Which of Disney's Private Islands is Better
Are you planning to take a Disney Cruise? If so, you may be trying to decide which of Disney's two Private Islands, Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay, is better. Here is a comparison to help you decide which to visit.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is truly where the Magic of a Disney vacation meets the seas. If you want to enjoy a cruise packed with magical entertainment, character interactions, and peak customer service, then a Disney Cruise might be your dream getaway.
Once you decide to embark on a Disney Cruise, the most important thing to do is select your itinerary. Many cruisers like to enjoy a quintessential tropical cruise to destinations like the Bahamas or the Caribbean.
Disney offers many itineraries to sweep you away to paradise. Best of all, many Disney cruises offer a stop at one or both of Disney's very own private island destinations!
Disney's Private Island Destinations
For years, guests have been enjoying perfect days at Castaway Cay, Disney's original private island destination in the Bahamas. Booking a cruise with Castaway Cay on the itinerary was an easy decision for many voyagers.
However, Disney purchased new property on the beautiful island of Eleuthera. And in June of 2024, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point became a new private Disney destination!
The addition of Lookout Cay is a delightful one, but it does present a bit of a conundrum for those planning a Disney Cruise. While some itineraries offer a double dip, which is a stop at both of Disney's private properties in the Bahamas, many itineraries only include a stop at one or the other.
Therefore, many travelers ask: Which is better: Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point or Castaway Cay? Let's get into it!
Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
I (Kate) have been fortunate enough to visit Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Light House Point. Both properties are truly and honestly lovely and have a lot to offer guests looking for a day of fun at the beach. I wouldn't hesitate to return to either!
Both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Light House Point make for a great day at the beach.
Both destinations have several similarities. You will find family beaches on both, and both have Serenity Bay, an adults-only beach. Happily, both have plenty of beach chairs for everyone as well! You can also find activities like snorkeling at both locations, as well as shopping and spots to enjoy premium beverages. And, both have character spots and kids' club activities.
Honestly, you could very well be perfectly happy at either one, and the decision is going to come most likely down to your particular travel love language. But here are the biggest differences between the two to help you make your decision.
Getting to and Around the Islands
Castaway Cay is simple to get to. The port where you will disembark is only a short walk to all the fun!
Once you arrive, you can walk to one of the family beaches or Serenity Bay, the adults' only beach, or even to a Cabana if you are very lucky! Or, if you prefer, you can take the tram. It will make stops at each beach.
Arriving at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a bit more of a process. When you disembark here, you must walk along a very long pier to get to the island. The addition of the pier was necessary to limit the environmental impact of the development and to protect the fragile ecosystem beneath the ocean near the island.
The pier is roughly a half-mile long, and it is not shaded. However, most guests who know about it going in can mentally prepare and find that it is not a bad walk at all.
You will find many red wagons lined up for families wishing to cart their youngsters along the pier. Additionally, guests with accessibility needs can schedule a shuttle to take them down the pier and back to the ship. However, the service can involve a bit of a wait as it is a popular and necessary option for many visitors.
My (Kate's) family found the walk to be pleasant. It offered excellent and unique views of the island and the ship! We also disembarked as early as possible to avoid the heat as best we could.
Once you arrive on the island, a tram will take you to the family beach or to Serenity Bay. If you have booked a Cabana, they are a quick walk from the pier.
If the walk is out of the question for you, and you do not want to endure any wait for accommodations, you will want to select Castaway Cay as your destination. However, if the walk is not a deal breaker, you will have other things to consider.
Play Areas
One of the major differences between the two islands is the play areas offered. Castaway Cay has Pelican Point with the Pelican Plunge!
This is an area set just offshore in the ocean. It is a playground of waterslides. You can slide directly into the ocean if you wish!
In contrast, the play area on Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is inland. It is an impressive splash pad/mini water park complete with several water slides and lots of fun.
My family experienced both, and everyone preferred the play area on Lookout Cay. Pelican Plunge slides at Castaway Cay can develop a bit of a wait, and the experience isn't necessarily worth the time investment.
Lookout Cay has more equipment to spread the crowd around. Also, at Lookout Cay, there was no fear of Sea Lice. (Although I will say we did not experience Sea Lice on either island). The main drawback is that it takes you away from the beautiful ocean.
The Food
Honestly, the food on both islands is very similar. It is good enough, but it isn't particularly noteworthy for the most part, except for a few key items. And, in general, it might not be worth swaying your decision.
Both islands have fruit stands with freshly cut fruit. Both also offer unlimited soft drinks and soft serve ice cream!
Castaway Cay has Cookie's BBQ and Cookie's Too. They serve items such as burgers, ribs, bags of chips, salmon, and sides like corn on the cob, fruit, and bean salad. The salmon here is surprisingly delicious with its bourbon glaze. It is easily the best thing on the island. Dessert is cookies and brownies.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has similar offerings at True True. It serves items like burgers, chicken, salmon, snapper, and sides.
If you have a Cabana, lunch is a little more elevated. The restaurant served sirloin, ahi tuna, peel-and-eat shrimp, and an ice cream bar.
The Flies
Of course, there are going to be flying insects in the Caribbean. However, we found ourselves very unbothered at Castaway Cay for the most part.
You might have heard that there are lots of flies at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. And, it is true that we did notice a large number of flies visiting when food was around. However, we did not notice any at all outside of lunchtime.
The 5K (for now)
If you would like to participate in a 5K and earn a medal, for now the best option is to participate at Castaway Cay. There is a self-guided course, and you can collect your medal when you complete it.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point does not currently have an official 5K. However, there is a trail you can run or bike if you wish. And, from the looks of things, the island is perfectly set up to start hosting a 5K for guests any day now! So, this might change before long.
Culture and Nature
When it comes to Nature, both islands have plenty of beautiful foliage, and there is the potential to see wildlife both on land and beneath the sea. However, this is one area where Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has an advantage. The destination was crafted with nature in mind, after all.
There are also intentional cultural events that take place each day on Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. This includes a parade with costumes, dancing, and instruments! You can learn more about the island's culture at the Culture Center.
Castaway Cay is also beautiful. But it is beautiful in a cookie-cutter way that you could probably find on just about any Caribbean Island. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point has the type of unique beauty that only it can wear.
If you want to enjoy a bit of authentic Bahamian culture, you might prefer Lookout Cay. If you are simply going to enjoy a fun day at a great beach, you can get that at either place!
Overall
Honestly, outside of these considerations, you can't go wrong with either island. Ideally, you can double-dip and visit both islands!
If a double-dip is not in the cards, and you have preferences or restrictions to consider, you will want to weigh the options and go with what aligns with your party's needs and travel style the most strongly. At the end of the day, both are beautiful places to make memories!
Have you been to Disney's Private Beach Escapes? What other key differences did you notice when you visited that our readers should be aware of? Let us know. And be sure to pass this along to family and friends who are planning a cruise so they can make the best decision for themselves!
