I Visited Disney’s Private Island Before Anyone Else—Here’s My Honest Review
When I boarded the Disney Magic for a recent cruise, I knew I was in for a treat. Not only does the ship have one of my favorite Disney Cruise restaurants at sea, Rapunzel’s Royal Table, but the its three-night itinerary included a stop at Disney’s newest island destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. As one of the first guests to see Disney Lookout Cay, I can say that the island is absolutely stunning and is worth leaving the ship for.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a 900-acre piece of land that Disney purchased on the southern tip of the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. For Lookout Cay, Disney has developed less than 16% of its total acreage, and 25% of the land is being donated to Bahamian people. The destination has a small number of people who live there full time, but when Disney ships are ported, Lookout Cay is mostly operated by the crew from the cruise ship.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit Disney Lookout Cay?
The island destination is great for families, adults traveling together, or multigenerational families looking for an exciting beach day. Cruises to Lookout Cay range in length from three to 13 nights and prices start at $1,519 based on double occupancy for a three-night sailing. Longer five-night cruises start at $2,286 based on double occupancy. Sailings are on the Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy, or Disney Dream starting in Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral in Florida; Galveston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; or transatlantic sailings from Southampton, England.
My First Impressions of Lookout Cay
The first thing I noticed once the ship was docked was the row of colorful cabanas, which were separate from the main family beach. Then I saw the long concrete pier that led from the ship to the destination. After the all-ashore call, I headed out of the gangway and to the half-mile walk down the pier to the tram stop.
Pro tip: The pier is also a fantastic photo spot for families since you can get the entire ship in the background.
After a 10-minute tram ride I arrived at the main hub of Lookout Cay, where I was able to eat, drink, dance, and of course, take in the stunning beaches. Here are the things you won’t want to miss at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
The Best Food and Drink at Lookout Cay
With so much to do at Lookout Cay, Disney made it easy to get food and drinks at the island destination so you don't have to go to the ship for lunch. Right at the tram stop near the pier is Mangroves and Go, a coffee bar that uses coffee roasted from Eleuthera. There are two main drinks to get here, a lavender and vanilla latte called the Junkanoo Latte, and a cold brew with a coconut cold foam and tropical flavors, called the Bahama Brew. I tried both coffees and preferred the Junkanoo Latte because it was a little lighter on the added flavors.
Families can enjoy two different dining spots at Lookout Cay, True-True and True-True Too BBQ. Both locations offer the same island buffet feasts. And if you’re looking for a more secluded adults-only lunch, head over to Serenity Bay BBQ, which serves many of the same dishes as the family dining locations, but without kids running around.
No matter where you dine, you’ll find that the menu is filled with Bahamian-style dishes like pigeon peas and rice topped with juicy chicken and fried okra. This was my favorite bite of the day because the dish was savory and spicy, and had great texture from the soft rice, the succulent chicken, and the crispy okra. Another rice dish worth trying is the seafood jambalaya with big succulent shrimp and smoked sausage.
The spiced rotisserie chicken also seemed to be a big hit with people enjoying lunch. Whole chickens are marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce that features a local hot pepper called a goat pepper, which has the same spice level as a scotch bonnet. I loved that the chicken was perfectly cooked and the skin was a deep golden brown.
For something a little lighter, the lime-marinated fish was a great option. I loved that the fish was cooked perfectly and the lime flavor really came through. Those looking for a plant-based option will want to try the island curry, which mixes tofu and potatoes with ginger and cilantro for a filling, but flavorful meal.
Of course, there are also the standard Disney Cruise Line beach BBQ offerings like burgers, ribs, and chicken sandwiches too.
For me, the best part about any BBQ is the sides. At Lookout Cay, I loved that I could get yucca fries, grilled corn, cole slaw, plantain slices, or a pineapple and black bean salad to go with my meal. And just like on the cruise ship, soft-serve ice cream is available at the lunch locations. I loved getting a cup of ice cream and taking it to the nearby boardwalk to eat it overlooking the stunning beach.
Lookout Cay also has a handful of bars dotted around the island. While the bars can make just about any cocktail the signature cocktail of the destination is the Eleuthera Euphoria, which is a spin on a boozy Dole Whip made with Goslings Spirited Seas Ocean Aged Rum, pineapple, and Dole Whip pineapple. If you’re looking for a tasty mocktail, the Cay Breeze is refreshing and light. The drink combines pineapple juice and lemonade with coconut water for a tropical-flavored drink that you can carry with you to the beach or the Junkanoo celebration.
Exploring the Rest of Lookout Cay
Speaking of Junkanoo celebrations, there are plenty of ways to get in on the fun of Junkanoo and more at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. After you’ve had your fill of lunch and drinks, here’s what else there is to do at Lookout Cay.
The Goombay Cultural Center
While the beach may be the main draw for many people getting off the cruise ship, the Goombay Cultural Center is truly the heartbeat of the island. Here, you can learn how to make a Junkanoo headpiece, then dance the afternoon away during RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration, where local Junkanoo performers dance and play music. And if you want to see some favorite Disney pals like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, stick around for the end of the show where the characters all make their way into the crowd.
Family Play Areas
If you want to have fun as a family away from the beach, head to the Play-Play Pavilion. Here, everyone can participate in the ultimate family beach party, Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash. The party includes seeing Disney characters, plus playing games like limbo and ring toss. Additionally, Rush Out Gush Out is a family water play area featuring slides, fountains, and splash pads for kids of all ages. And if parents want a little time away from their kids, Sebastian’s Cove is the dedicated space for youth activities led by the same counselors from the kid’s club onboard.
The Beach at Lookout Cay
The main draw for Disney Lookout Cay is the incredible beach. In fact, this is the prettiest beach I’ve ever seen with soft pale pink sand and crystal clear water that slowly turns turquoise as the water gets deeper. The beach is lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas and is divided into two main sections, the family beach and the adults-only beach. If you want something to do besides sitting and admiring the ocean or swimming, you can rent snorkel gear to see some of the underwater creatures that call the nearby coral reefs home.
Overall Impressions of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
With just one day spent at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on my cruise, I felt like I was able to enjoy most of what the new island destination has to offer. Its infusion of Bahamian culture with Disney amenities and storytelling was done well. I loved the Junkanoo entertainment offerings, especially the costumes that the performers wore, which were bright and colorful. I also loved the food and drink that I was able to try, even though I couldn't try it all on day one.
The big question that you may be thinking is, "Is a Disney Cruise to Disney Lookout Cay worth the price?" While starting prices range from about $1,500 to about $2,300 for two people on three or five-night sailings, respectively, almost everything is included in the cost. There are generally no upsells on Disney Cruise Line since there are no drink packages or casinos onboard. The price is mostly inclusive and any added costs like the spa or adult-only dining are completely optional and not pushed to sell onboard.
The base fare includes your cabin, all of your entertainment onboard; most drinks excluding alcohol, specialty coffees, and smoothies; all of your food excluding any adult dining options like Palo or Remy; and a visit to Disney Lookout Cay. On the island, everything from lunch and beach chairs to soft drinks and entertainment is included. What's not included at the island destination is alcoholic and specialty drinks, cabanas, and excursions, but those are not required to have a good time.
Overall, I can’t wait to get back to Lookout Cay to experience more of what Lookout Cay has to offer, including the nature trail and craft workshops, and to try more culinary delights.
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