Disney Cruise Line made a big splash at last summer’s D23 Expo when it announced that it would begin work on a second private island in The Bahamas. Lighthouse Point would be located on the southern point of the island of Eleuthera and feature a natural theme designed to preserve the area’s natural beauty.
Disney Cruise Line has just revealed a dedicated website revealing lots of exciting new information about Lighthouse Point. Part of the website’s purpose is to keep the people of the Bahamas informed as to the progress of the project. Readers are informed that Disney has, “completed its purchase of the Lighthouse Point property and signed a Heads of Agreement with the government of The Bahamas” but that commencement of construction is waiting on an environmental impact study.
Disney expects to invest $250-$400 million to create its island destination on Eleuthera. The site also talks about potential job creation for Bahamian residents both during construction and once the location is open.
Lighthouse Point is located on a penninsula known for its natural beauty and the plans on the website reveal large areas dedicated to conservation. Guests will be able to learn about the Bahamian culture and conservation effort at an art and culture center, walk through medstrian nature trails, or view the island from above via the Adventure Camp trails an lookout towers.
From the look of the map, Lighthouse Point will feature access to four beach areas. Dining facilities and a Spa & Wellness Center are planned along with cabanas for those wishing a more private experience.
Another detail revealed is the location of the access pier to the island. As Disney pioneered with its first private island, Castaway Cay, the ships can dock and unload to a pier, rather than requiring tenders from the ship. Additionally, rather than dredging a ship channel, Lighthouse Point will feature a long pier out into deeper waters. Guests will be able to catch a tram to their destination at a depot just steps from the ship instead of having to walk the length of the pier.
One of the details that has us most excited is that Imagineer Joe Rohde, known for his work bringing Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Aulani Resort to life, will be the lead Imagineer on the project as the Portfolio Creative Executive.
“The Bahamas offers a fascinating multi-cultural tradition of food, music, dance and storytelling. Eleuthera in particular is home to many artists and we will be working with painters, sculptors, writers, storytellers, musicians, weavers and artists of every kind, much like we did with Aulani in Hawaii, to create a completely unique experience that is rooted in Bahamian culture and imbued with Disney magic,” said Joe Rohde.
According to the site, “The design for Lighthouse Point will be inspired by the natural environment and rooted in the culture of Eleuthera and The Bahamas more broadly. Disney Cruise Line has partnered with the local creative community, led by master artists Kevin Cooper and Antonius Roberts, to achieve this.”
Lighthouse Point is expected to open to guests sometime in 2022-2023 in conjunction with the arrival of the new ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Disney Cruise Line has already been updating the new website and we suggest heading over there to check it out yourself.