Disney announces plan to open second private island

Disney has announced plans to turn a private island hidden in the depths of the Caribbean into an authentic new kingdom.

Smash the champagne, Mickey Mouse fans. Disney has announced the company has purchased a second private island in the Bahamas, additionally revealing exciting new details about their fifth, themed cruise ship that are in the works.

During the all-important annual D23 Expo in Anaheim over the weekend, reps for the entertainment giant revealed the news of the second, official tropical destination for Disney Cruise Line (DCL,) Disney Parks Blog reported.

Inspired by the popularity of Castaway Cay, a private Bahamian island that operates as an exclusive port for DCL ships, the company has purchased Lighthouse Point on the island of Eleuthera.

Smash the champagne, Mickey Mouse fans. Disney has announced the company has purchased a second private island (pictured) in the Bahamas. Picture: Disney.

According to the outlet, Walt Disney imagineer Joe Rohde, famed for designing Animal Kingdom, will work with local artists and cultural experts to ensure the project highlights authentic “Caribbean music, art and food” while promoting the ongoing conservation efforts through the Disney Conservation Fund.

An illustrated rendering of the future Lighthouse Point on the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. Picture: Disney.

Construction may begin as early as 2020 with competition by late 2022 or 2023, the Parks Blog reports, following clearance of an environmental investigation approved by the Bahamian Government.

More specifically, Disney would develop “less than 20 per cent of the property” and practise sustainable building methods in what they develop, the outlet said.

In related nautical news, Disney officials also announced DCL’s fifth ship would be christened the “Disney Wish,” as confirmed by the Parks Blog. The Wish is tentatively scheduled to be delivered in late 2021 and hit the high seas in January 2022.

An illustrated rendering of the atrium of the future Disney Wish ship. Picture: Disney

The vessel’s main atrium is slated to espouse a “bright, airy and elegant” aesthetic inspired in part by “the beauty of an enchanted fairytale”, the Parks Blog reports. Disney character Rapunzel will be something of the ship’s patroness, with her likeness featured on the Wish’s stern.

“Spirited, smart, curious and, above all, adventurous, Rapunzel embodies the wish and desire to see and experience the world,” a release described the upcoming honour.

The Wish will join the ranks of the Fantasy, Wonder, Dream and Magic ships that comprise DCL’s current fleet.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission