If you’ve been following my travels for a while, you know how much I love cruising, and Disney Cruise Line has always held a special place in my heart.
This week, my friend Joanne and I are sailing aboard the Disney Dream for my 54th cruise! One of the things I was most looking forward to on this sailing was visiting Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s newest island destination in the Bahamas.
I have to admit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I’ve always loved Castaway Cay, and I was curious to see how Disney’s newest destination would compare. After seeing so many pictures and hearing so many different opinions about Lookout Cay, I was excited to finally experience it for myself.
Well, after spending the day exploring the island, enjoying the beach, eating some surprisingly delicious food and, of course, getting my picture taken with Minnie Mouse, I can tell you that I liked Lookout Cay much more than I expected to!
So, grab a cup of coffee, and let me share a little about my day, what I loved, what surprised me and a few things I think you’ll want to know before your own visit.
Getting to Lookout Cay: Wear Your Walking Shoes!
The first thing you need to know about Lookout Cay is that there is a very long walk from the ship to the island.
My advice? Wear good, comfortable walking shoes. I would not recommend making that walk in flip-flops! Pack your flip-flops in your beach bag and change into them when you get to the beach.
The good news is that Disney does provide transportation between the ship and the island for guests who need assistance. Golf cart-style vehicles are available to help guests who may have difficulty making the long walk along the pier. If you have mobility concerns, ask Disney about this service before heading ashore.
Once you reach the island, you’ll want to take the tram to the main beach and recreation areas. It’s a fairly long tram ride, and I can’t imagine trying to walk that distance!
Lookout Cay also feels much bigger and more spread out than Castaway Cay. I certainly got my steps in during my visit.
If you have mobility concerns, the distances are worth knowing about before you arrive. With a little advance planning and the transportation options Disney provides, you can make your day much more comfortable.
The Beaches: Lookout Cay Wins!
In my opinion, the beaches at Lookout Cay are much better than those at Castaway Cay.
The soft pink sand, beautiful turquoise water and natural surroundings make for a spectacular beach day. It really is a beautiful stretch of the Bahamas.
While I’m comparing the two destinations, I do think Castaway Cay is the prettier island overall. It has beautiful, lush landscaping and that carefully designed tropical charm that Disney does so well.
Lookout Cay, on the other hand, feels much more like a natural Bahamian island. It’s less manicured, and the natural beauty of Eleuthera really shines through.
Both are beautiful, but they have very different personalities. And if the beach itself is your priority, I think Lookout Cay is going to be hard to beat.
The Food: One of My Biggest Surprises
I’m generally not a big fan of the food served on cruise lines’ private islands. It’s usually fine, but it’s rarely something I get particularly excited about.
That changed at Lookout Cay!
I had some incredible BBQ ribs and a delicious spicy chicken sandwich. I was genuinely impressed with both.
For me, good food is part of a great vacation, and Disney definitely gets high marks for the food I enjoyed at Lookout Cay.
Shopping at Lookout Cay
I was also impressed with the variety of merchandise available in the island’s store. Much of the merchandise is exclusive to Lookout Cay, which makes it especially fun if you enjoy collecting souvenirs from the Disney destinations you’ve visited.
In addition to Disney souvenirs, you’ll find sundries, swimsuits, water shoes and other beach essentials. So, if you’ve forgotten something for your beach day, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
There’s also a separate shop featuring handmade Bahamian arts and crafts. I really liked that Disney included a place where visitors can purchase something that reflects the local culture and the talents of Bahamian artisans.
Meeting My Favorite Disney Characters
One of my favorite parts of the day was meeting the Disney characters in their special Bahamian-inspired outfits.
I had the opportunity to meet Chip & Dale, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck near the BBQ restaurant.
The lines for pictures weren’t very long, everything was well organized, and the process moved quickly. Disney’s photographers took pictures with their cameras, and the character assistants were happy to take pictures for me using my phone, too.
I’ve made it a little tradition to get a picture with Minnie Mouse at every Disney destination I visit. Naturally, I couldn’t leave Lookout Cay without adding another Minnie picture to my collection!
I absolutely loved her colorful island outfit, especially that adorable pineapple purse.
It’s one of those little Disney experiences that makes me smile, no matter how many times I’ve done it before.
Lookout Cay vs. Castaway Cay: Which Do I Prefer?
I think it really depends on what you’re looking for in your island day.
Castaway Cay has beautiful landscaping, a more established tropical island feel, and everything seems a little closer together.
Lookout Cay has spectacular beaches, a more natural Bahamian atmosphere, delicious food and a fun celebration of local culture.
For me, Lookout Cay wins when it comes to the beach itself, while Castaway Cay wins for overall landscaping and convenience.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily have to choose! Disney offers itineraries that visit both destinations, giving you the opportunity to experience each one for yourself.
My Final Thoughts
Would I book a cruise specifically to visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?
Probably not. But to be fair, I don’t think I’d book a cruise just to visit any cruise line’s private island. For me, there’s so much more that goes into choosing a cruise, from the ship itself to the itinerary and the overall onboard experience.
That being said, if you’re looking for a great beach, good food and a fun atmosphere, Lookout Cay is top-notch!
I enjoyed my day much more than I expected to, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to experience it for myself.
The next time I’m sailing with Disney and Lookout Cay is on the itinerary, I’ll definitely be looking forward to another visit.
And I’ll be wearing my walking shoes!
Thinking about a Disney cruise? I’d love to help you find the ship and itinerary that’s right for you. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, your significant other or on your own, there’s a Disney cruise experience waiting for you.
