How to Sail Your Way Through the Castaway Cay 5k!
Did you know you can start your day on Castaway Cay via your running shoes? I got to participate in the Castaway Cay 5k on my last visit to Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. If you like to run or walk, don’t miss this event! Disney Cruise Line has embraced the popularity of running events with their guests and has partnered with Run Disney to make the event fun and accessible to cruisers lucky enough to sail to Castaway Cay. So here’s the run down…
What: A 5k running event on Castaway Cay the morning you are scheduled to dock on the island.
Who: Anyone 10 years and older who wants to see the island first thing and burn off some of the amazing food you’ve been enjoying on your cruise.
How: You can sign up at the terminal before you board the ship or by visiting Guest Services or the Port Adventures desk once onboard. This run does fill up quickly so grab your spot as soon as you can. There is no cost to participate!
Where: The course starts by Pelican Point and winds its way through the island airstrip, before jetting across for a peak at Serenity Bay (the adults-only area) and then taking you back to the starting point.
Why: In addition to starting off on the right foot, you’ll earn a medal which makes for a great souvenir!
Here’s what to expect the morning of: Likely the day before, you’ll get a message on the Disney Cruise Line app informing you when and where to meet on the ship. During this pre-run meeting, the cast members will go through the race course, have you sign a liability waiver and hand out race bibs. Make sure you bring your ID! As a group, you’ll disembark from the ship and make your way towards the starting line. Enjoy a one-mile warm-up walk with great views of the beach and island photo “ops”. Be sure you (or someone from your traveling party who you’ll meet up with later) grabs a complimentary towel at the distribution location just off the ship as this is the only spot to pick one up.
If you have kids younger than 10, you’ll be able to drop them off at Scuttle’s Cove along your walk to the course. Scuttle’s Cove is the supervised kids club on the island included with your Disney Cruise experience. Feel good about the fact that everyone you are traveling with will be entertained for the morning!
Once you arrive at the starting point, there is a tub to store your beach gear and other necessities for the day. I highly recommend not going back to the ship after the run as you’ll waste precious island time! So, either bring your beach bag, or make sure your friends and family who you’ll be meeting up with later, pack it with them.
Pro tip: bring an extra bag for your sweaty and sandy running clothes and shoes to keep separate from everything else. There are plenty of changing areas to utilize post-race.
The Cast Member will announce the start of the race and soon you’ll be off. Enjoy the well-marked course and make sure you stop at both water stations as conditions are going to be hot. Pick up your medal once you finish and make sure you snap some photos!
And now it’s time to celebrate your accomplishment by taking a trip down the Pelican Plunge waterslides, enjoying your toes in the sand and grabbing an ice-cream cone!
Ready to set sail on a Disney Cruise Line Adventure? Let me help you plan your next adventure!
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