The ship's name, a first look at the design of its elegant atrium and a rendering of Lighthouse Point Beach were revealed Sunday at the D23 Expo for Disney fans in Anaheim, California.
Disney Wish to debut in January 2022
The 144,000gt, 2,500-lower berth Disney Wish is scheduled for delivery in late 2021 and is expected to begin sailing in January 2022.
The ship's bright and airy three-story atrium is inspired by the beauty of an enchanted fairytale, whle the stern character, a hallmark of all Disney ships, is the spirited and adventurous Rapunzel, who embodies a wish to experience the world.
Slightly larger than Disney Dream (2011) and Disney Fantasy (2012), the three Disney newbuilds contracted at Meyer Werft are all LNG-powered. Deliveries of the second and third ships are scheduled in 2022 and 2023.
Lighthouse Point
Also at the D23 Expo, Disney revealed new information and an early conceptual rendering for its second private island in the Bahamas. The design of Lighthouse Point, located at Eleuthera, will be led by Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, whose work includes Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park in Orlando and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii.
Rodhe has embarked on an in-depth cultural tour of the Bahamas to meet with local artists and cultural experts, exploring arts and cultural sites across New Providence and Eleuthera, from Junkanoo shacks to noted art galleries.
'The Lighthouse Point site is so beautiful and so full of nature that we want to preserve this and use our designs to call attention to the extraordinary quality of the place itself, a place of natural beauty with a rich and fascinating cultural tradition,' said Bob Chapek, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. 'We will be directly involved in conservation efforts to preserve and protect the environment that creates this beauty, and we will be working with artists of every kind, much like we did with Aulani in Hawaii, to create a unique destination that is rooted in Bahamian culture and imbued with Disney magic.'
Environmental monitoring, no channel dredging
Disney completed its purchase of privately owned Lighthouse Point earlier this year and signed an agreement with the government of the Bahamas that guides the responsible and sustainable way the site will be developed.
Disney has committed to develop less than 20% of the property and employ sustainable building practices, including an open-trestle pier that eliminates the need to dredge a ship channel. It also will establish environmental monitoring programs during construction and operation and donate more than 190 acres of privately owned land to the government, among other commitments.
Fund supports coral reef rehabilitation
Through the Disney Conservation Fund, the company has provided more than $13m to marine conservation programs around the globe, including several in the Bahamas. Since 2007, Disney has been directly involved in leading a multiyear initiative to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs in the Bahamas and will continue to work with leading conservation organizations and communities to protect special places there.
Before Lighthouse Point construction can begin, an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan must be reviewed and accepted by the government, and public consultation will take place. Construction could begin in 2020 with completion in late 2022 or 2023.
Proximity to other private islands
Lighthouse Point will be located not far from Princess Cays and from Holland America Line's Half Moon Cay.
Disney's Castaway Cay, which opened in 1998, is located north of Eleuthera near Great Abaco Island. It was the first private cruise island to have a dock.
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