Disney Heavy Handed Tactics

[BahamaMan Dan]

In an attempt to force the Bahamian Government into accepting their plans for a new private cruise port on Eleuthera, Bahamas, Disney PR spokesperson Kim Prunty issued a statement found here in a Nassau newspaper: https://thenassauguardian.com/2018/...DBtQYthcSibN5oMrEdpJ1ykNXIC4F4vOTU3lkwYWRCF60

Disney cruise line execs have been secretly on the island for 6 months trying to rally support for their plan which is proposed for 700 acres on the southern most tip of Eleuthera, a pristine and untouched and very sensitive ecosystem. The plans are for one cruise ship a day, 4000 passengers, every day. The environmental impact of this would quickly degrade the surrounding area, both in the sea and on land. Bahamian citizens are not fond of being pushed around and vow to make their voices heard. They want the Disney cruise customers to know that there will not be a welcome mat on the beaches of Lighthouse Point. So, after saying all that, what is your opinion?

 

[hubbard53]

First, I say make your views known to your elected officials; it's not up to DCL customers.
Second, I suggest you weigh the impact both environmentally and economically. When your economy is almost 100% tourism based, you have to be flexible.
Finally, realize that DCL customers are also aware of the environment and, at least in my experience, are incredibly respectful to foreign environments, cultures, and populations.

 

[clten]

My opinion is that you have come here with your own agenda. Made several statements about this project without providing factual evidence. If the Bahamian citizens (and you speak for all of them?) feel like they are being pushed around by Disney, there's a process to make their voice heard by their own government who is making the decision. You'd do better to leave potential future visitors out of your fight for now, especially with the tone of your statement - doesn't really entice me to be supportive of your views.

 

[BahamaMan Dan]

Not accusing DCL customers of anything. It’s Disney who we have the issue with. And you all pay their wage! No, a lot of our views have been made known. I just want to know how Disney’s customers think about what really appears to be bullying tactics. Did you read the linked article?

 

[Buckeye218]

I'm all for it. Hope they accept DCL's proposal and then enjoy the economic boom they so sorely need. They couldn't hope for a business partner that is so environmentally friendly as Disney. Your talking points sound like unverified opinions borne of an already-established viewpoint crafted before knowing all of the facts. I look forward to future vacations on Castaway Cay v2.0!!

 

[IslandGal1000]

I'll put it more plainly, Disney, nor any, cruise ships are welcome at Lighthouse Point, the majority of Bahamians do not want this project at this location, an area of unspoiled, spectacular beauty. I know it's difficult for Disney fans to get their heads around the idea that Disney is not the godlike entity it makes itself out to be, but there is a way to enjoy the world without having a giant corporation controlling every aspect of the experience. Get off the boat and have a real experience, Eleuthera has so much more to offer than a day trip to a crowded, curated location.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

They won't have a ship there every day so that isn't something to be concerned with. The fact they are wanting 2 islands is kinda disappointing, as it tends to indicate all 7 ships will be running Bahamas/Caribbean routes at some point. Unless they are planning to rotate the islands in some way to reduce the impact on any one island.

 

[quickcat]

I read the article, Disney will look elsewhere if it’s not approved and doesn’t want to wait months to get an answer. I don’t find that unreasonable considering they are a business and getting new ships. They need another island. I don’t get the impression they are over stepping or being rude or unreasonable. They need to get going on their project. I am sorry you do not support it. I think you came to the wrong place though to voice your concerns. You should be talking in your own city and own area about it. I love cruising Disney and will continue to do so. I think most are on this forum because of their love for cruising with Disney. Maybe post this on the Royal/Carnival/Norwegian boards. Just kidding around about that

 

[hubbard53]

I'll put it more plainly, Disney, nor any, cruise ships are not welcome at Lighthouse Point, the majority of Bahamians do not want this project at this location, an area of unspoiled, spectacular beauty. I know it's difficult for Disney fans to get their heads around the idea that Disney is not the godlike entity it makes itself out to be, but there is a way to enjoy the world without having a giant corporation controlling every aspect of the experience. Get off the boat and have a real experience, Eleuthera has so much more to offer than a day trip to a crowded, curated location.

Do you realize that most people who come by cruise ship don't even get off the ship? That should tell you something about your present and future state of your economy.

 

[darnheather]

I don't blame DCL for not wanting to wait. I also think this statement is very important.

We’ve looked at several other locations and the one that we looked at most closely before this was Egg Island, and we determined that we are not going to move forward with it because the results of the environmental impact assessment weren’t aligned with our company’s commitment to the environment.

They aren't bullying The Bahamas but are stating the facts as they see them. Castaway Cay is still a paradise and when DCL leaves I have faith it will look as untouched as it did before they came.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...e-lines-proposal-to-develop-lighthouse-point/

appears to be approved

 

[T & R]

Tourism accounts for most of The Bahamas' economy and provides most of the jobs for the country's workforce. Over 70% of tourists who visit the Bahamas are cruise passengers.

I don't get what they're upset about. Disney is the most responsible (and according to the CDC the cleanest) cruise ship line servicing the Bahamas. This isn't Carnival where you got a bunch of 18 year olds renting a $250 cabin so they can get drunk the whole week. One of the reasons I only cruise DCL with my family is the fact that the passengers in my opinion are of higher integrity than most others. I find that most people criticizing DCL have either never been or have other issues. Bahamians complaining about tourism is like a shoe maker complaining about too many people wearing shoes. Strange.

 

[Jess_S]

I think it's a shame that the area is being developed. My understanding though is that the land is for sale, meaning that someone will develop it. So the question is whether Disney is worse than the alternative.

I will certainly follow what happens with development before deciding if I will cruise to the area.

 

[FluteTuba]

It is my impression from reading the forums here and elsewhere that many cruisers elect to stay on the ship when stopping in the Bahamas, primarily because they do not enjoy going on shore there. It isn't a very popular stop and it wouldn't have surprised me if DCL quit going there. I suppose this is an effort to keep the port visit but make it more pleasant for guests by moving them away from Nassau. I also suppose that if the fine citizens of the Bahamas do not like having tourists visit their island, then that is definitely their prerogative. There are other options that can be explored.

 

[MomOTwins]

In an attempt to force the Bahamian Government into accepting their plans for a new private cruise port on Eleuthera, Bahamas, Disney PR spokesperson Kim Prunty issued a statement found here in a Nassau newspaper: https://thenassauguardian.com/2018/...DBtQYthcSibN5oMrEdpJ1ykNXIC4F4vOTU3lkwYWRCF60

Disney cruise line execs have been secretly on the island for 6 months trying to rally support for their plan which is proposed for 700 acres on the southern most tip of Eleuthera, a pristine and untouched and very sensitive ecosystem. The plans are for one cruise ship a day, 4000 passengers, every day. The environmental impact of this would quickly degrade the surrounding area, both in the sea and on land. Bahamian citizens are not fond of being pushed around and vow to make their voices heard. They want the Disney cruise customers to know that there will not be a welcome mat on the beaches of Lighthouse Point. So, after saying all that, what is your opinion?

How on earth is Disney's statement heavy handed? They said they looked at other Bahamas locations but ruled them out due to environmental impact (i.e., so they agree with you about not docking where the environment impact is too great), and they may route their ships to somewhere other than the Bahamas if the destination is not approved (i.e., which seems to be what you want, to keep Disney out of your area). They have to have somewhere for their three new ships to dock when those ships are ready, which is coming up soon, so it is hardly crazy for them to say they would take their business somewhere else if the Lighthouse Point location is not approved or continues to be delayed to the point where it won't be ready in time for the new ships.

Sounds like you are the one being heavy handed saying there will be no welcome mat for tourists--is that a threat? Yeesh.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I think DCL will treat the local ecology better than a lot of other buyers would. The bid from the local group to turn it into a park is a joke. They don't have the funding. The economy depends on tourism and Disney is being very fair to the local area about use of the land.

Playing hardball with Disney will fail. You don't need to look farther than Anaheim to see that - if the project is too difficult, they know when to walk away.

 

[BahamaMan Dan]

First, I say make your views known to your elected officials; it's not up to DCL customers.
Second, I suggest you weigh the impact both environmentally and economically. When your economy is almost 100% tourism based, you have to be flexible.
Finally, realize that DCL customers are also aware of the environment and, at least in my experience, are incredibly respectful to foreign environments, cultures, and populations.

Oh no, maybe you misunderstood. Wasn’t petitioning you for support. Looking at my question, it says “ what is your opinion?”. I’m sure you are aware of the environment. I know you can’t control what Disney does, whether they are the “greenest cruiseline” or not. Tourism is 54% of the economy, btw.

 

[BahamaMan Dan]

My opinion is that you have come here with your own agenda. Made several statements about this project without providing factual evidence. If the Bahamian citizens (and you speak for all of them?) feel like they are being pushed around by Disney, there's a process to make their voice heard by their own government who is making the decision. You'd do better to leave potential future visitors out of your fight for now, especially with the tone of your statement - doesn't really entice me to be supportive of your views.

Factual evidence? Of what? I didn’t state any facts other than 700 acres (true!) and that Jeff Vahle promised that it would be a ship a day, by the time they got rolling. Jeff said that, I didn’t. No, see that’s the whole thing about this plan. They picked a beautiful spot. Truly one of a kind. But I was around from the beginning of this little skirmish and Jeff, Kim and the rest of the Disney team have made an awful lot of promises to a very impoverished area in the Bahamas. I simply wanted to find out how interested people are in what Disney has been doing in somebody else’s country. Or, to be precise, how interested is Disney when (and I quote the tv show “Friends” here), the muckee becomes the mucker! I realize I’m preaching to the choir, but Disney makes a great business out of making private cruise ports and maximizing their profits. The cost on the local resources is high though. And when that big eared mouse moves on, the land is spent, the oceans empty of coral and life.

 

[BahamaMan Dan]

They won't have a ship there every day so that isn't something to be concerned with. The fact they are wanting 2 islands is kinda disappointing, as it tends to indicate all 7 ships will be running Bahamas/Caribbean routes at some point. Unless they are planning to rotate the islands in some way to reduce the impact on any one island.

See my reply to an earlier post. Jeff says it is so, with (as I understand it) a few breaks here and there and a small off season to allow for servicing and maintenance.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Oh no, maybe you misunderstood. Wasn’t petitioning you for support. Looking at my question, it says “ what is your opinion?”. I’m sure you are aware of the environment. I know you can’t control what Disney does, whether they are the “greenest cruiseline” or not. Tourism is 54% of the economy, btw.

Not according to Wikipedia (yes, I know that info is changeable):
Tourism
The Bahamas relies on tourism to generate most of its economic activity. Tourism as an industry not only accounts for over 60% of the Bahamian GDP, but provides jobs for more than half the country's workforce. The Bahamas attracted 5.8 million visitors in 2012, more than 70% of whom were cruise visitors.