Lookout Cay long pier.

[OKW Lover]

However, from the PP's follow-ups DCL is simply expecting one to ask for a ride "due to X concern" which reflects an inability to do the physical walking required. Not asking for documentation.

That was indeed our experience when we stopped there on the Magic in September.

 

[RedHead0186]

We went to Lookout Cay on the Magic in September and were able to get a golf cart ride back to the ship with no problem. Nobody asked at all about ability-we saw an empty cart and asked if we could get a ride back and were told "sure." We were concierge but did not have a cabana. We did not ask for a cart to get to the island-though we did hear in the concierge lounge that you could meet up in one of the other lounges at a particular time to get a golf cart. I don't know if they were gatekeeping at all based on mobility, etc. I also don't know if that was specific to concierge, or if that was for any guest who wanted a golf cart.

 

[MomOTwins]

We went to Lookout Cay on the Magic in September and were able to get a golf cart ride back to the ship with no problem. Nobody asked at all about ability-we saw an empty cart and asked if we could get a ride back and were told "sure." We were concierge but did not have a cabana. We did not ask for a cart to get to the island-though we did hear in the concierge lounge that you could meet up in one of the other lounges at a particular time to get a golf cart. I don't know if they were gatekeeping at all based on mobility, etc. I also don't know if that was specific to concierge, or if that was for any guest who wanted a golf cart.

Our cruise was this past week and it was definitely described to me by the concierge host as a recent change—she said they used to be allowed to use golf carts for concierge guests and they were no longer permitted to do so—now golf carts are for guests with mobility issues only.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

Our cruise was this past week and it was definitely described to me by the concierge host as a recent change—she said they used to be allowed to use golf carts for concierge guests and they were no longer permitted to do so—now golf carts are for guests with mobility issues only.

I do wonder if this is partly semantics... on the cruise I was on just a few weeks ago there were no golf carts 'for concierge' (I asked, being on concierge) but there were instructions on if you thought you needed a ride out for mobility reasons, but mobility reasons was broadly defined and in our case included being 'mature' and in other cases included people with infants. Everyone on board got the same instructions and place to report to. No one asked for proof of mobility issue or explanation, just told where to sit while we waited. We arrived 15 minutes early, but they were already accepting people and we went out on the first wave of 6 golf carts. Literally the first off the boat, even before folks walking. We got to the shops before anyone else too

On the way back, even easier, there was a roped off line with picnic tables to sit on at the left, and there was no turning people away even if they were just plain tired. Spent less than 2 minutes in line. Was that area still there or did you see signs of them turning people away?

 

[MomOTwins]

I do wonder if this is partly semantics... on the cruise I was on just a few weeks ago there were no golf carts 'for concierge' (I asked, being on concierge) but there were instructions on if you thought you needed a ride out for mobility reasons, but mobility reasons was broadly defined and in our case included being 'mature' and in other cases included people with infants. Everyone on board got the same instructions and place to report to. No one asked for proof of mobility issue or explanation, just told where to sit while we waited. We arrived 15 minutes early, but they were already accepting people and we went out on the first wave of 6 golf carts. Literally the first off the boat, even before folks walking. We got to the shops before anyone else too

On the way back, even easier, there was a roped off line with picnic tables to sit on at the left, and there was no turning people away even if they were just plain tired. Spent less than 2 minutes in line. Was that area still there or did you see signs of them turning people away?

I don’t think it is just semantics, as there was no information given on a meetup place/time—I did push on this ask specifically if there was any way at all we could get a golf cart because it was very important to me and a big part of the reason we book a cabana because my son would have a hard time with the walk, and was told “everyone walks now” unless they physically can’t—examples given were we’d have to have a knee or hip replacement or other mobility impairment. And we were told that the request has to be made and approved by guest services if you do have a mobility issue, so not a case you could just show up somewhere and get on a golf cart to the island.

I guess I should have been clearer this restriction was for a ride TO the island. I do know they have always allowed a ride back to anyone and that was still theoretically an option. I say theoretically because in our case, when we went to inquire the line stretched a huge way back and we were quoted an hour wait in the hot sun (the umbrellas only covered the first 20 or so people in line and that was just a small fraction of the people waiting), so we opted to carry kid back as an hour wait is much worse for him than the 15 min walk (waits are a huge trigger issue for him—why we always do DAS at disney world). Although now that you mention it, this is probably a good illustration of why they had to crack down on the rides to the island—too many people and too few golf carts.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I don’t think it is just semantics, as there was no information given on a meetup place/time—I did push on this ask specifically if there was any way at all we could get a golf cart because it was very important to me and a big part of the reason we book a cabana because my son would have a hard time with the walk, and was told “everyone walks now” unless they physically can’t—examples given were we’d have to have a knee or hip replacement or other mobility impairment. And we were told that the request has to be made and approved by guest services if you do have a mobility issue, so not a case you could just show up somewhere and get on a golf cart to the island.

I guess I should have been clearer this restriction was for a ride TO the island. I do know they have always allowed a ride back to anyone and that was still theoretically an option. I say theoretically because in our case, when we went to inquire the line stretched a huge way back and we were quoted an hour wait in the hot sun (the umbrellas only covered the first 20 or so people in line and that was just a small fraction of the people waiting), so we opted to carry kid back as an hour wait is much worse for him than the 15 min walk (waits are a huge trigger issue for him—why we always do DAS at disney world). Although now that you mention it, this is probably a good illustration of why they had to crack down on the rides to the island—too many people and too few golf carts.

Just reporting my recent experience. I cant recall where the instructions were, might have been the daily news show, or on my app. But you are right, it's clear Disney is STILL trying to work this out. Maybe 6 carts was not enough. Maybe one or two broke down, or got reassigned to the Concierge carts that DO run (at the adult beach cabanas, you picked them up after the tram ride). I noticed the Castmembers that deliver food and drinks to the cabanas had carts. They did mention the service TO the island ran from 9:30 to 11:15 (which was curious because the official debarkation time was 10). Maybe someone complained about having to wait that long and made a stink about someone they felt shouldn't be getting a ride and causing them to wait longer. People can get testy when they wait.

As for our return experience, I saw rain clouds coming and left promptly, so we might have been ahead of the crowd. But we waited at the first table so.. very short line. It does seem like a matter of luck.

 

[OKW Lover]

That was indeed our experience when we stopped there on the Magic in September.

Correction - it was August 27th.

 

[Kit Jackson]

View attachment 904592

I have not been to Lookout Cay. People tell me the pier isn't as long as it looks in pictures, and I am willing to believe them. Can someone explain why it looks so much longer in pictures than it is in reality? I am fascinated by optical illusions so I am genuinely curious what is actually happening.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I have not been to Lookout Cay. People tell me the pier isn't as long as it looks in pictures, and I am willing to believe them. Can someone explain why it looks so much longer in pictures than it is in reality? I am fascinated by optical illusions so I am genuinely curious what is actually happening.

So to be clear, it IS long, but the reason folks say it isn't as long as in the pictures is most people take pictures with their cell phones today. The main lens of which is what we normally would call a wide angle lens (back in the days people used cameras with interchangeable lenses, and for the record I still do) with a focal length of typically 24 mm. This is ideal for selfies and nearby group shots. In contrast, the focal length people usually quote as being similar to the human eye is 50 mm (or tighter), so that is what looks 'normal' to us. Just FYI, a 'portrait lens' is 85 mm which compresses the distance and makes the back ground look smaller in relation to the person's face.

Anyway, the wide angle lens on our cell phones makes things in the background seem further away, hence as the pier goes into the distance it appears longer.

 

[justafigment27]

I’m going to be there in a couple of weeks. I’m planning on wearing my sneakers for the 800M pier run and bringing my sandals in my beach bag.

So if you’re setting by someone on the tram to the beach with their dogs out changing shoes … that’s me, sorry. But, I’ll need to bolt from the tram to get a spot on the actual beach and don’t want sand in my sneakers.

I will report back!

 

[OKW Lover]

I understand the length is about 7/10th of a mile

 

[DMickey]

I understand the length is about 7/10th of a mile

I’m going to be there in a couple of weeks. I’m planning on wearing my sneakers for the 800M pier run and bringing my sandals in my beach bag.

So if you’re setting by someone on the tram to the beach with their dogs out changing shoes … that’s me, sorry. But, I’ll need to bolt from the tram to get a spot on the actual beach and don’t want sand in my sneakers.

I will report back!

I'm curious to hear recent experiences with someone with a medical disability. Do we have to bring our placard? And can I accompany my husband?

 

[dreamer17555]

I'm curious to hear recent experiences with someone with a medical disability. Do we have to bring our placard? And can I accompany my husband?

No documentation required but they did ask all able bodied family members to meet them at the drop off point to make room for guests who need to service.

 

[katyringo]

I feel like Disney needs a better process for this and let me tell
You why based on our recent expirence on the Magic just last week-

My husband has physical disability so he cannot make that walk. They had anyone needed the carts meet at fathoms in the morning with a statement that said "first come first serve and it may take up to an hour. Also no family is allowed to come with."

So what happened was my husband is in fathoms and I am with the kids. So first- this puts a burden on the other parent. My husband needs one hand to hold a cane so it's not like I could send stuff with him. I'd imagine if I sent the kids down with him they wouldn't say "sorry kids you have to walk alone without an adult.." but you get my point. It separates the family. Then what happened is we are waiting for the all clear to head off the boat when my husband texts me that they already have moved him off the boat and is about to go down the pier. So we also arrived to the island at totally separate times. this whole process was so strange to me as Disney typically really keeps families together. I did mention this in my survey.

I have a younger child so when husband took the cart back at the end of the day I grabbed one of those wagon and pulled my younger kid and our stuff.

 

[DMickey]

I feel like Disney needs a better process for this and let me tell
You why based on our recent expirence on the Magic just last week-

My husband has physical disability so he cannot make that walk. They had anyone needed the carts meet at fathoms in the morning with a statement that said "first come first serve and it may take up to an hour. Also no family is allowed to come with."

So what happened was my husband is in fathoms and I am with the kids. So first- this puts a burden on the other parent. My husband needs one hand to hold a cane so it's not like I could send stuff with him. I'd imagine if I sent the kids down with him they wouldn't say "sorry kids you have to walk alone without an adult.." but you get my point. It separates the family. Then what happened is we are waiting for the all clear to head off the boat when my husband texts me that they already have moved him off the boat and is about to go down the pier. So we also arrived to the island at totally separate times. this whole process was so strange to me as Disney typically really keeps families together. I did mention this in my survey.

I have a younger child so when husband took the cart back at the end of the day I grabbed one of those wagon and pulled my younger kid and our stuff.

Thank you for this reply! Your experience was what I was looking for! I just needed to know when to start walking to meet my husband about the same time. We also have other family members to consider. We scored a cabana and are not concierge so I am extremely grateful we do not have to worry about the ride back.

 

[DMickey]

I feel like Disney needs a better process for this and let me tell
You why based on our recent expirence on the Magic just last week-

My husband has physical disability so he cannot make that walk. They had anyone needed the carts meet at fathoms in the morning with a statement that said "first come first serve and it may take up to an hour. Also no family is allowed to come with."

So what happened was my husband is in fathoms and I am with the kids. So first- this puts a burden on the other parent. My husband needs one hand to hold a cane so it's not like I could send stuff with him. I'd imagine if I sent the kids down with him they wouldn't say "sorry kids you have to walk alone without an adult.." but you get my point. It separates the family. Then what happened is we are waiting for the all clear to head off the boat when my husband texts me that they already have moved him off the boat and is about to go down the pier. So we also arrived to the island at totally separate times. this whole process was so strange to me as Disney typically really keeps families together. I did mention this in my survey.

I have a younger child so when husband took the cart back at the end of the day I grabbed one of those wagon and pulled my younger kid and our stuff.

Did you go to guest services before or call ahead to get your husband on the golf cart?

 

[Gentry2004]

I’m so glad that I no longer have small children. This whole pier business just seems like a swing and a miss for DCL. What on earth were they thinking? We will be there this summer for the first time and my expectations are very low for the new island.

 

[Kwami]

What on earth were they thinking?

They were thinking that this was the least ecologically-damaging way to get people from the ship to the island and back.

 

[katyringo]

Did you go to guest services before or call ahead to get your husband on the golf cart?

He went to guest services- but didn't need to. They sent a message out on the app and in the announcements about the process.

 

[jwalk03]

I’m so glad that I no longer have small children. This whole pier business just seems like a swing and a miss for DCL. What on earth were they thinking? We will be there this summer for the first time and my expectations are very low for the new island.

Lookout Cay is fabulous. The water, the sand, the new buildings- I loved all of it. I honestly like it more than Castaway Cay. Its a much more natural beach with dunes and waves and gorgeous cliffs in the distance. Really is great.

Don't let the pier walk color your expectations. Lookout Cay is awesome. (They had to have the pier this way to avoid damaging the coral reefs)