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

Finest seashore

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 will provide you with my take and my causes, however you would possibly come to the alternative conclusion than I did, which is nice, as the entire level helps you identify which one you will take pleasure in essentially the most.

Disney’s Castaway Cay has wonderful postcard-worthy seashores, and the household seashore has the additional benefit of being sheltered by a rocky breakwater. This implies the water is often very calm, making it an awesome match for households.

There are lifeguards, free seashore chairs with and with out umbrellas and a few shade underneath mature timber.

Nevertheless, if you’d like a great seat near the water or with some shade at Castaway, you typically 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 common recommendation remains to be true if you’d like a seat on the primary strip of seashore. Nevertheless, at Lookout Cay, you may have much more choices.

First, there are further chairs in a secondary part behind a dune, not fairly as near the seashore. However maybe extra importantly to me, in case you merely stroll just a little bit farther down towards the island’s tip, yow will discover loads of house that is not crowded, even throughout the busiest time of the day.

There are chairs you possibly can convey right down to that uncrowded part of the seashore, making it a fairly unbelievable setup. That is additionally open water within the sense that you’ll get some waves that you do not get when at Castaway. Whether or not or not you want that can possible rely on 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 seashore expertise.

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

Winner: Tie relying on preferences

Finest meals

After all, meals can also be very subjective. Nevertheless, I do have a transparent favourite on this battle of the Disney islands, so this one won’t finish as a tie in my guide.

On Castaway Cay, lunch is included at Cookies and Cookies Too, that are basically the identical besides they’re positioned at totally different components of the island. On the buffet menu at each, you will discover choices akin to ribs, scorching canines, hamburgers, rooster, 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 are all the identical, so it often strikes rapidly 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 on the market 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 akin to plantains, ginger-marinated snapper and seafood jambalaya. Regardless of liking the American staples on Castaway as a lot as the following individual, I do know I can get a good variety of these fan favorites on board the ship just about daily of the cruise, so it is enjoyable to combine it up extra whereas on land.

However don’t fret if island-inspired meals appears like your child’s worst nightmare. There are nonetheless cheeseburgers, scorching canines, 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 strains, in my expertise, because the sections of the buffet are totally different. That is nice for selection, however it does imply a doubtlessly longer wait (generally within the solar) to make your choices. I am going to additionally add that we had a bit extra bother 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 larger number of extra island-inspired decisions and what I would additionally describe as a wider choice 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

Finest for ease of use

Finest 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 need 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 positioned within the cove. It has two waterslides that shoot you into the water.
• Spring-a-leak: This can be a small, lined 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 individual tools; in any other case, there’s a small payment to hire snorkeling tools).
• Castaway Cay 5K: This can be 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 scorching later within the day.
• In Da Shade Sport Pavilion: This can be a shaded space with actions akin to basketball, foosball, chess and pool.
• Scuttle’s Cove: This can be a drop-off youngsters membership for kids ages 3 to 10 (much like what you will 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 seashore, beachside chairs and lunch, the primary included facilities to take pleasure in on Disney’s Lookout Cay are:

• Rush Out Gush Out: This massive, colourful interactive water play space has two waterslides, splash and water drums, amongst different options.
• Junkanoo parade: This vigorous parade is placed on by the Bahamian individuals who stay on the island. It often 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 awesome place to take pleasure in music and see the characters and headpieces.
• Play-Play Pavilion: That is additionally a shaded place to see Disney characters, plus play video games akin to ring toss.
• Nature Path: lf you wish to stretch your legs and be taught concerning the indigenous natural world of the island, you possibly can stroll the roughly 20- to 25-minute marked nature path (and see the historic lighthouse from 1901).

Winner: Tie relying on preferences

Finest cabanas

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

Finest 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 mentioned, this class nonetheless has a transparent winner.

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

However relating to any true, genuine tradition exterior of the one created by Mickey and associates … effectively, this isn’t the island you’re in search of.

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 folks 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. Meaning you do get a dose of tradition that may be loved not solely by means of the parade and the cultural heart, however even within the meals and the outlets.

For instance, whereas you may get official Lookout Cay merch on the island, you too can buy jewellery, decor, luggage, toys and different objects that had been made by island residents.

Winner: Lookout Cay

Finest for staying within the Disney bubble

Each Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay are personal Disney locations (though one is not technically a complete personal island). Each have Disney characters, an included lunch, a number of included facilities and Disney forged members entertaining visitors at virtually each flip.

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

On Castaway Cay, you possibly can snorkel to get a have a look at underwater Disney statues in a chosen space and guide an exercise on the stingray journey proper on the seashore. And, after all, we have already lined how straightforward it’s to get off the ship and be virtually 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 could possibly guide the South Eleuthera Eco and Cultural Tour, throughout which you will notice issues just like the city of Rock Sound, the Boiling Gap (also called “nature’s scorching tub”) and the Cathedral Cave, with its gorgeous rock formations. That appears like a number of enjoyable if you’d like a broader sense of the island, however it will not be the perfect match for individuals who wish to keep all-in on Mickey and associates throughout their day.

Winner: Castaway Cay

Backside line

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

For us, our favourite components of Castaway Cay are its familiarity, ease of use, 5K working and biking course, extra mature timber for shade, protected seashore and teenage hideout, the latter of which Lookout Cay notably lacks. Nevertheless, it is very a lot within the Disney bubble, which is usually 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 seashore with pink sand, the enjoyable Junkanoo parade and the delectable island-inspired lunch. On the flip facet, Lookout Cay was actually scorching (even in March) as a result of it did not have a lot pure shade, and, after all, 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 would pack my luggage in a scorching hurry in case you instructed me we had an opportunity to return to both and take consolation in figuring out that there isn’t any dangerous selection.

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