Which Disney island stop will make your cruise pop?
You may be booking a Disney cruise and need to choose between Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. If your itinerary includes both, you should know the differences between the islands.
The island experiences are similar. Overall, the food, cabana opportunities, and experiences are alike. Here is how the islands are similar:
How Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay Are Similar
Both islands offer Disney Cruise Line guests a family beach open to everyone, a family cabana beach, a family cabana-only beach, and an adults-only beach. Both islands have cabanas for rent in both the family and adult-only areas. There are various barbecue restaurants (including one on the adult side) for all-you-care-to-eat buffet-style food. Character interactions and pictures are available, and there are bookable excursions. They offer various other amenities depending on the island, including a snorkeling area, a water play area with slides, an interactive water play area, and boat rentals. Overall, both islands have a similar day-at-the-beach feel and have comparable offerings.
The Difference Between Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay
Although the islands are similar, there are some differences that you might want to consider. The main differences are that facilities are newer on Lookout Cay, it has a short parade that Castaway Cay does not have, the water has varying degrees of waves compared to the more serene water on Castaway Cay, and the pier you have to walk on Lookout Cay from the ship to the island.
Castaway Cay
This island is older and could use refurbishment concerning the restrooms and cabanas.
It is a private island owned by Disney Cruise Line. Only Disney ships dock there, and only cast members and Disney Cruise Line guests are on the island.
The logistics of getting off the ship and to your beach or cabana are much simpler than at Lookout Cay. You can walk a paved pathway or take a tram to get to your destination, which is not too far of a journey, and access to the island’s amenities is pretty immediate once you leave the gangway.
The beaches have calm water due to a cove-like protection on this island.
The family cabana-only beach and family beach are next to each other. The adults-only beach is not near the other beaches, and away from many of the amenities. This requires transportation by tram or golf cart service to access them.
If you have a cabana rental, you will have direct access to the beach, although the access will be flat sand from the cabana to the water or with a sloping hill of sand, depending on your cabana's location.
There are three buffets; one is accessible to adults 18 or older. They serve the same food, although the one on the adults-only beach may occasionally have additional offerings.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
This island is new (as of this posting date). The cabanas have updated call attendant buttons (an electronic device that allows you to contact the attendant and play music), and the restrooms are much nicer.
Lookout Cay is NOT a private island owned by Disney. People live on the island and have access to the area Disney Cruise Line guests use. There is no security or barriers to keep non-Disney guests out of the designated Disney area. Other ships dock (via tender boats) and use other areas of the island. Although it might not be likely that many people from different cruise ships would walk to the island's Disney area, it is possible, and you might see other ships docked while on the island.
Logistics for getting to your beach or cabana is a little more time-consuming. You will dock much farther away from the island than on Castaway Cay and have to walk on a long pier at water level. This makes it more difficult for people who have medical needs, mobility difficulties, or disability needs. There is a transportation tram you can reserve if you need it due to these health issues.
The water here can get quite choppy with waves that can almost knock you down, depending on the weather. Some beach areas are more protected from waves than others.
The adults-only beach and family beach are next to each other. The family cabana-only beach is further off by itself.
If you rent a cabana on the adults-only side, you will not have direct access to the beach. There is a strip of plant growth in front of the cabanas. You will have to access the beach via steps that allow you to walk over it (or you can use the handicapped beach access walkway if needed).
There are four buffets on this island. The food offerings differ slightly among the buffets. The additional buffet is near the family cabana beach. The buffet on the adults-only beach is accessible to adults 18 or older.
There is a very, very short parade on this island. It consists of people playing instruments, and Mickey and Minnie walk in it. It is different from a parade in the parks, and it is not worth choosing this island over Castaway, but it is something to look for and enjoy. Check the cruise app to find out what time to expect it.
There is an arts and cultural pavilion with information about the area.
People commented on our cruise that the island lacked mature plant growth due to its newness.
Transportation Information For Those Who Need Assistance on the Pier
You can reserve transportation assistance if you have difficulty walking the pier on Lookout Cay. However, you should note that the logistics of this transportation from the ship to the island and back at the end of your day is time-consuming. We requested transportation for health/medical reasons and had to reserve it in advance. We were given a specific time to check in for it; you do not disembark whenever you are ready and load onto a tram. This is something to consider if you want to get to the island as early as possible. To use the transportation, we checked in outside of the theater and then waited in the theater to be taken in one of two groups in the elevator outside of the theater. Then, the group exited the gangway and was loaded onto transportation trams directly in front of the gangway. The trams moved slowly along the pier; people walking next to the tram passed us. You may have to leave the island early to use return transportation. Once you take regular transit back to the beginning of the pier that leads back to the ship, you will need to stand in the mobility needs transportation line to board a tram back to the ship instead of walking the pier. It is possible to go to this island and have transportation assistance if needed, but you should make a reservation and consider the time and logistics to get to your beach and then return to the ship. Be sure to know when you need to start heading back to the ship so you can plan your day appropriately.
Which island should you choose?
You can choose either island, have a nice beach day, and have things turn out fine. Try thinking about your entire experience (cruise length, ports of call, specific ship, type of stateroom, if you want a themed cruise, if you are booking as a concierge guest, and time of year you wish to cruise) and search for a cruise based on those needs and see what island options are available instead of filtering for cruises based on an island choice. This might lead to more overall satisfaction with your cruise. Please review the latest information about the islands and their amenities before you book.
You can take a 360-degree tour of our previous Disney Cruise Line stateroom and learn whether the concierge option is right for you.