Building Design Discussion - Lighthouse Point

[brentm77]

[I decided to start a new thread, since I was pulling the other one off topic - if this doesn't interest you, I won't be offended if you move along, but also love to hear challenging viewpoings]

I feel like the same could be said about a lot of the changes being done to Disney resorts right now. It’s like someone from Hilton or Marriott is making the design decisions. Everything is bland and generic.

True. It's unfortunate, because I don't think that's what draws people to pay more for Disney. The new Polynesian extension and WDW and Downtown Disney changes are prime examples.

I went back and looked at the concept art for Lighthouse, and even it made the buildings and spaces look much more interesting than what was built. I know that is extremely common for concept art (looking at you Galaxy's Edge), but it's still unfortunate.

To me, this concept art at least looks more vibrant, premium resort like, and dynamic with more variation, including significant variations in heights of different areas:



Versus fairly bland, flat, and muted buildings that honestly look more like one of those pay beaches you can go to at a lot of ports (some of the buildings even remind me of a local zoo or something similar):


I know this picture is muted from atmosphere, only shows one area, and the immature plants are hurting the vibe, but I have watched a lot of footage and none of it feels much better from a design standpoint. Maybe in person it will be different. Again, this wouldn't keep me from going, because the beach looks amazing and I love the cliffs and the like that are all over the property, but it would have been amazing to have both an incredible beach and more unique/subtly themed developed areas with more of a resort vibe. It would have been a world-class destination. Once the plants mature, it will help significantly, and hopefully Disney will continue to improve what's there with time, but there is no question that the design choices were more akin to what we are seeing at the parks, with generic designs that don't feel unique to Disney.

[And to get in front of the responses that we have a choice to go or not - we know, but this is a discussion board and some of us find it interesting to discuss things like this. It's like going to an art discussion board and saying, "you have a choice to look at a different art piece." We get it, but still want to talk about the choices Disney made here. I'm even open to changing my opinion when I hear alternative points of view, which I have done with respect to other design choices, but just offering thought-stopping responses isn't that helpful.]

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I hear you on the general trend at Disney, and how nothing lives up to the concept art (but that's true for ALL Disney concept art). I think the final perspective is years away as we wait for it to be finished and the plants to grow in, the question for me is it interesting enough to visit now, and for me the answer is yes September.

 

[OKW Lover]

I hear you on the general trend at Disney, and how nothing lives up to the concept art

So true. But this isn't anything new. You could take a look at Walt's original plan for DL and what actually got built to see that concept art is just that. A concept of what might come. It's not a blueprint of what is going to be constructed.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

So true. But this isn't anything new. You could take a look at Walt's original plan for DL and what actually got built to see that concept art is just that. A concept of what might come. It's not a blueprint of what is going to be constructed.

actually as much as folks like to complain about how commercial Disney has become, probably nothing is more blatantly a sales pitch as the concept art. And I am okay with that lol. You have to sell the dream, and often in the end half a dream is better than none.

 

[tvguy]

Like I posted in your other thread, I find the photos of the actual buildings do show a very Disney Toontown kind of design to them.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/ligh...ruise-line-island-destination-in-the-bahamas/

 

[brentm77]

actually as much as folks like to complain about how commercial Disney has become, probably nothing is more blatantly a sales pitch as the concept art. And I am okay with that lol. You have to sell the dream, and often in the end half a dream is better than none.

I agree with this to an extent. It's almost unavoidable. Even outside of theme parks, concept art or models almost always look better. However, if there is too big of a gap between the two, you aren't doing yourself any favors. Greatly over promising, and under delivering, will only lead to disappointed customers. People understand puffery in the promotional concept art, but that understanding can't be pushed too far.

 

[brentm77]

Like I posted in your other thread, I find the photos of the actual buildings do show a very Disney Toontown kind of design to them.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/ligh...ruise-line-island-destination-in-the-bahamas/

That's a positive way to view it, but I just don't see it. If someone had shown me the pictures of the buildings, without any prior knowledge, I would have never guest it was Disney-built. I can see a little fun and whimsy with the roofs, but it still feels like the design missed the mark for my personal taste and previous experience with premium Disney properties. Particularly those concrete (I think) buildings with the wavy tops.

Edit to add: The more I look at it, the more I think it will be a giant improvement when the foliage grows in. I was just flipping through some images of other Bahama resorts, and having lush green areas is key to making it feel more premium. I still don't love the building design choices, but it will greatly help to overall feel of the area.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Even outside of theme parks, concept art or models almost always look better. However, if there is too big of a gap between the two, you aren't doing yourself any favors. Greatly over promising, and under delivering, will only lead to disappointed customers. People understand puffery in the promotional concept art, but that understanding can't be pushed too far.

Which concept art? I believe the discussion was started at least partially based on concept art brought out in 2019 and showed a tram on the pier, and an additional beach, and an 'adventure park' that I think would have pleased those looking for a coco cay with ears. That was pretty different I give you that. But over the last four years they have been bringing out more concept art that was closer and closer (even 2022 was close, with May 2024 being dead on) to what they have now, and the marketing materials I would say are very vibrant and colorful, but representative. If people want to compare to the 2019 version, yep they are going to be very very disappointed, but who was that for? The customer or for investors and the regulators? I would argue those groups understand the puffery and do further due diligence.

But I am sorry, that may have been off topic.

When I see the design choices that eventually materialized, and when I analyze my disappointment that its not as warm and inviting as I might like, to me its the widespread use of steel construction and simplified shapes. I credit that to making the area more hurricane proof. I have no idea if storms are worse here than Castaway Cay, or even what the regulations are (could Castaway Cay be built now even at Castaway Cay?), but it's clear these structures are designed to withstand some punishment. And I say that not with the background of an engineer, but as the owner of a cabin on a cliff who has had his roof literally ripped off twice by microbursts catching at the roofline over the deck.

I agree a lot of the walls look rather bland...maybe thats the way it is, or maybe they will get a better coat of paint(s) in the future. I am hoping the later.

 

[auntlynne]

This one seems like the biggest under- delivered:





Which could so easily have been produced (so it seems to me). The original color palette seems richer. And the layering of pieces for a 3D effect instead of a giant, flat display says this is where we cut corners.

Basically, I get a very flat facade aspect coming through. This was pointed out: look at the art on the steps that wasn’t incorporated. The Goombay Center should be a tribute to Bahamian culture, one of the themes of the development.

As I look at it, there’s also a bit of incongruity between the ceiling art and the colorful “headdress” arch.

Looks like they did carry through on some use of layered signage:



Reality doesn’t seem so far off from concept here:






Wonder why less curves would have been cheaper - or would be less maintenance over time?

Foliage definitely makes a difference!

But compared to this concept, I think the subdued look they present is a win over the brightly-colored concept.

 

[auntlynne]

Other than the artsy aspect, I also think the construction materials used are very representative of what I have seen across the Caribbean, Central America … the world. Anywhere where the elements are harsh and trees are not plentiful.

Those colorful roofs were definitely for investors. We guests are not going to see the tops of the shells enough to justify the maintenance of fading paint.

Look closely at any Disney Park and it is stucco facade. But that might not be the best in hurricanes. Those block buildings might be the quick turnaround answer to winds and salt air.

So long as they don’t muck up the sight lines of the beach and ocean, this is looking like a beautiful option for a beach day.

I keep seeing Perfect Day at Coco Cay with its tall, brightly colored structures. I appreciate the effort to not just follow suit.

…An earlier thread asked if we were more or less excited about LC when it was presented. I was less - thinking it was going to be loud and garish. I am pleasantly surprised at how it has turned out in that regard.

…I still want some seating along the way (maybe not on the pier - but at least near the tram stop.

Now, just to get there…

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Building in the Bahamas, I expect that hurricane resistance is a high priority, especially for commercial buildings. It looks like they built stout, storm resistant buildings, dusted their hands and said 'done!' All the while forgetting to make them nice.

I know; odd. It's just how the very utilitarian buildings strike me. We'll be there in early September, will get a better view then.

 

[laurelew]

This one seems like the biggest under- delivered:

View attachment 877726

View attachment 877725

Which could so easily have been produced (so it seems to me). The original color palette seems richer. And the layering of pieces for a 3D effect instead of a giant, flat display says this is where we cut corners.

Basically, I get a very flat facade aspect coming through. This was pointed out: look at the art on the steps that wasn’t incorporated. The Goombay Center should be a tribute to Bahamian culture, one of the themes of the development.

As I look at it, there’s also a bit of incongruity between the ceiling art and the colorful “headdress” arch.

Looks like they did carry through on some use of layered signage:

View attachment 877733

Reality doesn’t seem so far off from concept here:

View attachment 877740


View attachment 877741

Wonder why less curves would have been cheaper - or would be less maintenance over time?

Foliage definitely makes a difference!

But compared to this concept, I think the subdued look they present is a win over the brightly-colored concept.

View attachment 877742

You have hit the nail on the head in regards to the Goombay Cultural Center. The flat nature of the colorful arch is a bit disappointing, especially seeing it next to the layered concept. I am very positive regarding my thoughts on Lookout Cay based on what I've seen so far but have thought there was something "off" about the Goombay Cultural Center and you perfectly explained why. That being said I appreciate that the ceiling is decorated much more beautifully than the concept art. So you win some, you lose some there.