Disney vloggers on Lighthouse Point

[John VN]

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.

r.e. bold -- *Disney IS as Disney DOES* and IMO, anything that comes in contact with Disney - MUST have plenty of and even more . I can accept the thought that restrictions were put on Disney by governing entities but the Imagineers should have looked outside the box and provided more magic.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

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!

I’d say deal, but I’d be going to all three! What can I say, variety is the spice of life. I would enjoy a pirate island but a resort in hand is worth two in the bush or something like that.

 

[Cheburashka]

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

Well, to start with, there isn't much in the way of trees at Lookout Cay. There is a pretty beach, but you can get that at many of the existing ports of call. The appeal of a "private island" is that there are no headaches with transportation, locals or food. Lookout Cay fails in two of the three.

Transportation is a big headache, with the long, hot pier with no shade or seating, and followed by the tram. It's easier and takes no longer to cross a typical port of call island via taxi to get to a great beach, then it does to get from the ship at Lookout Cay to its beach. And at normal beaches, there is more access to loungers with a view of the water.

The food at Lookout Cay has serious sanitary issues, given the fly infestation. A private island is supposed to alleviate concerns about unsanitary food. Not here. Food is also unavailable later in the afternoon, despite the fact that this island tends to feature a late morning arrival and an early evening departure. They still close down all of the food and smoothie stations around the same time as on Castaway, despite the fact that Castaway operates on an earlier schedule.

Lookout Cay is probably safe from crime and other nuisances public islands can be prone to. This is the one real advantage. However, it isn't much of an advantage, because many Caribbean islands are safe and don't feature tourists being harassed by vendors.

 

[MomOTwins]

Well, to start with, there isn't much in the way of trees at Lookout Cay. There is a pretty beach, but you can get that at many of the existing ports of call. The appeal of a "private island" is that there are no headaches with transportation, locals or food. Lookout Cay fails in two of the three.

Transportation is a big headache, with the long, hot pier with no shade or seating, and followed by the tram. It's easier and takes no longer to cross a typical port of call island via taxi to get to a great beach, then it does to get from the ship at Lookout Cay to its beach. And at normal beaches, there is more access to loungers with a view of the water.

The food at Lookout Cay has serious sanitary issues, given the fly infestation. A private island is supposed to alleviate concerns about unsanitary food. Not here. Food is also unavailable later in the afternoon, despite the fact that this island tends to feature a late morning arrival and an early evening departure. They still close down all of the food and smoothie stations around the same time as on Castaway, despite the fact that Castaway operates on an earlier schedule.

Lookout Cay is probably safe from crime and other nuisances public islands can be prone to. This is the one real advantage. However, it isn't much of an advantage, because many Caribbean islands are safe and don't feature tourists being harassed by vendors.

Great points. I’m curious though if the schedule is only later for these first few cruises? I am on a cruise in Oct that shows ashore time at lookout cay of 8:30am and departure at 4:45pm—so basically castaway cay hours.

 

[Mags2002]

Great points. I’m curious though if the schedule is only later for these first few cruises? I am on a cruise in Oct that shows ashore time at lookout cay of 8:30am and departure at 4:45pm—so basically castaway cay hours.

This was how it was yesterday. Later time on the first 2 days was because the crew from both ships had never been there and needed some time to get situated before Guests arrived. Now that it’s been done, it will be as smooth and easy as Castaway

 

[Cheburashka]

Great points. I’m curious though if the schedule is only later for these first few cruises? I am on a cruise in Oct that shows ashore time at lookout cay of 8:30am and departure at 4:45pm—so basically castaway cay hours.

Maybe so.

 

[NoodlesMom]

For those worried about the flies, Disney will figure it out soon I’m sure. This isn’t just a Lookout Cay issue. We vacationed in Eleuthera a few years ago and the flies are BAD as soon as food comes out. The locals use the little cans of gel chafing fuel (like the ones used under foil food containers to keep food warm). We ate outside a lot and the would bring them out to sit in the middle of the table while we ate. The flies must hate it because they would completely disappear. I think Disney thought the little fans would do but those Eleuthera flies are built different

 

[Cheburashka]

I hope that the Lookout Cay flies don't migrate to Castaway Cay via the ships.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

For those cruisers that have been to LHP and experienced the flies at lunch, what has been the response from DCL? Surely some passengers took video or photos and went directly to guest services on LHP or upon returning to the ship? What is DCL saying?edit: are they offering a stateroom credit or in any way trying to make up for this

They probably make up some BS that the flies are "cultural" and for environmental reasons, they cannot use pesticides.

In reality, we all know Disney has top notch pest control. The fact that people sometimes joke that the state bird of FL is the mosquito and yet we rarely, almost never, get mosquito bites while in WDW, shows what an amazing job they are capable of doing.


I can accept the long walk to avoid dredging and damaging reefs. I can accept that they didn't anticipate the amount of flies on opening day and it's a work in progress.
For me to get off the ship here, I need my beach chair ON THE BEACH. Not behind the dunes, it should be near the water's edge. Does the Bahamian government think that all the beach chairs on CC since the late 90's have ruined the island for wildlife to live?

Unless they could come up with some kind of push me-pull me type of tram, that can be driven in either direction, there is no space on the pier for the tram to turn around. Anywhere the trams drive in WDW or CC, there is a large circle for it to make a U-turn.

The Junkanoo theme isn't appealing to me and even the names they chose for spaces lack the usual Disney whimsical fun and humor. Play-Play Pavillion? Really? That's the best that Disney imagineers can do? Artists of the Renaissance period must be looking down from the heavens and laughing that we are back in the Dark Ages.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Play play means some chairs and board games. Very cultural.

 

[dreamer17555]

Play play means some chairs and board games. Very cultural.

It's a big step down IMO from In Da Shade even... which isn't exactly an impressive space but at least had offerings not only focused on the under 10 set.

And the culture center is chair & tables with a craft or workshop being offered... I don't know what I was expecting but it was more than that for sure.

 

[Donalddidwhat…?!]

Sorry, I haven’t read through all posts.
Do we have any updates on certain insects at Flyhouse Lighthouse Point…?

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[Cheburashka]

Sorry, I haven’t read through all posts.
Do we have any updates on certain insects at Flyhouse Lighthouse Point…?

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You mean "Lord of the Flies Island", as my friend calls it?

 

[dcassetta]

My good good friend hook hand Bobby just left hopefully I get to run into Mags and/or her friends when we sail later this year

We got to meet @Mags2002 and her friend Cinderella last fall. It was a treat!

 

[PinkPixel]

CC is the Flagship island, and where the newest ships are going....

In Chapek's Disney, if you wanted the best island should have booked the newest ship...

I think many thought it would be the opposite - keep fares high on the old boats with a new island, but I think it was the opposite - keep capacity up by offering everyone a private island, but give the best island to the newest ships....

In hindsight, it should have been more telling....

It does make sense though....like a lot of Chapek in hindsight. It's all weirdly rational and trying to serve multiple tiers of pricing.

 

[Cfabar1]

It does make sense though....like a lot of Chapek in hindsight. It's all weirdly rational and trying to serve multiple tiers of pricing.

it makes sense, until you recognize that they have branded Disney as a premium brand, in the same way that American Girl or Apple or LEGO are premium brands... Mass appeal, but premium pricing...

The more you add these kind of nickel and dime features, the more confusing it is for consumers and the more it degrades the long term value of the brand... Adding insult to injury, consider the price point of a Wish 3 Day cruise from PC, it isn't really all that different from a 3 day cruise (at least in Family Verandah, the category I book) out of PE on the magic...

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Chapek isn’t the fall for everything Disneys short comings are we not tired of that excuse now?

 

[dreamer17555]

Chapek isn’t the fall for everything Disneys short comings are we not tired of that excuse now?

I know everyone loves Josh but I place a lot of this on him. Chapek is gone. Nothing has improved regarding up charges.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

This was how it was yesterday. Later time on the first 2 days was because the crew from both ships had never been there and needed some time to get situated before Guests arrived. Now that it’s been done, it will be as smooth and easy as Castaway

My friend said you can’t meet all the characters like castaway is this true?

 

[PinkPixel]

it makes sense, until you recognize that they have branded Disney as a premium brand, in the same way that American Girl or Apple or LEGO are premium brands... Mass appeal, but premium pricing...

The more you add these kind of nickel and dime features, the more confusing it is for consumers and the more it degrades the long term value of the brand... Adding insult to injury, consider the price point of a Wish 3 Day cruise from PC, it isn't really all that different from a 3 day cruise (at least in Family Verandah, the category I book) out of PE on the magic...

I guess I should add that the realization of Light House point and it looking more like a state park is maybe not Chapek, but the budget cuts of Bob Igers return in the midst of the proxy fight. They won the battle but maybe not the war. Lighthouse point should have been premium, but not flagship Castaway as poster mentioned.