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Castaway Bay, Sandusky, Ohio

Cedar Point

Our family is no stranger to these wintertime oasis's, and for years we've wanted to visit Castaway Bay and now we finally got the chance!  We enjoyed it so much, we decided to go back the following weekend! (and subsequently the same time a year later). Below we've compiled 12 reasons why you shouldn't wait as long as we did to give Castaway Bay a visit!  This may be one of the most comprehensive reads you'll find as you'll get the review from our 3 trips (now totaling 12 in the last 3 years), which sort of makes us "Professional Castaways", so take your time and enjoy!

(Note that many pictures are slides  with detailed descriptions so be sure to look through them all!)

1. Lodging

Approved

Approved

6 Kids approved room!!!

The Pelican

The Pelican

2 nice sized and comfortable queen beds, and Castaway Snoopy just hanging out

After Move In

After Move In

The kids are happy to find out that there are more than enough outlets to charge their phones as they drain them by using them non-stop

Tarpon Suite Bay View

Tarpon Suite Bay View

Beautiful night view from the balcony

Bay View

Bay View

View from the Balcony of the Bay and Castaway

Night Bay View

Night Bay View

Quaker Steak in the background

Pull Out Mini Chair

Pull Out Mini Chair

This couch pulls out to reveal a bed that will sleep one adult

A Few Staples

A Few Staples

Castaway Snoopy, A Castaway Bay tumbler, Big Mama the Castaway Parrot and a box of legendary Cedar Point Saltwater Taffy

Exterior View

Exterior View

Of screened in balconies from the front of the resort

Castaway Snoopy

Castaway Snoopy

Enjoying the morning views from the balcony

Tarpon Suite

Tarpon Suite

Getting a good night's sleep won't be a problem here!

Entry

Entry

Love the roller coaster artwork on the walls

Tarpon Suite Closet!

Tarpon Suite Closet!

This closet is huge and can be used for several different things.

Tarpon Suite Bunk Beds

Tarpon Suite Bunk Beds

2 sets of bunk beds are sure to be a hit with the kids in your group

Kids Suite

Kids Suite

Also includes their own TV!

Priceless

Priceless

Sydney and Colada having a good time LOL

Bay Harbour View

Bay Harbour View

View from our screened in balcony. Most rooms include a balcony or patio, which is great in winter and excellent in summer helping to keep the bugs out!

Tarphon Suite Layout

Tarphon Suite Layout

One of 13 different available room types

Night View

Night View

From the balcony of the Tarpon suite

One big advantage Castaway Bay has would have to be the wide range of available room configurations. Boasting a whopping 237 rooms with 13 different room layouts, ranging from double beds to multi-room suites!  In addition, all rooms feature a mini fridge / microwave and (most) a balcony or patio, many with views of the beautiful Sandusky Bay and if you're lucky, a view of Cedar Point's breathtaking Roller Coasters off in the distance.  With a large family like ours, the different room options are a plus that prevents us from having to book separate accommodations.

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The first (& 2nd) trip we stayed in the "Tarpon Suite" which has a King bed in its own separate room and a balcony, which was immediately claimed by the ole lady and I.  The kids didn't have any issue with this as they were surprised to find that they had their own room with 2 sets of bunk beds and a Tv!  The suite also includes a huge closet that's more like a small room.  What was cool about this addition is the kids used it as a changing room when someone was in the bathroom and it was still large enough to store luggage for 8  plus a stroller and wagon, out of sight, providing a more comfortable environment within the living spaces.

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We've also stayed in both "Pelican" & "Starfish" rooms, which can be rented individually or as in our case, connected by an adjoining door.  Both rooms have 2 Queen beds, but the "Starfish" included an extra mini couch that pulls out into a bed, allowing for 5 people to  stay in the room.

2. Dining Options

When visiting an Indoor Waterpark, especially in the Winter, You'll want to minimize the need to leave the resort (I mean who really wants to leave the comfort of a tropical paradise and have to venture out into the cold cruel world we know as reality), And Castaway Bay definitely has you covered here.

Ebb and Eddy's

Ebb and Eddy's

Ice Cream, snacks, sandwiches, Starbucks and a hint of mystery (more on that later)

The Brothers!

The Brothers!

Vegas felt Ebb & Eddy needed a 3rd member!

Options!

Options!

And I choose

And I choose

Vegas chose the Cinnamon Roll

Probably...

Probably...

Some of the largest Buckeye's i've seen in person!

The View

The View

Beautiful

Mike and Mike

Mike and Mike

Outside of Mango Mikes!

Mango Mike's

Mango Mike's

Breakfast buffet.

Breakfast With a View

Breakfast With a View

Great way to wake up!

Buffet

Buffet

Endless buffet! You can also purchase a package with the buffet included!

Big Daddy's Snack Shack

Big Daddy's Snack Shack

Located inside the waterpark, grab all of your favorites poolside!

Big Daddy's

Big Daddy's

If you could, grab a side of cheese sauce for my pretzel please, I forgot to pick it up

On-site are several dining options where you can grab everything from a quick bite to eat or snacks, to a full blown meal:

Ebb and Eddy's: Home to Starbucks, Muffins, Bagels other snacks and quick bites.  You can also grab a triple scoop of Toft's famous Ice Cream in several different flavors.  E&E's is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. with great views of the bay!  

Mango Mike's: A Full Blown Breakfast Buffet that's surprisingly not full of the typical buffet fare that makes feel like you've consumed slop and immediately start to question you purpose in life afterwards (i'm not the only one that feels this way right?).  Aside from the aforementioned fact, we loved Mango Mike's because the kids could fill up with whatever they wanted for one price! Vegas was a fan of the pancakes while Scoop was in Bacon Heaven.

Big Daddy's Snack Shack: Located inside the waterpark, This is the place to grab Pizza, Pop (Or Soda depending on your area of upbringing)  & Pretzels  plus all of the usual suspects kids gravitate towards.

Daily Specials

Daily Specials

Call ahead for updated ones prior to your visit

Quaker Steak

Quaker Steak

Attached to the resort! Never leave the building!

Night View

Night View

Of the Lube

The Tank

The Tank

Ready for a Lubin!

As A Coaster Fan

As A Coaster Fan

These posters caught my eye!

6 Kids One Quaker Steak

6 Kids One Quaker Steak

Time to fill up

All Smiles

All Smiles

Munchie and Chipmunk

Mj Boom Boom Shrimp

Mj Boom Boom Shrimp

Apparently were very filling as he stalled out at about this point

The Crew

The Crew

Check out all of those TV's!!!

Big Mama

Big Mama

Watching over my loaded Mac and Cheese Skillet

Close up

Close up

Try not to eat your screen

Pretty awesome nachos

Pretty awesome nachos

Beautiful View

Beautiful View

From the deck looking at the Bay and Castaway Bay.

LOADED MAC N CHEEEESSSEEEEE

LOADED MAC N CHEEEESSSEEEEE

LOADED MAC & CHEESE SKILLET. Gooey, extra cheesy mac & cheese topped with Pork Carnitas. Served with grilled garlic bread

READY TO DIVE IN!!

READY TO DIVE IN!!

Lower Seating Area

Lower Seating Area

In warmer months, the garage doors open to the outside waterfront seating area

SPORTSBAR

SPORTSBAR

Plenty of tvs to catch all the current events

For a filling sit down meal, rather lunch or dinner, look no further than the massive Quaker Steak & Lube located on site serving everything from appetizers to ribs and of course their legendary wings.  In the Winter months, sit inside and view the Bay via the large windows that surround the restaurant while watching your favorite sporting event on one of the many TV's.  Now However in the summer, feel free to sit out on the large deck that connects to the boat docks and abuts the Bay.  Recommendation: Go for the Skillet Mac and Cheese with carnitas.  I ordered this and a side of wings... After the Mac and Cheese, I could barely eat the wings.  I did however, but barely 🤣🤣  The kids love the kids meals and the portions are enough for the kids under 10.  Mj had the Boom Boom Shrimp meal, which came with 12 pieces of Shrimp, needless to say he tapped out after eating only 6!

3. Shopping

No need to load your car down bringing items from home.  Located within the main lobby concourse are 2 stores where you can purchase everything you may need to complete your trip:

Nick Knacks - Since each room has a fridge and microwave, why not stop in and grab all of your convenience items such as snacks, milk, food in addition to medicine and hygiene products.

Pearl's Swimwear- Great spot to buy all your Castaway Bay branded merchandise from Swimwear and clothing items to Cedar Point posters, maps and all the souvenirs you want to keep the memories alive well after your return home.

4. Location

Let's face it, there aren't many of us that can walk out of our front door and into 82 Degree weather year round.

Located in Sandusky, Ohio, Castaway Bay is 1 hour from Cleveland and only about 2 hours & change from Detroit, Michigan or Columbus, Ohio.  In other words, you'll be pulling up in the parking lot before your kids have the chance to ask "Are we there yet?"

5. Water Water Water

I mean this is what you're here for right? The centerpiece of the resort is the Waterpark and boy is she lovely!  The design is perfect as there is only one way in and out and plenty of seating all around so we can allow the kids to play while keeping an eye on them.

castaway bay indoor waterpark cedar point ohio

Large enough to keep kids and adults entertained for the day but small enough to where you won't have to worry about losing track of your group (which is a God send when you have 6 little ones to watch out for).  Plenty of attractions for all ages, which is something we were first concerned about as some waterparks only focus on one main demographic and either the kids will be satisfied and your teenagers bored, or vice versa.  But Castaway Bay definitely mirrors Cedar Point in the fact that they know how to cater to all in one location.

Some of the water attractions include:

Welcome To Castaway Bay!

Welcome To Castaway Bay!

Are You Ready????

Quit Running In & Out Of The House!!

Quit Running In & Out Of The House!!

3 Tube speed slides that wind their way around the exterior of the building before entering back inside and ending in a triumphant splash landing at the bottom.

Tropical Tube Slides

Tropical Tube Slides

Splash Down!

Mj & Scoop Ready To Blast Off

Mj & Scoop Ready To Blast Off

On Rendezvous Run the water coaster!

Wave Pool

Wave Pool

Home to one of only two indoor wave pools in northern Ohio, 100,000 gallons worth of waves in fact!

Wave Pool

Wave Pool

Let's Go!

Let's Go!

Enjoy the Jacuzzi Hot Tub inside or out!

Creatures Cove

Creatures Cove

Play area with basketball hoops and water play toys

Cargo Crossing

Cargo Crossing

Brave the crossing with loose cargo below and a shaky cargo net above! Don't Fall!

Cargo Crossing

Cargo Crossing

Munchie hanging on for dear life!

Toddlers Tide Pool

Toddlers Tide Pool

Zero depth play area with slides for the lil' tots to splash around in and prepare for the days they can tackle the big slides

Toddlers Tide Pool

Toddlers Tide Pool

Vegas had a blast!

Toddlers Tide Pool

Toddlers Tide Pool

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

Several stories tall playhouse with water slides, climbing nets, water jets, geysers, tunnels and anything you can think of to combat any chances of remaining dry... O and to top it of, a Huge bucket that yep... drenches everyone and everything in the area

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

No ones safe!

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

Lookout Lagoon Family Funhouse

Have Fun!

Have Fun!

6. It wouldn't be a Cedar Point property without a....

Roller Coaster.. well not technically a Roller Coaster, but Castaway Bay is home to one of three Water Coasters in the STATE!  While definitely not in the same class as the Magnum XL-200, it provides just enough thrill to entertain adults and make your little ones feel like they have overcome their fears at the finish line!  Scoop and Mj ride "Rendezvous Run" everytime we come, but this last trip was special as Munchie put on her brave hat and finally gave it a try! She had a blast and immediately jumped back in line!  Chipmunk, your turn is next....

7. Club Castaway

Club Castaway is a huge benefit for families as we have been to many other indoor waterparks and what CC offers for free, some others charge for.  Located on the 3rd floor, they have several free activities the kids will love, especially the free cookie decorating classes.  I mean free cookies AND all the icing your can pile on that round disc of goodness? I see no reason to complain here!

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Also available are paid add ons for a very low cost such as "Color your own T-shirts, Pillowcases and Book bags", that can either be included in a room package or bought individually for $10 or less.  This was the kids first time and they decided to color a T-shirt and pillowcase and really took it seriously.  We thought this would only take 20 minutes or so, but they were so into it, 2 hours later and Mj was just putting the finishing touches on his masterpiece.  A great option to explore when you want to step out of the water for a bit.

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In addition, there are other fun activities such as "Karaoke With Peanuts" (Can you control the crowd better than Lucy?) , "A Peanuts Dance Party" (Linus has some serious moves i'll tell you that!), Activity of the day crafts or games, "A Meet and Greet with the Peanuts Gang" and a nightly Snoopy movie and storytime.  This was a fun way to wind down after the waterpark as the kids put their PJ's on and found a spot to lay down while watching.  These extras provide family bonding time that we all talked about well after the trip concluded.

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Be sure to pick up an Island Times Newsletter in the lobby each day for a schedule of events!

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Also, leave a letter for Snoopy in the Mailbox and he will write you back and drop the letter at your door in the morning!!

8. Crabbies Quarterdeck Arcade

Crabbie's Quarterdeck Arcade

Crabbie's Quarterdeck Arcade

Another must visit!

Game Time

Game Time

The Kids cards are charged up and ready to get swiping!

Learning About Life

Learning About Life

Vegas learns important life lessons playing the claw game LOL

The Munch Is All Smiles

The Munch Is All Smiles

Electronic heaven!

You May Be Kinda Old If...

You May Be Kinda Old If...

You remember the "Snorks"!

Spacetime Squad

Spacetime Squad

Team up with a friend and fight aliens in this super cool VR game!

Games Galore!

Games Galore!

Prize Counter

Prize Counter

This is just one part of the huge prize counter!!!

Even More Prizes!

Even More Prizes!

Spend your tickets like there's no tomorrow!

Five Nights At Freddys

Five Nights At Freddys

Munchie could not believe this game existed! As possibly the biggest FNAF (as she calls it) fan ever, she spent an hour easily here and when she ran out of credits.... she just stood there in awe!

Vegas

Vegas

Working on his jump shot getting ready for the little tikes league LOL

Ice Zombies

Ice Zombies

Part water gun spray game, part zombie apocalypse / all fun

Question of the day "How many arcade games can you fit comfortably in a 6,000 Sq. Ft. room and still have space for kids and their parents? anyone know the answer class"? 

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If you said a whole lot then guess what! you're right!

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Crabbies Quarterdeck arcade is the video game paradise we dreamed of as kids, this is what "Putt Putt" or "Aladdin's Castle" (big nostalgia moment here), would've morphed into if they survived past the 90's.  Here you'll find pretty much all of the latest games for kids young and old and you'll have no problem keeping the kids entertained for hours!

"But wait.. play for HOURS??!? Who can afford THAT?!?!