Castaway Cay Cookies Too Review

How Did the Kids Clubs Make a Difference for Our Family?

I had a lot of questions about the kids clubs before our sailing, especially since my 5 year old is usually pretty reserved around new groups.

I was honestly blown away by how much both my boys loved the Disney Treasure kids activities, especially the Marvel Super Hero Academy in the Oceaneer Club.

The way Disney sets up their kids clubs is really parent friendly; little ones from ages 3 to 12 can go to the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, where the staff is both enthusiastic and patient, and the check-in and check-out procedures are super smooth.

My 5 year old, who hardly ever wants to be away from us, actually begged to go back to the Marvel Academy; he got to train like a superhero and interact with cast members dressed as actual Marvel characters.

Our 3 year old, who is much more outgoing, had just as much fun joining art projects and dance parties—the club felt genuinely safe, so we never had a second thought about leaving them for a bit.

The wristband system made it easy for parents to know exactly where their kids were at all times, and the club crew took our food allergy questions seriously and even made my son’s day by remembering his favorite snacks when he came back in later.

Oceaneer Club has different themed rooms—Marvel, Fairytale Hall, Star Wars Cargo Bay, and a Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck room—so kids could pick their favorites or just bounce between them.

I’m still laughing at how my 5 year old tried to convince us to go get massages or cocktails each evening just so he could go back to his “superhero training.”

The clubs do require parents to register their kids on the first day, but after that, our boys would happily run right in whenever the doors opened.

If your kids are under three, there is a separate nursery (It’s a Small World Nursery) available for an extra charge, but since both our guys were old enough, we didn’t need it this time.

I saw older kids and teens hanging out at Edge and Vibe, the tween and teen clubs, so if you have big kids or a mixed-age crew, there’s something for everyone.

As a family who values quality time together, it genuinely surprised us how much the independence my kids had in the club gave us all a break and made the trip more fun.

If you want even more ideas for bonding with your kids at home, check out our guide on games to play with kids.

How Was the Food and Dining Experience for Families?

To say we ate well on the Disney Treasure would be an understatement.

Rotational dining is where you rotate through three unique main restaurants, but your serving team comes with you every night and remembers your favorites and allergies, which makes the whole thing feel both luxurious and homey at the same time.

We didn’t have a single bad meal—every night’s dinner was different and memorable, and the kids menus were varied enough that my picky 5 year old actually tried (and liked!) new things.

Themed restaurants like Worlds of Marvel and 1923 are full of entertaining moments and surprises—I will never forget the look on both boys’ faces when their dessert was served with a light show or a Marvel video played at the table.

There were always classic choices for the kids (mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, spaghetti) alongside more adventurous options for us.

We also stopped at Hei Hei Cafe for espresso martinis and pistachio lattes every single day—shoutout to Kevin, the barista, who quickly figured out our order and always made us feel extra welcome.

If you’re a fellow coffee lover, do not miss this spot—it became a daily ritual for us.

Room service is free and so handy, especially on those mornings when the kids are up early or just too worn out for another restaurant meal.

We also loved the poolside quick service spots, where my 3 year old fell in love with soft serve and my wife enjoyed getting healthier grab-and-go options.

Disney accommodates allergies and special diets incredibly well—just let your server know, and they’ll go out of their way to help.

Pro tip: If you want to treat the family, make sure to order the famous Castaway Cay Cookies Too cookies either at dessert in the main dining room or request room service.

They are massive, chocolatey, and hit the perfect sweet spot after a day on deck or on the island.

If you want to recreate a bit of that magic at home, they are similar to the giant Disney Parks cookies that are all over social media—chewy, chocolate-studded, and absolutely addictive.

If you’re traveling with picky eaters, don’t worry—Disney’s food service team goes above and beyond to help families customize meals.

What Did We Learn About Pools, Waterslides, and Water Fun?

The pools and splash zones were a major highlight for our family.

Disney Treasure has multiple pools, including the AquaMouse water coaster, splash pads for younger kids, and family pools that never felt overcrowded.

My boys could not get enough of the splash pads, especially the themed water play area for kids in swim diapers, which meant we could actually relax without having to hover too much.

The AquaMouse lived up to the hype and did look intimidating at first (especially if your kids are small), but even my 5 year old was able to ride with me and found it more fun than scary.

We always brought reusable swim diapers and puddle jumpers, which made the day go so much smoother since pool shop prices for these items were, not surprisingly, higher on the ship.

The adult-only areas looked amazing (quiet pool, bar service, no splashing), but honestly, our youngest kids wanted us in the thick of things most of the time, so we spent our pool hours together.

Even during peak hours on sea days, we never felt packed in or had trouble finding a lounge chair, which I was not expecting on a family cruise ship.

I appreciated that the lifeguards were super attentive, and they seemed genuinely invested in making sure every kid had a safe and fun experience.

If you want to maximize your pool time without melting in the sun, start early or take a late afternoon swim—midday was typically the only time things felt even remotely busy.

If your family loves active fun together, you might also like our picks for board games for family nights once you get home from all the splashing.

What Makes Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay Special for Families?

Unexpectedly visiting both Castaway Cay and the brand new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point was the highlight of our cruise for all four of us.

Castaway Cay is classic Disney—pristine beaches, a water play area with slides, family-friendly activities, and Castaway Cay Cookies Too cookies at lunch (which are as good as everyone says).

There are free towels and chairs (no need to pack your own), and kids can build sandcastles, play in the lagoon, and even spot Captain Jack Sparrow or Olaf walking by.

The trams made it easy to get around with little ones and we found plenty of shady spots, which was extra important for keeping my toddler from overheating.

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point felt a bit newer and less crowded, with a more relaxed vibe, beautiful scenery, and a huge splash pad that my 3 year old didn’t want to leave.

I recommend water shoes for the whole family because the sand can get hot in the afternoon and there are some rockier spots near the shore.

The lunch buffets on both islands were actually even better than we expected—fresh fruit, barbecue, burgers, and plenty of choices for kids and adults.

If you want to try snorkeling, tubes, or bikes, you can book those in advance but we found just splashing in the shallow water and exploring totally perfect for our boys’ ages.

My youngest loved answering trivia about Disney movies at the family beach party, while my older son kept closing his eyes and telling us he could still “feel the ship moving” even though we were on land—the magic kept going even off the boat.

The islands could easily be an entire vacation by themselves and are a perfect way to let kids run wild while parents get to relax.

More than anything, it felt safe, easy, and judgment-free—everyone had tired, sandy, happy kids by the end of the day.

Did Entertainment and Onboard Activities Live Up to Expectations?

Every evening, there was something new and genuinely entertaining for the whole family.

The Broadway-style shows blew us away—Disney puts serious effort into the singing, costumes, and effects, and both our boys sat through entire shows despite their usual wiggly attention spans.

The shows highlight a mix of classic Disney stories and new favorites, so it is easy for everyone to find something they love.

Watching my 5 year old experience Peter Pan on stage, after noticing the character on the ship’s stern earlier in the week, was seriously one of my favorite dad moments ever.

Disney does a great job slotting family-friendly movies and character greetings throughout the day; we regularly ran into favorites from Frozen, Toy Story, Marvel, and of course, Mickey himself.

Lines for characters move quickly, and the crew keeps it organized so you won’t wait forever for a photo.

Pirate Night turned out to be a huge deal—people dress up in pirate hats, custom shirts, and full costumes, and it feels like one giant themed party on the pool deck.

The kids loved the themed menu and games that night, and the fireworks at sea were more magical than I expected (even watching from our stateroom window with sleepy kids felt special).

If your group likes casual fun, the daily trivia, deck parties, and Hero Zone activities are all included and easy to pop into last minute.

The Hero Zone inflatable obstacle course was a massive hit for my kids, especially later in the day when crowds thinned—my 3 year old kept tumbling down the stairs but just laughed every time, and the crew kept him happy and safe.

The Navigator app is a huge help for keeping track of what’s happening when—my wife and I used it nonstop.

If your family is looking for ideas to keep big groups entertained at home with that same carefree spirit, our favorite party games for large groups might be helpful for inspiration.

Did Our Staterooms and Decorations Feel Like Home?

We chose a family-sized stateroom with a port window on deck 2, and honestly, it was more comfortable than I expected with two little boys running around.

The beds are surprisingly cozy, there is more storage than you would think, and having a split bathroom design with a separate tub/shower made bedtime after the pools much smoother.

One of my favorite little traditions was decorating our room door—Disney encourages guests to use magnets for custom signs, pirate flags, and character artwork.

Not only did our kids love picking out their own magnets before the trip, but they also got random treats and small gifts from other passengers who were doing something called fish extenders.

We did not know about fish extenders until after boarding—it’s a little gift exchange you can sign up for through Facebook groups in advance—so we missed out on participating officially, but our boys still received random goodies just for having a decorated door.

Next time, we will definitely sign up; the sense of community it added was amazing.

If you want connecting rooms for extended families, there are plenty available, and it seems a lot of multi-generational groups request these.

The stateroom felt like a private oasis but was never far from an elevator or the action, so we could quickly pop back when someone needed a nap or a change of clothes.

If you want to bring fun games for those times when your crew needs downtime between activities, check out ideas for calm and relaxing games to play together.

What Packing Tips and Family Advice Help Most?

Looking back, I wish I had packed a bit differently for our first Disney cruise with two kids under six.

The most important thing to bring, in my opinion, is plenty of magnetic hooks, an over-the-door organizer, and door magnets—these keep everyone’s stuff tidy in tight quarters and make your room stand out in the halls.

Water bottles you can refill for excursions or island days are a game changer, and basic first-aid and sunscreen come in handy because the shops are pricey for those items.

Costumes or matching outfits for Pirate Night or restaurant themes really add to the fun; we didn’t realize most families go all out until it was too late, so I’ll be planning better next time (themed shirts, Mickey ears, even simple pirate bandanas can make kids feel included).

If your kids nap, bring a white noise machine or download a white noise app—the hallway can get energetic in the evenings during shows and parties.

Because there’s so much food included, we rarely needed snacks, but we were glad to have Ziplocks and small Tupperware for fruit or sandwiches to have handy in the room during downtime.

Packing reusable swim diapers, rash guards, hats, and water shoes saved us more money than almost anything else, especially for the pool and the islands.

A small stroller for tired legs really helps on long port days but double-check if your model fits through the stateroom doorway.

For Disney-specific items like autograph books, festive magnets, and fish extender exchange gadgets, look online beforehand for cute sets—these sell out quickly on the ship or cost a premium.

Make sure to bring extra cash for tips—Disney includes some gratuities but their crew goes above and beyond, and you can always add more at Guest Services (and should if you get especially great service!).

Another lesson learned: always give “Excellent” ratings on end-of-cruise surveys because only perfect scores help the crew with promotions, perks, and future opportunities—“Very Good” is treated as just okay in Disney’s system.

What Did We Actually Spend Time Doing as Adults?

One of the pleasant surprises for me and my wife was how much alone time we had thanks to the kids clubs.

Knowing both boys were safe and genuinely happy at Marvel Super Hero Academy or the crafts rooms in Oceaneer Club let us check out some of the Disney Treasure experiences just for adults.

Hei Hei Cafe became our daily oasis—Kevin, the barista, always greeted us with a smile and remembered our orders.

My wife and I looked forward to escaping for an espresso martini together at least twice a day, and we even tried the pistachio latte which became a fast favorite.

Even with thousands of people onboard, the adults-only lounges and bars felt peaceful, never noisy or awkward to sit and talk in.

For couples thinking about a spa appointment: my wife was tempted by the Senses Spa massages, and next time we are absolutely booking one while the kids are loving life in the club.

You can also grab a quiet dinner or drinks at adult-exclusive spots on board if you want to turn an evening into a mini date night.

We noticed a lot of parents doing exactly that—so do not hesitate to use the clubs for some couple time, especially after bedtime routines when the club stays open late.

How Smooth Was Embarkation, Debarkation, and Using the Navigator App?

The check-in and embarkation process at Port Canaveral was much smoother than I expected with a toddler and preschooler in tow.

Disney staff guided us every step, and security never felt overwhelming—they were extra patient with the kids and seemed genuinely excited for us to board.

Having our stateroom ready early let us stash luggage and change the boys into pool clothes right away.

The Navigator app is essential; it let us see our daily schedule, dining rotations, activity times, show start times, and even helped us message each other on board for free.

We used it constantly to coordinate, keep track of Pirate Night, book character greetings, and adjust plans around naps or downtime.

Debarkation at the end of the cruise was just as organized, with plenty of space for families to wait, crew helping with bags, and priority for young kids or anyone needing extra help.

If you plan to book a port excursion or shuttle, be sure to reserve early through the app, since the popular tours can fill up weeks before the trip.

Our only hiccup was our planned stop in Jamaica being cancelled—Disney pivoted quickly, gave us both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay on back-to-back days, and refunded the lost port charges.

Having the app helped with those quick changes and made it easy to fill the days with spontaneous activities.

What Did We Love About Themed Nights and Matching Outfits?

We found out only after boarding how much pirate costumes and themed outfits add to the themed nights on a Disney cruise.

Pirate Night brought everyone together—families in matching t-shirts, dresses with parrots, full Jack Sparrow costumes, and little ones waving glow sticks.

Even the dining rooms join the party with themed menus and servers in costume.

My 3 year old just wanted the bandana from dinner, but my 5 year old was fascinated by the fireworks at sea and whispered that he wanted to be Peter Pan next time.

We brought a few Disney shirts and stashed them in our luggage, but now we want to step it up with matching family pirate outfits or character-inspired looks for restaurant nights—something we saw many other families do with pride.

The themed nights really break up the week and give you memories that photos barely do justice.

If your kids love a particular character, ordering a simple dress-up piece or t-shirt in advance goes a long way for making them feel part of the magic.

Don’t stress if you do not have everything perfect, though—Disney provides pirate bandanas for everyone on Pirate Night, and the atmosphere is all about fun over perfection.

Between dressing up at sea and family board game nights at home, we always look for ways to bring everyone together which is why our guide on family board games might come in handy for your next themed night.

Practical Lessons Learned From Cruising Disney Treasure With Young Kids

One of my biggest takeaways: pack light, but bring all the basics for easy, kid-friendly days—reusable water bottles, snacks, and zip-up swim gear go a long way.

We met so many generous parents sharing sunscreen, stickers, extra wipes, or pirate tattoos with new friends, which turned surprise meltdowns into quick bonding moments.

Decorating the door with magnets is more than just a craft—it’s how our shy son made little connections with strangers and how we met other families who were quick with helpful tips.

Don’t worry about the crowds; Disney does an incredible job controlling flow and lines, making it easy to jump from a character meet to a pool and then straight to a snack without stress.

Be ready for some tired, emotional kiddos by the time dinner is done; the best thing we did was let our boys take breaks whenever they needed and not try to squeeze in too many late activities.

During fireworks, if your little ones are exhausted like ours, remember you can still see the show from your own stateroom window (the port side on lower decks had great views for us, with bedtime pajamas already on).

It blew my mind that Disney even makes their fireworks fish-friendly by using fish food in the shells—that level of detail is everywhere on the ship.

My kids ran themselves into the ground at the Hero Zone obstacle course, making friends from all over the world, while my wife and I had time to actually enjoy quiet moments together.

It is possible to have both an unforgettable family adventure and moments of real relaxation—even if you are usually a homebody or if your kids struggle with change.

Would We Book Another Disney Cruise—And What Would We Do Differently?

After our experience on Disney Treasure, the answer is absolutely yes—our family is already pricing out future sailings.

The overall value felt incredible, especially since almost everything is included (meals, kids clubs, entertainment, pools), and the level of service made every day feel low-stress.

If you’re on the fence about bringing kids as young as ours (3 and 5), I can genuinely say it was one of the best decisions we have made for family memories.

We will book earlier next time to get our first choice of stateroom and to sign up for things like fish extenders and pre-booked activities before boarding.

Packing earlier and putting more thought into fun, matching outfits for themed nights and restaurants will definitely be a priority (lesson learned the fun way!).

I’m going to bring extra spending money for gratuities and gifts for the crew—Disney’s automatic tips are good, but the crew members truly make the cruise magical and deserve something extra.

I also plan to bring autograph books, more family magnets, and perhaps a starter set for fish extenders to help the boys make more friends on board.

Next time, we are also going to be more intentional about scheduling downtime so the whole family gets moments to catch their breath and savor the magic.

If you’re looking for ideas to pass the time on rainy stateroom afternoons or want educational fun for your own crew, browsing our list of games that are both fun and educational is a great place to start.

Our first Disney cruise turned every worry about crowds, food, and fussy kids into favorite memories—we laughed, ate, relaxed, dressed up, and left with a family that is already plotting the next adventure at sea.

Cruising with Disney Treasure is more than just transportation to an island—it genuinely is its own floating, stress-free family celebration that we’re not sure anything else can match.