18 Tips & Tricks for the Best Day Ever at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – Part Two

Disney Cruise Line is growing! Recently, an all-new island destination on the island of Eleuthera, The Bahamas, opened to guests! Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is now welcoming guests with select itineraries on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy. The island offers guests a blend of Bahamian culture and signature Disney experiences, such as port adventures and nature trails, a water play area, and beautiful beaches for families and adults. We recently visited the island during a preview cruise and explored the island to the fullest. We’ve returned with tips and tricks to help guests have the best day ever on Lookout Cay. We’ve already covered tips #1-#10 in part one, which you can read by clicking here. Keep reading for tips #11-#18 so you’re fully prepared when you visit Lookout Cay!

Editor’s Note: Disney Cruise Line provided us with a complimentary Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Preview cruise with special media-specific events and tours during the cruise. However, as always, the thoughts and opinions about Disney Cruise Line contained in this article are entirely our own.

We pick up where we left off as guests exit the tram at the Goombay Cultural Center, which is in the center of the main beach area.

11 – Grab Plenty of Towels Before Heading to the Beach Areas

After you exit the tram in the morning, you’ll be greeted by Cast Members who hand out towels as you head to the beach and water play areas. We suggest that you take plenty of towels here now. While you can get fresh towels later in the day, it can be a bit difficult to find where to get them. We just think it’s a lot easier to get towels here. We like to pick up two per person: one to sit on and one to dry off with.

12 – Come Back for Your Photo at the Junkanoo Inspired Photo Backdrop

One of the first things you’ll notice after you step off the tram is a Junkanoo-inspired backdrop of Mickey, which is the perfect photo spot for guests. While you might be tempted to get this photo immediately, most guests want to do the same. We noticed that once the rush of guests had passed, there was nearly no wait to snap a photo in front of the backdrop. So, if you can corral your family together later, we suggest taking the photo later in the day.

13 – Choose Your Seating and Your Views

Family Beach

Guests have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a spot to sit and enjoy the island for the day. Families can choose the family beach area and have easy access to the ocean, Rush Out, Gush Out Water Play, a water play area for all ages, and Sebastian’s Cove, which houses an array of youth activities. Also, at the family beach area, guests can find the Play-Play Pavilion, where the “Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash” invites families to join in for fun games along with Disney friends, all to the sound of Bahamian renditions of Disney tunes arranged and performed by Bahamian artists. Finally, on this side of the beach, you’ll have easy access to True-True BBQ, Sandsational Smoothies, Reef & Wreck Bar, and the Watering Hole Bar on the right side of the beach (if facing the ocean). On the far-left side of the family beach (if facing the ocean), guests have easy access to Goombay Cultural Center, where a local Junkanoo Group sweeps up guests in “RUSH! A Junkanoo Celebration at Disney Lookout Cay,” introducing families to the signature festival of The Bahamas filled with colorful parades of dancing and music. Also on this side is easy access to True-True Too BBQ and Bow & Ribbon Bar. Adults also have easy access to Serenity Bay, which is a short walk from the edge of the family beach. Unlike Castaway Cay, where guests board a tram to Serenity Bay, on Lookout Cay, adults can easily go back and forth between the family beach and Serenity Bay.

Serenity Bay

Adults 18 and over have their own section of beach to the far left of guest areas (when facing the ocean). Here, private cabanas are available to rent, along with seating areas with gorgeous ocean views. Adults can get their lunch at Serenity Bay BBQ and drinks at the Blue Hole Bar.

Two Levels of Seating

In both of these areas, guests can choose from two different levels of seating. A grassy beach berm separates the waterfront beach from the upper beach area where the buildings are located. Raised boardwalks and bridges connect the waterfront beach area and the seating behind the berm. There are plenty of beach chairs with umbrellas right on the beach for guests looking for gorgeous ocean views and easy access to the water. Guests who want easier access to the buildings and amenities can choose to sit behind the berm. See the photos below for each seating area.

14 – Keep an Eye on the Time and Don’t Miss Lunch

As we mentioned above, lunch is most often served between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Guests can taste the delicious flavors of The Bahamas under Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point’s beautiful, shaded dining pavilions. It’s quite easy to lose track of time, so be sure to take time to eat lunch. We really enjoyed the food. The only other food that is available outside of lunch hours is soft-serve ice cream, so be sure to take advantage of the all-you-care-to-eat buffet!

15 – Have a Plan for Characters

While at Lookout Cay, you’ll want to greet your favorite Disney characters in their distinct looks created by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett. The designs embody the spirit of Junkanoo with their prints, patterns, and textures, which include natural Bahamian materials like raffia. During our visit, the characters did not have a set schedule and greeted guests randomly throughout the day. However, we spoke with Cast Members, who said a more set schedule would likely be put in place in the future. Guests should check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for greeting locations and greeting times.

16 – Take Advantage of the Complimentary Drinks All Day Long

During most of the year, visiting Lookout Cay will mean hot temperatures. Complimentary water and soda machines are available all day long at the dining locations. If you’ve brought a water bottle with you, be sure to fill up and keep hydrated all day long!

17 – If in Doubt, Buy It and Return it on the Ship

No trip to a Disney destination would be complete without some merchandise. Disney T’ings offers a full collection of clothing and accessories by Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett, along with an array of brightly colored Disney Junkanoo-inspired merchandise. Guests can also purchase a variety of island-inspired Disney merchandise reflective of the island experience at Disney T’ings. These items are exclusive to the island and are not available on the ship. If you are wavering on purchasing an item, we suggest purchasing the item on the island while you can. While you can’t swap sizes, you can return items at retail locations on the ship. I’ve learned the hard way and regretted not buying an item. By purchasing and potentially returning the item, you give yourself more time to decide if you want it or not.

18 – Plan on at least 45-Minutes to Get Back to the Ship from the Family Beach

As your day continues, be mindful of when you need to leave the beach area to get back to the ship. Remember it will likely take you about 45 minutes to get back. Be mindful of when the gangway goes up and when Disney requires you to be back. Also, if you have dinner at 5:45 pm, you’ll need to give yourself time to get cleaned up for dinner.

We hope these tips have been helpful in planning out your day at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point! Feel free to reach out with any questions or comments if you’ve visited the island!

Click here for Part One of 18 Tips & Tricks for the Best Day Ever at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!

Click here for our Instagram Story of our visit to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point!