Disney News

Disney’s Castaway Cay Cabanas – A Getaway Within a Getaway

by Magic Maker® Leilani Wagner

Walking off the Disney Dream™ early on a Saturday morning is easy when you are headed for their private island, Castaway Cay, and one of their private beach cabanas. Our morning on Castaway Cay was a bit cloudy and rainy but the rain did little to dampen our spirits as we headed down the gangway and onto the pier. It’s a bit of a walk so we recommend taking the tram – you’ll catch this just past the Post Office. After checking in at the Palm Central Tram stop (be sure you wear the wristband given to you on the ship), a golf cart whisked us off to our cabana on the private beach. The landscaping was very tropical with palm trees and lush plants and bushes lining the path to the cabanas.

At the cabana, we were greeted by our host. The cabana host introduced us to all the amenities available to us for the day. We had a small changing room that was created when you pulled a curtain around you in a corner of the cabana. A refrigerator was well stocked with bottled water, soft drinks and fruit. There were chips and granola bars on the counter. The cabana host showed us a button we could press that would call for services “automagically”. We could call for more drinks or snacks, order cocktails, or even request a ride back to the tram stop. The cabana was well furnished inside and out. There was a ceiling fan inside to keep the sea breezes moving. Sit or lie? Numerous cushioned chairs and loungers plus a hammock made for a comfortable day for all.

The cabana faced a private beach and was open only to those who were guests of the cabanas. It is a beautiful location. The tide was coming in as we arrived, but there were tons of shells to look at and admire. The water was plenty warm and with the cooler temperatures and slight drizzle, it was perfect. The damp sand was perfect for building sand castles with the sand toys provided in our cabana. The outside shower at the cabana was wonderful for getting the sand off!  Beach chairs and floats were available on our private beach. Oh, and when the sun came out and warmed up the day…we applied the sunscreen provided for us and the cool, wet hand-towels kept in the refrigerator were very refreshing.

These private cabanas are located on both the family beach and Serenity Bay (the adult only beach).  Also included with cabana are bike rentals, float and tube rentals, and snorkeling equipment. They list of included benefits just goes on and on!

Our impression was the cabanas are ideal for families but, really anyone would enjoy and find value in them. You can sit in the sun or seek shelter from it and still be cool and relaxed. You can also sit in relative privacy to sunbathe or just nap. All the guests we spoke to about the truly enjoyed all the amenities and felt the cabanas added to a relaxing day on Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Your Magic Maker can help you reserve your own private cabana on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  The Disney ships only stop at Castaway Cay on select Bahamian and Caribbean cruise itineraries.  Click below to start planning your Disney Cruise Line® vacation!

Newly imagined Disney Story Rooms offer you and your family the kind of fantasy and adventure that lasts throughout your entire vacation. You can stay and play in a vibrant environment inspired by beloved Disney films.

Pirate Rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, your crew can choose to stay in a Pirate Room! These rooms are designed to make you feel as if you’ve “set sail”, with ship-themed beds and other swashbuckling touches-from the light fixtures to the special artwork on the walls.

Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Opening in mid-February 2012—and now welcoming reservations—the Royal Guest Rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside are quarters befitting the Kings and Queens of the family—as well as the Princes and Princesses. Here, the remarkable décor and rich details will place your family right in the middle of classic Disney stories. Brought to life by celebrated Disney Characters, each room is fit for royalty. Enjoy magnificent touches and magical surprises, including custom drapes and linens, ornately decorated beds-and headboards that glitter with a fiber optic “fireworks” display. Here you’ll enjoy majesty and fun, all rolled into one!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Opening in phases beginning in Summer 2012—and now welcoming reservations—Disney’s Art of Animation Resort invites your family to become a part of beloved Walt Disney Pictures and Disney·Pixar animated films. With 1,120 suites designed after Disney·Pixar’s Finding Nemo and Cars and Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King, plus 864 standard rooms inspired by Walt Disney Pictures’ The Little Mermaid, your family will be surrounded by some of your favorite stories throughout your entire Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Standard rooms sleep up to 4, while suites sleep up to 6 and provide just the right amount of extra room that many families need to spread out in comfort. From the magically themed family suites and rooms to the spectacular courtyards, this new Walt Disney World Value Resort will immerse families in one of four wonderful “worlds”—for a colorful journey through the story of each film.

Discover an array of spacious accommodations for parties with 5 or more people at the Walt Disney World® Resort. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, planning a family reunion, enjoying a special occasion or just want some extra room and privacy for your children, you can find a Walt Disney World® Resort Hotel with just the size and space that’s right for you.

Value Resort Hotel – Sleeps Up to 6 Guests
Jazz it up at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, a Resort Hotel located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. This Disney Resort Hotel’s family suites, which sleep up to six Guests, have a separate bedroom, pull-out sofas in the living room, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette.

Opening in the summer of 2012, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort invites you to step into the story with spacious suites inspired by classic Walt Disney and Disney·Pixar animated films. Each suite sleeps up to six Guests and features 2 separate bathrooms and 3 separate sleeping areas, including a private master bedroom.

Moderate Resort Hotel – Sleeps Up to 6 Guests
Spread out and relax in the home-style comfort at The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort! The spacious, secluded wilderness cabins sleep up to 6 Guests and feature more than 500 square feet of living, dining and sleeping area, as well as a private patio with BBQ grill and picnic table. The kitchen is fully equipped, but don’t worry about the dishes—housekeeping will do them for you!

Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels – Sleeps Up to 8 Guests
Relish the roominess of Disney Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels, which include one and two-bedroom villas. Each two-bedroom villa sleeps up to 8 Guests and includes home-like amenities such as a full kitchen, a whirlpool tub, DVD player, washer and dryer. Choose from locations in eight delightful Deluxe Villa Resort Hotels:

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas
The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – Sleeps Up to 9
The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa are stand-alone Disney Deluxe Villas nestled in natural forest glens just around the river bend from the bustling Downtown Disney® Area. The 60 three-bedroom vacation homes-elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams designed to blend into the lush wilderness environment-sleep 9 Guests and feature modern luxuries such as cathedral ceilings, granite countertops and flat-panel TVs.

From our family at Off to Neverland Travel, we wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

From our family at Off to Neverland Travel, we wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Are you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Walt Disney World® Resort?  You can still have your turkey and dressing in between rides on Dumbo: The Flying Elephant and Space Mountain!  Here are just a few of the Walt Disney World® restaurants where you can find the traditional Thanksgiving meal*.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Tusker House
Thanksgiving Day Entree: Rotisserie Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Orange Chutney, Yam Casserole, Herb Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Beef Strip Loin and Smoked Salmon and Rotisserie Chicken.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
Hollywood Brown Derby
Dine among the stars of Hollywood at this iconic Hollywood restaurant while enjoying Roasted Breast of Turkey with Apple-Pecan Cornbread Dressing, Acorn Squash, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Beans, Cranberry-Orange Relish, and Natural Pan Gravy. Add Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust, Pumpkin Seed Brittle or Ruby Port Pear Glaze for Dessert (in addition to regular menu)

Hollywood & Vine
Carved Turkey Breast, Cornbread Stuffing, butternut squash with root beer bourbon sauce with candied pecans and marshmallows, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Cheesecake will be served in addition to the regular menu.  For lunch, be sure to catch your favorite characters at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine Character Meal.

50’s Prime Time
Just like at home, sit with your “cousins” while Mom is in the kitchen cooking your meal!  While sitting in your grandmother’s dining room, enjoy carved turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, roasted seasonal vegetables, giblet gravy, cranberry, pumpkin torte all offered a’la carte. (served in addition to the regular menu).

Epcot®
Akershus – Princess Storybook Dining
Celebrate Thanksgiving with your favorite princesses!  Some regular menu items will be available plus these delicious Holiday offerings: Roasted Turkey with accompaniments; Mustard-glazed Salmon; Grilled Vegetable-stuffed Pasta; Grilled Pork Chop; Traditional Kjottkake; Pizza, Hot Digs, Cheese Ravioli, and Children Portion Turkey Dinner.

Garden Grill
Dine with Mickey,Pluto, Chip and Dale decked out in their farmer gear as you dine on a delicious Holiday meal grown fresh in the greenhouses downstairs.  In addition to regular menu items, including the following holiday menu items: Basket of Warm Breads with Maple Butter, “Living with the Land” Harvest-inspired Farmers Salad, Char-grilled Beef Strip Loin with Herb Sea Salt, Roasted All Natural Turkey Breast with Cranberry-Orange Relish, Sustainable Fish of the Day with Florida Citrus Crumb, Garden Fresh Vegetables, Smashed Potatoes, Turkey Dressing, Freshly Baked Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp (Dessert is subject to change) with Hand-whipped Vanilla Bean Cream.

Magic Kingdom® Park
Liberty Tree Tavern
Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast in the colonial setting of Liberty Square.  The Patriot’s Platter features Roasted Turkey Breast, Carved Beef, and Sliced Pork with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Bread Stuffing, and Macaroni & Cheese.

Tony’s Town Square
A special Thanksgiving Entree including Turkey with Marsala Mushroom Gravy, Cornbread Sausage Sage Stuffing, Romano Leek Mash, and Green Beans will be served in addition to the regular menu in the restaurant influenced by the famous spaghetti scene in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp.

In addition to these great offerings* at the four main theme parks, several options are available at the Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels and in the Downtown Disney® Area.  Reservations are highly recommended.  Contact your Magic Maker today for more information regarding dining reservations.

*Menu offerings subject to change without notice.  A holiday surcharge may be added to the regular price of buffet dining.  The above list is just a small sample of restaurants at the Walt Disney World® Resort where you can find the turkey and dressing.  Other restaurants and dining locations may or may not serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal.