Comparing Disney’s Two Islands: Castaway Cay vs. Lighthouse Point

Posted on June 13, 2025
by Jenny
with 0 Comments

Comparing Disney’s Two Islands: Castaway Cay vs. Lighthouse Point. When it comes to Disney Cruise Line, one of the most exciting stops is a visit to a Disney-owned private island. For years, Castaway Cay has been the ultimate tropical retreat for Disney cruisers, our family included. We have visited Castaway Cay four times, you can check out my list of top five things to do there by clicking HERE. But now there is a new island paradise to explore—Lighthouse Point! Both offer that signature Disney magic in a secluded, beachside setting, but they have key differences that may make one a better fit for your family.

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which island adventure is right for you! Find out our family favorite at the end of this post. Now, let’s dive in to Comparing Disney’s Two Islands: Castaway Cay vs. Lighthouse Point…

1. The Beach & Ocean Conditions 🌊🏖

One of the biggest differences between Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point is the ocean itself.

Castaway Cay: The water here is calm and clear, making it perfect for younger kids or those who prefer to float and relax without worrying about waves. Since the island is surrounded by a natural barrier, there’s little to no wave action, making it feel more like a giant saltwater pool.
Lighthouse Point: If you love a little more action in the water, you’ll appreciate that Lighthouse Point does have waves! However, this means that depending on weather conditions, you may not be able to go far out into the water. This is something to keep in mind if swimming in deeper water is part of your island plans.

2. Water Play & Slides 🎢💦

Both islands have fun water attractions, but they differ in how they’re set up.

Castaway Cay: Features the Pelican Plunge water slides, which are located in the ocean. Guests must swim out to the floating platform to access the two slides, making it a fun experience for older kids and strong swimmers. There is a small splash pad for really young children who do not meet the height requirement for Pelican Plunge.
Lighthouse Point: Instead of slides that drop into the ocean, Lighthouse Point has water slides that are part of a splash pad area, making them more accessible for all ages without requiring a swim out to them.

3. Dining – BBQ Buffet on Both Islands 🍔🌴

Good news for food lovers—both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point offer a delicious BBQ buffet with all-you-can-eat burgers, ribs, chicken, and classic sides like corn on the cob and coleslaw. There’s also soft-serve ice cream to cool off in the tropical heat! At Castaway Cay we like to grab the giant cookies and put some of the soft serve in the middle. While the menus are similar, it’s possible that Lighthouse Point may feature some Bahamian-inspired flavors.

4. Character Experiences – Fun at Both! 🎭✨

No Disney destination is complete without character meet-and-greets, and both islands offer special appearances from your favorite friends.

Castaway Cay: Characters are dressed in beachy tropical outfits, making for fun, island-inspired photos.
Lighthouse Point: Since this island celebrates Bahamian culture, the characters will be in costumes with a Bahamian flair, giving guests a unique photo-op exclusive to this location.

5. Dance Parties & Entertainment 🎶💃

If your family loves to dance and interact with characters, you’ll be happy to know that both islands offer fun, high-energy dance parties! Whether it’s Mickey and friends leading a conga line with live musicians or an island DJ playing tropical beats, these dance parties are always a hit with little ones and adults alike.

6. Adult-Only Areas – Relaxation for Grown-Ups 🍹🌅

Both Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point cater to adults looking for a quieter, more serene experience.

Castaway Cay: Features Serenity Bay, a secluded beach for adults only, complete with hammocks, beachside drink service, and a more peaceful atmosphere. We personally experienced this area and can say it’s a must for all adults.
Lighthouse Point: Also has an adult-only retreat, allowing grown-ups to escape the crowds and enjoy a laid-back beach day. We didn’t have time to check this private area out, but if you want a more quiet beach time, I’m sure this is the place to go.

7. Kids Clubs at Both Islands

Both islands have planned activities for kids and families. In addition, both islands have a kids club (for ages 3-10), where they can be dropped off and watched by cruise staff. They can play in the sand and water area, make crafts and even have a meal in this designated area. My only complaint is that the age used to extend to 12, but now it’s 10, which feels a bit young.

8. Port Adventures

There are fun port adventures at both islands. We have only done a few of the adventures at Castaway, so I can’t say from personal experience what to recommend for Lighthouse Point.

Castaway Cay: At Castaway you can choose from things like snorkeling to find hidden treasure, biking around the island, jet skiing, parasailing, fishing, water bikes and more. We loved the snorkeling and highly recommend doing that as a family if you can. I have also run the 5K that they offer and would recommend it if you want a quick walk/run around the island.
Lighthouse Point: If you check out the Disney Cruise Line website, it looks like you can do things like fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, historical tours and even adventures by ATV.

Which Disney Private Island is Right for You? 🤔🏝

Choose Castaway Cay if you prefer calm waters, love the idea of ocean water slides, and want a well-established, classic Disney private island experience. There is less of a walk from the ship to the transportation, making it easier for anyone with physical disabilities.
Choose Lighthouse Point if you’re excited about playing in ocean waves, prefer splash pad water slides, and want to experience themed character costumes with Bahamian influence.

What did you think about our summary of Comparing Disney’s Two Islands: Castaway Cay vs. Lighthouse Point? No matter which island you visit, you’re sure to have an unforgettable Disney day filled with sun, sand, and magic! There are some Disney Cruise itineraries that allow you to visit BOTH islands, which is what we did. I loved being able to visit both islands, but we took a vote in our family and everyone agreed, if you can only visit one, you need to go to Castaway Cay. Have you been to one or both of these Disney islands? Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite! 🌊🐠✨ Looking for more tips for the Disney Cruise? Check out this post HERE.