Castaway Cay: Difference between revisions
Bogdangiusca (talk | contribs) m rem superfluous cat |
additions include why ships do not stay after dark. (often a major source of frustration for guests) and inclusion of Flying Dutchman. (my 1st contribution. please advise if it is appropriate) |
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Disney maintains a staff of 40 custodians, boat captains, drivers, landscapers and maintenance personnel who live on the island. They are complemented by members of the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic crew to serve the islands guests when the ship is in port. Food and other supplies are brought in by the ships themselves both with food and other supplies. Each ship connects to a fiber optic link at the dock to provide data services to the island and allow guests to charge souvenirs, equipment rentals, massages or other purchases back to their cabins. |
Disney maintains a staff of 40 custodians, boat captains, drivers, landscapers and maintenance personnel who live on the island. They are complemented by members of the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic crew to serve the islands guests when the ship is in port. Food and other supplies are brought in by the ships themselves both with food and other supplies. Each ship connects to a fiber optic link at the dock to provide data services to the island and allow guests to charge souvenirs, equipment rentals, massages or other purchases back to their cabins. |
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Due to the dynamic (animated?) and expansive insect population, Disney Cruises generally depart before sunset. Itineraries will determine the exact departure time. Papabear 16:53, 25 October 2006 (UTC) |
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Currently the [[Flying Dutchman]] ([[Pirates of the Caribbean]] movies) is on display in the cay lagoon. It is positioned between the snorkeling areas on the family beaches and the mooring platform for the Cruise ships. |
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Papabear 16:53, 25 October 2006 (UTC) |
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Revision as of 16:53, 25 October 2006
| File:Disney's Castaway Cay.png | |
| Location | Disney Cruise Line, Castaway Cay, The Bahamas |
|---|---|
| Operated by | The Walt Disney Company |
| Theme | Private island |
Castaway Cay is a private island or "out island" in the Bahamas which serves as an exclusive port of call for the Disney Wonder and her sister ship the Disney Magic. The island, located at 26°05′N 77°32′W / 26.083°N 77.533°W and formerly known as Gorda Cay, is owned entirely by the Walt Disney Company in contrast to the eight islands leased by other cruise lines for similar purposes. This makes it easy for the company to control all aspects of the "show" put on by the "cast" or employees. The post office even has special Bahamas Disney stamps.
Disney is said to have spent $25,000,000 to develop and outfit the island, topping the $16 million spent by Holland America on Half Moon Cay, and the lesser efforts of other companies. As a result Castaway Cay has the most extensive facilities. Sea water is changed into pure water with reverse osmosis water processors. Construction took 18 months which included dredging 50,000 truckloads of sand from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The island is still largely undeveloped - only 55 of the 1000 acres are being used.
Like Disney resorts the island follows a theme, that of a castaway community with carefully planned buildings made to look as if they had been improvised after a shipwreck. However, all the facilities are spotlessly clean, like the Disney theme parks, and the many shops accept your stateroom key for payment much like in the theme parks.
The pier and its approaches were constructed specifically for the Disney ships, so that they could dock alongside easily, thus removing the need for tenders to get the passengers ashore. To create the mooring site for the ships, workers dredged sand from a 1,700-foot channel about 35 feet deep and ranging from 200 to 400 feet wide. The dredge material was used to build the landing island.
Like the other private islands there are no hawkers or panhandlers and crowd movement is planned in advance for organized beach parties and other events. The activities there are a major source of revenue for the cruise company, since most rentals, such as personal water craft, are not included in the price of the cruise.
Castaway Cay, like most Disney resorts, has extensive crew-only facilities, with private beaches and recreational areas. Crew Beach is a favorite location for cruise ship and cast employees to relax and be themselves away from the tourists during their precious few moments off. Each department takes turns hosting a lunch barbeque for the other Crew Members on the Crew Beach
Disney maintains a staff of 40 custodians, boat captains, drivers, landscapers and maintenance personnel who live on the island. They are complemented by members of the Disney Wonder or Disney Magic crew to serve the islands guests when the ship is in port. Food and other supplies are brought in by the ships themselves both with food and other supplies. Each ship connects to a fiber optic link at the dock to provide data services to the island and allow guests to charge souvenirs, equipment rentals, massages or other purchases back to their cabins.
Due to the dynamic (animated?) and expansive insect population, Disney Cruises generally depart before sunset. Itineraries will determine the exact departure time. Papabear 16:53, 25 October 2006 (UTC)
Currently the Flying Dutchman (Pirates of the Caribbean movies) is on display in the cay lagoon. It is positioned between the snorkeling areas on the family beaches and the mooring platform for the Cruise ships. Papabear 16:53, 25 October 2006 (UTC)
References
- Ward, Douglas ed.. Berlitz ocean cruising & cruise ships. London : Berlitz, 2003.
- Castaway Cay Disney Cruise Lines jobs
- satellite image (Google Maps)