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

[disdreaming2]

This is Coco Cay. Where the heck were you? This is dumpy to you??

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

I understand some people are disappointed by what they have seen/heard/read. But am very pleased to say the majority of people I have spoken to who have actually been there said they would definitely go back. So nothing in any bad review is obviously that terrible that people don’t want to go back. I recommend everyone experience it for yourself before jumping to conclusions

This. I get that some people are disappointed, irate, ready to mutiny, but eh I am in the 'let's give them a few cruises to work out the kinks and see what it is then' group. Certainly hasn't changed my mind about my September cruise. If nothing else it will be a new adventure.

 

[greeneyedchick]

This. I get that some people are disappointed, irate, ready to mutiny, but eh I am in the 'let's give them a few cruises to work out the kinks and see what it is then' group. Certainly hasn't changed my mind about my September cruise. If nothing else it will be a new adventure.

For the amount of money people pay for a Disney cruise, Disney should work out the kinks before paying customers start arriving. I'm sure that they could have found plenty of volunteers for a few test cruises to get feedback before offering to paying guests.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

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.

I appreciate your perspective but this is not correct coco cay is not “dumpy” at all.

 

[kdonnel]

This is Coco Cay. Where the heck were you? This is dumpy to you??

The beach when compared to Lighthouse Point, yes Coco Cay is dumpy.

Unless you pay $100’s extra to be at the Coco Beach Club. Otherwise the beach is dumpy. Shell and coral filled. And the water was clear at first but was quickly filled with silt. That did not happen at Lighthouse Point.

Lighthouse Point has the softest most luxurious sand I have ever experienced. With a slight pink tint.

Coco Cay is more like builders grade sand with ground coral mixed in to make it perhaps a painful surprise to walk.

Coco Cay was much more crowded. There were 6000 or so from the Wonder of the Seas and another 4000 or so from the Celebrity Beyond.

Lighthouse Point had 2400 or so from the Magic.

I preferred the Lighthouse Point crowd level and experience.

 

[kdonnel]

I appreciate your perspective but this is not correct coco cay is not “dumpy” at all.

When you experience the two resorts just days apart, the beach part is not comparable unless you pay for Coco Cay beach club.

 

[FWRR3]

Simple question. Why are flies a problem at Lookout and not at Castaway? Maybe the answer leads to the fix.

 

[DCLMP]

I've been to Coco Cay. I wouldn't say it was dumpy, but I like Castaway a lot more.

 

[kdonnel]

I've been to Coco Cay. I wouldn't say it was dumpy, but I like Castaway a lot more.

I am not saying the resort as a whole is dumpy.

But when you compare the beach and water at the two resorts, the beach and water at Lookout Cay is so spectacular that it is obvious that the regular beach and water at Coco Cay is several levels lower in quality, enough so that I am comfortable referring to it as dumpy in comparison.

Now if you were not comparing them, Coco Cay is nice. It’s that comparison that takes the beach experience down several notches. It would be like comparing a Ritz Carlton and a Hilton. The Hilton would be nice but once you experience the Ritz, the Hilton is just comparable.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

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 mean bravo this is legitimately a perfect post.

All that “culture” everyone is a fan of winds up staying on ship of the Nassau Bahamas port.

 

[Jwaire]

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.

It was part of the agreement with Eleuthera. Same reason they had to make it a public beach. Disney tried to just outright buy an island off of Eleuthera, 7 or 8 years ago, but was denied.

You could compare the situation to Aulani.

Although I'm bullish on the new port, I agree with you. DCL cruisers weren't looking for another authentic port of call, they were looking for Castaway Cay #2 with more amenities.

 

[Lucien Franciosa]

For the amount of money people pay for a Disney cruise, Disney should work out the kinks before paying customers start arriving. I'm sure that they could have found plenty of volunteers for a few test cruises to get feedback before offering to paying guests.

That’s just not realistic in the cruise industry. People pay knowing the risk, but they want to be ‘first.’ They got what they paid for.

 

[DCLMP]

I am not saying the resort as a whole is dumpy.

But when you compare the beach and water at the two resorts, the beach and water at Lookout Cay is so spectacular that it is obvious that the regular beach and water at Coco Cay is several levels lower in quality, enough so that I am comfortable referring to it as dumpy in comparison.

Now if you were not comparing them, Coco Cay is nice. It’s that comparison that takes the beach experience down several notches. It would be like comparing a Ritz Carlton and a Hilton. The Hilton would be nice but once you experience the Ritz, the Hilton is just comparable..

I was at Coco Cay February 2020. It was nice weather, but not really beach weather. There's was nothing dumpy about the place. I'm not really getting your comparison. Sometimes a Hampton Inn is better value for the money than a Waldorf. I have stayed both.

I think this is why multiple reviews are so helpful. Reviews are also emotional. They are based on your mood and experience on that certain day.

 

[mousefan73]

That pier is a problem. I’m picturing walking back on the ship after being at the beach all day with tired kids carrying all the stuff in direct sun and it doesn’t look like there are benches or anything if someone does need to stop- what was Disney thinking?

What about elderly are people with walking issue? Please don’t tell me to get a scooter or wheelchair because not everyone with mobile issues needs those. I’m talking people with knee replacement issues people that are just older and weaker and can’t handle the sun and such an open long distance. At least put benches with shading every 30 yards.

 

[mousefan73]

I’ve been also looking at the food reviews. People are saying the food is great and they’re showing pictures of ribs and hamburgers. Sorry, but if I’m spending thousands on the sailing, I want more than that for meal on an island. Maybe I’m spoiled now because I just got off of Virgin Voyages to be honest makes Disney food offerings look pathetic. Maybe I’m just now expecting things like asparagus and shrimp salad

 

[mousefan73]

I’ll give the island the benefit of the doubt that the fly situation is a one off. Happened to us last year when my neighbor was barbecuing we don’t know what the heck happened. But her terrace was literally black of flys . They thousands of flies. Two days later were all gone. I think sometimes you have a weather phenomenon or some type of catching cycle but just balloons and then it’s over with.

 

[mousefan73]

There aren’t float rentals. I believe it has to do with the environmental impacts of the plastic. It’s not listed on the app and only snorkeling equipment was available for rent.

Say what?!? Well then more happy we cancelled treasure

 

[mousefan73]

tendering would not have been a solution for many mobile Challenged people. My mom cant often tender due to high ramp incline and high step up/ down or gaps to stretch over. She doesn’t use a wheelchair or a walker and if you just saw her standing there, you wouldn’t think she’s challenged. She has stability and knee issues. Needs to often sit down and rest.

 

[Mags2002]

What about elderly are people with walking issue? Please don’t tell me to get a scooter or wheelchair because not everyone with mobile issues needs those. I’m talking people with knee replacement issues people that are just older and weaker and can’t handle the sun and such an open long distance. At least put benches with shading every 30 yards.

They will be transported to the trams in gold carts along the pier

 

[Mags2002]

I’ve been also looking at the food reviews. People are saying the food is great and they’re showing pictures of ribs and hamburgers. Sorry, but if I’m spending thousands on the sailing, I want more than that for meal on an island. Maybe I’m spoiled now because I just got off of Virgin Voyages to be honest makes Disney food offerings look pathetic. Maybe I’m just now expecting things like asparagus and shrimp salad

The food was actually very nice. I’m looking forward to trying more of it