We’ve Arrived at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!

[Mags2002]

Would you eat the burger in the video posted?

I did

 

[AZMermaid]

I did

You are braver than me but I’ll give it to you! I’m not uber skeeved out by a fly or two but 6+ with three under the bun… that’s a hard no from me.

 

[disdreaming2]

Monitor yourself for diseases carried by nasty flies. Good luck
https://www.sciencealert.com/housef...more-diseases-than-thought-bacteria-pathogens

 

[Mags2002]

You are braver than me but I’ll give it to you! I’m not uber skeeved out by a fly or two but 6+ with three under the bun… that’s a hard no from me.

I’d been on the nature trail, swimming and hanging with some Munks so I was hungry!!!

 

[JM_97]

I don't know why people think this. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? Snow White? There are a lot of original Disneyland rides that used IP. And similarly, Disney has opened a lot of things that don't have IP. I think there's a mix back in the day and a mix now.

Meant to clarify on DCL specifically.

 

[kathi]

Except it appears that is also what some people are doing in the background. I get you want to defend DCL and you clearly are passionate for the company and clearly love your job but you have said things like- no kids had meltdowns crossing the pier (blogger posted about her child having a meltdown crossing the pier), that DCL didn't know about the flies (other CMs that live on the island are not saying the same, and the presence of the spinner things paints a different picture) tons of available chairs at dining locations (multiple reports from different sources say differently)...

But has it occured that DCL should have known about these issues? They should have spent the money to run test sailings with only CMs before rolling this out to the media? That they are a company with deep pockets and have amazingly smart people working for them so they know that a bunch of chairs behind sand dunes are not going to be popular location, they can bring in food and see how bad the insect problem is, that they know how many guests are on their ship and that they generally like to eat lunch around the same timeframe, they can look at the pier and know it's not going to be a popular optic?

Some of this was preventable but Disney did not want to spend the money on it. And now some kind CM in guest services is likely having to hear over and over again about flies everywhere because Disney did not want to spend the money and take the time to do things right. How is that okay? That instead of investing the proper funds and time they will let their CMs be their shield and they get the direct brunt of complaints?

100% all of this - this is on Disney for doing a bad job of planning and preparing for the first paying guests.
I love Disney, but I am not blind to when they screw something up.

 

[kdonnel]

The beach, while pretty, is not nearly as nice as Castaway.

I felt like the beach was incredible and a level or two better than Castaway. I guess beaches are as subjective as food.

 

[kdonnel]

Would you eat the burger in the video posted?

I’ll do you one better. I ate the peas and rice and there were more flies than the burger.

 

[disdreaming2]

I felt like the beach was incredible and a level or two better than Castaway. I guess beaches are as subjective as food.

I live in Florida and have been on several cruises. Just ask Dr. Beach you have to consider *everything* into that particular beach’s equation. How crowded it is, the overall atmosphere, how long it took to get there to enjoy it etc.

 

[kathi]

I live in Florida and have been on several cruises. Just ask Dr. Beach you have to consider *everything* into that particular beach’s equation. How crowded it is, the overall atmosphere, how long it took to get there to enjoy it etc.

I believe the issue with the beach is that there are not enough chairs by the ocean for everyone and most of the guests have to sit behind the dunes. I will be there next week and can report back - but that report conforms with the photos and video I have seen posted.

 

[ichoose2believe]

For me I am lucky because our sail date is at the end of September and I hope that things with the flies will be resolved by then. I will admit that the flies being on the ship is also a problem because they can be hard to get rid of with so many different places to hide. I will agree that current optics don't paint the island, or Disney, in the best light because this seems like something that they possibly should have been aware of, however, we will never know for sure.

As far as the island itself... we are 100% beach people and I can't wait to visit. That water looks so pretty and from the videos that I have seen it seems like there is more space to spread out than at Castaway. I will admit that I am not super excited about the walk back after spending the day at the beach but I guess I will have to just cross that bridge when I get there. I am thinking about bring umbrellas with us so that we can block out some of the sun on the walk. I do think that once the trees and shrubs grow in that it will be a beautiful space and it will help to provide some much needed shade on the island.

 

[Donna3271]

I did

Mags, did you happen to notice on the navigator if Cabanas or a sit down lunch was available on the Lookout Point day?

TYIA!

 

[ShaneDJ]

Okay I was super excited for the new island. I am way less excited now.

The walk alone is rough but no shade or benches? Nothing. I can walk it but to be honest I do not want to.

I didn't pay thousands of dollars to have to walk with my beach stuff that far to then get a tram.

Its just not well thought out which is disappointing.

As for the flies we deal with them here and I won't eat outside if they are around. There really is no excuse.

I do not care how new this island is its unacceptable.

This is a good summary of the problems with Lookout Cay: long walks (no shade) and flies on the food.

It feels like DCL focused too much on "culture" and "the environment" and forgot that their customers are paying thousands of dollars (and more than other cruise lines!)...and that their guests want a relaxing and pampering island experience.

From an overall design perspective and sanitary perspective, they've missed the mark.

Yah, their guests can walk the half-mile (unshaded) pier...with all of their beach stuff and kids. Then another 10+ minute tram ride before getting to the beach.

Yah, their guests can eat food infested by flies (yuck!!)...but that is not providing their guests with a pampering (or even sanitary!) experience.

We will still cruise on DCL, but we will avoid itineraries that stop at Lookout Cay.

 

[Mags2002]

Mags, did you happen to notice on the navigator if Cabanas or a sit down lunch was available on the Lookout Point day?

TYIA!

Oh sorry I did not notice as I was focused on the island. I’ll find out and get back to you

 

[disdreaming2]

This is a good summary of the problems with Lookout Cay: long walks (no shade) and flies on the food.

It feels like DCL focused too much on "culture" and "the environment" and forgot that their customers are paying thousands of dollars (and more than other cruise lines!)...and that their guests want a relaxing and pampering island experience.

From an overall design perspective and sanitary perspective, they've missed the mark.

Yah, their guests can walk the half-mile (unshaded) pier...with all of their beach stuff and kids. Then another 10+ minute tram ride before getting to the beach.

Yah, their guests can eat food infested by flies (yuck!!)...but that is not providing their guests with a pampering (or even sanitary!) experience.

We will still cruise on DCL, but we will avoid itineraries that stop at Lookout Cay.

I couldn’t have said it better myself. I do believe Disney will *eventually* iron out all the issues. But why did they have to? Was there not enough research? Were there corners cut?
I was so excited about their new island, until I read about all the problems. Royal Caribbeans Coco Cay should be the gold standard that every other ship aspires to have. They thought of everything! It’s well planned and there is something for everyone. Snorkel gear, sport equipment, a quiet beach, A swim up bar inside the water with a party atmosphere, a water park and an exclusive Club experience if you want that luxury. Disney fans are a little exhausted at giving Disney slack. The pandemic was quite a while ago now. It’s time to stop being so forgiving of Disney’s shortcomings when our money is involved!

Edited to add: If you’re a Disney Fan on a Disney Cruise than you want to be completely surrounded by the magic

 

[Donna3271]

Oh sorry I did not notice as I was focused on the island. I’ll find out and get back to you

TY! No worries! I am enjoying reading your copious reviews.

 

[Donna3271]

Does anyone know if flies are an issue on Princess Cay? It's only two miles from Lookout Cay.

I have zero knowledge of these things, but I wonder if the immature plantings contributed. The other islands have lush foliage and plants for them to nest and hang out in. Just a silly thought....

 

[kdonnel]

I live in Florida and have been on several cruises. Just ask Dr. Beach you have to consider *everything* into that particular beach’s equation. How crowded it is, the overall atmosphere, how long it took to get there to enjoy it etc.

The sand was so soft and shell free. The water remained clear the entire day with the number of people on the Magic.

I had the pleasure of visiting Lookout Point on June 7th and CoCo Cay on June 10th.

There is no comparison from a beach perspective which is better. Coco Cay was downright dumpy from a sand and water perspective. The sand was filled with shells and uncomfortable to walk on. The water was silty from the massive number of people.

Getting around Coco Cay was definitely easier. It is much more compact. You could walk from one beach to the next taking 15-20 minutes to go from the furthest points apart.

I would definitely take the beach experience I got at Lighthouse Point over Coco Cay. Both had plenty of chairs available and it was easy to find umbrella shade.

Food was great at Coco Cay. I enjoyed the taco bar and the funnel cakes. Flavor wise they are a tie, variety wise they are a tie, the flies do push the point to Coco Cay.

I would never turn down a trip to either but would rate Lighthouse Point as better than Coco Cay when taking into account what I want in a beach.

 

[Mags2002]

TY! No worries! I am enjoying reading your copious reviews.

Haha thank you! Although as a CM my reviews don’t mean much

 

[kdonnel]

Does anyone know if flies are an issue on Princess Cay? It's only two miles from Lookout Cay.

I don’t remember flies being an issue at Princess Cays.