Is there a way to get to the final stage without getting all the cages from previous levels? Like a cheat? I know about the other cheats, but so far haven't seen one that will let me access this final level. Going back through every stage to get the cages is going to be a pain.

Cheating to get to the final level is not something I recommend. The only cheats that exist are for the console based versions: no cheats exist for the PC version IIRC. However, since the PC and PS1 are so very similar, I recommend you check out this LP on YouTube that might assist in getting the cages: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB9E92E9C1DF619EE&feature=plcp

Half of the fun of the game is discovering all cage´s location. You usually need some ability to get them all, so it´s a nice practice before getting to Candy Chateau. Those levels are evil, although not as much as Rayman Designer ones.

If you have trouble finding some of them, you could always ask for clues...

This was good advice. I was dreading doing those hard levels all over again, but using a cages guide, it wasn't so bad. And I learned I didn't have to beat the bosses again or go through some of the sections that didn't have cages in them.

Now I've beaten the game and it was worth the victory. I actually did use that site to give myself health and extra lives, but I never found anything that gives you access to the final level or gives you all the cages. Anyway, I went back through the levels and found all the cages and it wasn't so bad. The end level was quite fun.