When the very first guests arrived on Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Disney's new island destination) the long walk from the ship shocked everyone. The curved pier to the island is half a mile long, resulting in a 10-15 minute walk. And while it may be easy to gripe about this long walk in the bright Bahamian sun, it's worth it and there is good reason for it.
In short, this long walkway is a marvel of engineering and protects the natural marine ecosystem within the sparkling topaz waters.
After experiencing this new island destination myself, speaking with Disney's environmental programs manager, and hearing from native Bahamians who worked with Disney on this project, I am convinced. The walk is worth it.
Here are five important tips to make your visit to Disney Lookout Cay worth the long walk.
5 Tips and Hacks for Disney Lookout Cay
- Notice the natural environment
- Experience the true Bahamian culture
- Get to know the animal mascots
- Bring a refillable cup or bottle, and an umbrella
- Scan the Discovery Trail QR Codes
Notice the natural environment
During our very first visit to Disney Lookout Cay my family and I felt some initial frustration. Arriving on Lookout Cay involves a 15-minute walk, then boarding a train, and then a 10-minute tram ride to the beach & amenities area. And, there is a lack of wayfinding signage after disembarking the tram. Hopefully, Disney will add more directional signage soon.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the map of Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, like the image below.
All these initial frustrations faded away as I soaked up the natural environment around us. Many Disney fans are comparing Disney's Castaway Cay with Disney Lookout Cay. It's only natural. But the two destinations are extremely different for good reason.
The new island destination is a portion of an actual island with permanent residents and communities, not a private island that Disney converted into an imaginary place. During our media cruise, we attended a special panel with some of the Disney Company and Bahamian Leadership that helped bring Lookout Cay to life.
Among those persons was Bradley Watson, Conservation Program Manager, who was fascinating to hear from.
“We left 16% of the entire Disney Lookout Cay property undeveloped. And of that 16% we've maintained the exact same biodiversity. So that means we've been able to have every organism that was represented at Lighthouse Point is represented at Lookout Cay.”
Bradley Watson, Conservation Program Manager
Walking along the half-mile bridge from the ship to the island's shore is long, but you can clearly see the beautiful ecosystem beneath you. A 15-minute walk is worth the extra effort to protect the remarkable reef beneath your feet.
In fact, Bradley shared with us some cool details during our interview with him, “And so, as you walk down, about midway along you'll see where it widens a bit. We have these structures that we place in the water to funnel fish from one side to the next.”
Speaking of reef, if you want to dive in and see the beautiful reefs around the island you can rent snorkel equipment and explore all of the water along the beaches of Lookout Cay.
Once you reach the family beach and amenities area you're sure to notice the many curving elevated boardwalks. These wooden walkways sometimes seem to take you out of the way, they are not very direct in some places. However, the design of these elevated boardwalks enables the ground below with the natural flora and fauna to flourish.
So while the extra steps may be frustrating, take a moment to think about how this place allows guests to experience the beautiful island while protecting the natural environment.
Experience the true Bahamian culture
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point represents a first for the entire cruise industry. Not only do the pier and wooden walkways reduce the impact on the environment, but there are many ways that Bahamian culture is brought to the forefront of the guest experience.
Sure, the Bahamas has been a popular tourist destination for countless years. But, the real Bahamian culture has often taken a backseat to the beaches and bars.
Instead of simply providing yet another tropical beach day in the Bahamas, Disney crafted a way for guests to enjoy the tropics in every way possible. Disney involved the citizens of the Bahamas throughout the entire project.
In fact, one such citizen played a critical role in this relationship, Joey Gaskins, Jr who is now Regional Director of Public Affairs, The Bahamas and Caribbean. We spoke with Joey one on one while at Lookout Cay.
“One of my favorite things walking around here today and seeing the Bohemians citizens, checking on them. The older folks say ‘this is so incredible and we feel so welcome here.' It makes me very proud that we could build something like this and also welcome Bahamians to enjoy all of the beauty and the magic here.”
Joey Gaskins, Jr – Regional Director of Public Affairs, The Bahamas and Caribbean
Don't miss the impressive Goombay Cultural Center, the heart of Disney Lookout Cay, as well as the Bahamian music, food, and entertainment! In fact, you get to join in on the fun! Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration takes place twice daily usually around 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Before the junkanoo performance, you can visit the Goombay Cultural Center to learn about this Bahamian tradition as well as make your own headpiece to wear during the Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration. Disney brought together members from multiple junkanoo groups in the Bahamas to bring this celebration to life!
During our hosted media cruise I had the pleasure of speaking with Kristine Bunnell – Disney Live Entertainment, Disney Signature Experiences.
“We spend a lot of time with the National Junkanoo Association and they assembled a group for us. I can’t think of any other opportunity in the marketplace that someone have this kind of cultural experience. We all want that relaxing beach vacation but that true cultural representation it’s really rare.”
Kristine Bunnell – Disney Live Entertainment, Disney Signature Experiences.
You might just find yourself enjoying your day right next to Bahamian families who get to enjoy their day here too. As part of the agreement with the Bahamian government, Disney allows Bahamian citizens to visit and enjoy Disney Lookout Cay with day passes and wristbands.
My son and I played together at Rush Out Gush Out water play area alongside kids and parents who call the Bahamas home. What a splendid way to truly experience life in the Bahamas.
Get to know the animal mascots
Disney is known for its incredible storytelling and characters. And at Disney Lookout Cay they're back at it, but in a different way. Once you reach the entrance to Disney Lookout Cay you may notice a large rock with some small bronze statues on it. These bronze statues offer a welcome message, Mabrika!
There are five bronze statues on the rock: a curly tailed lizard (Lizzie), a money bat moth, a queen conch, a lizard cuckoo bird, and a land crab (Sandy).
Sandy The Land Crab and Lizzie The Curly Tailed Lizard are part of the narration on the ten minute tram ride to the beach and amenities of Lookout Cay. These two characters join “Miss Tracy” to give some fun information about Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and the Bahamas. All characters are voiced by Bahamian voice talent and provide another lovely touch of authentic culture.
Once you're enjoying the island keep an eye out for these animal mascots some more. These real animals are native to this area and their ecosystem is closely monitored. Once the nature trails are fully opened they will be a great spot for finding the real deal. Until then check out the playful statues paired with real Bahamian art near Sandsational Smoothies and Rush Out Gush Out family water play area.
Bring a refillable cup or bottle, and an umbrella
While you're enjoying the bright Bahamian sun you've got to stay hydrated. There are only a few complimentary drinks stations with cold soft drinks. Even though cups are provided having your own refillable cup or bottle is a great idea. You'll be able to keep your drinks colder for longer, and have an easier time transporting them back to your beach chairs.
Plus, a refillable bottle or cup makes it easier to sip your drinks at your beach chairs or dining time at True True BBQ.
Pro-tip: Before disembarking the ship to head to Lookout Cay make a stop at the soft drink station on the ship. On the Disney Magic the beverage station is on Deck 9 Aft. We filled up our refillable bottles with soft drinks and one with water before we set foot on the long pier to the island.
As we embarked on the 15 minute walk from the ship it felt good having something cold to drink along the way. An umbrella provides shade for the walk. Pack a small lightweight umbrella or UV umbrella to keep things cool.
One water station is midway along the pier, but only thin paper cone cups are provided. Another water station and cold refreshing wash clothes are available once you arrive to the Lookout Cay entrance, before the tram station.
Scan the Discovery Trail QR Codes
When we first arrived to the Disney Lookout Cay entrance (Mabrika Cove) and tram station a few small signs with QR codes caught my eye. I scanned two of them before waiting a few moments at the tram station. I am glad I took screenshots of the screens that popped up on my phone while scanning the QR codes. I was able to refer back to them.
One of the QR codes, which are called the Discovery Trail, shared that many of the bright colorful murals are painted by Dorman Stubb, a Bahamian artist whose parents sold fruit in Nassau's markets. Another Discovery Trail QR code revealed that the first Salt Ponds formed on Eleuthera (the island on which Disney Lookout Cay is located) 5,000 years ago.
I wish I had found more QR codes to scan, but there is just so much to see and do on Lookout Cay it is impossible to do it all! The only solution? Find a way to book another Disney Cruise Line vacation and visit this island paradise again!