Disney Guests Warn of Serious Safety Hazards at Lighthouse Point’s Premium Cabanas

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Disney Cruise Line’s Lighthouse Point at Lookout Cay, which opened in summer 2024, offers a private island escape exclusively for passengers on DCL ships

But recent guests have highlighted serious safety concerns.

A woman who visited with her family on July 17, 2025 posted about worsening beach erosion near the Mabrika Cove Cabanas, and warned that the conditions outside certain cabanas may pose serious safety risks.

Photo credit: EmbarrassedCelery169

A Reddit user recently shared their experience renting one of the Mabrika Cove Cabanas, describing the cabana itself as beautiful and relaxing, but highlighting significant challenges with the beach and water access.

She was in Mabrika Cove Cabana 21.

“We got to Lookout Cay, and of course, the staff were wonderful,” the guest wrote. “They drove us to our cabana, as it was the last one. The cabana itself was adorable! Calm and relaxing. A host came and told us about the different amenities. BUT, there was not one mention of the beach or water.”

They were shocked to find large, jagged rocks directly in front of their cabana, making swimming nearly impossible. “It took so much effort to get into an area that didn’t have rocks. They were not smooth, and they varied greatly in depth, so you had to walk very carefully and slowly, or you would end up accidentally falling into a hole or crack,” they explained.

Photo credit: EmbarrassedCelery169

The strong waves and current only added to the danger. “The adults could barely stop themselves, and the kids were straight up being thrown into the rocks,” the user noted.

Related: Disney Cruise Miraculous Rescue After Child Falls Overboad

Beach Erosion at Mabrika Cove

This experience mirrors feedback from other visitors who have pointed out worsening beach erosion in the Mabrika Cove area, particularly near cabanas 16 through 21.

However, people are reporting that the erosion is happening quickly – and as you can see from the picture below, the cabanas are close to the shore line, so it may be that this issue will affect more cabanas in the near future.

Guests have observed that the shoreline has changed dramatically over the past few months, with a steep drop-off forming just beyond the cabana stairs.

While Disney has taken temporary measures, such as roping off stairs in the most affected areas, some guests feel these precautions are insufficient.

The Reddit user reported, “You couldn’t even access [the beach] because your stairs were roped off, not securely by the way – don’t bring a toddler!”

“The staff was so friendly. It was impeccably clean. But none of that really matters if someone hits their head on the rocks after being overtaken by a wave or simply from tripping due to the incredibly uneven ground hidden by the debris naturally swept up by waves. I love swimming in the ocean. I grew up going to Cape Cod, swimming at Nauset Beach with big waves that would knock me over at times. I don’t mind rough waters at the beach. But this was so dangerous. Disney did not acknowledge it at all. We were not warned. We paid a lot of extra money to have a once in a lifetime experience. We were unable to enjoy it at all.”

While no official statement has been made about long-term solutions, it is likely that Disney is evaluating measures to address the erosion.

Possible fixes could include installing sea walls, erosion barriers, or planting native vegetation to stabilize the shoreline.

In the meantime, all Mabrika Cove Cabanas remain available for rent.

These cabanas are among the most sought-after amenities on Lighthouse Point, offering private shaded seating, plush towels, a mini-fridge, beverages, power outlets, and a tablet for food and drink orders.

What to Know Before Booking a Cabana

There are a total of 20 regular cabanas and 4 grand cabanas available at Mabrika Cove.

The regular cabanas can accommodate up to 10 guests, while the grand cabanas are designed to host up to 16 guests. Below is a detailed cost breakdown for both options:

Cost for a Regular Cabana

• Base Price: $963 for the first 6 guests.
• Additional Guests: $56 per person for guests 7–10.

Cost for a Grand Cabana

• Base Price: $1,375 for the first 10 guests.
• Additional Guests: $56 per person for guests 11–16.

Grand Cabanas Location

The 4 grand cabanas are located at the far ends of Mabrika Cove, with cabanas 1 and 2 on one side and cabanas 20 and 21 on the other.

If you’re considering renting a cabana at Lighthouse Point, here are some important details to keep in mind:

• Rocky Conditions: Cabanas 16–21 are located at the far end of Mabrika Cove, where the erosion and rocky terrain are most severe. Guests staying in these cabanas may find the beach inaccessible or unsafe for swimming.
• Alternative Swimming Areas: If your cabana’s beach area is unusable, ask a staff member to direct you to a safer swimming spot. However, some guests have noted that even these alternative areas may require navigating rocks and strong waves.

Guest Reactions and Recommendations

Lighthouse Point is a beautiful destination – I have visited a number of times and have enjoyed it.

But it certainly does have issues, and for guests who have visited both Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, the majority seem to prefer Castaway Cay.

And the issue with the Cabanas at Lighthouse Point certainly needs addressing by DCL.

“We paid a lot of extra money to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We were unable to enjoy it at all,” the Reddit user concluded.

She recommended avoiding the cabanas at the far end of Mabrika Cove until the shoreline conditions improve. “I found someone driving a golf cart and asked if there was a safer area to swim in. They seemed to not really know what I was talking about… but they did bring us to an area where the restaurant is, and we found a clearer spot to enjoy the water.”

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To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, potential cabana renters should research the conditions at their chosen cabana and remain flexible in case alternative arrangements are needed.

As Disney continues to monitor and address the erosion, it’s worth checking for updates and considering cabanas in less affected areas.

Have you visited Lighthouse Point or rented a cabana at Lookout Cay? Share your experience in the comments below!