There's a lot to love about a day at Disney Castaway Cay. But if Pelican Plunge is the first thing your family wants to try, it's worth knowing that the floating waterslides have been closing for maintenance on some recent visits.
This isn't a change to the island itself, and it doesn't mean your ship is skipping Castaway Cay. It does mean one of its best-known water attractions might not be ready when you arrive.
What's happening at Pelican Plunge?
During a recent Disney Treasure visit, a reporter from WDW News Today found Pelican Plunge closed, with a work barge beside the platform and maintenance equipment around the slides. Workers were visible on and around the structure. That's a pretty clear sign of active repairs, although the exact work hasn't been confirmed.
Other guests have reported mixed experiences. Some found the slides open on earlier sailings, while others received closure messages through Disney Cruise Line's Navigator app shortly before their island day. Cruise Hive reported the latest complaints on 25 October, following an earlier period of closures in August.
So I'd be careful about treating any single reopening report as a guarantee for the next sailing. There isn't a confirmed date for the attraction to return to normal operation.
Why is this such a big deal for families?
Pelican Plunge isn't a huge waterpark. It's a floating play platform with two twisting waterslides that finish in the lagoon, plus water-play features. Guests swim out to reach it, and Disney says children must be at least 38 inches (about 97 cm) tall to use the slides.
For a child who's finally tall enough to try it, finding it closed can be a proper disappointment. I can understand that, especially when you've spent months looking forward to a Disney cruise.
But Castaway Cay still has its beaches, swimming areas and other island activities. The closure affects a particular attraction, not the whole private-island visit.
What should you do before your visit?
Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app as your Castaway Cay day approaches, and ask the onboard team for the latest status. If the slides are the highlight for your family, have a second activity in mind rather than promising they'll definitely be open.
There was also maintenance activity near part of the family beach during the Disney Treasure reporter's visit. That observation describes one sailing, not conditions across every future call, so it's worth asking about any areas affected on your own trip.
Personally, I'd still be excited for the island day. Just don't make Pelican Plunge the one thing the whole visit depends on. A little flexibility is much nicer than a disappointed face on the beach.
For more on the ships and destinations, explore our Disney Cruise Line guide and Caribbean cruise guide.
The maintenance work was observed and photographed by WDW News Today on a recent sailing. Cruise Hive reported passenger experiences on 25 October. Disney's official activities guide describes the slides and height requirement.
