Treasure Missing Lookout Cay Not An Issue Anymore

[HairyChest]

Well, Disney did it.
They made me not care that the Treasure itineraries will not dock at Lookout Cay. It was the one thing that was making me pause my decision to book the new ship next year over the others ( I can’t afford multiple cruises ). After seeing the previews and experiences of those that have been to the island, its been very dissapointing to say the least. The beach and ocean look fabulous, but everything else looks like a downgrade from Castaway Cay. From the half mile hike you have to walk for transportation (hope they do something about that) to the plain looking buildings, to the Junkanoo celebration that looks underwhelming, and the fly infested food area (this can’t be sanitary so I’m sure they will do something about it soon right!?) its very disappointing.
It also doesn’t seem like they are making much differentiation in what this island is trying to provide as an experience compared to Castaway even IF it was firing on all cylinders. The excursions don’t seem unique or interesting to me, nor the food.
I know there are people who have a hard time criticizing something they love so much like Disney and Cruising but I have to be honest with my feelings. I have not shown my family all the previews released so far as to not risk them becoming disinterested in case the island improves over time and I do want to book it.

Anyone else not basing their decision on a ship/itinerary anymore on whether it was visiting Lookout Cay or not?

 

[SomePixiedust]

I have a fall cruise booked visiting both islands and I have to agree, I was underwhelmed after watching a few Youtube videos on the first cruise to Lookout Cay. I am cruising with some first-timers and have hyped CC to them. At this point I don't plan to sell LC too hard to them. The beach and ocean were definitely top notch but everything else was a little lackluster for me. I'm hoping they change a bit over time. I know there are a few in my party that will not want to do that walk from the ship (though I think it may look worse than it is) then the additional trek to Serenity Bay.

I'm looking forward to more reviews from future cruises to see what it's looking like when it's fully up and running.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I was never basing my choice of ship / itinerary on visiting LHP. I like the beach fine, and LHP beach looks great, but I'd rather be in a port with more interesting and varied options for excursions.

 

[Mags2002]

I have a fall cruise booked visiting both islands and I have to agree, I was underwhelmed after watching a few Youtube videos on the first cruise to Lookout Cay. I am cruising with some first-timers and have hyped CC to them. At this point I don't plan to sell LC too hard to them. The beach and ocean were definitely top notch but everything else was a little lackluster for me. I'm hoping they change a bit over time. I know there are a few in my party that will not want to do that walk from the ship (though I think it may look worse than it is) then the additional trek to Serenity Bay.

I'm looking forward to more reviews from future cruises to see what it's looking like when it's fully up and running.

The walk definitely looks worse than it is. You then get the tram after that to serenity bay

 

[randumb0]

The walk definitely looks worse than it is. You then get the tram after that to serenity bay

Would a 7 year old agree that the walk isn't bad?

 

[DCLMP]

To answer your question yes. I've decided the Cozumel and CC itinerary is better. I love Cozumel and hate Nassau so I don't see a point in spending the extra money. The pier walk is fine, but the rest of island just looks like another CC and CC is just Ok.

 

[Mags2002]

Would a 7 year old agree that the walk isn't bad?

I didn’t say that. I said it looks worse in the pictures than reality. I’m sure they’d be fine on the way there, the way back may be more of a struggle for them

 

[DCLMP]

Would a 7 year old agree that the walk isn't bad?

We spent all day at WDW when my kids were that age. They would have ran the whole bridge. They were full of energy. Have kids changed that much?

 

[randumb0]

I didn’t say that. I said it looks worse in the pictures than reality. I’m sure they’d be fine on the way there, the way back may be more of a struggle for them

I wasnt putting words in your mouth I was asking your opinion

 

[dreamer17555]

We spent all day at WDW when my kids were that age. They would have ran the whole bridge. They were full of energy. Have kids changed that much?

Not every child is the same. Like not every person is the same.

And honestly swimming and running around a beach in the sun is exhausting. At WDW, there is AC and places to cool off and refresh out of the sun and heat. It doesn't appear the same for Lookout Cay.

 

[Mags2002]

I wasnt putting words in your mouth I was asking your opinion

Oh sorry.

It depends on the child. It seems most kids and adults were fine and excited to get off the ship. Lots were tired and hot coming back and it took longer but as far as I am aware there were no problems or meltdowns getting back

 

[DCLMP]

Kids always complain about walking, but they are perfectly capable of doing it. Just ignore they whining as soon as they get back to ship and eat an ice cream cone they'll be bouncing off the walls again.

 

[DCLMP]

Oh sorry.

It depends on the child. It seems most kids and adults were fine and excited to get off the ship. Lots were tired and hot coming back and it took longer but as far as I am aware there were no problems or meltdowns getting back

When my son was under 12 he would complain every time we left the ship. He hated walking. No physical reason he couldn't He was a real PITA to travel with, As soon as we passed through security to get back on the ship. He would take off running up 11 flights of stairs to get ice cream and go to the Oceanears club or Edge. Now he's 19 and loves touring, traveling and walking which I find shocking considering his past behaviour.

 

[dreamer17555]

Oh sorry.

It depends on the child. It seems most kids and adults were fine and excited to get off the ship. Lots were tired and hot coming back and it took longer but as far as I am aware there were no problems or meltdowns getting back

Just so you are aware a blogger already posted that her child had a meltdown just getting off the ship and was lucky they took pity on her and she caught a ride back on the return trip. So yes it appears that there were children having difficulties already

 

[justafigment27]

I kind of thought the same thing, OP. I absolutely love CC and was expecting something even better with LC. I was very excited for a second private island and now I’m just kind of “meh”. Like, sure I’d go there, but it’s definitely not a deal breaker if it’s not included.

 

[dreamer17555]

Kids always complain about walking, but they are perfectly capable of doing it. Just ignore they whining as soon as they get back to ship and eat an ice cream cone they'll be bouncing off the walls again.

I am once again going to point out your experiences are not universal. When either of my children (autistic and neurotypical) hit a meltdown point it could take HOURS for them to be calm enough to be able to enjoy something like ice cream. When they hit meltdown they needed (actually still somewhat need) a cool, calm place to reset and it can take them awhile to get there.

Each child is different. It sounds like even you would have heard a lot of moaning from your own child (as you mentioned) with getting them across that pier. They just bounce back quicker. Not every child or person does.

 

[Mom2Anna&Elsa]

We booked the Treasure for June 2025 and I was originally disappointed it skipped LC at LP but am now happy it goes to Castaway Cay instead. Reasons I like Castaway better, based on videos I saw of the new destination:

-walk to beach, not required to take tram
-serenity bay separation from family beach
-designated teen area on Castaway
-ability to rent floats on Castaway
-more vegetation/shade (I know this will be remedied over time but certainly not in a year)
-fly situation at food (are there pesticide restrictions at new place?)
-snorkeling area at Castaway with Disney statues in water

My girls & I both watched Kyle Pallo & Super Enthused yesterday and were rather bummed with the new Disney stop. The beach itself and the water looks beautiful but everything else looked disappointing. I’m really hoping they make improvements.

 

[OKW Lover]

I base my cruise trips first on itinerary. Price enters into the equation as well as does sail dates. Another driver might be new experiences in terms of ships or ports.

Having said that, the reviews of the new Disney private island do not affect my choices. Just like the reviews of the Wish don't affect my choices. I prefer to make my own decision about how good/bad the experience is.

 

[CamColt]

We usually choose our itinerary by timing (I work in a school so I'm limited), and for our summer trip we go toward the end for when it's less expensive. From there I see what options are available based on itinerary as I have no interest in Alaska or Europe, and usually want to sail out of FL. So once I break it down to that the ports don't matter to me.

With that said up until now CC is the 1 port I do care about. I definitely want to see LP and we are booked to visit both islands in Feb, and again next August. I can't imagine I will cancel the Aug 25 cruise due to the stop at LP, even if I find it horrible in Feb (which I'm not expecting to). If I really didn't want to go there again I'd probably just make it a ship day like we do at Nassau.

Kids always complain about walking, but they are perfectly capable of doing it. Just ignore they whining as soon as they get back to ship and eat an ice cream cone they'll be bouncing off the walls again.

I think that is the answer right there! Bribe the kids with an ice cream when they get back on board and they will be running down that pier.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hadn’t realized that my December Fantasy Merrytime Cruise is also going to LP, so, we will be going to LP twice this year.

We have HA staterooms, so, I am hoping I will have access to transport across the pier. However, I will be OK with staying onboard and using the pool. Another choice I have is to rent an ECV, to be sure I get to see the new island once.

We also have a Treasure cruise in January, and yes, I am just as happy, we are not going to LP then.