ELEUTHERA, The Bahamas (April 2, 2025) – From beautifully handcrafted, vibrant costumes to the lively, traditional sounds of goombay drums and brass instruments, young people from across The Bahamas recently celebrated Junior Junkanoo with their schools and communities. This year, Disney Cruise Line is proud to expand its support of Junior Junkanoo to help preserve this special tradition for generations to come. For several years, Disney Cruise Line has been the primary sponsor of Junior Junkanoo Eleuthera, where Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opened last summer. This year, Disney Cruise Line was also the title sponsor for the return of Junior Junkanoo to the island of Abaco, where Disney Castaway Cay is located.
“Like most of our Bahamian cast members, I grew up enjoying the sights and sounds of Junkanoo, and it’s an honor to support the event and help inspire young people to continue to celebrate and pass on the tradition,” said Joey Gaskins, regional public affairs director, Disney Cruise Line. “Beyond Disney Cruise Line supporting Junior Junkanoo programs with funding, we want to empower students across The Bahamas to use their creative skills and pursue their dreams.”
Junior Junkanoo Celebrations in Eleuthera
Since 2022, Disney Cruise Line has sponsored Junior Junkanoo in Eleuthera, helping to fund costumes, materials and prizes for each participating school, as well as travel costs for the winning team to compete at the national level. Over the weekend, students performed along Queen’s Highway, transforming Governor’s Harbour into a thriving community celebration. For the first time, cast members from Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point had the opportunity to join in on the celebration.
In previous years, Disney Cruise Line hosted virtual workshops for students across Eleuthera, connecting them with the Disney entertainment team to collaborate on their Junkanoo costume and parade float designs. The students shared stories about Junkanoo traditions with their Disney mentors, while their mentors shared ideas with the young artists to help inspire creativity. Last year, the students had the unique opportunity to work with and learn from acclaimed Bahamian Fashion Designer Theodore Elyett, who designed Bahamian-inspired outfits for Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their friends to wear at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
“Disney Cruise Line has been a dedicated supporter of our efforts to ensure the preservation of the Junkanoo tradition in our schools and communities,” said Clara Young, family islands activity coordinator, The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture. “Our students continue to look forward to this celebration each year, and their creativity and enthusiasm to celebrate their culture is truly inspiring.”
Walt Disney Imagineers drew inspiration from Junkanoo to develop Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which opened in June 2024. At the destination, guests from around the world can see local Junkanoos perform as part of Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration at Disney Lookout Cay. Families who visit Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point can also participate in workshops to learn about Junkanoo and how to create a costume from local Bahamians.
Disney Sponsors Return of Junior Junkanoo in Abaco
In Abaco, Disney Cruise Line supported the community’s return of Love Rush Junior Junkanoo as the title sponsor this year, covering costs of costumes, transportation and prizes.
“Seeing the children of Abaco come together to proudly celebrate our beautiful Bahamian culture with their schools and classmates was very special,” said Candi Stubbs-Dawkins, family islands activity coordinator, The Bahamas Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture. “We are grateful for Disney Cruise Line’s support and for their commitment to helping our community, especially our children, celebrate this tradition.”
Investment in Youth Programs
Disney Cruise Line is committed to investing in programs that support local youth and creating lasting, positive impacts in the port communities it calls home. Recent efforts include:
– Working closely with school leaders to identify and donate critical needs of local schools, such as supplies and books.
– Providing funding to support career exploration programs and job shadowing opportunities for students through Junior Achievement Bahamas.
– Teaming up with love.futbol and the community of Eleuthera to design and build playgrounds and sports spaces for kids to enjoy.
– Collaborating with the Agricultural Development Organization to build backyard gardens at the Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau and at several Bahamian schools, including Patrick J Bethel High School in Abaco, last month.
– Supporting University of The Bahamas’ Leading Light Programme, facilitated through UB’s Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (CeLEARN) and funded by Disney Cruise Line, which provides college-level hospitality and leadership training for residents of Eleuthera at no cost.
– Sponsoring the LJM Maritime Academy scholarship program and summer camp as well as inviting students aboard Disney ships to learn about careers in the maritime industry.
– Joining forces with the Bahamas Feeding Network to organize and pack meal kits to support families across its port communities in Nassau, Abaco and Eleuthera.
– Visiting local schools during the holidays to spread magic by donating Disney-themed toys and surprising students with a special visit from Mickey Mouse.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line news and community initiatives, visit DCLNews.com or Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook.
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For more than 25 years, Disney has introduced countless families to the beauty and spirit of The Bahamas and has provided significant economic impact while demonstrating a strong commitment to the environment and the community. Approximately 70 percent of the cruises offered by Disney have at least one stop in The Bahamas, all six of its ships are registered in The Bahamas and it is estimated that DCL operations contribute more than $70 million toward The Bahamas gross domestic product annually.