Key Aspects:
- Pelican Plunge on Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay in the Bahamas is temporarily closed for refurbishment.
- The cruise line has not announced any reopening date for the floating platform and its two waterslides.
- Because Castaway Cay does not have extensive waterslides, the closure will be disappointing to many guests.
Castaway Cay, one of Disney Cruise Line’s private destinations in the Bahamas, is a favorite port of call for many guests. There may be some disappointment in the coming weeks, however, as a popular feature of the island is now closed for refurbishment.
Guests visiting Castaway Cay are learning that Pelican Plunge is now closed, albeit temporarily, for refurbishment. Disney Cruise Line is reaching out to notify guests of the closure, but there is no indication when exactly it may reopen.
“While the Pelican Plunge water slide is closed over the coming weeks due to necessary refurbishments, there is lots to see and do!” the notification, which was shared on Facebook on Sunday, August 23, 2026, read. “The water play structure in the swimming lagoon and Spring-A-Leak are open for your enjoyment, as well as onboard water slides that may be available.”
There is no indication of exactly when Pelican Plunge was first closed, nor is there any exact date for it to reopen.
Disney Cruise Line has not disclosed the exact refurbishments necessary for Pelican Plunge. All waterslides, however, require regular maintenance to stay safely coated and comfortable for guests to ride.
The water pumps and other features also require regular maintenance, and it is possible the platform itself requires flooring work or other maintenance before guests will be able to use it again.
While Pelican Plunge is closed, a smaller play platform is available in the southern swimming lagoon, though it does not have the waterslides. Guests can also enjoy swimming in the clear water, and a variety of port adventures include snorkeling, banana boat rides, and other water sports and activities on Castaway Cay.
Different Disney Cruise Line ships have waterslides onboard, from the classic AquaDunk on Disney Magic to the exciting AquaMouse water coaster on Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny.
What Is Pelican Plunge?
Pelican Plunge is a floating activity platform anchored off the northernmost of the island’s two family beaches. The jutting spur of the Heads Up bar curves around Pelican Plunge. The Pelican Point tram stop is the closest to Pelican Plunge.
Read Also: I’ve Been to Disney’s Castaway Cay Three Times – Is It Any Good?
The platform includes two twisting waterslides, one open and one enclosed. Other features on the platform include a water dump bucket, water guns to shoot at nearby targets, and whimsical nautical theming such as nets, buoys, barrels, a mouse-ears-shaped life ring, and of course, pelicans.
Guests must be at least 38″ tall to ride the Pelican Plunge slides. There is no pathway access to the floating platform, so guests must be able to swim out to the platform to access the waterslides. Both slides exit directly into the swimming lagoon.
Other private islands have more extensive waterslide sections. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day CocoCay, for example, has 14 waterslides at Thrill Waterpark and the Great Tides Waterpark on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay has multiple slides, a rapid river, and cliff jumping.
Cruise Hive has already reported that Great Tides Waterpark will be welcoming its first guests on September 4, 2026, with a port visit from Norwegian Luna.
Unlike the larger waterparks on other private islands that have sometimes expensive entrance fees, there is no charge to enjoy Pelican Plunge.
Disney Cruise Line’s private destinations do not have a large selection of waterslides, making Pelican Plunge even more popular and this temporary closure all the more disappointing for guests.
