Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is a Cabana?

A cabana is a small shelter near a beach or pool, intended to provide shade and comfortable seating. And when it comes to Disney Cruise Line, you’ll find those cabanas at the beaches on their private ports: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. The DCL cabanas at these port stops aren’t just places to get out of the sun; they come with amenities and service. And they’ll probably be one of the most in-demand (albeit pricey!) bookings on your cruise. Here’s what to know about why you might want one, and whether you can reasonably expect to get one.

Note: Do not confuse the island cabanas with the pool-deck buffet on the Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy, named “Cabanas.” This dining location is included in the price of your cruise for all guests. No reservations are necessary.

At both ports, Disney offers both family cabanas and cabanas located in the adults-only Serenity Bay area. The huts are set away from the main beaches and are built with comfy seating, a hammock, a small safe, and a freshwater shower. You’ll also find them stocked with sunscreen, towels, fresh fruit and snacks, a mini-fridge with soda and water, and snorkel equipment and sand toys. Plus, each cabana comes with an included hour of bike rental per guest. On the service front, you’ll have a cabana host to bring you adult beverages (you’ll pay for these), and a private golf cart or tram ride to your cabana.

Cabanas come in two sizes: standard cabanas that hold up to 10 people, and grand cabanas that hold up to 16. At Castaway Cay, you’ll find 21 Family Cabanas at the Family Beach (20 standard and 1 grand), 30 Family Cabanas at Mickey & Minnie Cove (29 standard and 1 grand), and 6 adults-only (18+) standard cabanas at Serenity Bay. Over at Lookout Cay, there are 20 Family Cabanas at Mabrika Cove (16 standard and 4 grand), and 6 adults-only Cabanas at Serenity Bay (4 standard and 2 grand).

Now let’s talk pricing, because Disney Cruise Line Cabanas are not cheap. If you’ve been thinking that these cabanas sound awesome, the cost might be where your cabana dreams die off. Base prices vary depending on the season and the type of cabana you’re booking. Here are some sample prices:

Castaway Cay Cabana Pricing Examples

• Family Cabanas at the Family Beach: $935 for up to 6 guests
• Family Cabanas at Mickey & Minnie Cove: $935 for up to 6 guests
• Grand Family Cabana at the Family Beach: ~$1,200 for up to 10 guests
• Grand Family Cabana at Mickey & Minnie Cove: $1,320 for up to 12 guests
• Serenity Bay: $555 for up to 4 guests

Additional guests can be added to those base prices until the cabana capacity is reached: infants 0-2 are free, and for ages 3+ it’s $56 per person. Prices at Lookout Cay are slightly higher, but not enough that the difference is likely to be your make-or-break point.

If your budget is still ready for this splurge, there’s one more hurdle: it can be almost impossible to book one unless you’re in a concierge stateroom or have a high Castaway Club status. You’ll find the option to book a cabana under Port Adventures, which means that you can get started when your booking window opens and your cruise is paid in full. But with under 50 cabanas available on Lookout Cay, and only a few more on Castaway Cay, you can see why they get snapped up early by high-status cruisers with earlier booking windows.

If you’re shut out of a cabana, there is good news. The beaches on Disney’s private islands are lovely. There are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas, and bartenders still offer beverage service right to your seat. All the amenities included with a cabana are still available, although they will cost a bit extra. And although the cabanas are wonderful, they’re meant to be secluded. You might find that you actually prefer to be closer to the other activities available at your port stop.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!