New Details Announced for Disney’s New Island Destination Lookout Cay

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is Disney Cruise Line’s newest island destination that will welcome guests in the summer of 2024. Disney Cruise Line has released more details about the island!

I’m excited to share new details on some of the exciting places you’ll find at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point when it debuts in summer 2024!

Disney Lookout Cay is Disney Cruise Line’s newest, one-of-a-kind retreat on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. As soon as guests step foot on this breathtaking island destination, they will discover a celebration of Bahamian storytelling, artistry and culture.

Let’s start with a first look at the arrival point, Mabrika Cove.

“Mabrika” means “welcome” in Taino, the language of the Lucayans, who are considered the indigenous people of The Bahamas. While the language is no longer used, a few words remain – one of them being “Mabrika.” At this colorful arrival point, guests will immediately experience the warmth of Bahamian culture.

This next space is guaranteed to be the most festive on the island! The Goombay Cultural Center will embody the essence of “Junkanoo,” a Bahamian festival filled with joyous music and vibrant parades that will come to life in many ways across Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Goombay is one of the traditional music styles of The Bahamas, involving singing, dancing and drumming. The brilliantly colored cultural pavilion and its Junkanoo-inspired arch will invite guests to embrace the traditions of The Bahamas, along with the sights, sounds and spirit of the country’s signature festival.

There will be plenty of family entertainment in store at Triton’s Trumpet Stage. And fun fact: The gazebo’s name is inspired by one of the stunning natural wonders found among the Bahamian beaches – a large, spiraled seashell commonly called “Triton’s Trumpet.” And for you Disney fans, if Triton sounds familiar, you might recognize it as the name of the mighty king from the beloved Disney animated classic “The Little Mermaid.”

Of course, we must mention the shopping opportunities! Treasures of Eleuthera will be the retail shop featuring locally made gifts and artisan crafts. What I really love is how the shop will spotlight Bahamian artists through an array of unique items that families will be able to bring home with them as a special keepsake.

And now, the question you might have been asking … is there going to be an adults-only space on the island? The answer is yes! I’m delighted to share that Serenity Bay will be a relaxing retreat exclusively for adults 18 years of age and older. For those of you who have sailed with Disney Cruise Line before, you might recognize Serenity Bay as a must-visit location on Disney Castaway Cay! At Disney Lookout Cay, Serenity Bay will feature a tranquil beach experience with a dining area and private cabanas available for reservation.

Relaxation, breathtaking nature, cultural celebrations, and Disney entertainment for all? I’m packing my bags now for when this island destination debuts in summer 2024! In case you missed it, here’s a look at some of the first sailings that will visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Disney Cruise Line Sets Sail in Australia for the First Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

The Disney Wonder is officially down under!

Disney Cruise Line marked another incredible milestone on Oct. 27 when the Disney Wonder set sail from the shores of Australia for the first time ever, embarking on the inaugural ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruise for families in Australia and New Zealand. These two- to six-night special sailings continue through February 2024 and allow guests to experience the magic of Disney right in their backyard, with cruises departing from four different home ports: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand.

Guests will be immersed in their favorite Disney stories during the ‘Disney Magic at Sea’ cruises, with activities and spaces for everyone in the family to enjoy, including the imaginative dining and world-class entertainment that Disney Cruise Line is known for. New versions of the “Heroes Unite” deck party and “Crush’s Totally Awesome Pool Party,” as well as special character encounters including Moana’s first appearance on the high seas will allow guests to experience Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars stories and characters in new ways.

We’re so excited, too, that Disney Cruise Line will return to Australia and New Zealand in fall of 2024 for a second season of vacations, with departures running from October to February! On its way back to Australia, the Disney Wonder will first embark on a set of bucket-list itineraries, sailing from Vancouver, Canada, to Honolulu, Hawaii, in late September 2024 with stops on the islands of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu. From Hawaii, families will set sail on a transpacific voyage to Sydney, Australia, that will visit once-in-a-lifetime destinations such as Fiji, American Samoa and New Caledonia.

The arrival into Australia is another part of Disney Cruise Line’s unprecedented expansion. With three new ships planned through 2025 and exciting new itineraries around the world, we are thrilled to bring Disney magic at sea to families across the globe for the first time.

Disney Cruise Line Offers Even More Fun in the Sun in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico in Early 2025

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In early 2025, Disney Cruise Line will feature new and fan-favorite itineraries, bringing guests more options for fun in the sun from four home ports in the United States. From voyages that stop at one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations in The Bahamas, to the Disney Treasure’s inaugural season of seven-night voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, to a tropical sailing to Hawaii or the South Pacific aboard the Disney Wonder, early 2025 will provide a myriad of adventures aboard Disney Cruise Line’s six ships.

Bookings open to the public on Nov. 6, 2023. Clients that are Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club and select other affinity groups may take advantage of the following extended early booking windows:

  • Pearl Castaway Club Members: Monday, Oct. 30, 2023
  • Platinum Castaway Club Members, Golden Oak and Club 33 Members: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
  • Gold Castaway Club Members: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
  • Silver Castaway Club Members, Disney Vacation Club and Adventure Insiders: Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
  • Bookings open to all Guests: Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Delight in Disney’s Island Destinations

In early 2025, the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Magic will all offer an assortment of three- to five-night getaways from Florida to Disney Cruise Line’s Bahamian destinations – the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and the beloved Disney Castaway Cay. The Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, while the Disney Dream and Disney Magic will voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Aboard all four ships, guests will have the opportunity to experience one of the Disney island destinations, with each ship also offering at least one special itinerary that will sail to both Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay.

Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s celebration of The Bahamas and its newest, one-of-a-kind island retreat located on the island of Eleuthera, will welcome families with breathtaking natural beauty combined with the magic of Bahamian storytelling and artistry. Purposefully designed to be a unique fusion of Bahamian culture and Disney experiences, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will feature Bahamian art and music paired with signature Disney entertainment, sweeping architecture inspired by Bahamian natural wonders brought to life by Disney Imagineers and opportunities to explore Eleuthera through unique port adventures.

Meanwhile Disney Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in The Bahamas, will continue to provide guests of all ages with relaxation and adventure amidst its turquoise waters and lush landscapes. The whimsical tropical hideaway provides a hassle-free experience for a fun and relaxing beach day coupled with a picture-perfect setting with distinctly Disney touches.

The Disney Treasure’s Inaugural Season

Following its maiden voyage on Dec. 21, 2024, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Treasure, will embark on an inaugural season of seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Eastern Caribbean sailings will take families to the beautiful island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, Disney Castaway Cay and either San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas, while Western Caribbean sailings will bring families to destinations such as Falmouth in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico. The week-long voyages will offer at least two days at sea, giving families more time to enjoy the unique spaces, immersive dining and world-class entertainment onboard the Disney Treasure.

Pacific Voyages Aboard the Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder will conclude its second season in Australia and New Zealand in early 2025 with a special 15-night South Pacific cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Honolulu, Hawaii. Its return to North America will feature two more special sailings: a nine-night Hawaiian Island cruise from Honolulu to Vancouver, Canada in late February, followed by a five-night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego, California, in early March. From San Diego, the Disney Wonder will take guests on three- to seven-night adventures to the Mexican Riviera or the Baja Peninsula.

Adventures from Texas on the Disney Magic

Before homeporting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Disney Magic will also offer the opportunity to visit Mexico on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. For the first three months of 2025, the Disney Magic will sail to Progreso and Cozumel in Mexico and Grand Cayman from Galveston, Texas. In April, the ship will set sail on a special seven-night cruise from the Lone Star State to San Juan, Puerto Rico that will stop at both of Disney’s island destinations, before returning to the Sunshine State  for a series of three- to four-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale, followed by four- and five-night sailings from Port Canaveral to Nassau and at least one of Disney’s island destinations in The Bahamas.

For more details, including itinerary and booking information, click here. 

First-Ever Haunted Mansion Bar Coming to the Disney Treasure in 2024

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

At the height of spooky season, Disney Cruise Line has revealed the Haunted Mansion Parlor, an all-new bar inspired by the iconic Disney Parks attraction, The Haunted Mansion. Foolish mortals will sip spirited craft cocktails among 999 happy haunts for the first time inside this new venue on board the Disney Treasure when it sets sail in December 2024. I had a chance to learn about the upcoming bar with Imagineers and get a look at concept art and new merchandise.

The Backstory of Haunted Mansion Parlor

The one-of-a-kind experience will invite guests to partake in the next chapter of the Haunted Mansion, focused on the story of a jovial captain who entered the ghostly realm after a disastrous dinner with his beloved fiancé. A custom musical arrangement inspired by the attraction’s original score arranged and adapted by composer Shruti Kumar and Walt Disney Imagineering will set the stage for an ever-escalating anthology of illusions that immerses guests into the mysterious lore of the Haunted Mansion.

Haunted Mansion Inspiration

Legendary characters from Haunted Mansion attractions at Disney Parks around the world, as well as new seafaring arrivals, will come out to socialize in mysterious ways throughout the experience. The venue will follow the nostalgic art style of the original 1969 Disney Parks classic, and true to the original attraction, the Haunted Mansion Parlor will blend humor with Disney’s own distinct brand of spooky storytelling.

Design Elements

The design of the Haunted Mansion Parlor will be reminiscent of a first-class drawing room from the classic cruise liners of the golden age, invoking inspiration from the original Haunted Mansion with a nautical twist. The lounge will include tributes to the Disney Parks attractions, from the iconic purple wallpaper framed by wooden finishes to a mantel clock atop an inviting fireplace to a distinctive purple armchair tucked in the corner. Guests will also encounter a few new ghoulish faces in a portrait gallery depicting the Disney Treasure’s own ghostly residents.

Deliciously Chilling Drinks

At the Haunted Mansion Parlor, guests will sample from a selection of ghostly cocktails that capture the spirit of the famed theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion.

Blood orange and sour cherry flavors will harmonize in a shimmering zero-proof cocktail served in a specialty mug aptly titled, Sympathetic Libations. Click here for the recipe.

The Ghoulish Delight will be an ube-flavored treat that everyone will be able to enjoy. The drink, with hints of sweetness and nuttiness, will incorporate decadent ube fudge, oat milk and tapioca pearls in a purple concoction garnished with a gummy eyeball and ube glitter. Click here for the recipe.

A spooky twist on a classic margarita, presented to guests amidst a swirl of flavored smoke, will be another signature drink at the Haunted Mansion Parlor. Topped with a lemon salt foam, this tequila-based cocktail will contain a secret message, only to be revealed by black light. Click here for the recipe.

Credit: Disney
Credit: Disney

Mysterious Merchandise

The new bar venue will introduce an exclusive array of haunted homewares and spooky souvenirs to the shops onboard the Disney Treasure.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Music Box will be a keepsake inspired by the eerie music box that will play a melodic soundtrack inside the Haunted Mansion Parlor. As the rumors go, this mysterious box belonged to the captain’s bride-to-be and only opens in the presence of malevolent spirits.

Honoring the memorable grandfather clock seen in the original Disney Parks attraction, the Haunted Parlor Mantle Clock will loom over the fireplace inside the venue, instigating mysterious happenings when it strikes 13. As a part of the new merchandise collection, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to bring home their very own mantle clock, just like the one from the parlor.

Featuring the same octopus design from the bar’s entrance onboard the Disney Treasure, the Haunted Mansion Parlor Sculpted Mug will depict an aura of intrigue and will be accented with a variety of sea life, including a hidden Mickey Mouse-shaped barnacle.

The Haunted Mansion Parlor Mirror will allow guests to take home a piece of the magic, offering a ghoulish surprise to unsuspecting users when the hitchhiking ghosts mysteriously appear.

Disney Unveils Commemorative Plaques for Fans Celebrating 50+ Visits

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Disney is saying thank you to fans in a big way.

The reason that Disney has managed to stay so relevant for the past 100 years is because of the fans who keep supporting the company year after year. Whether it is visiting Disney Parks, watching Disney movies, buying merchandise, or taking a vacation on the Disney Cruise Line, die-hard fans are willing to shell out money in order to support the Disney company as a whole.

Now, Disney is going the extra mile to say “thank you” to some of their most dedicated fans. As a token of their appreciation, Disney is giving dedicated fans a commemorative plaque at one Disney location.

Right now, mega fans of the Disney Cruise Line are getting recognized for their incredible dedication to the cruise line with a commemorative display at Castaway Cay, one of Disney’s premier vacation destinations.

Disney Cruise Line has revealed a unique and memorable tradition to honor their dedicated Guests who have embarked on fifty or more voyages with the cruise line. As a testament to their unwavering loyalty and love for the Disney Cruise Line experience, these esteemed Guests are presented with a prestigious and commemorative plaque on the island.

Disney Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. The island is exclusively for Disney Cruise Line Guests visiting the area on a Bahamian or Caribbean cruise. There, Guests can relax and enjoy the exciting attractions that Disney provides. Castaway Cay is the perfect location for the new commemorative display that Disney has put up.

This exceptional recognition serves as a heartfelt gesture from Disney Cruise Line, acknowledging the incredible milestones reached by these devoted sailors. The adorned plaque symbolizes the remarkable journeys that have been embarked upon, encapsulating the cherished memories and experiences shared on countless voyages to the captivating shores of Castaway Cay.

Crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, these commemorative plaques are a true manifestation of the strong bond forged between Disney Cruise Line and its most esteemed passengers. Each plaque is thoughtfully designed, featuring an exquisite blend of artistry and elegance. The intricate craftsmanship captures the essence and spirit of the Disney Cruise Line experience, making it a truly remarkable keepsake.

The plaque not only reflects the remarkable commitment of these loyal Guests, but it also serves as a tangible memento, a tangible piece of history that can be proudly displayed as a reminder of the extraordinary adventures and cherished moments shared at Castaway Cay. Its presence evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting the recipients back to the sun-kissed beaches, crystal-clear waters, and enchanting tropical landscapes that make up the picturesque setting of Castaway Cay.