The Disney Cruise Line has a positive impact on the places it ships can be found. It is quite obvious that there would be a positive economic impact on the ports of call. There are also some intentional philanthropic impacts that are made by Disney Cruise Line as well. One of these initiatives is called The Play Project. Disney Cruise Line announced that it is deepening its commitment to making a real difference in the communities it calls home with an expansion of this project. This is a community-led initiative that is bringing new energy to youth sports and play spaces throughout The Bahamas.
With this increase in commitment, there will be upgraded facilities delivered to even more islands. This will be with new collaborators, including ESPN. There will be refurbished baseball fields, basketball courts, and track and field grounds in Eleuthera, Nassau, and Abaco. Disney says its goal is to create more places for kids to be active, compete, and simply be kids.
“Through The Play Project, our teams are working with community leaders in Eleuthera, Nassau and Abaco to provide youth with safe places to play, learn and connect,” said Joey Gaskins, regional public affairs director for Disney Cruise Line. “This next phase builds on the magic and momentum of our first year by expanding to more communities while introducing new sports and strengthening bonds between Disney and our port communities.”
This mission began in 2024 when Disney Cruise Line opened Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. At the time, Disney teamed up with the global nonprofit love.fútbol and local residents to design play spaces for the youth of The Bahamas.
Throughout the course of its first year, the efforts were focused on South and Central Eleuthera. Revitalized play spaces were given to six primary schools. This project came to life thanks to the dedication of 230 Disney VoluntEARS. They came together to work alongside Bahamian officials, teachers, and students to create what is now a community-led success story.
The result of these efforts is that a year later, The Play Project has created over 32,000 hours of annual play for local children!
Heading into the second year, this model is now being used as a blueprint for growth. This allows this initiative to expand into Nassah and Abaco as the mission continues of helping bring the magic of play to students throughout The Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line is partnering with ESPN and its Take Back Sports initiative to help support The Play Project. Take Back Sports aims to reverse the decline in youth sports participation. This is done by dismantling barriers like rising costs and providing free programming to ensure the sports remain accessible, inclusive, and fun for generations of athletes!
“The Walt Disney Company and ESPN are working to make youth sports more accessible,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN corporate citizenship. “We’re thrilled to support young athletes with resources so kids can take advantage of the many life skills that sports have to offer.”
It is hoped that Taking Back Sports will help amplify local stories of resilience and joy in The Bahamas and reduce barriers to youth sports as it provides resources to athletes, parents, and coaches.
This year, The Play Project returns to where it started and is revitalizing even more spaces in South and Central Eleuthera. This includes resurfacing baseball fields, installing new playgrounds, and building a lasting legacy of play.
“Disney Cruise Line continues to show its commitment to communities in Central and South Eleuthera with the expansion of the Play Project initiative,” said Hon. Clay Sweeting, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs and Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera. “Programs and corporate engagement like this are an important part of the incredible economic development Eleuthera is now experiencing.”
Moving forward, there is more happening as a part of this initiative beyond just Eleuthera. Disney Cruise line and love.fútbol will lead community “build days”in Abaco and Nassau this summer. “We see play as a powerful platform for creating lasting impact for children and the places they call home,” said Manoel Silva, chief operating officer of love.fútbol.
Disney Cruise Line is collaborating with the Buddy Hield Foundation in Nassau for a total revitalization of the sports spaces at Woodcock Primary School. This will culminate in a community basketball tournament that will be hosted by Bahamian NBA star Buddy Hield for the opening of these new facilities.
By August 2026, there will be even more play environments for students across The Bahamas to enjoy. This is a cornerstone initiative of Disney Cruise Line’s year-round commitment to the people of The Bahamas. This was also recognized this year on Forbes’ 2026 List of America’s Best Brands for Social Impact.
