Ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, on Friday, August 31, 2018, Disney Cruise Line officials led by President of Disney Signature Experiences Jeff Vahle presented a development proposal for the Lighthouse Point site to the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC). According to multiple reports, this meeting was at the request of Disney. Disney Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment Mark R. Penning and Vice President of Public Affairs Kim Prunty also presented during the meeting.

Castaway Cay is nearly at capacity during the busy season. Disney Cruise Line is seeking to add a second managed destination in the Bahamas at Lighthouse point to keep up with demand when the fleet expands with the at least 2 of the new LNG ships sailing from Port Canaveral in addition to the future deployment of the Dream and Fantasy with one of the ships sailing year-round from Miami.

In a statement from BCCEC to the Nassau Guardian, Vahle presented chamber directors with a preliminary overview of Disney Cruise Line’s plans for Lighthouse Point with specific discussions on the design, development, economic, and environmental impact on South Eleuthera. Disney’s presentation also included plans for public access to the site and conservation objectives.

Sam Duncombe of re-Earth Bahamas suggested to Eyewitness News that Disney should share the existing port at Princess Cay, Eleuthera and for the country to invest in more diverse models for development.

BCCEC chief executive Edison Sumner confirmed the meeting to Tribune 242 and asserted additional meetings with other stakeholders, including Bahamas National Trust and One Eleuthera Foundation.

Earlier this summer, a town hall was held without Disney representation to “Disney’s proposal” for development.

We reached out to Disney for comment on this meeting and will update this article if we hear back from the cruise line. In the meantime, we’d love to hear what you have to think about the potential development of a second managed destination for Disney Cruise Line at Lighthouse Point.