2nd private island

[darnheather]

People who live in Eleuthera will be able to visit this area any time they like. I anticipate that Disney would have a full time crew there, just like at CC, which would help prevent any shenanigans!

That's 11,000 possible people. How would that work? I understand not all 11,000 are going to show up at once but what if 1,000 did? Will DCL guests need to show key cards at the restaurant? I'm not knocking this solution just honestly curious.

 

[dcassetta]

That's 11,000 possible people. How would that work? I understand not all 11,000 are going to show up at once but what if 1,000 did? Will DCL guests need to show key cards at the restaurant? I'm not knocking this solution just honestly curious.

I'm not sure, but Lighthouse Point does not get much traffic. Maybe the Eleutherians (Eleutherites?) will be permitted the natural areas, but not the Disney areas?

 

[cyclenut]

I would absolutely love Disney to have another private island/beach to visit. We really liked RCCL Labadee when we visited, even though it isn't an island. You still get that island feel and it is still private to guests of the cruise line. I like Labadee also because they have a dock. I'm not a huge fan of tendering.

Which brings me to Catalina. There is no dock large enough for cruise lines there and the coastline does not lend itself to building one. It's a tender port. That said, it's a lot of fun to visit, whether from aboard a cruise ship, taking one of the boats from the California coast or even on a private boat. There is a lot of history there on Catalina and I recommend visiting the Casino there and taking the tour. Don't think it is for gambling either. You won't find a slot machine or gambling hall anywhere in the place.

As for West Coast temperatures compared to Caribbean. It's pretty clear that the Caribbean has warmer overall temperatures, but depending on the weather patterns, don't be surprised if the water feels cold on some days when visit Castaway Cay. The Pacific Ocean is generally cooler, but it's never bothered me. My wife is a more warm water person though, so tends to steer clear of anything in the 70s.

Finally, Disney has not found a way to make the Mexican Rivera profitable. They tried to leave the Wonder on the West Coast for an extended stay, but it just didn't work out. They experimented with the Pixar cruises and it drew passengers that eventually led to Marvel Day and Star Wars Day, but they still have trouble filling the ship for the Mexican Rivera. There is no way they would have a West Coast private island until they could prove the West Coast is a profitable area for cruising.

Interestingly enough, Carnival is making a big bet on the Mexican Riviera and Port of Long Beach. Major port renovations and it's newest ship being deployed there. Will be fun to watch what happens.

Once the new ships come out, Disney may want to leave the Wonder on the West Coast, but the question is, where would it home port and what would it do? They could heading to the South Pacific after Alaska and maybe even as far as Australia, New Zealand or the Philippines. I can totally see Disney heading from Vancouver to Hawaii then on to Fiji or French Polynesia.

 

[darnheather]

I lived in San Diego. I never went to Catalina but for me I was only able to swim in the Pacific about two months of the year. Far too cold.

 

[mcd2745]

People who live in Eleuthera will be able to visit this area any time they like. I anticipate that Disney would have a full time crew there, just like at CC, which would help prevent any shenanigans!

I'm sure I'll get negative reactions to this, but I don't like the idea that locals can use/visit the area as they wish. I'd be concerned about getting harassed by people relentlessly trying to sell stuff. Hopefully, DCL gets some type of assurance in their agreement that keeps that from happening. It certainly seems like it will be a very different experience from Castaway Cay. Different, in and of itself, is fine. However, I'm sure I am not alone in preferring that it be something where you're still in the "Disney bubble" so to speak while on the island.

 

[ChicosWife]

I'm sure I'll get negative reactions to this, but I don't like the idea that locals can use/visit the area as they wish. I'd be concerned about getting harassed by people relentlessly trying to sell stuff. Hopefully, DCL gets some type of assurance in their agreement that keeps that from happening. It certainly seems like it will be a very different experience from Castaway Cay. Different, in and of itself, is fine. However, I'm sure I am not alone in preferring that it be something where you're still in the "Disney bubble" so to speak while on the island.

 

[dcassetta]

I'm sure I'll get negative reactions to this, but I don't like the idea that locals can use/visit the area as they wish. I'd be concerned about getting harassed by people relentlessly trying to sell stuff. Hopefully, DCL gets some type of assurance in their agreement that keeps that from happening. It certainly seems like it will be a very different experience from Castaway Cay. Different, in and of itself, is fine. However, I'm sure I am not alone in preferring that it be something where you're still in the "Disney bubble" so to speak while on the island.

Eleuthera has a much different vibe than the area right around Nassau. If Disney does develop a private island area at the southern tip of Eleuthera, I don't think you'll see the same kind of interaction that you would find in Nassau. To be honest, I think it'll be a lot like CC, where there a few local vendors set up in shops. The concern of the local Bahamians, is that this new development would cut off access to Lighthouse Point and Lighthouse Beach, both of which are strikingly beautiful, and rather fragile. Although these areas are privately owned, there's been public access to them for ages. There has been some discussion in the Bahamian government, particularly those on Eleuthera, of turning this area into a protected national Park. I could see a situation where Disney develops part of the island, in a way that allows them to keep it secure, while still allowing the locals access to Lighthouse Beach.

 

[cadien]

I'm sure I'll get negative reactions to this, but I don't like the idea that locals can use/visit the area as they wish. I'd be concerned about getting harassed by people relentlessly trying to sell stuff. Hopefully, DCL gets some type of assurance in their agreement that keeps that from happening. It certainly seems like it will be a very different experience from Castaway Cay. Different, in and of itself, is fine. However, I'm sure I am not alone in preferring that it be something where you're still in the "Disney bubble" so to speak while on the island.

Allowing people to visit as guests and allowing people to set up shop and compete for revenue are two very different things. There's no reason to assume the latter. People don't randomly walk around selling things at Disney Parks.

 

[ChicosWife]

People don't randomly walk around selling things at Disney Parks.

Good point.

 

[collectoraholic]

I think in the winter it would get too cold to cruise the California Coast or even to Mexico. On the water would be horrible. Also that is when California has the most of their wet weather. Most islands along the Cali coast are uninhabited and ecologically fragile or protected for wildlife.

We did a Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera cruise for Thanksgiving in 2012 and it was fine.

 

[southerngirl528]

They could heading to the South Pacific after Alaska and maybe even as far as Australia, New Zealand or the Philippines. I can totally see Disney heading from Vancouver to Hawaii then on to Fiji or French Polynesia.

I like THOSE ideas!!!!

 

[bigAWL]

This article seems to include more info about Disney’s plans for local public access and vendors, although they are still very vague about the implementation.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/sep/27/disney-400m-spend-to-better-top-location/

About vendors, DCL President Jeff Vahle said, “We've also got to understand what the demand is in terms if Bahamians wanting to sell goods. We want to integrate that into the site design, so that they won't be left selling goods by the gate.”

About public access, DCL Public Affairs VP Kim Prunty said, “People in Eleuthera have shaped the project from the beginning. We had thought of public access differently, but realised it was very important. This is an experience that's going to be rooted in The Bahamas, so it makes sense Bahamians are there. They said they'd this land to come back to being Bahamian, so we said 170 acres will come out of that to make it public land." That quote seems to reference the reported 170 acres of the land that would be returned to the government of the Bahamas as conservation land. I don’t think that means they intend to limit public access to that area, because they also said they would be giving Bahamians full, continued access to the 700-acre site. Ms Prunty also pledged that Disney will not develop the area around the lighthouse and southern tip, and its passengers will not be allowed there, although Bahamians will still have access.

The article also talks about Disney offering excursions for passengers that go outside the property to other sites on Eleuthera.

Instead of selling it as a type of private island experience like Castaway Cay, maybe Disney will sell it more as an Adventures By Disney-type experience that offers a Disney-fied (and semi-Disney-controlled) glimpse of local culture and tourism.

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

We did a Disney Wonder Mexican Riviera cruise for Thanksgiving in 2012 and it was fine.

Thanksgiving isn't really winter. That starts at the end of December.

 

[RRB]

I saw this picture posted on Instagram. It is the southern tip of Eleuthera, right where DCL wants to go. Wow, what a gorgeous place

 

[darnheather]

This new information helps me make sense of allowing the locals access as my guess is they will be allowed to parts that DCL grants back to the island as a reserve.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...unity-in-south-eleuthera-at-lighthouse-point/

 

[FigmentSpark]

This new information helps me make sense of allowing the locals access as my guess is they will be allowed to parts that DCL grants back to the island as a reserve.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...unity-in-south-eleuthera-at-lighthouse-point/

Nice find. Sounds interesting, but it's up to the Bahamanian government now.

 

[T & R]

In the October 10th article described above by PP, DCL's President Jeff Vahle stated the Eleuthera "plans include providing full access to the property for Bahamians". Can't really call it a 2nd private island then if it's open to the public. I guess the definition of the word "private" differs for some people.

 

[DietCokeMommy]

This new information helps me make sense of allowing the locals access as my guess is they will be allowed to parts that DCL grants back to the island as a reserve.

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...unity-in-south-eleuthera-at-lighthouse-point/

I didn't get that from reading the article. They said in a couple places, "full access to the property for Bahamians".

IDK, but this doesn't appeal to me at all. The whole point of a cruise line having a private island, is that the island be private. Otherwise it's just another stop in the Bahamas.

 

[cadien]

I can still see some positives. If it means there won't ever be other cruise ships in port at the same time, that's a plus. And if it means that all the food will be included like at Castaway Cay, that's also a plus.

 

[darnheather]

I didn't get that from reading the article. They said in a couple places, "full access to the property for Bahamians".

IDK, but this doesn't appeal to me at all. The whole point of a cruise line having a private island, is that the island be private. Otherwise it's just another stop in the Bahamas.

:shrug: I guess I was reading between the lines as previous articles did not mention the reserves. The property is currently privately owned. I can't see DCL allowing just anyone to wonder in considering safety and security.