Disney Cruise Line Castaway Cay 5k Race Review

written by runnergirl training

The Castaway Cay 5k race is amazing! It is the 5k race on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Disney Cruise Line has several cruises that visit the island from Florida and Galveston, Texas ports.

When you board the ship make a stop at Guest Services and pick up your ticket to the Castaway Cay 5k. The ticket allows you to enter the race. There is not additional cost to run the race, it is included in the cost of the cruise. The meeting spot and time for the race will be printed on the tickets. The morning of the Castaway Cay port stop meet in the location printed on the ticket.

Make sure to bring with you to the meeting place your Key To The World card & picture ID (driver’s license or passport). Also, if you aren’t planning on return to the ship after the race then bring a bag with your beach day gear. There is a large wooden box at the start of the race to hold your bag or gear.

The meeting on the ship will check in participants, collect tickets & review the course map. Those with children to be dropped off at Scuttle’s Cove (the supervised kids area at Castaway Cay) will drop them off when everyone walks toward the starting line. 

The walk from the ship to the startling is a bit of a lengthy distance. Think of it as a warm up to the race.

All race participants will line up at the starting line. The Disney cast member coordinating the race will let the group know where the water will be located on the course. It may be a water cooler on the course & cups of water at the start of the course along the old airstrip. 

The course is once around a paved circle path with dense foliage along the sides, then out and back down a wide paved old airstrip & a second time around the circle.

The race starts in the ballpark 8:30-9am so remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, etc. There is not any shade on the entire course.

After you complete the race you will receive a Castaway Cay 5k medal at the finish line! Race merchandise is located in a shop right next to the finish line. There are also nearby restrooms to change into beach attire. The restaurants did not open until 11am so you may want to bring a post race snack. There is plenty to do after the race at the beaches (swimming, snorkeling, playing in the sand) and shopping at the little shops. They sell Castaway Cay 5k race, regular Castaway Cay & Disney merchandise.

I had dreamed about running the Castaway Cay 5k race for a long time & it truly was a fun experience! I hope you will be able to have the opportunity to also check it out someday!