Are now you more or less excited for Lookout Cay?

[justme0729]

At least there is a pier where you can come/ go on your own time instead of tendering! I think the beach area looks amazing and the kids splash pad area is a huge upgrade from Castaway Cay. It is unfortunate that it can't be super close to the ship but it seems like a similar amount of walking and transport you might do to get from a far spot in the MK parking lot to the front entrance of MK maybe? I will happily walk and ride the tram to get to a beautiful beach destination included with my cruise vs. tendering, taking shuttles to a destination, paying extra for excursions etc. that is required at other ports but I do enjoy walking.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I'm not any more or any less excited. The pier was a little surprising at first, but isn't a big deal for us. We are all able bodied and can easily walk half a mile. The ocean breeze will help, and we wear hats and sun shirts. It looks like a great beach for a few hours. I would envision us going early, swimming for a few hours, having lunch, and heading back to the ship - kind of like we do on CC. I would never choose a cruise specifically to get here though.

 

[tinytinkmom]

We are going in December, and we’re definitely less excited after watching videos. The water and sand look amazing, and I think it will be nice once some of the new landscaping grows in. We’re just concerned about the distance from the ship in both heat and rain. We’ve been caught in a couple of Castaway Cay downpours, and there is not much in the way of shelter on Lighthouse Point - none at all, if you’re on that half mile pier.

And hoping they figure out something with the fly situation at the food places. Goes to show Disney can’t control quite everything.

We just love Castaway so much, that I think we built up our expectations for Lighthouse Point.

 

[Cheburashka]

There a

There are chairs and umbrellas on the beach side too

Only 2 rows, reportedly. They'll get hogged immediately and it will be a mad race for people to get them.

 

[Cheburashka]

And hoping they figure out something with the fly situation at the food places. Goes to show Disney can’t control quite everything.

Why does Lookout Cay have a fly problem, but Castaway Cay doesn't, when they're both Bahamian islands? What's the difference?

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

I am still excited. I look forward to how they finish the island. I fully understand and appreciate the pier. I will happily walk the half mile to protect the coral. My father is in his late 70's and does not walk well (he refused to get knee replacements). I read that if he asks guest services for ride in a golf cart it will be arranged. the beach looks amazing. However I am most excited about the nature walk. I assume most of the cruise ship will stay away from the beautiful beaches by the lighthouse.

 

[iZon]

After watching some of the videos, I am far less excited. But it was only the first day and the vegetation will fill in over time. Trees will grow. And changes can be made. We first went to Castaway Cay in 2012 when it was 14 years old. I suppose so it’s not fair to judge this by the first day.

It’s interesting that Castaway Cay describes the place perfectly. But Lookout Cay is just a marketing name. It’s not even a cay.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'm less interested. That long walk, ugh! The beach looks amazing but the rest of it, not so much. Hoping Disney will make improvements.

 

[loislane]

I'm in the minority of more excited. I'm also in the minority that thinks Coco Cay looks like my worst nightmare, so I obviously love the less is more approach. I'd rather walk around and appreciate nature, but I get that there are people who want more.

I think people are also stuck thinking this is a private island beach destination when it's really more of a port. There are MANY more excursions and things to do from Lookout Cay to explore the beautiful island of Eleuthera - with the added bonus of being able to head back to Disney's beach and amenities and not have to rush right back to the ship. To me, that's a nice perk!

Edited to add: After our tender experience at Great Stirrup Cay in February, I'm more than happy to walk the pier to get to/from Lookout Cay.

 

[GhostHost24]

Why does Lookout Cay have a fly problem, but Castaway Cay doesn't, when they're both Bahamian islands? What's the difference?

I thought I read somewhere because it's not their own island like Castway is, they can't spray some repellent around that they do on CC. No idea if that's true or not

 

[Ronneeaght]

I’m still fairly excited. Just being at a beach where I don’t need to keep track of credit card and phone (KttW card I’m fine sticking in a swimsuit pocket because not worried about damage) where I can chill with my family and the food is included and therefore not really another decision to make sounds glorious. I know that’s not what everyone is looking for, but that’s my personal preference.

I also prefer the splash area to another Pelican Plunge. It’s nice to have some variety.

 

[DonaldDunk]

I am less excited, unfortunately. The long pier doesn’t bother me as much. As some other people have said, I think it’s much better than tendering. I understand they did it this way as to not have to dig up in the water and hurt the ecosystem.
I am surprised that there haven’t been too much mention of the swarms of flys around and ON the buffet food. I am hoping they can figure out a way to get that under control but it is the main turn off for me at this point.
I do think the water is gorgeous and in the couple videos I have seen the people have said the beach is so much better than castaway.
I will be happy to try it out but I’m not sure it will be a “must do” port on a Disney cruise like castaway is for me.

 

[Scubadaddy32]

I'm sure it will be fine, but it simply looks like a new development and it's going to take time. The vegetation has a long way to go and that Fly situation was simply out of control to say the least. I've been to coastal areas all over the world while diving and I've never seen a Fly issue like that anywhere. That was nuts. Haha One vlogger couple who is always looking on the bright side of things just couldn't keep themselves from talking about the fly issue. Haha That was a bit nuts I'll have to admit.
Until those issues are resolved Fly island is a no go for a year or two for me! Haha
I think we will just stick with trips heading to CC.

 

[Cheburashka]

I am surprised that there haven’t been too much mention of the swarms of flys around and ON the buffet food. I am hoping they can figure out a way to get that under control

Yeah, I think we're going to have lunch on the ship on Lookout Cay day.

 

[nancipants]

The flies are better than the bees around the soda fountains at water parks.

 

[buzzrelly]

Less excited. Not because of the walk, but because of those flies. Unless they get those under control I don't think I'll be booking any cruises there.

 

[kdonnel]

Yeah, I think we're going to have lunch on the ship on Lookout Cay day.

That will take up 2 hrs of your day.

 

[Cheburashka]

That will take up 2 hrs of your day.

We're not going back and forth.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

Why does Lookout Cay have a fly problem, but Castaway Cay doesn't, when they're both Bahamian islands? What's the difference?

Could be because of the construction and the sand being moved around. We had a huge problem in/around our new build home the first summer but it's finally settled down now that the dirt right around us isn't being moved constantly

Personally, I'm even more excited. I'm hoping they will let my mom ride on one of the carts, but the rest of us can handle a 15 minute walk to a tram. The beach looks beautiful, and the water looks lovely.

 

[DL1WDW2]

II keep thinking about a community with golf course in Southern California that was originally a huge mountain of trash and seagulls swarmed the mountain and the smell was horrible …
Many years later visit and discovered a golf course and new subdivision had been built over the entire property .
They have designer cat litter , maybe they can cover with mounds of new designer sand and won’t need to spray chemicals .