One of the things I loved most about visiting Castaway Cay with Disney Cruise Line was running the Castaway Cay 5k. The good news is you can still run it! The bad (or good) news, depending on how you look at it, is that it’s no longer a group race with race bibs. It’s a run-your-own-race type of deal now.
What You Need to Know About the Castaway Cay 5k
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island, and it’s gorgeous. It is always the highlight of our Disney Cruises. When Disney Cruise Line docks at Castaway Cay, you can run or walk a 5K on the island. A 5k is 3.1 miles.
In years past, the Castaway Cay 5k was an organized run with registration, bibs, timers, Cast Members as chEARleaders and it felt like a mini runDisney race.
Because of some Covid restrictions, now in 2023 and 2024 the Castaway Cay 5k is a self-paced, run-when-you-want race.
When you get off at Castaway Cay, you can run or walk the 5K whenever you want.
Follow the race signs down the old airstrip on Castaway Cay. You’ll start by the bike rental booth and continue to follow the signs around the bike path and down by Serenity Bay a little bit.
How Do You Sign Up for the Castaway Cay 5K?
There is no registration process for the Castaway Cay 5K on Disney Cruise Line. Anybody can run the Castaway Cay 5K, no matter the age. There used to be an age restriction for the Castaway 5k, but younger kids can now run, too.
Once you’re off your ship, you choose the time when you want to run and then head to the start line by the Bike Rental hut. You’ll see 5k markers along the way to direct you. Some of the Castaway Cay 5K race course is shared by the bike paths, so just be careful for bikers, too.
How Much Does it Cost to Run the Castaway Cay 5K?
Nothing, it’s free! The Castaway Cay 5K is free to run for all guests of Disney Cruise Line who stop at Castaway Cay.
Are There Water Stations on the Castaway Cay 5K Race Course?
There are water stations set up along the course for runners and bikers. If you wait until later in the day to run, sometimes the water jugs are down to their last drops.
Castaway Cay 5K Medal 2023
Don’t you worry, there are still Disney Cruise Line medals for the Castaway Cay 5k on Disney’s private island! And the Castaway Cay 5K Medal in 2023 is cute, too. Once you complete the 5k (running or walking), you can collect your medal at the Bike Rental Station. It’s based on the honor system, so if you put in the miles, then you deserve that medal, well rubber medallion.
Unfortunately, biking does not officially count for the 5k, but it’s still really fun to bike around the island.
We received this Castaway Cay 5K medallion in July 2022.
The 2023 Castaway Cay 5K medal is a Mickey Medal!
Photo: Faith Dority
You don’t receive a shirt for running the Castaway Cay 5K like other runDisney races, but they usually have some type of merch to purchase on Castaway Cay.
Is the Castaway Cay 5k Worth It?
Castaway Cay is precious time for me and my family. Before when the race was early and you got off before all other guests, it made sense. Now that the hoopla and fanfare are gone, the Castaway Cay 5k is not quite as exciting.
However, if you love to run, want motivation to run or just want the bling, then go for it! If you’re traveling in the summer, I suggest running earlier in the day, because it gets really hot. Bring a change of clothes and put on your swimsuit and head to the beach afterwards!
To reward yourself try Palo Brunch or if your little one decides to run with you, maybe treat them to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Questions about the current Disney Cruise Line wifi prices? We’ve got you covered.
Happy running and remember…every mile is magic. Even on vacay.