Disney Cruise Line personal island showdown: Castaway Cay vs. Lookout Cay

When Disney Cruise Line first set sail with the unique ship, Disney Magic, 27 years in the past in 1998, it did so to its authentic personal island, Castaway Cay, situated within the sunny Bahamas.

Castaway Cay was really a primary of its sort in some methods, because it didn’t require a young to achieve the island, not like the way in which another cruise traces’ islands operated on the time. As a substitute, the ship may pull proper as much as the dock, and the day of enjoyable within the solar may start for cruisers.

For a few a long time, Castaway Cay was the one Disney Cruise Line personal island vacation spot for many who selected to sail with Mickey and buddies.

Nonetheless, the road entered an enlargement period in 2022 when Disney Want joined the unique fleet of 4 ships. This part of progress will culminate in 2033 when the road expects to sail a complete of 13 ships (greater than thrice the quantity it had in early 2022).

With the speedy progress in ships and passengers has come the addition of a second personal island vacation spot within the Bahamas, Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level, which opened in 2024.

Get the free planning assist of a Disney trip planner by way of TPG’s accomplice, Mouse Counselors.

Not like Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level is not a completely personal island, because it sits on the southernmost tip of the populated Bahamian island of Eleuthera (about 70 miles east of Nassau). However that is not essentially a nasty factor, because it means it’s a cool and differentiated providing from Castaway Cay.

Some Disney cruises, just like the four-night crusing I not too long ago took on Disney Fantasy, hit the itinerary jackpot by going to each Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. However many occasions, chances are you’ll be on a ship that both goes to at least one island vacation spot or the opposite.

If it’s important to select between Disney’s Castaway Cay and Disney’s Lookout Cay, this is how these islands examine so you may choose one of the best match for your loved ones.

Please notice that I’ve by no means been on a Disney cruise with out my household, so I am in no way certified to check the islands’ grownup areas (but). As a substitute, we’re going to hold this head-to-head rating centered on the household areas and actions on these islands relatively than the adult-only ones.

Associated: 12 methods to economize on a Disney cruise

Greatest seaside

That is the place I provide the good or dangerous information about this comparability of Disney’s two island locations. A lot of which one is “higher” is subjective, even whenever you break it into classes. So, I offers you my take and my causes, however you would possibly come to the other conclusion than I did, which is nice, as the entire level helps you identify which one you may get pleasure from probably the most.

Disney’s Castaway Cay has glorious postcard-worthy seashores, and the household seaside has the additional advantage of being sheltered by a rocky breakwater. This implies the water is normally very calm, making it an amazing match for households.

There are lifeguards, free seaside chairs with and with out umbrellas and a few shade beneath mature bushes.

Nonetheless, in order for you a very good seat near the water or with some shade at Castaway, you usually must both get off the ship fairly early or wait till after lunch when extra households begin to head again to the ship.

In the meantime, at Lookout Cay, that basic recommendation remains to be true in order for you a seat on the principle strip of seaside. Nonetheless, at Lookout Cay, you’ve much more choices.

First, there are extra chairs in a secondary part behind a dune, not fairly as near the seaside. However maybe extra importantly to me, in the event you merely stroll a bit of bit farther down towards the island’s tip, you could find loads of area that is not crowded, even throughout the busiest time of the day.

There are chairs you may convey all the way down to that uncrowded part of the seaside, making it a fairly implausible setup. That is additionally open water within the sense that you’re going to get some waves that you do not get when at Castaway. Whether or not or not you want that may seemingly depend upon the ages of your youngsters and their swimming skills, however we beloved it.

Final however not least, Lookout Cay’s pink-hued sand provides an extra-special seaside expertise.

My private choice is the seaside at Lookout Cay. Nonetheless, I am calling it a tie as a result of the water within the household seaside part will not be as calm as at Castaway Cay, because of the latter’s breakwater rocks. The much less crowded a part of the seaside at Lookout Cay can also be away from the lifeguards, and there aren’t shade-providing bushes on the seaside, so it will not be one of the best match for all households.

Winner: Tie relying on preferences

Greatest meals

After all, meals can also be very subjective. Nonetheless, I do have a transparent favourite on this battle of the Disney islands, so this one is not going to finish as a tie in my ebook.

On Castaway Cay, lunch is included at Cookies and Cookies Too, that are basically the identical besides they’re situated at totally different components of the island. On the buffet menu at each, you may discover choices equivalent to ribs, sizzling canine, hamburgers, hen, cornbread, corn on the cob, chips, cookies, pulled pork, fruit, potato salad and beans.

I do benefit from the straightforward lunch with crowd-pleasing favorites at Cookies and Cookies Too. The road is structured with a number of buffet stations which might be all the identical, so it normally strikes shortly and infrequently has you ready out within the solar in line for lengthy. To not point out, everybody is ready to discover one thing they like effectively sufficient to fill them up.

However whereas I just like the included meals on Castaway Cay effectively sufficient for a day on the island, I loved what is obtainable and included at Lookout Cay even higher.

The meals on Castaway provides the vibe of a Fourth of July barbecue picnic, however at Lookout Cay, the island’s True-True BBQ and True-True BBQ Too lean into its tropical location a bit extra with choices equivalent to plantains, ginger-marinated snapper and seafood jambalaya. Regardless of liking the American staples on Castaway as a lot as the subsequent particular person, I do know I can get a good variety of these fan favorites on board the ship just about on daily basis of the cruise, so it is enjoyable to combine it up extra whereas on land.

However don’t be concerned if island-inspired meals feels like your child’s worst nightmare. There are nonetheless cheeseburgers, sizzling canine, french fries and macaroni and cheese, amongst different kid-approved classics, on Lookout Cay.

The number of menu choices at Lookout Cay does result in barely longer traces, in my expertise, because the sections of the buffet are totally different. That is nice for alternative, but it surely does imply a probably longer wait (generally within the solar) to make your alternatives. I am going to additionally add that we had a bit extra hassle getting a desk for lunch at Lookout Cay than we did on Castaway, so be strategic about getting someplace to sit down or consuming at barely off-peak occasions.

However with a higher number of extra island-inspired selections and what I might additionally describe as a wider collection of tried-and-true child favorites (just like the addition of fries and macaroni … do not choose), the lunchtime trophy from me goes to Lookout Cay.

Winner: Lookout Cay

Greatest for ease of use

Each Lookout Cay and Castaway Cay are easy-to-access islands in that no tendering is required. (For these not acquainted, tendering entails leaving your massive ship on a smaller boat to achieve the land.)

On Castaway, when you step off the ship on the dock, you’re only a two- or three-minute stroll from the tram that takes you to the totally different components of the island. Nonetheless, in the event you wished to skip the tram, it is not that far of a stroll to the closest of the 2 family-friendly seaside areas, so you may get your steps in and be on the seaside inside a couple of minutes.

On my final journey to Castaway, I acquired off the ship to do the at-your-own-pace 5K within the morning, went again to the ship to get my youngsters up for breakfast after which all of us went again onto the island collectively later that morning. The on-and-off-and-on-again scenario did not really feel like an enormous deal because of the proximity of the whole lot on Castaway.

Lookout Cay is a distinct story.

To guard the ocean ground life and never must dredge to ensure that the ship to have the ability to pull up nearer to the land, Disney constructed a prolonged pier from the place the ship docks to the island. It actually does look a bit worse than it’s, however my Apple Watch clocked the stroll from the ship to the tram cease on Lookout Cay at about 0.6 miles every means. That is not the largest deal on the earth, but it surely does discourage hopping on and off the ship an excessive amount of in someday. And in inclement climate, it would not essentially be a really nice a part of the journey.

There are little crimson wagons for younger youngsters to be pulled in, and people with mobility points can request a golf cart experience, if wanted. However the majority of company will get about 1.2 miles value of steps in full solar simply strolling from the ship to the island and again.

Then, as soon as you’re on the tram cease and loaded on the tram, it is nonetheless a five- to 10-minute experience to the principle seaside space that Disney makes use of.

All this to say, whereas each islands are very straightforward to get off the ship and luxuriate in in comparison with visiting most different islands outdoors the “Disney bubble,” there isn’t any query that getting straight to the enjoyable at Castaway Cay is a bit of simpler than at Lookout Cay.

Winner: Castaway Cay

Greatest included facilities

Do you want a waterslide into the ocean? What about a big youngsters splash space with waterslides that do not drop you into the ocean? How a few “free” 5K with a medal?

Do your youngsters wish to head to an island youngsters membership (with a shaded splash space) only for them? Do your teenagers desire a hideout space the place little youngsters and adults aren’t allowed? What a few nature path?

Nicely, you’re in luck, relying on which of Disney’s island locations you select.

Listed here are some highlights of the included facilities on Disney’s Castaway Cay:

• Pelican Plunge: That is an in-water play construction situated within the cove. It has two waterslides that shoot you into the water.
• Spring-a-leak: It is a small, coated splash space for youthful cruisers to play.
• Snorkeling Lagoon: There are some Disney-themed surprises beneath the water right here (snorkeling within the lagoon is free in case you have your personal tools; in any other case, there’s a small payment to hire snorkeling tools).
• Castaway Cay 5K: It is a free, untimed, go-at-your-own-pace route you are able to do whereas on Castaway Cay. You will earn a medal after finishing the course. Professional tip: Do that very first thing within the morning, because it does get sizzling later within the day.
• In Da Shade Recreation Pavilion: It is a shaded space with actions equivalent to basketball, foosball, chess and pool.
• Scuttle’s Cove: It is a drop-off youngsters membership for kids ages 3 to 10 (just like what you may discover on the ships).
• Teen Hideout: This hangout space on the island is only for teenagers ages 14 to 17.

Whereas there are some overlapping facilities at Lookout Cay, there are additionally some very differentiated choices. Along with the beforehand talked about pink-hued seaside, beachside chairs and lunch, the principle included facilities to get pleasure from on Disney’s Lookout Cay are:

• Rush Out Gush Out: This huge, colourful interactive water play space has two waterslides, splash and water drums, amongst different options.
• Junkanoo parade: This full of life parade is placed on by the Bahamian individuals who stay on the island. It normally occurs twice per day.
• Sebastian’s Cove: This drop-off youngsters membership for these ages 3 to 10 has a water play space that’s impressed by “The Little Mermaid.”
• Goombay Cultural Heart: The Junkanoo parade ends right here, so it is an amazing place to get pleasure from music and see the characters and headpieces.
• Play-Play Pavilion: That is additionally a shaded place to see Disney characters, plus play video games equivalent to ring toss.
• Nature Path: lf you wish to stretch your legs and study concerning the indigenous wildlife of the island, you may stroll the roughly 20- to 25-minute marked nature path (and see the historic lighthouse from 1901).

Winner: Tie relying on preferences

Greatest cabanas

Each of Disney’s island locations have cabanas you could hire in your personal personal area to benefit from the seaside.

However earlier than we speak about which Disney island cabanas are higher, I wish to make sure you realize that these cabanas are fairly exhausting to ebook. As you’ll quickly see, there aren’t very many cabanas in comparison with the 1000’s of company on board a typical Disney cruise, so that you usually must be crusing in a concierge-level cabin or have the very best stage of Disney’s Castaway Membership standing to have a shot at early reserving … and even then, it is not assured you may get one on account of provide and demand.

With that caveat out of the way in which, let’s dive into the cabanas on every island.

On Castaway Cay, there are 20 cabanas accessible on the household seaside (one among which is bigger than the others) and 6 cabanas accessible at Serenity Bay, the adults-only seaside, although extra are reportedly beneath development.

Presently, the household cabanas on Castaway Cay have area for as much as six individuals and value $880 for the day. It prices $1,238 for the Household Grand Cabana for as much as 10 individuals for the day. The six cabanas on Serenity Bay value $523 for the day and may accommodate as much as 4 company ages 18 and over.

At Castaway, the household cabanas are situated proper subsequent to one of many foremost household seashores and only a seaside ball’s throw away from one of many foremost areas the place you will get lunch, bikes and extra.

Associated: Are Disney’s Castaway Cay cabanas well worth the value?

In the meantime, over at Disney’s Lookout Cay, you may discover 20 household cabanas over in Mabrika Cove, which is notably on the other facet of the island from the principle household seaside. In actual fact, that is the one seaside on Disney’s a part of the island the place you may see the cruise ship from the sand. To get straight to your day within the cabana, you will not must take the tram, as this space is the primary cease to the precise after you stroll throughout the pier.

That is nice information for entry functions, however on the flip facet, which means the cabanas aren’t significantly near the Junkanoo parade, Sebastian’s Cove, the waterslides and different happenings, which would require a experience to the opposite facet of the island.

The 16 six-person household cabanas on Lookout Cay are priced at $963 for the day. Presently, for the 4 grand cabanas with area for as much as 10 individuals, you may anticipate to pay $1,375 per day. (You may add additional company for added charges.)

On Lookout Cay, there are two grand cabanas on adults-only Serenity Bay that as much as 10 individuals can get pleasure from for $963, whereas the 4 Lookout Serenity Bay cabanas that accommodate as much as 4 company are priced at $523.

Distinctive to the brand new cabanas at Lookout Cay is the presence of iPads from which you’ll order meals, extra towels, toys, cocktails and extra with simply the press of some buttons.

You do have your personal place to make your plate for lunch within the household cabana space on Lookout Cay. It has the identical meals as what’s accessible on the foremost lunch stations, plus steak for cabana company.

Nonetheless, you’re faraway from a lot of the island’s foremost facilities (and other people). Which may be a professional or con, relying on the ages of your youngsters and what you wish to do throughout your day at Lookout Cay.

Winner: Tie relying on preferences

Greatest sense of tradition

OK, let’s be severe. These are each Disney personal island locations, so we’re speaking tastes or levels of tradition, not depths of genuine tradition. That stated, this class nonetheless has a transparent winner.

Castaway Cay is an absolute blast with enjoyable particulars, together with nice seaside outfits donned by Mickey and his buddies. You will additionally get a intelligent shipwrecked storyline with numerous Disney Easter eggs hidden about.

However with regards to any true, genuine tradition outdoors of the one created by Mickey and buddies … effectively, this isn’t the island you’re on the lookout for.

Whereas Mickey and Minnie even have some totally different festive outfits on Lookout Cay, they don’t seem to be the one ones dressed for the event.

Residents of the island additionally get into the celebrations on Lookout Cay by placing on the twice-daily Junkanoo celebration.

As a substitute of making a fictional storyline for the island, like Disney did for Castaway Cay, the cruise line made the Bahamian individuals and tradition the celebs of Lookout Cay’s story. The island leans right into a (barely Disney-fied) model of the place it actually sits. Which means you do get a dose of tradition that may be loved not solely by the parade and the cultural middle, however even within the meals and the retailers.

For instance, whereas you will get official Lookout Cay merch on the island, it’s also possible to buy jewellery, decor, baggage, toys and different objects that have been made by island residents.

Winner: Lookout Cay

Greatest for staying within the Disney bubble

Each Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay are personal Disney locations (although one is not technically a whole personal island). Each have Disney characters, an included lunch, a number of included facilities and Disney solid members entertaining company at nearly each flip.

So, each islands are fairly solidly within the Disney Bubble in lots of respects. Nonetheless, they are not precisely the identical in how they strategy that have.

On Castaway Cay, you may snorkel to get a have a look at underwater Disney statues in a chosen space and ebook an exercise on the stingray journey proper on the seaside. And, in fact, we have already coated how straightforward it’s to get off the ship and be nearly instantly within the enjoyable.

On Lookout Cay, you’re really on a bigger, inhabited Bahamian island, so whereas the a part of the island Disney makes use of is only for Disney, you’ll be able to do excursions that get you out of the bubble.

For instance, on Lookout Cay, you may ebook the South Eleuthera Eco and Cultural Tour, throughout which you will note issues just like the city of Rock Sound, the Boiling Gap (also referred to as “nature’s sizzling tub”) and the Cathedral Cave, with its gorgeous rock formations. That feels like lots of enjoyable in order for you a broader sense of the island, but it surely might not be one of the best match for many who wish to keep all-in on Mickey and buddies throughout their day.

Winner: Castaway Cay

Backside line

Should you requested my household in the event that they’d relatively cruise to Disney’s Castaway Cay or Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Level, I guess you’d get a break up vote — although the true reply is basically both, anytime.

For us, our favourite parts of Castaway Cay are its familiarity, ease of use, 5K working and biking course, extra mature bushes for shade, protected seaside and teenage hideout, the latter of which Lookout Cay notably lacks. Nonetheless, it is very a lot within the Disney bubble, which generally is a good or dangerous factor, relying on what you’re after from that port.

In the meantime, our standout recollections from Lookout Cay contain the cool on-land waterslides, the attractive seaside with pink sand, the enjoyable Junkanoo parade and the delectable island-inspired lunch. On the flip facet, Lookout Cay was actually sizzling (even in March) as a result of it did not have a lot pure shade, and, in fact, that trek from the ship to get to the enjoyable was unquestionably longer than on Castaway Cay.

However really, each are top-notch cruise island locations, and I might pack my baggage in a sizzling hurry in the event you advised me we had an opportunity to return to both and take consolation in understanding that there isn’t a dangerous alternative.

Extra tales that can assist you plan your subsequent cruise: