Disney vloggers on Lighthouse Point

[WB1971]

I think a lot of it is environmentally-related. My first thought was that they maybe should put up some permanent cover along the way, and then I realized that it could be disastrous in the first hurricane or high winds. Bringing the pier closer to the island and dredging may have been a "no-go" from the Bahamian government due to potential damage to the ecosystem. The width may be of a similar issue - both environmental and issues with high winds/hurricanes. The bigger/wider the obstacle (pier), the more likely it is to be damaged due to a larger contact area. It could also be that this width had to conform to where it was feasible to put structural posts.

Benches may be a problem in high winds or waves. We saw some videos recently of high waves at Grand Cayman and at Coco Cay washing over the pier (washing over is a very mild description of what that looked like - it was shortly after our stop at GC was cancelled due to high winds), which would not only wash away any bench, even if made of concrete, but could potentially pick up those tied into the pier in some way and cause damage. Still, time will tell how they will deal with some of the drawbacks, complaints, and issues. Castaway Cay looks very different today than it did when I first visited in 2000.

I really like the raised walkways. You're less likely to get lots of sand kicked up on the boards than if it was at ground level and it does not disrupt any "wildlife" (do you call crabs wildlife?) because they can burrow or crawl beneath without impact.

There has to be a fair balance between function and environmentalism. This whole design seems skewed so far that guest comfort, convenience and health (lack of fly control) are just compromised. Dredging a small channel halfway up the distance of that pier to make it shorter simply isn’t going to be that damaging compared to all those pilings. I'd bet protecting a few big moths means no pesticides for fly control. If you’re going to have a destination for 20,000 paying humans a week, they need to be primary concern, or just don’t do it. (With more than reasonable consideration given to environmental issues of course)

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Its interesting to me to see all this back and forth about the new resort. As thats what it is, a private resort on an island.

It reminds me of all the criticism I see from people who have been World Showcase at Walt Disney World and or Vegas and then come to Europe to see the real cities and countries. And how the real cities, countries get a negative reaction, are called dirty etc.

It seems to me that Disney have created this island resort as a direct opposite to Castaway Cay, for those people who want a less in your face Disney themed beach day, who want a more neutral, local style beach day.

And that yet again the Disney fans dont get that everyone feels the same way as them.

Its obvious to me, if you want the in your face Disney theming, go to Castaway Cay. Thats your beach day. Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay is for those who dont want the sanitized Disney beach day.

 

[kathi]

It seems to me that Disney have created this island resort as a direct opposite to Castaway Cay, for those people who want a less in your face Disney themed beach day, who want a more neutral, local style beach day.

I'd at least like a sanitary lunch...

 

[dreamer17555]

Its obvious to me, if you want the in your face Disney theming, go to Castaway Cay. Thats your beach day. Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay is for those who dont want the sanitized Disney beach day.

If the goal is not a sanitized Disney beach day then why did DCL bother to spend the money instead of visiting other established ports, maybe some different ones for a change... In fact if the goal is to to given a more authentic experience than the idea of having Mickey and Minnie in costume isn't it.

And I am sorry but I would not be pleased if I paid for an beach day excursion at another port and found food covered in flies, and lounge chairs buried behind sand dunes...

The buildings Disney built do not resemble any sort of historically accurate Bahamian architecture . I personally think that besides the roof line most of them would fit in at a Tanger outlet mall. I do not see how on one hand they can build a kids club and splash pad and that isn't considered a sanitized Disney beach day but of course if they built a Vibe\Edge hangout building or sports area that is a bridge too far?

 

[jimmymc]

And that yet again the Disney fans dont get that everyone feels the same way as them.

Its obvious to me, if you want the in your face Disney theming, go to Castaway Cay. Thats your beach day. Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay is for those who dont want the sanitized Disney beach day.

The long walk from the pier and flies on the food aren't just different tastes in theming, those are problems at any private beach destination. I've heard just as many reviews who like the theming, the informative tram ride, and design of the canopies. I also think that if the flies and long walk in the sun didn't exist, you'd see better reviews of the theming.

 

[kiford]

They can make their own water and probably already are.

Do you mean desalination? Yes, most, if not all, of Eleuthera's potable water is produced from desalination plants. It is very energy-intensive and expensive, and the resulting brine discharge can impact fragile ecosystems, so they have to strike a balance between producing enough water for residents, energy production and costs, brine discharge and tourism. A huge pool of the size, as shown in the Carnival drawing, is going to throw that balance out. It's not as simple as just deciding to build a pool, dig up the natural ecosystem to put it in, build a desalination plant to continuously fill it and also manage chlorinated water discharge or treatment on an island like Eleuthera that has decided to focus on more sustainable development and ecotourism than Grand Bahama Island.

 

[MonaMN]

View attachment 867526

This is carnival cruise lines new bohemian island concept that incorporates the culture and conservation efforts as well. It just is so leagues ahead of what Disney is offering. I’ll get over it by not going there, but I was just so excited for this new island.

*shudder* If I want something like that, I'll stay home and just go to a water park in any American city. This would be a total turn-off for us.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

*shudder* If I want something like that, I'll stay home and just go to a water park in any American city. This would be a total turn-off for us.

Great if I want the experience they’re offering to I can go to a local beach at least there won’t be flies there.

 

[mousefan73]

the youtubers we watch, had an honest review. They saw the pier from the ship and noted ok, we need to time this... called that problem out. But were very positive on the island itself and noted that much is to come and that things are new and growing ( shade) the island and beach does look amazing if you want that natural state.. we like that. We dont need more things like kids clubs ( my are old now and even if little I would tell them the island day is family day and no clubs anyways). From what I saw here are my only concerns for our family.. and this includes my mom, 73 with mobility issues but no scooter/WCHR bound.

1. distance from ship to tram without any shade or seating for breaks. Even when you reach the island there is no seating to rest.
2. Flys gross , but they will hopefully fix this - a few natural incests is ok, we should except a 100% fly free outdoor eating, but that was investation.
3. and here is my real issue, small but significantly would not make our beach experience good.. The lack of floaties... as adults we float on those all day in the water, that is the fun for us. This is maybe the real done deal for us.

 

[loislane]

*shudder* If I want something like that, I'll stay home and just go to a water park in any American city. This would be a total turn-off for us.

Same!

 

[loislane]

Just wanted to share some info from Disney's website they maintain related to Lookout Cay. www.lighthousepointbahamas.com.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

This is what happened! Same people that never cruised designed the Wish and now people that have never been to an island developed this island getaway!

Have you been on the Wish? Just curious because I had heard all the hand wringing and the bad reviews, so I was concerned before boarding. But I loved that ship. Currently it is my favorite. But I liked Galactic Star Cruiser too. lol

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

There has to be a fair balance between function and environmentalism. This whole design seems skewed so far that guest comfort, convenience and health (lack of fly control) are just compromised. Dredging a small channel halfway up the distance of that pier to make it shorter simply isn’t going to be that damaging compared to all those pilings. I'd bet protecting a few big moths means no pesticides for fly control. If you’re going to have a destination for 20,000 paying humans a week, they need to be primary concern, or just don’t do it. (With more than reasonable consideration given to environmental issues of course)

There isn't always fair balance in legal restrictions. At Castaway Cay, Disney could call the shots. At Lookout Cay, Eluthera calls the shots. Laws on the books are difficult to change. I own property in Maine along the coast line and the restrictions are ridiculous to me but the law is the law and applies to everyone. I can't even build a stair case down to the high tide line. The argument has been made that if Disney could not design the proper experience they shouldn't even have tried, and maybe there is something to that, but I wonder how many private island areas are left in the Caribbean? And so instead of making coco cay with disney ears on it, they aimed for something more low key and environmentally friendly to comply with the laws. They have had some opening problems, my guess its way too early to tell if this will ever be enough for folks or not.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

There isn't always fair balance in legal restrictions. At Castaway Cay, Disney could call the shots. At Lookout Cay, Eluthera calls the shots. Laws on the books are difficult to change. I own property in Maine along the coast line and the restrictions are ridiculous to me but the law is the law and applies to everyone. I can't even build a stair case down to the high tide line. The argument has been made that if Disney could not design the proper experience they shouldn't even have tried, and maybe there is something to that, but I wonder how many private island areas are left in the Caribbean? And so instead of making coco cay with disney ears on it, they aimed for something more low key and environmentally friendly to comply with the laws. They have had some opening problems, my guess its way too early to tell if this will ever be enough for folks or not.

I agree with what you said in another post there should be three islands I’ll be on the coco cay with Mickey ears while you are enjoying that nature trail!

 

[GoofyDisneyDaddy]

There isn't always fair balance in legal restrictions. At Castaway Cay, Disney could call the shots. At Lookout Cay, Eluthera calls the shots. Laws on the books are difficult to change. I own property in Maine along the coast line and the restrictions are ridiculous to me but the law is the law and applies to everyone. I can't even build a stair case down to the high tide line. The argument has been made that if Disney could not design the proper experience they shouldn't even have tried, and maybe there is something to that, but I wonder how many private island areas are left in the Caribbean? And so instead of making coco cay with disney ears on it, they aimed for something more low key and environmentally friendly to comply with the laws. They have had some opening problems, my guess its way too early to tell if this will ever be enough for folks or not.

You don’t have the resources of Disney…. There is always a deal to be made. Laws are more like the pirate code when you have the right resources and desire to use them.

 

[xiphoid76]

Have you been on the Wish? Just curious because I had heard all the hand wringing and the bad reviews, so I was concerned before boarding. But I loved that ship. Currently it is my favorite. But I liked Galactic Star Cruiser too. lol

Yes, went on it once - by far my least favorite. The designers of the ship layout bragged about how they have never been on a cruise before. It shows We got a great deal on a cruise next month on the Wish after saying I would never sail it again, so I will give it another shot and see if I just had on cranky old-man glasses when on it my first time.

 

[Cheburashka]

Grand Bahama Island and Eleuthera have very different levels and availability of freshwater sources. While both islands have sensitive ecosystems and are subject to issues related to climate change, Eleuthera's is particularly sensitive to large-scale infrastructure projects. While the Bahamian government may be accepting of the Carnival resort design, a giant pool in an area with water availability issues is not representative of a conservation ethos.

Disney should have made its private island somewhere else, rather than somewhere they weren't allowed to deliver great service and good amenities to guests.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Its interesting to me to see all this back and forth about the new resort. As thats what it is, a private resort on an island.

It reminds me of all the criticism I see from people who have been World Showcase at Walt Disney World and or Vegas and then come to Europe to see the real cities and countries. And how the real cities, countries get a negative reaction, are called dirty etc.

It seems to me that Disney have created this island resort as a direct opposite to Castaway Cay, for those people who want a less in your face Disney themed beach day, who want a more neutral, local style beach day.

And that yet again the Disney fans dont get that everyone feels the same way as them.

Its obvious to me, if you want the in your face Disney theming, go to Castaway Cay. Thats your beach day. Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay is for those who dont want the sanitized Disney beach day.

For me, if I'm spending money on a Disney cruise, I want a Disney experience. If I don't want the Disney experience, there are plenty of other cruise lines that can supply that, at a lower cost.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

For me, if I'm spending money on a Disney cruise, I want a Disney experience. If I don't want the Disney experience, there are plenty of other cruise lines that can supply that, at a lower cost.

EXACTLY!!!!!!!! You sure you don’t want a beach with clear water and some trees!?

 

[lilmc]

The designers of the ship layout bragged about how they have never been on a cruise before. It shows

That does explain a lot