Disney cruisers, are you ready for a brand-new adventure? We're off to explore a new island destination — Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point! This new destination marks a groundbreaking milestone as Disney Cruise Line's second port of call in the Bahamas. Join us as we uncover everything we know after visiting Lookout Cay during the preview sailing aboard the Disney Magic in June 2024. And now you can save on your Lighthouse Point venture with Undercover Tourist's exclusive Disney Cruise Line savings! Plus, we have an exciting offer hoppenin' right now! Get a FREE in-room décor set for all Disney Cruise Line bookings, courtesy of Undercover Tourist, when you book a Disney Cruise Line sailing, for a limited time. Let's hop in!
What Is Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?
Lighthouse Point, Disney's second island destination, is nestled in the heart of the Bahamas on the picturesque island of Eleuthera, approximately 120 miles to the south of Disney Castaway Cay in the Caribbean. Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opened June 7, 2024, for Disney Cruise Line guests.
The reveal for this exciting project took flight at the D23 Expo in 2019 when Disney announced its plans to create a new Bahamian island destination. With the addition of three new Triton Class ships to the Disney Cruise Line fleet, including the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure (scheduled to set sail in December 2024) and the newly-announced Disney Destiny (debuting in 2025), this tropical getaway is an exciting milestone amid the rapid expansion of Disney Cruise Line!
Early that same year, Disney acquired the Bahamian-owned Lighthouse Point and forged an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas. With a focus on environmentally responsible development, Disney's vision aims to authentically celebrate the Bahamian people and their vibrant culture. In line with their commitment, less than 20 percent of the land will be developed, and construction will adhere to sustainable practices.
In addition, Disney's commitment extends beyond the resort boundaries, as the company generously donated 190 acres of the property to the local government, ensuring access to Lighthouse Point will also be granted to the local residents.
Which Disney Cruise Ships Go to Lighthouse Point?
Disney Cruise Line offers several cruise vacations departing from Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale, including 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or even 10-night voyages. The Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are the ships that are currently scheduled to make a stop at the brand-new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Preview and Inaugural Sailings
The very first froggies (including your favorite frog fam!) to experience Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point hopped on the 3-night Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Preview sailing. This sailing departed Fort Lauderdale on the Disney Magic from June 6-9, 2024.
Meanwhile, the 7-night Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Inaugural Cruise departed from Port Canaveral on the Disney Fantasy from June 8-15, 2024. This unique 7-night journey included two stops at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and a visit to Disney Castaway Cay. Yes, that meant three full days of island fun!
Aside from Lighthouse Point, ports of call on Bahamian and Caribbean cruises may include the following depending on your itinerary:
- St. John’s, Antigua
- Castries, St. Lucia
- Roseau, Dominica
- Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Disney Castaway Cay
- San Juan
- Fort Lauderdale
- Port Canaveral
And here's a little money-saving tip for ya — exclusive Disney Cruise Line savings are now available through Undercover Tourist!
Lighthouse Point Beaches and Activities
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a tropical beach day destination that caters to families, couples and adult solo travelers. Here's a look at what you can expect during your visit.
- Mabrika Cove: Honoring the indigenous people of the Bahamas, "Mabrika" is the Bahamian word for "Welcome." Here, guests will receive a heartfelt Bahamian cultural welcome, reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the islands.
- Mabrika Cove Cabanas: a second beach area on the island's southwest shore where you will find premium family cabanas available for rent, including double cabanas suitable for larger groups. Advance reservations are highly recommended.
- Goombay Cultural Center: Get ready for the island's liveliest spot! The Goombay Cultural Center at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point captures the spirit of Bahamian "Junkanoo" festivals. Here, you can experience RUSH! A Junkanoo celebration where local Bahamian performers showcase an authentic Rush Out. RUSH! will start as a parade filled with music, singing, dancing and drumming. The parade ends as a dance party where you can celebrate with your favorite Disney pals — Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy!
- Play-Play Pavilion: For the ultimate beach party, head to the Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash. Hosted by Disney characters, the entire family can participate in beach games, all to Bahamian renditions of classic Disney tunes.
- Goofy's Good Day Limbo
- Pluto's Pineapple Ring Toss
- Chip-n-Dale's Water Brigade
- Triton's Trumpet Stage: Triton's Trumpet Stage showcases family entertainment on the island. The name is inspired by the iconic Bahamian seashell, known as "Triton's Trumpet." Disney fans will also connect it to King Triton from the Disney classic film "The Little Mermaid."
- Treasures of Eleuthera: Treasures of Eleuthera is a merchandise shop that sells locally crafted gifts and artisan crafts.
- Disney T'ings: Exclusive Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point merchandise is available for purchase, including Junkanoo-inspired items such as a spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack and a Mickey and Minnie plush. There's even a tropical Minnie Mouse ear headband created by acclaimed fashion designer Theodore Elyett. In addition, you'll find two more merchandise locations around the island.
- First & Last Chance Stand
- Plaits & Pleats (hair braiding)
- Family Beach: An expansive beach area located on the east end of Eleuthera, complete with buffet-style dining and recreational activities.
- Additional Amenities:
- Turbot Berth - Charter Boat Check-in
- Flippers & Fins - Snorkel Rentals
- Rocky Point - Bicycle Rentals
Dining at Lighthouse Point
On the island, you can enjoy lunch with spectacular ocean views under a shell-inspired pavilion, with its architecture drawing inspiration from Eleuthera's local artists. The main dining spots include True-True BBQ and True-True Too BBQ, while Serenity Bay BBQ serves adults exclusively. Disney Cruise Line is committed to practicing sustainability and sending zero waste to landfills, so all food and beverage locations utilize reusable service ware, including stainless steel cups. The buffets are usually open from noon to 2 p.m., so make sure to stop by before they close!
What's cookin'? Here's a look at some menu items that take inspiration from Bahamian recipes and American classics:
- Bahamian Pigeon Peas & Rice with marinated chicken, oven-baked plantains and fried okra
- Grilled Cheeseburger on a brioche bun with shredded iceberg lettuce, red onion, tomatoes and pickles with french fries with American coleslaw
- Disney Lookout Cay Spiced Rotisserie Chicken marinated with Bay Leaves, onion, sweet pepper, lime, thyme and goat pepper with grilled pineapple and black bean salad
- Plant-based Island Curry with tofu, cilantro and potatoes (plant-based)
- Bahamian-style Lime marinated grilled snapper with sautéed pickled vegetables and yucca fries
- Grilled BBQ Ribs with “smoky BBQ” sauce, grilled corn and yucca fries
Sip, sit back and relax with refreshing specialty beverages, including cocktails, mocktails, beer and more at Mangroves and Go, Blue Hole Bar, Bow and Ribbon Bar, Watering Hole, Reef and Wreck Bar and Sandsational Smoothies. A few highlights include:
- Eleuthera Euphoria: Disney Lookout Cay Signature Cocktail made with premium aged rum, pineapple smoothie and DOLE Whip
- Bahama Brew: Cold brew coffee blended with Hawaiian island syrup, cold brew, finished with a coconut-flavored soft whip topping (nonalcoholic beverage)
- Butterfly Switcha: Specialty Mocktail made with lemonade, butterfly pea jasmine green tea and a sprinkle of blue edible glitter (nonalcoholic beverage)
These drink locations may close early (when we were there, they started closing windows around 3 to 3:30 p.m.).
Adults-Only Activities at Lighthouse Point
Just like Disney Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point also has adult-exclusive spaces. Here's what you can look forward to:
- Serenity Bay: Here, you can unwind in a tranquil oasis on the adults-only beach. Soak up the sunshine and take a refreshing dip in the warm waters. It's located at the most northern part of Lookout Cay — once off the tram, take a left and keep going until you pass the Serenity Bay cabanas.
- Serenity Bay Cabanas: For those seeking an extra touch of luxury, you have the opportunity to reserve a private open-air cabana. These are a great way to splurge for a day of pure relaxation. Keep in mind that these cabanas are located between the family beach and the adults-only beach.
- Serenity Bay BBQ: Indulge in island-inspired cuisine and refreshing beverages at the beachside dining area.
- Blue Hole Bar: The adults-only bar located in Serenity Bay.
Lighthouse Point Activities for the Kids
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has frogtastic attractions and activities just for the tadpoles.
- Sebastian's Cove: This Disney youth club on Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point offers supervised activities, beach parties and games, giving the parent frogs some well-deserved relaxation time. It's located on the most southern part of Lookout Cay — once off the tram, take a right and pass by True-True BBQ.
- Kids-only dining: After a day of splashing around, the kiddos can refuel in their very own dining area located within Sebastian's Cove. Here.
- Water Play Area: Inspired by the "Little Mermaid," there is a themed splash pad to play and cool off.
- Rush Out Gush Out: Beat the heat and splash the day away at this large colorful family water play area. It's centrally located next to the Goombay Cultural Center.
Our Top Tips for Visiting
Having had the pleasure of visiting both Disney Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay now, we've gathered valuable insights. As Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point shares similarities, we're hoppy to share a few more handy tips.
- Arrive early: To make the most of your day, disembark from the ship as early as possible. This allows you to secure a great spot on the beach, especially if you want a prime location near the family beach or adults-only beach. Stroller and wagon rentals are also first-come, first-served and are available after you hop off the tram where most of the amenities are. However, you may want to bring your own foldable travel stroller for the pier walk.
- Pack smart: Don't forget essentials such as sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and swimwear. The vegetation on the island is new, so currently, there is not a whole lot of shade. But it could completely transform Lookout Cay in the future! You may also want water shoes for rocky areas (though we personally did not experience much rockiness in the shallow water at the family beach). Because of the long pier and tram ride, forgetting something means you could have almost an hour of roundtrip transportation time, as the pier walk takes about 10-15 minutes (one way) and the tram ride takes about 10 minutes (one way).
- Towels and beach gear: Disney provides towels on the island, so you don't need to bring them from the ship. You can also rent snorkeling equipment, floats and tubes on the island.
- Character meet-and-greets: Keep an eye out for Disney characters making appearances on the island. It's a fun opportunity to take photos and get autographs with the characters dressed in colorful outfits inspired by the local Junkanoo festival! The character greeting times and locations are listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
- Stay hydrated: The Caribbean sun can be intense. Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay cool throughout the day.
- Relax and enjoy: While there are activities available, Lighthouse Point is an ideal place to simply unwind and soak up the sun. Don't froget to actually relax while you're there!
- Mind the time: Give yourself plenty of time to make your way back to the ship by your scheduled departure time. We'd recommend leaving your spot on the beach at least a half hour before — if not more, depending on your itinerary (especially if you want to shower off before heading to dinner or the live theater show).
Naturally, you may ask yourself, "Should I choose between Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay?" Well, if an itinerary that includes both is out of the question and you have to choose just one, here's our main takeaway: It's truly hard to compare the two. They have different vibes and each destination offers unique experiences that the other one does not have. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point may be the perfect destination if:
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- You're an experienced cruiser (particularly with Disney Cruise Line) and want to experience something new
- You want to learn more about and be toadally immersed in Bahamian culture with authentic traditions, art and more
- You appreciate the natural beauty of Eleuthera
- You prefer a more relaxed overall vibe
Fun Facts
Check out these five fascinating tidbits about Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point that'll make you the expert among your friends and family!
- Disney's investment: In March 2019, The Walt Disney Company acquired this beautiful piece of Bahamian paradise from the Bahamian government. They invested between $250 million and $400 million to develop the 700-acre property with a focus on incorporating Bahamian themes and culture.
- National park contribution: As part of their commitment to the local community and environment, Disney donated 190 acres of the Lighthouse Point property. This includes the southernmost tip, to the Bahamian government. This generous contribution will be used to establish a national park.
- Local employment opportunities: Disney hired and provided training to Bahamians for various roles, including construction and vending. This not only supported the local economy but also strengthened ties with the community.
- Thriving wildlife: Disney's team of conservation experts is hard at work to ensure the natural beauty (including the native plants and animals) of the Bahamas continues to thrive. Disney Parks gave a sneak peek at five unique plant and animal species that you can find during your visit. From land crabs, tropical birds and even sea sponges, you can read more in their post here!
- Legendary Disney Imagineering: Joe Rohde, a renowned Imagineer, played a pivotal role in the development of Lighthouse Point before his retirement in 2021. His creative vision and expertise helped shape the elements of the island's design.
So, are you ready to visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point soon? What are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Castaway Cay
Hoppy planning!