the first 4 guests.

The Grand Family Cabana #21 was $949.

A Castaway Cay Cabana is not cheap. However, if you share the cost between families it looks more affordable.

An additional cost is that you should include a tip for your Castaway Cay Concierge. These are the same Cast Members as the Concierge staff on the Disney Cruise ship.

If you are already staying in Disney Cruise Concierge you can include your tip at the end for their overall service.

However, if you are not sailing Disney Concierge you should leave a tip for them for their Castaway Cay service.

Castaway Cay Cabana Family Beach

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There are 20 Castaway Cay Cabana Family Beach cabanas available. There are, obviously numbered 1 to 20. The numbers start at 1 closest to the ship and are furthest away at 20.

Not all Castaway Cary Family Beach Cabanas are created equally because of their location.

Castaway Cabanas #1 to 6 are closest to the ship and the bathrooms. They are also some of the most established Cabanas so the landscaping gives a lot of privacy compared to some of the others.

Fortunately, they have built another set of bathrooms so really there isn’t much of a consideration now about which are closest to the bathrooms.

Cookies Too BBQ is located closest to Castaway Cay Cabana #1.

This is a consideration as you do have to leave your Cabana to get lunch. Snacks are provided but you are probably going to want more than that.

Nothing is really that far from Cookies Too, but if you want to be really close the lower numbered Cabanas are closest.

Another big consideration is the actual type of beach frontage that you will get with each Castaway Cay Family Beach Cabana.

The ones which have the proper beach frontage are the #1 to #12 Castaway Cay Cabanas.

Here you will have a sandy beach and a gently sloping ocean.

If you get Castaway Cay #14 to #21 you are located on the Castaway Cay Lagoon area.

There is a large sandbar which creates a lagoon between #14 and #21 which is very different from the Family Beach.

If you have young children you may prefer it as the water is shallow and you can supervise them on the water’s edge.

However, if you want to be able to go out and swim in the ocean and have #14 to #21 you will have to walk to the left of the lagoon to swim properly.

Castaway Cay Cabanas #18, #19 and #20 are the most recently constructed on the Family Beach. They were added in 2014.

You don’t quite have the same lush landscaping you do with the lower numbered Cabanas. Obviously, this will improve with time.

The only wheelchair accessible Castaway Cay Cabana is #1. There is a great review and lots of pictures here. if you want to know more detail.

Castaway Cay Cabana Serenity Bay

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The Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Cabanas are the ones numbered #22, #23, #24, #25, #26 and #27.

Only guests aged 18 and over are allowed to be in the Castaway Cay Serenity Bay Cabanas. Serenity Bay is the adults-only beach on Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay Cabana #22 is closest to the Serenity Bay barbecue and the bathrooms.

If you get the choice and want a more secluded Castaway Cay Cabana you should pick number #26 or #27.

The Serenity Bay beach is not that big so you really aren’t that far away from the amenities unless you have mobility issues.

Grand Family Cabana Castaway Cay

The Grand Family Cabana on Castaway Cay is unique.

Only Castaway Cay Cabana #21 offers space for 10 guests will an additional space for another 6 guests for an additional cost.

It is exactly the same as all of the other Castaway Cay Cabanas except is double the width.

If you can get a large enough party together and are lucky enough to snag a reservation you will have a blast. Just pick at least another nine family members of friends and this will be ideal.

Best Cabana On Castaway Cay

All of the Cabanas on Castaway Cay are the same (except the Grand Family Cabana). They have the same design and facilities.

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The only difference between them is the location. Some locations may be better than others for you depending upon your preferences.

Which is the best Cabana on Castaway Cay?

If you have a Cabana on Serenity Bay the most secluded one is #25. However, it is also furthest away from the bathrooms, the bar and the food. Cabana #21 is the closest.

Many people prefer Cabana #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 or 6. These have the lushest landscaping, are the closest to the ship, the bars and Cookies Too.

Remember that the Cabanas #14 to #21 have the beach frontage on to the lagoon.

Cabana #1 is the only one which is wheelchair accessible.

Are Castaway Cay Cabanas Worth It?

Most people who book a Castaway Cay Cabana say that they would do it again. They are expensive, but if you compare them to any of the other excursions you might take on your Disney cruise it doesn’t look quite so bad.

You are paying for a luxury experience that few guests will have the chance to have. Only you can decide if the Castaway Cay Cabanas are worth it for you.

Have you ever reserved a Castaway Cay Cabana? Tell us in the comments below what you thought of your experience!

Disney Wish Concierge - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Wednesday 10th of March 2021

[…] This is realistically the only way you get a Cabana on Castaway Cay […]

Becky

Tuesday 30th of June 2020

I've heard it's very competitive to get one so I haven't tried! Maybe one day I'll splurge and do concierge.

Top 10 Romantic Things To Do On A Disney Cruise - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Monday 10th of February 2020

[…] Castaway Cay Cabanas are very popular and you need to book one as soon as they become […]

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Saturday 23rd of March 2019

[…] By Alison […]

What Not To Pack on a Disney CruiseWhat Not To Pack on a Disney Cruise - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Monday 3rd of September 2018

[…] you are lucky enough to get a Castaway Cay Cabana towels are provided for you in the cabana. These are a really nice quality. If you need more just […]