Castaway Cay History

  • Gorda Cay, Bahamas

    • Round tropical island measuring 3.1 mile by 2.2-mile size

    • The name Gorda comes from the Spanish word for round based on the shape of the island

    • DCL signed a 99-year lease from the Bahamas government in 1997 to use the island

    • Good through 2096

    • Once signed the lease changed the name to Castaway Cay

    • Exclusive port for Disney Cruise Line ships

    • This private island was the first in the cruise industry where the ship docks to the island and not need a tender

    • Disney wanted to use the island for the movie Splash

    • It is the beach where Tom Hanks encounters a mermaid

    • Parts of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl movie were filmed on the island

  • History of the Island

    • Most of the world did not even know the island existed before 1950.

    • It was rumored that pirates would use the island to hide in the early 1700s because the island was located north of the trade route and with its hidden alcoves, it was a perfect spot to wait for passing ships.

    • Two treasure hunters from Nassau in the 1950 found on the island three coins and a 72-pound silver ingot. It is believed to have come from the San Pedro, a Spanish Galleon hauling treasure back to Spain that was sunk in 1733 which belonged to Spain's King Philip IV.

    • With the island being formed behind the reef, it allowed the island to be farmed from the famers from Abaco a Bahamian island only a few miles away. These farmers leased this island from the Bahamian government and lived on the southern side of the island.

  • Alvin Tucker

    • In the 1960’s Alvin flew over the island with a real estate agent and decided to purchase 150 acres of the island. Alvin enjoyed investing in tropical areas. Alvin was a businessman who quickly realized the only way currently at time of purchase to get to the island was via boat, therefore we decided to clear land for a 2400-foot runway. This runway is now used as a bike and running path to Serenity Bay.

    • Word got back to Alvin that his runway was used but drug trafficking people and he attempted to stop it but the authorities were in on it therefore Alvin slowly stopped coming to the island and eventually sold it.

  • Frank Barber

    • According to numerous newspapers articles the drug trafficking continued to get worse through the 1980s which even caused locals to stop going to the island because of many men with guns protecting the runway.

    • It was believed that Frank Barber an American man living in Florida was the mastermind behind all the trafficking on the runway and was the owner of the company that purchased the island from Alvin Tucker.

    • Frank Barber rented out time blocks of the runway to clients looking to bring goods to or through the island.  

    • In 1983, Frank went to jail for being involved with a drug bust on the island worth $100 million dollars of cocaine. He was sentenced to five years in jail, but he died while in there. Before going to jail Frank has plans to build on the island to entice tourists to visit.

    • Even when in jail the island continued to be used for drug smugglers but slowed down over time.

  • Disney Cruise Line Purchase

    • Lease signed in 1996 and for 99 years

    • 1997 the work started on the island

    • 18 months and $25 million dollars to develop the island

    • Dredged 50,000 truckloads of sand from the Atlantic Ocean to expand the beach areas

    • For the ships to dock on the island and not need a tender they dredged sand and blasted coral to form a 1700-foot channel about 35 feet deep and 200 – 400 feet wide at areas.

    • Castaway Cay was the first private island where the ships can dock directly on the island

    • Only 55 acres of the island are used which was part of the lease agreement

    • Opened for cruisers on July 30, 1998

  • Roughly 90 – 140 permanent Disney employees living on the island

  • Custodians, boat captains, drivers, landscapers, and maintenance

  • Some of the shops on the island are run by native Bahamians who come to the island daily to sell local items and Bahamian souvenirs

  • Cruise ships cast members come onto the island when they are docked there and work on the island during the day

  • Disney Castaway Cay researchers are restoring the health of coral reefs by transplanting long-spine sea urchins and fostering their growth. Disney Cruise Line Crew Members help protect and monitor endangered loggerhead sea turtle nests on Disney Castaway Cay.

  • There are solar panels backstage that fuel water heaters on the island, and Disney Cruise Line recycles 7,000 pounds of used cooking oil each week to power a fleet of Bahamas Waste Management vehicles.

  • Information from Castaway Cay

    • Theme of the island is the community is rebuilding after a shipwreck

    • Give you towels once off the ship

    • You can walk on the island or take the tram

      • If you walk you can see photo spots or character meet and greets many with the ship in the background

      • Tram lines can be long to get back to the ship

    • 3 retail locations

      • Typically, can only be found on the island

      • Sales tax on the island is quite high 12%

    • Castaway family beach is huge split into two, lots of chairs and hammocks, Pelican Plunge out in the water and has slides, kids must wear life jacket and swim out to it

    • Serenity Bay 18-year-old plus only, tram stop or very long walk, not as busy as family beach but the beach area is small and water area is quite rocky

    • Cabanas are located at both beaches, and they are very hard to reserve

    • 5K and receive a medal, it is done at your own pace, medals pick up is at the stand next to the bike rentals

    • Port adventures are sometimes weather specific on any of them leading to them be cancelled or modified, rent bikes,

    • Basketball hoops, table tennis, and pool table area in covered area

    • Kids have programs or drop off Scuttles Cove

    • Spring a leak is a water pad for kids

    • Cookies and Cookies 2 and Serenity Bay one (only difference is the steak) 11 am to 2 pm strict

    • Regular BBQ

    • Bars all over the island

    • Fun Fact

      • 2006 – 2010 Flying Dutchman in Castaway Cay lagoon

      • Snorkeling around the island you can find fun Disney touches in the water

        • Prince Eric statue, Boo’s Door, Dumbo ride vehicle from Walt Disney World, Treasure chest, Daisy figure head, 20,000 leagues under the sea submarine and Mickey Mouse

        • They are quite far out to find these

        • Must wear life jacket and can use your own snorkel gear

      • Family swim area is protected with nets and reefs to keep large fish and sharks out

    • Current CEO always has a sign on the island

  • Castaway Cay Facts

    • Pronounced ‘key’ and not ‘cay’ which is the Bahamian way

    • Located 26.04’608N 77.32’283W

    • Bahamian post office on the island will stamp your mail with one from Castaway Cay

    • Hidden from the view of guests are a sewage treatment plant and two facilities that turn sea water into fresh water

    • Cast members planted a gumbo limbo plant that is called tourist tree because is it red and peeling bark

    • Castaway Cay Challenge was added to the Walt Disney World Marathon series in 2015

Disney Legend of Castaway Cay

  • Click above to read about Disney’s storytelling about the origins of Castaway Cay