Disney's Lighthouse Point
Views: 25,098 Subscribe

Guests currently can visit one Disney-owned private island, Castaway Cay. But they will soon have another. The Walt Disney Company is making significant progress on Lighthouse Point, a $400 million private island. Disney Cruise Line confirmed swirling rumors that they would purchase the unfinished German ship, Royal Dream. In a Disney Parks Blog post, Disney announced that the purchase was complete.

Source: https://insidethemagic.net/2022/11/disney-cruise-line-german-dream-jc1/

Proper concept art released.

Disney is collaborating closely with Bahamian artists and advisors to develop a destination that reflects the natural beauty and culture of the Bahamas and brings them to life through Disney storytelling and the assistance of a local cast and crew, according to Josh D'Amaro, experiences and products chairman, Disney Parks.

The latest visualizations revealed by the company portray a beach retreat surrounded by Bahamian artistry. Disney’s second island destination amenities will further include a recreation center, dining options, shops, a water playground, and a cultural pavilion, among others.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28242-disney-cruise-line-unveils-lighthouse-point-destination.html

At D23 Disney revealed new concept art for Lighthouse Point.

Source: https://wdwnt.com/2022/09/new-disney-cruise-line-lighthouse-point-concept-art-and-details/

On April 28th, Disney’s Regional Public Affairs Director Joseph Gaskins announced that Disney has begun preparation of Lighthouse Point site.

Gaskins, who made his remarks about the Disney project at Eleuthera Business Outlook, explained that hiring for construction will be about two times larger than had originally been anticipated. Gaskins explained that about 300 people will be employed at the height of construction, with 80 percent of that complement being Bahamian throughout the life of the build. He added that Disney continues to work toward making employment on its private island Castaway Cay 100 percent Bahamian.

Disney promised to make its Lighthouse Point project low-density. Gaskins said the company has held firm to that promise, especially by donating 20 percent of the land it owns at Lighthouse Point to the Bahamian government.

Gaskins added that Disney intends to hold fast to its promise to allow Bahamians to continue to access the Lighthouse Point property, which is seen as one of the last unspoiled areas of the island, although for a long time the property has been privately owned, though not developed, until it was purchased by Disney.

“We have promised full access to the site for citizens and residents for non-commercial purposes,” said Gaskins.

The company has also ensured that Bahamian entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to sell locally produced goods and operate shore excursions.

Gaskins also explained that Disney has asked for no concessions outside of those already provided by the Hotels Encouragement Act.

Below you can watch the full Disney Project Update from the Eleuthera Business Outlook on April 28th.



Sources: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/2022/04/disney-cruise-line-provides-update-on-lighthouse-point-during-the-10th-eleuthera-business-outlook/
https://thenassauguardian.com/disney-begins-preparation-of-lighthouse-point-site/

The project got a mention in Seeking Alpha on April 6, 2022 which references a few details about cruise ships that will launch in 2024 / 2025:

Disney is seeking to expand the Disney Cruise Line business, to include three more ships, with the first being launched in June 2022, with the others being delivered in 2024 and 2025. The new ships are slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy - but hold the same 1,250 room layout. In addition, these ships are liquid natural gas powered. Disney has an ongoing agreement with the Government of the Bahamas to create a new resort at "Lighthouse Point" on the island of Eleuthera, which is scheduled to open in 2024 as a new Disney Cruise Line experience.

Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4500065-disney-is-a-buy

Also, recently from Eyewitness News on April 5, 2022:

Disney Cruise Line has named Joey Gaskins, based in New Providence, as Regional Public Affairs Director, The Bahamas and Caribbean.

In this newly created position, Gaskins will support Disney Cruise Line and other Disney Signature Experience business initiatives in The Bahamas and Caribbean by building relationships and serving as Disney’s liaison for external stakeholders, including government agencies, community leaders, the non-profit community, media, and internal business leaders.

...

Disney Cruise Line has committed to filling all positions on Castaway Cay with Bahamians across a range of disciplines with opportunities for training and advancement. Disney recently received the necessary approvals from the Government of The Bahamas to begin work at Lighthouse Point, which is expected to create more than 300 construction-related roles – more than double the number of jobs Disney Cruise Line committed to in its Heads of Agreement.

Source: https://ewnews.com/disney-cruise-line-creates-new-comms-role-hires-bahamian-joey-gaskins

As part of Disney’s commitment to building the workforce of tomorrow and inspiring and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, Disney Cruise Line is providing funding to support Junior Achievement Bahamas on Eleuthera.

This year’s programme is expected to provide financial literacy, entrepreneurship, college preparedness and work readiness curriculums to nearly 1,000 students on Eleuthera ranging in age from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Disney Cruise Line is the corporate sponsor for all Junior Achievement programmes on the island of Eleuthera this year.

Source: https://ewnews.com/disney-cruise-line-partners-with-junior-achievement-bahamas-to-build-work-readiness-skills-on-eleuthera

Disney has finally received government approval to begin construction on this $400 million project. Now that Disney Cruise Line has acquired all of the necessary permits, hiring of construction workers will now begin. A job fair will tentatively be held on March 5, 2022 at the Eleuthera Business Hub, as the expected number of construction workers needed has doubled.

In a Disney Cruise Line newsletter, Thomas Mazloum, President of Disney Cruise Line, stated, “We are so grateful for the support we have received from the people and government of The Bahamas over the past few years. It is because of your engagement and feedback that we have continued to shape the project into something we can all be proud of. I am pleased to share that we have now received all the necessary approvals from the government of the Bahamas to begin our work at Lighthouse Point. As we get started, we remain committed to our guiding principles: creating sustainable economic opportunities for Bahamians, protecting and sustaining the natural beauty of the site, celebrating Bahamian culture and helping to strengthen the community in Eleuthera. We are excited to move this important work forward with you and will continue to keep you updated on our progress and how you can get involved.”

https://wdwnt.com/2022/02/construction-for-disney-cruise-lines-lighthouse-point-to-begin-in-the-bahamas-starting-march-2/

It's a new year, it's a new ship, it's a new island for YOU!

Lighthouse Point is really something spectacularly!
First inspiration is the living nature of Lighthouse Point itself. The second inspiration is cultural.

Be like a local... feel it!




Let us show a small part of it:



https://youtu.be/tMbNqZmdIgM

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller said yesterday that while he supports the Disney Lighthouse Point project, he is still “very concerned” about its potential environmental impact on Eleuthera.

“I was reassured that they have been complying with everything that was demanded from them to this point, so I’m satisfied in that regard,” he said.

Despite these assurances from Disney Cruise Lines, Mr Miller said he is still monitoring the situation cautiously due to its potential impact, not only on Eleuthera, but The Bahamas as a whole. "Am I concerned? Very concerned. I’m from Eleuthera, it’s personal to me, but not just Eleuthera, but for the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Source: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/feb/04/miller-very-concerned-about-disney-project-impact/

Just a quick update on the progress of this amazing initiative.

The Lighthouse property has OFFICIALLY signed an agreement with the government of the Bahamas! All other necessary government permits and approvals have been granted. Disney has assembled a team who has, for the last two years, been meeting with the public of the Bahamas to also get their input as to how this project can best suit their natural environment. Imagine all developers consulted the public or residence of the land they plan to develop? Great! I think it is important for the people living in the immediate vicinity to give their input, especially if they are greatly affected by major developments such as the The Lighthouse Point.

Over the past year Disney has met with many potential employees, vendors and tour operators to maximize opportunities for Eleuthera and the greater Bahamas and they plan to continue to do so. Disney has made a commitment to work with the local community and government to develop training and professional development programs for residents of Eleuthera and the greater Bahamas interested in working at Lighthouse Point. It is great that Disney has worked with this community for the past 20 years!