Oh, boy! Disney Cruise Line’s new Bahamian seashore vacation spot, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level, is open for enterprise, providing Mickey Mouse followers a further port to go to within the Bahamas.
Disney Magic, the road’s authentic ship, was the primary to deliver passengers; they arrived at pristine seashores and a maze of boardwalks linking varied eateries, bars, water play areas and outlets.
On the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera, Lookout Cay was created from a partnership between the Bahamas and Disney. Bahamian affect could be seen all through, from the structure and artwork to the costumes worn by Disney characters, who made a number of appearances all through the day.
Here is what I loved and what I did not like — in photographs.
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What I loved
The seashores
Clearly, one of many most important focuses on any Bahamian island is the seashore. Cruisers have selections at Lookout Cay, with designated seashores for each households and adults. All supply white sand and loads of loungers with colourful umbrellas, that are free to make use of.
Since the entire seashores are a part of one lengthy stretch, it is easy to search out your approach from one to the following after you crest the dunes that separate the water from the remainder of the Goombay Cultural Heart space of the island. Plus, the crystal blue water might even take your breath away.
Simple hydration
What’s a seashore day with out a drink or two? I am not simply speaking about alcohol right here, both. With how sizzling the Bahamian solar is, it is necessary to hydrate. Fortunately, you are by no means removed from a bar or a drink station at Lookout Cay.
There are two soda and water stations every at True-True and True-True Too, the vacation spot’s barbecue buffet areas. There’s additionally Sensational Smoothies, which sells simply that. I attempted one made with vanilla ice cream, mango, pineapple and Pop Rocks, and I wasn’t upset. And for individuals who nonetheless aren’t absolutely awake after they attain the island, there’s Mangroves & Go, a stand that sells specialty coffees.
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In the event you’re the kind who likes one thing with a bit extra of a kick, there are 4 bars — Blue Gap Bar, Bow & Ribbon Bar, Watering Gap Bar and Reef & Wreck Bar — dotting the boardwalk all through the Goombay part.
Simple-to-navigate trams
Disney Cruise Line followers who’ve visited the road’s non-public island, Castaway Cay, will know that the trams there is usually a little cumbersome for first-timers, with a number of routes that take passengers to completely different areas. At Lookout Cay, there are simply two tram stops — Mabrika Cove, close to the doorway, and Goombay Cultural Heart, which is the place almost all Lookout Cay exercise takes place.
It is good to should suppose much less about the place you are going when all you need is to spend your day stress-free, so I admire the simplified system.
Cabanas with nice views
At Lookout Cay, there are two units of cabanas: Mabrika Cove Cabanas within the household space and Serenity Bay Cabanas within the adults-only space.
They’re all arrange like cute Bahamian huts. Every has each indoor seating within the shade and outside loungers on patios that overlook the water. There are additionally mini-fridges stocked with water and soda.
Household areas
Unsurprisingly, Disney did not scrimp when it got here to facilities for households. Along with the household seashore and household cabanas, different devoted areas embody Sebastian’s Cove, a water play space the place dad and mom can drop their children off with the youth workers, and Rush Out Gush Out, a water park the place households can have splashy enjoyable collectively.
Twice throughout my go to, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale took over the Play-Play Pavilion throughout the Disney Enjoyable within the Solar Seaside Bash. They led kids in video games of pineapple ring toss and Chip and Dale’s Water Brigade. In the course of the water brigade, children handed soaking moist sponges, meeting line-style, to see which staff may replenish a bucket the quickest. It was nice enjoyable, even for individuals who did not take part.
Artwork and tradition
Parts of Bahamian tradition are in all places at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level within the type of artwork and structure. Nevertheless, the center of all of it is the Goombay Tradition Heart, the place passengers can get pleasure from native arts and crafts or absorb a Junkanoo parade.
The latter, dubbed “RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration,” brings native dancers in conventional, colourful costume to an out of doors stage, the place they placed on a high-energy efficiency you will not wish to miss. You should definitely hold an eye fixed out for particular friends Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy, too.
What I did not take care of
Lengthy walks
The pier the place the ship docks at Lookout Cay is lengthy. I am a quick walker, however it nonetheless took me almost 10 minutes and registered 1,207 steps (greater than half a mile) on my Fitbit. There isn’t any shade, and with the blazing temperatures within the Bahamas within the summertime, it is not enjoyable — particularly with younger kids or mobility aids.
The world is essentially accessible, and golf carts can help passengers with mobility points. Nevertheless, I think about the road must deal with this in some way for future sailings.
Gradual trams
Though the tram system is way simpler to make use of at Lookout Cay than it’s at Castaway Cay, those at Lookout Cay appear to function far more slowly. They run at common, constant intervals, and by ready a half hour after the official disembarkation time, I used to be capable of keep away from ready in line. Nevertheless, when you’re on a tram and it departs, it can transfer so slowly that it’s going to have you ever questioning whether or not strolling there can be sooner. (Sadly, you are not allowed.)
After I mixed the tram experience with the time it took me to stroll from the ship to the tram cease within the first place, it took me about half an hour to truly make it to the center of the vacation spot. Plan forward when you’re hoping to catch one of many scheduled reveals.
Lack of shade
There is a marked lack of shade on a lot of the island, particularly as you make your approach from place to position alongside the boardwalk. There are outlets you possibly can duck into, in addition to shaded seating areas for if you’re having your lunch, however it’s simply not sufficient.
As certainly one of its inexperienced initiatives, Disney planted a bunch of native flora when it developed a part of the house. A number of the crops will ultimately be tall sufficient to supply some respite from the solar, however that will not be the case for a number of years.
A complicated boardwalk and map
After I first arrived at Lookout Cay’s Goombay tram cease, I felt overwhelmed. All the buildings regarded related, and there was nearly no signage save for some tiny indicators that pointed towards the character path. I resorted to wanting on the tiny island map on my cellphone,
There additionally aren’t any straight strains from one place to a different. All the pieces curves out of the way in which to get you the place you wish to go.
No meals choices after 2 p.m.
The barbecue lunch — which included rice bowls, fish and seafood, and loads of non-barbecue choices, too — was nice. Nevertheless, after True-True BBQ, True-True Too BBQ and Serenity Bay BBQ (the buffet within the adults-only Serenity Bay space) closed at 2 p.m., there did not appear to be anyplace else to seize a chew.
After all, passengers have been free to go again to the ship at any time in the event that they have been hungry, however it’s an extended technique to go if you wish to eat one thing after which return ashore.
Backside line
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level is a implausible new addition to the port choices within the Bahamas. Though it lacks shade and requires a prolonged stroll, the vacation spot is exceptionally enjoyable and provides one thing for each households and adults.
Voyages calling on Lookout Cay by the tip of 2024 embody three- to six-night sailings, totally on Disney Magic. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy additionally make a handful of stops there.
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