“We’re working with the Bahamian people,” stressed Disney Parks’ Chairman Bob Chapek, when revealing plans for a second Bahamas-based island experience that’ll complement the existing Castaway Cay.
Speaking to 7,000 people at the D23 Expo in Anaheim (including 40 Aussie Travel Agents on the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Mega-Fam), Chapek revealed that the new destination would be included on future Disney Cruise Line itineraries as a “one-of-a-kind experience’ for guests.
Called Lighthouse Point, the new Disney destination will be situated on the island of Eleuthera and be built alongside locals to not only portray local culture but preserve the precious environment.
Disney veteran Imagineer Joe Rohde explained that the end result will not be “a replica of an old Bohemian town or a pirate fantasy”, but “a dream-like landscape of adventure by the sea”.
Rohde continued, saying that it’ll be an escape that’s “saturated with Bahamian culture and embued in Disney magic”. In other words, don’t expect it to be a Disney Park, it’ll be a place that reflects the Bahamas while featuring elements of the iconic storytelling brand.
“We want to draw attention to the natural beauty and we’re going to be directly involved in conservation efforts to preserve and protect the environment because that’s what creates that beauty.”
Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering Executive Designer & Vice President of Creative
Although further details of Lighthouse Point weren’t disclosed, Chapek said the unique destination is perfectly timed with Disney Cruise Line’s plans to launch three new ships in the coming years.
Among the new vessels will be Disney Wish, which will be delivered in 2021 and set sail in January 2022.
The fifth Disney vessel was given the name ‘Wish’ because “wishes are part of the Disney DNA”, explained Chapek, and she’ll have a three-storey atrium inspired by “the beauty of an enchanted fairytale”.
Producing even more magic will be Rapunzel who’ll feature on the vessel’s livery (could this mean that Mandy Moore – who voiced the Princess in Tangled – will be Godmother?).