Disney's New Private Caribbean Resort Set To Start Construction This Year

Disney is set to start work on its second port of call: Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas.

Acquired by Disney Cruise Line last year, the company called the new port "a signature island experience that the company says celebrates nature and the spirit and culture of The Bahamas."

And now, the company has confirmed they're planning to start construction on the tropical resort this year.

Kim Prunty, vice-president of Disney Cruise Line, told Tribune Business: "We are hopeful construction could begin in 2020, and the experience could be operational by late 2022 or early 2023."

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So what to expect?

Announced at the D23 Expo 2019, the storytelling giant said the resort would be "not some replica of an old Bahamian town, not a pirate fantasy, but a dream-like landscape of adventure by the sea, where art and nature combine with Disney magic to create a destination that can only exist in one place."

The main sources of inspiration behind the project are the living nature of the area as well as the culture and history of Eleuthera.

According to Disney Cruise Line Blog, Disney will be working with the Bahamian Government and Bahamian historians, artists and cultural experts to "integrate Bahamian voices and artistic expression in the design of the Project, making it a reflection of The Bahamas, rooted in local stories and traditions".

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Considered a "seaside adventure camp", the project is expected to cost in the region of $250 million to $400 million.

It'll see a pier, birth and marina build to accommodate Disney's fleet of cruise ships, as well as themed buildings and attractions, restaurants, bars, spa facilities, aquatics and recreational facilities, and beach expansion plans.

The cruise line's current port of call is Disney Castaway Cay, a private island also in the Caribbean archipelago, which is made up of luxury accommodation, Disney-run excursions and miles of white sand beaches.

We can't wait to see this come to life.

Topics: Disney, Entertainment

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance writer working for Tyla. After graduating with an English Lit and Media degree from the University of Sussex, Ciara held jobs at GLAMOUR and Yahoo Style before packing up for a solo travelling trip around South America.

@ciarasheppard