Look at Lookout Cay – A Guide to Disney’s New Tropical Island Destination!

Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay is a fan-favorite destination, with some cruisers even opting for three-day Bahamian itineraries that only visit Disney’s private island. On June 7th, 2024, Disney offered its first public sailing to its second private port-of-call, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. MiceChat’s Dusty and Chloe were there to step into a new adventure and share their photos, thoughts, and advice. So, let’s disembark and take a look at Disney’s newest destination on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.

To get started, please take a look at our welcome video: 

Welcome To Lookout Cay!

Disney built its new cruise ship dock about half a mile away from land to help protect the fragile reef system surrounding Lookout Cay. So, while you’re on the long walk from the ship, take some time to enjoy the ocean and island views. Once on the island, guests board a tram to the opposite side of the point where most of the island’s activities occur.  

The first thing we wanted to do, after finding the perfect lounge chairs on the quiet end of the beach was… eat!!!

Lookout Cay Eats and Treats

For many Disney cruisers, it’s all about the food (we’re looking at you unlimited ice cream and chicken tenders). Among the delicious dishes guests will find on Lookout Cay are grilled burgers and ribs, island-spiced chicken, and Bahamian-inspired dishes at True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ (located near the family beach and water play area). In addition, Serenity Bay BBQ will offer adult-exclusive dining. 

The True-True BBQ dining pavilions are perfect examples of nature-inspired architecture that makes them look like oversized seashells scattered across the island’s sand.

Here’s a look at some of the Lookout Cay menu items:

• Bahamian Pigeon Peas & Rice with marinated chicken, oven-baked plantains, and fried okra
• Grilled Cheeseburger on a brioche bun with shredded iceberg lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, and pickles with fries with coleslaw
• Disney Lookout Cay Spiced Rotisserie Chicken marinated with Bay Leaves, onion, sweet pepper, lime, thyme, and goat pepper with grilled pineapple and black bean salad 
• Plant-based Island Curry with tofu, cilantro, and potatoes 

• Bahamian-style Lime marinated grilled snapper with sautéed pickled vegetables and yucca fries
• Grilled BBQ Ribs with “smoky BBQ” sauce, grilled corn, and yucca fries

For Bahamian-inspired drinks, classic cocktails, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages (with select sips including locally sourced products), head to Mangroves and Go, Blue Hole Bar, Bow and Ribbon Bar, Watering Hole, Reef and Wreck Bar, and Sandsational Smoothies. 

Be on the Lookout! Disney Lookout Cay’s signature cocktail is the Eleuthera Euphoria (rum, pineapple smoothie mix, and Dole Whip). Chloe tried it and loved it. Dusty tried the Junkanoo Juice and enjoyed it. 

Other notable potables at Lookout Cay are:

• Bahama Brew: Cold brew coffee blended with Hawaiian island syrup, cold brew, finished with a coconut-flavored soft whip topping (Non-alcoholic)
• Butterfly Switcha: Specialty Mocktail made with lemonade, butterfly pea jasmine green tea, and a sprinkle of blue edible glitter (Non-alcoholic)

As part of Disney Cruise Line’s commitment to sending zero waste to landfills, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will reduce trash by using reusable service ware at the island destination’s food and beverage locations.

Lighthouse Point Island Experiences

Everything you’ll need for a day at the beach will be provided, including towels, lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, and fun.

Cultural Opportunities

The culture of the Bahamas is showcased at the Goombay Cultural Center, a central pavilion where travelers can participate in special programs and meet local artists and performers. Disney worked closely with Bahamian artists and advisors to create experiences that represent the country’s natural beauty and rich culture, brought to life through Disney storytelling.

Family Fun on Lookout Cay

Travelers with kids will love the Family Beach and Rush Out Gush Out interactive water play area featuring two slides, water drums, and fountains. Plus, a gaming pavilion will include a gaga ball pit and volleyball court.

Kids ages 3 to 12 can join the fun at Sebastian’s Cove, a themed kids’ club (supervised by Disney Cruise Line counselors) with a splash pad inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” plenty of shade, and a dedicated dining area.

Adult Escapes at Lighthouse Point

No kids? No worries! Lookout Cay has an adult-exclusive beach, an adults-only marketplace dining location, and three “no kids allowed” bars.

Premium Lookout Cay Amenities

For an additional fee, guests can spend the day in the comfort of beachside cabanas designed and decorated in collaboration with local artists (20 cabanas are available on the family beach and 6 on the adult-exclusive beach).

Set away from the main family area is a beach lined with 20 premium family cabanas available to rent, including four double cabanas that accommodate larger groups and offer massage services.

Eleuthera Port Adventures 

Guests who want to venture off the beach will have opportunities to explore Eleuthera with a collection of all-new adventures developed with local tour operators. This includes a Nature Trail, where local conservation guides will be available to educate guests on the flora, fauna, and critters they may see along their self-guided trek to the island’s point.

The trail is located at the very tip of Lighthouse Point and includes a look at the “Lighthouse,” which isn’t quite what you think. Look for the guides and engage them in a conversation about the flora and fauna of the trail and region. You’ll have as many questions as we did about why this area looks so different from other places we’ve been… with nearly white soil and sandy ground held together by roots. It’s a lovely walk, but it’s best to experience on cloudy or cooler days. 

Disneytastic Island Entertainment

It wouldn’t be a Disney vacation without characters and entertainment and Lookout Cay has both!

Mickey and Friends in New Outfits

Part of the fun at Castaway Cay is spotting Mickey and his pals wearing special outfits for their day on the beach. At Lookout Cay, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Pluto will all be sporting island-inspired outfits created by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett that showcase the Bahamian cultural tradition of Junkanoo.

Minnie’s dress features a Bahamian twist on her iconic dots and Mickey dons conch shell-patterned shorts.

“The beauty of Mickey and Minnie’s looks are that they are literally ‘Junkanoo fun in the sun,’”Elyett says. “When you talk about the iconic Bahamian conch shell, Mickey’s got that; the sweet beautiful pineapples of Eleuthra, Minnie’s got that. Junkanoo fun in the sun is perfect for Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.”

Learn more about Elyett’s designs:

RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration at Disney Lookout Cay

A local Junkanoo Group is the highlight of RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration! Performers will parade to the cultural center as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy join guests in a celebration of the Bahamian cultural festival.

Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash 

There’s no party like a beach party! The Play-Play Pavilion is the spot for Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash, where guests can see how low they can go during Goofy’s Good Day Limbo, test their skills at Pluto’s Pineapple Ring Toss, and cool off at Chip-n-Dale’s Water Brigade, all to the sounds of all-new Bahamian versions of favorite Disney tunes.

Exclusive Lookout Cay Merchandise

It’s no surprise that the tropical island destination has island-themed merchandise, including Bahamian-inspired Mickey and Minnie plush, ear headbands, a Loungefly backpack, a spirit jersey, and character-inspired shirts that allow guests to bring the festive feel of Junkanoo home.

In addition to designing the looks for Mickey, Minnie, and their pals, Elyett also created a uniquely Bahamian collection for Lookout Cay, including men’s and women’s apparel and (of course) an exclusive ear headband featuring the colors, patterns, and straw accents often seen in local artwork.

More traditional versions of Mickey and Minnie are used on several pieces of merchandise, such as shirts, pins, a hat, a photo frame, and a postcard.

There’s plenty of beach day gear, like a Spirit Jersey rash guard (it provides ultraviolet protection up to UPF 50), a beach cooler, a Corkcicle water bottle, a sun visor, and a bucket hat, as well as other Lookout Cay-labeled merchandise.

 

 

What are you adding to your shopping wish list?

How to Visit Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

At the moment, the Disney Magic and Fantasy are sailing to Lookout Cay on select sailings. But that will change over time. So, if Lighthouse Point is something you’d like to experience, be sure to consult your travel agent to make sure this stop is on your itinerary. 

These 2024 cruises include a stop at the all-new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point:

• Three-night Bahamian cruise from Fort Lauderdale with stops at Nassau and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
• Four-night Bahamian cruise from Fort Lauderdale with stops at Nassau and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
• Five-night Bahamian cruise from Fort Lauderdale with stops at Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point—plus a stop in Nassau.
• Ten-night Southern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral with stops in Antigua, St. Lucia, Dominica, and British Virgin Islands—plus The Bahamas, with stops at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay.

Click our Get Away Today Link (HERE) for details about each itinerary. 

Know Before You Go

As much as we love the island views and Junkanoo energy, Lighthouse Point is still a bit of a work in progress. Most days in the Caribbean will be hot and sunny, and the trek to Lookout Cay is mostly without shade. Slather your body in sunscreen and drink tons of water. Disney will need to invest in shade sails and misters to help make the dock and tram loading areas more comfortable for guests. 

Once on the island, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a chair in the sun… but you might have trouble finding one in the shade… that is if you didn’t snag one of the lovely cabanas (which you likely won’t since they are all booked instantly by concierge-level guests).  

Note that the beach has an issue with flies. They’re everywhere… particularly where there’s food. Bring a little fan to keep them off your plate at lunch. We saw lots of guests abandoning their food due to unwelcome pests. Hopefully, Disney will invest in large fans in the dining huts so guests will be more comfortable and the flies will be blown away.   

Finally, explore the map and the island schedule BEFORE you leave the boat. Once on the island, it can be a bit confusing to figure out where to go. They are a tangle of raised walkways everywhere. And because of the heat and humidity, you might not want to explore everything. Find some food, look for shade, Enjoy the Junkanoo parade from the shade of the Cultural Center if you can, and let the kids play in the splash zone or at the beach if they are ready (look for the lifeguard towers for a little extra reassurance). 

The panorama below shows just how much of the complex is built on elevated walkways with many diverging paths… but no signage. You can see where you want to go, but you might not always know how best to get there: 

Overall, these comfort tweaks are things Disney can easily fix. The beach is beautiful, the water was stunning and filled with reefs to explore, and the architecture of the Disney development is thoughtful and unique… Imagineer Joe Rohde’s fingerprint is clearly on this development, it feels a lot like his Walt Disney World version of Pandora from the Avatar films. 

We can’t wait to come back and see how all the plants have grown in and how this new Disney treasure develops from guest and crew feedback. 

Let’s Hear From You!

Who’s ready to set sail for Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point? Disney’s new island paradise has a lot to see, do, and eat! What are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!