I’m sure you’ve all heard that Disney has a private island in the Bahamas, right? Castaway Cay is a little slice of heaven on earth. So many things to love – starting with walking right off the ship onto the island, no need for a tender over.
Each stop at Disney’s private island offers a Castaway Cay 5k race. Registration is free to all cruise guests 10 years or older. To register, you must go to Guest Services on-board (I recommend going on your arrival day).
Information on how to sign up in your daily navigator that you receive at check-in
Information on where to meet for the Castaway Cay 5k will be in your Daily Navigator left in your room the night before porting at Castaway Cay. Runners (and walkers!) usually meet at one of the lounges onboard around 8:00am to get instructions and their race bib. You will then all exit the ship together and walk the nearly one mile trek (yes, before you even start the Castaway Cay 5k!) to the start line. As mentioned above, participants must be at least 10 years old. If you have children who can’t (or don’t want to) participate, you can drop them off at kids clubs on the island on your way to the start line. You can also run/walk with a stroller if you have younger ones.
Once you arrive at the start line, there is a large container where you can drop your belongings until you have completed the Castaway Cay 5k. There are no chips for official times, but there is a clock so you can see your unofficial time (the start line is also the finish line). Castaway’s course has a loop (that you will run through twice – it is the bike loop people use when renting bikes on the island) and a straight section called the “airstrip.” The airstrip does get very hot, as there is no shade whatsoever, so this section can be brutal – thankfully it’s just a short section and the loop has some shade. The course is paved and pretty flat (thank goodness!) and there is one water station on the loop that you will pass twice.
The Start and Finish Line!
I am not a runner. I run the occasional 5K with my husband (usually for a cute medal, lol). You do not have to be a runner to participate in the 5k! There are plenty of people who walk or some (like me) who do a combination of running/walking. Everyone gets a medal at the finish line and it’s a great way to see some of the island that you might not normally see. A lot of people get off the ship and secure a chair at the first section of beach and miss out on a lot of other things. Plus you can be guilt free while having all-you-can-eat at the buffet since you completed your daily exercise!
Things to Remember:
Register at Guest Services on your arrival day
Wear a hat/sunglasses and cool clothing – it gets hot!
There is no official timing, but everyone gets an awesome souvenir medal
Have you ran the Castaway Cay 5K? What are your thoughts? The 5k is on my list of must-do’s for your first Disney cruise. Check out my other must-do’s here!