If you are following the trip report, you can find Day One HERE Day Two HERE Day Four HERE
Day three (Saturday) was one we had been looking forward to as we were going to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay (pronounced Castaway KEY). In our original plans, we had booked a cabana for the day on the island. The cabana is surprisingly expensive. But the reviews we heard were awesome and so we thought we'd try it. Well, as the planning continued, we weren't sure that a cabana with a three-year-old and five-year-old was the best thing. Would we ever get to enjoy the comfortable chairs in the cabana? HA! Our kids would probably have us on the go all the time. And since we live 20 minutes from the beach everyday, we decided that if we were sitting for more than 15 minutes on the island, then we weren't using the time on the island the best way we could. I think it was a good decision to cancel the cabana...you'll read why. I got up around 6:30 AM while everyone was still sleeping and went to the gym. I ran a mile on the treadmill (if you know anything about me and my workout habits, I HATE the treadmill). As mile 2 was starting, I was wondering...why am I on a treadmill, I think there is a running deck on this boat?? In fact, I think my muster drill station was on the track. So I went looking for the running track (good thing there wasn't an emergency and I was supposed to be at my muster station). It was down on deck 4. I ran another mile on that track. The boat was still cruising. I had forgotten how much I love running on a moving ship! 2.5 times around the track and you've run a mile. While running, I got to see the boat coming into port at Castaway Cay. We had been told to get off the boat as soon as we could because the beach chairs would fill up fast. We were also told to get off at the second tram stop -- not the first. Our family was ready; we got off the boat at 8:30 AM. We got on the tram and took it to the second stop. This was Pelican's Plunge. We got beach chairs in the first row, set out our sand toys, and were ready to go. TravelMan and B went over to do the slides out in the ocean. This was a 38" height requirement...so M didn't get to go. There was basically no line for these slides. It was the perfect way to start the day. After a few times sliding, B got a mouth full of saltwater and that ended sliding for awhile. While B and TravelMan were sliding, M and I went to the splash area on the island. This is a play area with fresh water. M had decided he was hungry around 9:30. This became problematic as I went to three stores looking to buy him something -- a bag of chips, pretzels, candy -- and there was NOTHING! All the workers kept telling me there would be lunch from 11:30 to 2:30. Well, that is not helpful when your three-year-old is hungry at 9:30. I wasn't sure what I was going to do and almost considered going back to the boat. But at Cookies Two (one of the BBQ stations), I spotted some fruit that was supposed to be decoration. Well, the bananas on that decoration became a snack for M. LOL! TRAVEL TIP: If you get off the boat early like we did, pack a snack...even if you ate breakfast like we did...because there really is no food available until 11:30. Once M had his snack and B and TravelMan were done sliding, we went on a walk to explore the island. While gone, we found a smoothie station. The boys thought they were "cool" because of the coconut cups you were given. We found Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto and took photos with all of them. We also checked out the kids' zone on the island. I must say that I was impressed with the kids' zone on the boat but not the kids' zone on the island. I was thankful that we had not planned to leave our kids so that we could go on an excursion, because I don't know that I would have liked leaving them there. By the time we got back to our chairs, the beach was PACKED with people!!! It was 11:30 so lunch was starting to be served. We went to Cookies Two to get a BBQ lunch. It was probably the best meal I had on the cruise. And it was a hamburger...LOL! After lunch, B wanted to be a part of the hermit crab races. We were crab #6; B named him "Hook, Hook" after Captain Hook. Well, it didn't matter how much we cheered for Hook, Hook...he slept during the first three heats of the racing. On the last heat, he did wake up and came in third place (which did nothing for us - wink). We still had a busy day of things we wanted to do, so we headed back to the ship. For our time spent on the island, we are thankful we didn't pay an additional $500 for a Disney cabana. When we were on the island, we were exploring. And we wanted to do things back on the boat...so we didn't stay on the island for the alotted time...which was until 5 PM.
We went back to the boat and headed straight to the pool. The pools weren't nearly as crowded as the day before and the line for the AquaDuck was about 10 to 15 minutes. There was virtually no line for the Mickey slide. We were happy campers.
After playing for awhile, we went back to the room to clean up. We still had lots on our agenda. We went to the semi-private reception put on by the concierge team. Pluto was there with no waiting for us. It was super sunny and the boys could barely stand to look at the camera because of the brightness from the sun. (That was the only negative to this reception on the sundeck.) Next, we headed to Disney's show Believe. It was really cute (and a little pulling on the heartstrings). The last night's dinner was at Royal Palace. It was elegant; yet, fun. Next was one of the best things we did...Thanks to a recommendation of my friend, we put our bathing suits on right after dinner. B got into pin trading during this cruise, so we quickly went to deck 3 where the cruise ship was having a "pin trading event".
And then we headed to the Mickey pool and AquaDuck. There was no line for the AquaDuck slide. I think TravelMan and B rode it six times in a row. And our family had the Mickey pool all to ourselves!! Something unheard of after it being so packed during the days. Some people describe the pool as "human soup"...we felt blessed.
Things on the pool deck were closing around 8:30. We headed to our room to pack. All of our luggage had to be in the hallway by 10:30 that night. TRAVEL TIP: Since our cruise, Disney has changed the schedule. If you have the 6 PM dining, then you go to the show at 8:30 PM. That will really put a damper on our swimming plans for the next trip. So watch your Navigation schedule closely when you go to see if you can figure out an evening swim. NEW UPDATE: It is my understanding the pools are closed in the evenings. I haven't confirmed but this is disappointing news if it is true.
When we got back to our room, look what was waiting for the boys on their beds -- pillowcases signed by a lot of the characters. TRAVEL TIP: It is my understanding that Disney no longer does this. What ashamed! It was a great souvenir for us to take home!
We all fell into bed between 9:30 to 10 -- exhausted! But in a good way. It had been an unbelievable trip. It went by WAYYYYY TOOOOOO FASSSSTTTT!
TravelLady Rating: After days one, two, & three of the ship, I continue to recommend it for traveling with your kids!