Oh, boy! Disney Cruise Line’s new Bahamian beach destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, is open for business, offering Mickey Mouse fans an additional port to visit in the Bahamas.
Disney Magic, the line’s original ship, was the first to bring passengers; they arrived at pristine beaches and a maze of boardwalks linking various eateries, bars, water play areas and shops.
At the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera, Lookout Cay was created from a partnership between the Bahamas and Disney. Bahamian influence can be seen throughout, from the architecture and art to the costumes worn by Disney characters, who made several appearances throughout the day.
Here’s what I enjoyed and what I didn’t like — in photos.
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What I enjoyed
The beaches
Obviously, one of the main focuses on any Bahamian island is the beach. Cruisers have choices at Lookout Cay, with designated beaches for both families and adults. All offer white sand and plenty of loungers with colorful umbrellas, which are free to use.
Since all of the beaches are part of one long stretch, it’s easy to find your way from one to the next after you crest the dunes that separate the water from the rest of the Goombay Cultural Center area of the island. Plus, the crystal blue water may even take your breath away.
Easy hydration
What’s a beach day without a drink or two? I’m not just talking about alcohol here, either. With how hot the Bahamian sun is, it’s important to hydrate. Thankfully, you’re never far from a bar or a drink station at Lookout Cay.
There are two soda and water stations each at True-True and True-True Too, the destination’s barbecue buffet areas. There’s also Sensational Smoothies, which sells just that. I tried one made with vanilla ice cream, mango, pineapple and Pop Rocks, and I wasn’t disappointed. And for those who still aren’t fully awake when they reach the island, there’s Mangroves & Go, a stand that sells specialty coffees.
If you’re the type who likes something with a bit more of a kick, there are four bars — Blue Hole Bar, Bow & Ribbon Bar, Watering Hole Bar and Reef & Wreck Bar — dotting the boardwalk throughout the Goombay section.
Easy-to-navigate trams
Disney Cruise Line fans who have visited the line’s private island, Castaway Cay, will know that the trams there can be a little cumbersome for first-timers, with several routes that take passengers to different areas. At Lookout Cay, there are just two tram stops — Mabrika Cove, near the entrance, and Goombay Cultural Center, which is where nearly all Lookout Cay activity takes place.
It’s nice to have to think less about where you’re going when all you want is to spend your day relaxing, so I appreciate the simplified system.
Cabanas with great views
At Lookout Cay, there are two sets of cabanas: Mabrika Cove Cabanas in the family area and Serenity Bay Cabanas in the adults-only area.
They’re all set up like cute Bahamian huts. Each has both indoor seating in the shade and outdoor loungers on patios that overlook the water. There are also mini-fridges stocked with water and soda.
Family areas
Unsurprisingly, Disney didn’t scrimp when it came to amenities for families. In addition to the family beach and family cabanas, other dedicated areas include Sebastian’s Cove, a water play area where parents can drop their kids off with the youth staff, and Rush Out Gush Out, a water park where families can have splashy fun together.
Twice during my visit, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale took over the Play-Play Pavilion during the Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash. They led children in games of pineapple ring toss and Chip and Dale’s Water Brigade. During the water brigade, kids passed soaking wet sponges, assembly line-style, to see which team could fill up a bucket the fastest. It was great fun, even for people who didn’t participate.
Art and culture
Elements of Bahamian culture are everywhere at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in the form of art and architecture. However, the heart of it all is the Goombay Culture Center, where passengers can enjoy local arts and crafts or take in a Junkanoo parade.
The latter, dubbed “RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration,” brings local dancers in traditional, colorful dress to an outdoor stage, where they put on a high-energy performance you won’t want to miss. Be sure to keep an eye out for special guests Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy, too.
What I didn’t care for
Long walks
The pier where the ship docks at Lookout Cay is long. I’m a fast walker, but it still took me nearly 10 minutes and registered 1,207 steps (more than half a mile) on my Fitbit. There’s no shade, and with the blazing temperatures in the Bahamas in the summertime, it’s not fun — especially with young children or mobility aids.
The area is largely accessible, and golf carts can assist passengers with mobility issues. However, I imagine the line will have to address this somehow for future sailings.
Slow trams
Although the tram system is much easier to use at Lookout Cay than it is at Castaway Cay, the ones at Lookout Cay seem to operate much more slowly. They run at regular, consistent intervals, and by waiting a half hour after the official disembarkation time, I was able to avoid waiting in line. However, once you’re on a tram and it departs, it will move so slowly that it will have you wondering whether walking there would be faster. (Unfortunately, you’re not allowed.)
When I combined the tram ride with the time it took me to walk from the ship to the tram stop in the first place, it took me about half an hour to actually make it to the heart of the destination. Plan ahead if you’re hoping to catch one of the scheduled shows.
Lack of shade
There’s a marked lack of shade on much of the island, especially as you make your way from place to place along the boardwalk. There are shops you can duck into, as well as shaded seating areas for when you’re having your lunch, but it’s just not enough.
As one of its green initiatives, Disney planted a bunch of local flora when it developed part of the space. Some of the plants will eventually be tall enough to offer some respite from the sun, but that won’t be the case for several years.
A confusing boardwalk and map
When I first arrived at Lookout Cay’s Goombay tram stop, I felt overwhelmed. All of the buildings looked similar, and there was virtually no signage save for some tiny indicators that pointed toward the nature trail. I resorted to looking at the tiny island map on my phone,
There also don’t seem to be any straight lines from one place to another. Everything curves out of the way to get you where you want to go.
No food options after 2 p.m.
The barbecue lunch — which included rice bowls, fish and seafood, and plenty of non-barbecue options, too — was great. However, after True-True BBQ, True-True Too BBQ and Serenity Bay BBQ (the buffet in the adults-only Serenity Bay area) closed at 2 p.m., there didn’t seem to be anywhere else to grab a bite.
Of course, passengers were free to head back to the ship at any time if they were hungry, but it’s a long way to go if you want to eat something and then go back ashore.
Bottom line
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a fantastic new addition to the port options in the Bahamas. Although it lacks shade and requires a lengthy walk, the destination is exceptionally fun and offers something for both families and adults.
Voyages calling on Lookout Cay through the end of 2024 include three- to six-night sailings, mostly on Disney Magic. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy also make a handful of stops there.
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