Disney Cruise Line News!
I know, I know. We like to keep this blog mostly Walt Disney World. But I'm just so excited about the D23 Expo announcements regarding the Disney Cruise Line that I'm breaking away from the norm in this post. Aside, I think one of the best ways to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation is to wrap it up with the short drive to Port Canaveral and get on a Disney Cruise ship.
The Exciting News
It should come as no surprise that Disney's fleet is expanding once more, with plans to launch new ships in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The fifth ship in the fleet will be named the Disney Wish and will be themed after Rapunzel! It will be slightly larger than the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, with 1,250 staterooms and Disney says it will be "bright, airy, and elegant" bringing to mind "an enchanted fairy tale". It is scheduled to set sail in January 2022.
There is something else special about the Disney Wish, and that is that it is named for the Make A Wish Foundation, which is an organization with which Disney has a long history. The Make A Wish Foundation grants "wishes" for children diagnosed with a terminal illness. Disney has not only worked with the organization for 40 years, but was involved in the first wish granted by the organization.
The More Exciting News
I'm even more excited about the announcement of a new Disney-owned island port of call in the Bahamas. Another Disney Island? Yes, please! Castaway Cay is like a tropical paradise. I remember visiting the first time and saying to my husband that it was like a "Jimmy Buffet song come to life", except family friendly. My dream cruise would include a Castaway Cay double dip.
But now, another destination joins the line up, on the Bahamian island chain of Eleuthera which is known for its pink sand beaches and coral reefs. The island is 50 miles east of Nassau. The section Disney is eyeing is largely undeveloped. It will be called Lighthouse Point, and... here's the best part... it will be imagineered, at least in part, by Joe Rohde.
Remember that story we told about the guy who walked into the room of Disney execs who could not be convinced that animals were exciting, and walked out of the room with permission to build a new theme park... all with a little help from a living tiger? That guy? That guy is Joe Rohde.
Joe Rohde is basically my Disney Imagineer hero. He was the chief imagineer behind Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii. His love of exploration and culture is evident in his travels and his designs. If you want to see some of those designs and inspirations while at Walt Disney World, book a meal at Tiffins (at a price). Not only will it be some of the best food you've ever eaten, but you will be surrounded by Joe Rohde's photographs from his travels that inspired the Animal Kingdom. Check out our review here.
So, yeah. Joe Rohde. This is a pretty exciting name to add to the project and it means that Eleuthera is going to be a little different, highlighting the culture and natural ecosystem of the Bahamas a little bit more. Reportedly, the Disney Imagineer Extraordinaire has already been touring the historic and natural sights of the Bahamas for inspiration.
Of course, nothing is final until the Environmental Impact Assessment is completed by the government of the Bahamas, though it is Disney's intent to leave as much of the natural environment intact at this destination as they can.
Have you done a Disney Cruise? Are you excited about this news? Let us know on our Facebook page!
