Disney buys ground at Cozumel?

[MrMagoo]

I am putting this out there for information however I DO NOT know if it is true.
I think it is, but time will tell.

While on the Treasure 2 weeks ago we did a private catamaran at Cozumel.
One of the workers on it told us that Disney had just finalized the purchase of some land that we were sailing by.
He has a friend in real estate sales that informed him of this.
Apparently there had also been MANY protests over this on the island.
He said they believe Disney wants their own port at the island as it is sometimes hard for ships to get port time.
There is already a resort at the location and they believe Disney wants to open a resort there.
Apparently there has already been many engineers and ecologists looking at the site.

It is near some land Royal has also purchased and has started construction of their own port.

From the location services on my phone it shows it near Paradise Beach or San Fransisco Beach Club.

Picture of the site from the sea:




Here is also a photo of the site of Royal's spot:




As i said, I do not know if it is true however with Disney having more ships I can see where they would want their own port at Cozumel
so they can stop there when they want and not rely on getting a port time.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Interesting. I'd put it under the "need more information" category. When we were in Hawaii on a Disney cruise more than ten years ago, our DCL excursion bus driver said DCL planned to cruise to Hawaii once a month. ahem.

Another bus driver (this time in Anaheim) said Disneyland planned to expand and build another theme park where a local strawberry field was (and still is) located.

When Walt Disney was looking for land to build WDW, he kept the info very quiet, knowing that if other developers heard about it, the price of land would spike before Disney could buy it.

It makes sense for DCL to have their own port in Cozumel, but it depends on the economy, and DCL's profitability.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Not likely to be true. I’ve written many times that the new sailings will see things like a second seasonal sailing in Alaska + Europe, year-round at Galveston and Sad Diego, year-round second ship at Fort Lauderdale, seasonal NYC, etc.

In other words… mostly away from places that will reach Cozumel.

Secondly, when Disney acquires land it’s almost always top secret. I started my accounting career working for a firm that specialized in fast food franchisees. One of the clients owned a ton of Wendy’s… and also some land that was sold to Disney and is Lighthouse Point today. It’s been many, many, many, many, many years since I worked with either company but I still had a contact and reached out to him. He said they didn’t even know they were dealing with Disney until a preliminary agreement (contingent on government approval) was reached.

 

[OKW Lover]

Very skeptical of this rumor. If Disney was going to buy land there, it would be through an obscured straw purchaser.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Interesting. I'd put it under the "need more information" category. When we were in Hawaii on a Disney cruise more than ten years ago, our DCL excursion bus driver said DCL planned to cruise to Hawaii once a month. ahem.

Another bus driver (this time in Anaheim) said Disneyland planned to expand and build another theme park where a local strawberry field was (and still is) located.

When Walt Disney was looking for land to build WDW, he kept the info very quiet, knowing that if other developers heard about it, the price of land would spike before Disney could buy it.

It makes sense for DCL to have their own port in Cozumel, but it depends on the economy, and DCL's profitability.

Hawaii cruises take a minimum of 14 days. The time commitment makes it unlikely DCL would ever be in the market for more than a few sailings per year, assuming they had a ship based in LA/SD full time. For decade, Princess went at least twice per month (excluding summer) from LA and SF, as well as some sailings from San Diego and Vancouver… but in recent years they’ve cut way back.

The strawberry fields story is true though. Disney had sought to acquire the property for a second gate since the 1970s. When fhe WESTCot plans were revealed, it was marked for a third gate.. even though Disney didn’t own the land. They acquired a ton of property around it, and finally acquired the farm itself in the late 90s. The Toy Story Parking Lot was supposed to be temporary, until the park was built.

But… with DisneylandForward, the property appears earmarked for private development: restaurants, retail and housing.

 

[apathetic]

...year-round at Galveston

In other words… mostly away from places that will reach Cozumel.

Cruises from Galveston routinely (though not all) go to Cozumel. I think all go to Progreso and some also add a day to Cozumel. When they sail year round from Galveston in a couple of years, I can see them going to Cozumel a lot more often. Cozumel isn't a great port, but I would definitely prefer that over Progreso. Combine this with W. Caribbean sailings and Disney owning property there isn't so far-fetched.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Cruises from Galveston routinely (though not all) go to Cozumel. I think all go to Progreso and some also add a day to Cozumel. When they sail year round from Galveston in a couple of years, I can see them going to Cozumel a lot more often. Cozumel isn't a great port, but I would definitely prefer that over Progreso. Combine this with W. Caribbean sailings and Disney owning property there isn't so far-fetched.

It’s unlikely. At the most, we’re talking about 5 calls a week to Cozumel. Disney isn’t Royal Carribean. They simply don’t have the scale to justify such purchase.

 

[DCL58]

Very interesting! Thanks for taking the time to post. This would be great news if it turns out to be true. The normal port in Cozumel is sketchy to us!

 

[hardcorestitch]

This would definitely be a game changer for Disney. A bit more exclusive than the main port, plus added safety for passengers.

 

[LAS2AMS]

This would definitely be a game changer for Disney. A bit more exclusive than the main port, plus added safety for passengers.

These types of comments are why I’ll maintain the Wonder and Magic’s days are coming to an end - DCL has limited growth opportunities because Disney fanatics expect Disney experiences.

CC and LP have oodles of combined available capacity. There’s little chance Disney is going to spend $1B building out a new port and facilities for a destination they’ll make very few calls out. Just not happening.

Most ports are, well, “sketchy.” Reality is life outside the Disney Bubble!

 

[jwalk03]

It’s unlikely. At the most, we’re talking about 5 calls a week to Cozumel. Disney isn’t Royal Carribean. They simply don’t have the scale to justify such purchase.

Disney had Castaway Cay when they only had 1-2 ships so it was used ~3 days per week or so for many many years.

A private destination in Cozumel could certainly be used that many if they are planning a ship full time from Galveston, plus stops from the Treasure western Caribbeans every other week, and stops from the FLL based ship when it also sails the western Caribbean- and that’s before even considering the 3 additional ships that are coming next decade.

A ship sailing from Galveston having a “Disney” port of call on every sailing would make them much much more appealing.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Disney had Castaway Cay when they only had 1-2 ships so it was used ~3 days per week or so for many many years.

A private destination in Cozumel could certainly be used that many if they are planning a ship full time from Galveston, plus stops from the Treasure western Caribbeans every other week, and stops from the FLL based ship when it also sails the western Caribbean- and that’s before even considering the 3 additional ships that are coming next decade.

A ship sailing from Galveston having a “Disney” port of call on every sailing would make them much much more appealing.

Land acquisition and development costs have far outpaced inflation in the last 30 years. Castaway Cay cost $50M to acquire and develop. Lighthouse Point was $400M. The cost to do business is much higher in Mexico (far more corruption). Carnival Crop has tried developing a port near Ensenada several times, but walked away due to cost. Ensenada is a lousy place to visit but all cruise lines go there because it’s the only foreign port that can be reached from SoCal on 3/4 days itineraries.

People cruise to see the world. Cozumel has the most things to see & do of any port in North America (and maybe the world). It doesn’t make sense to build a Disney port there. If you want a Disney experience, stick with itineraries that visit CC/LP. I’m certain many of Galveston’s itineraries will hit CC/LP, as they do now.

 

[pjacobi]

RCCL bought out Costa Maya for Perfect Day Mexico. DCL can still stop at Costa Maya but must pay RCCL a port fee. Oh, and pay no attention to the beautiful resort which is reserved only for RCCL guest!

I'm not surprised that DCL is looking for a new place.


-Paul

 

[jwalk03]

Land acquisition and development costs have far outpaced inflation in the last 30 years. Castaway Cay cost $50M to acquire and develop. Lighthouse Point was $400M. The cost to do business is much higher in Mexico (far more corruption). Carnival Crop has tried developing a port near Ensenada several times, but walked away due to cost. Ensenada is a lousy place to visit but all cruise lines go there because it’s the only foreign port that can be reached from SoCal on 3/4 days itineraries.

People cruise to see the world. Cozumel has the most things to see & do of any port in North America (and maybe the world). It doesn’t make sense to build a Disney port there. If you want a Disney experience, stick with itineraries that visit CC/LP. I’m certain many of Galveston’s itineraries will hit CC/LP, as they do now.

Galveston cruises can only visit the Bahamas on week long cruises due to the distance. They need better port options for shorter cruises if they are planning to sail from there year round.

There are actually very limited cruises from Galveston that visit disneys islands.

 

[Kwami]

Galveston cruises can only visit the Bahamas on week long cruises due to the distance. They need better port options for shorter cruises if they are planning to sail from there year round.

Even the 7-night cruises from Galveston (all one of them!) don't go to the Bahamas. There aren't any Galveston-based cruises visiting CC/LP.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/list/#galveston-texas

 

[LAS2AMS]

Galveston cruises can only visit the Bahamas on week long cruises due to the distance. They need better port options for shorter cruises if they are planning to sail from there year round.

We were planning a Disney cruise with my sibling’s family. We choose a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, because it was the same itinerary as Port Canaveral but a couple hundred dollars less and included a bonus sea day… plus it’s a lot easier to get to the port from the airport. No brainer right? Well, my brother protested because it’s just not a Disney cruise unless you’re traveling from MCO and experiencing the Disney terminal at PC.

For people like him that want the full Disney experience, PC exists. But Galveston has been the fastest growing port over the last couple decades and certainly doesn’t need a private Disney port to attract guests.

Even the 7-night cruises from Galveston (all one of them!) don't go to the Bahamas. There aren't any Galveston-based cruises visiting CC/LP.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/list/#galveston-texas

They have in the past and when they go year round I’m sure we’ll see some.

 

[jwalk03]

We were planning a Disney cruise with my sibling’s family. We choose a cruise from Fort Lauderdale, because it was the same itinerary as Port Canaveral but a couple hundred dollars less and included a bonus sea day… plus it’s a lot easier to get to the port from the airport. No brainer right? Well, my brother protested because it’s just not a Disney cruise unless you’re traveling from MCO and experiencing the Disney terminal at PC.

For people like him that want the full Disney experience, PC exists. But Galveston has been the fastest growing port over the last couple decades and certainly doesn’t need a private Disney port to attract guests.



They have in the past and when they go year round I’m sure we’ll see some.

Some, but again only if it’s a week long cruise. Still doesn’t solve the port problem for shorter cruises- which we all know Disney prefers to offer since they are more profitable than longer sailings.

And it’s not just Royal developing their own ports- cruise line owned ports are all the rage right now!! The cruise lines have realized they can get a larger share of their customers vacation spending by taking them to ports they own and control!!

 

[LAS2AMS]

Some, but again only if it’s a week long cruise. Still doesn’t solve the port problem for shorter cruises- which we all know Disney prefers to offer since they are more profitable than longer sailings.

And it’s not just Royal developing their own ports- cruise line owned ports are all the rage right now!! The cruise lines have realized they can get a larger share of their customers vacation spending by taking them to ports they own and control!!

They are - in the Bahamas. The exception is Royal’s development at Costa May, originally budgeted at $600M but expected to surpass $1B by some reports.

Anyone who believes Disney is going to invest hundreds of millions of dollars into a private port that will see at most 5 calls a week is inhaling too much pixie dust.

People go to Cozumel to see the Aztec ruins. People who want Disney-created Aztec ruins can see them at Epcot.

 

[Kwami]

People go to Cozumel to see the Aztec ruins. People who want Disney-created Aztec ruins can see them at Epcot.

Mayan ruins!

Very few of the DCL-offered tours go to the ruins, though, so I doubt that most people go to Cozumel for that purpose.

 

[lmhall2000]

Makes perfect sense to me...just moved from that part of Texas- Galveston is spending loads of dough to enhance the port and bring in bigger ships. With Disney moving up to 13 ships worldwide- even if they drop off the two older ones- they need to continue to expand their offerings. Creating a Cay space on the Western Gulf of America would entice a new experience- offering eco tourism, historical excursions, cultural experiences...