In June, Disney opened their newest cruise destination – Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas. We visited during a cruise on the Disney Magic in mid July and loved it. Here are 5 of our favorite things about this new destination.
Sebastian’s Cove
Sebastian’s Cove is the on island youth activities location specifically for ages 3-10. Similar to its counterpart at Castaway Cay (Scuttle’s Cove), kids can be checked in for their own fun while adults take a parenting break to enjoy their time on the island. Our kids have enjoyed Scuttle’s, but this new spot takes the fun to the next level.
It is larger overall and features a shaded water play area. The colorful ground is soft and squishy underfoot. Perfect for running barefoot and enjoying with friends. Just beyond is sand for digging and building castles as well as a gaga ball pit. Back at the entrance is a shaded area with tables to relax or do a calmer activity like bubbles.
Another big plus of Sebastian’s Cove? The dining area. Unlike Scuttle’s Cove* and even on ship now (we miss the days where the kids could eat at Oceaneer’s Club), this is the one time during youth activities where your child can eat a meal. Our daughter chose to stay and do just that. She later told us about the tasty options (hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, etc) offered for lunch.
*Update April 2025: our 10 year old was served lunch while at Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway Cay this month! Glad to see this option now available at the 3-10 year old clubs for BOTH Disney island destinations.
TIP: the first hour is Open House so the entire family can enjoy Sebastian’s Cove regardless of age. Even our teen and a friend stopped by to check it out and have a little fun before it was closed off to secure programming.
Rush Out Gush Out
Don’t fret if you miss out on the spray ground at Sebastian’s Cove. Rush Out Gush Out is a fun waterpark feature for all ages and the perfect cool off spot to play if you want something different than the ocean. It has numerous water play options along with 2 slides. And, yes, adults can give them a go as well – I tested out both slides.
The Pink Sand
While there are a lot of activities to enjoy on land, take a stroll to the beach and experience the pink sand. Although it’s just a hint of pink, it is beautiful and more than that – incredibly soft. We all could not stop commenting on how soft it was under our feet and even how soft the water was. Nothing else we’ve experienced compares.
The water is also incredibly clear. You can see down to your feet. My son took this photo with our underwater camera – just placing it under the water at the family beach area.
Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration
During our visit, the Junakoo occurred at 2 different times (check the DCL app to verify times). I headed to the Goombay Cultural Center for the first. It is a vibrant, colorful performance that starts with an introduction and then guests are invited to join in. I highly recommend doing so – dance, clap, sway, and just experience this bit of Bahamian culture to the fullest.
New Foods
New food choices and a great variety were a big plus. I took a peek at the menu before visiting so I would have a better idea what I wanted to try. Each window contains a slightly different offerings.
My must try dish was the Pigeon and Peas Rice with Marinated Chicken. I went directly to the window for Rice Bowls and made my request. A Cast Member placed some into a bowl and handed it to me. I then added an assortment of sides to my plate to try – (counter clockwise from bottom left) baked macaroni and cheese, French fries, fried okra, grilled broccoli, tomato shallot salad, fresh fruit, and a chocolate chip cookie.
I truly enjoyed it all. Highly recommend the rice bowl and, personally, I found the cookie to be better than the ones served at Castaway Cay. I know those are popular with long time Disney cruisers. We’ve had mixed experiences there (sometimes amazing, sometimes hard as a brick). The cookies we got from True True BBQ were super soft and delicious.
Note: I am well aware of the fly issue that occurred during the preview visit. We did experience some flies (saw a few at the food windows and swatted a few away while eating). Overall, they weren’t a big issue and not any worse than we’ve experienced during a picnic or eating outside in our own city. Personally, I think it’s a non-issue now and only add this because I keep seeing the question come up in online groups.
Overall, our visit to Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point was a lot of fun and we truly loved the island. The pier walk wasn’t as long as it seemed based on photos. The tram ride across was quick and easy both arriving and leaving. The location, preservation efforts, new amenities, etc are all fantastic and we look forward to visiting again on a cruise in the not too distant future.
