If you've ever stepped off a cruise ship in Nassau, you know the instant pull of the island: the vibrant turquoise waters, the warm sea breeze, and the lively energy of the port. But while thousands of vacationers pass through the capital every week on their way to famous beaches or Disney’s private island escapes like Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line has been quietly working behind the scenes to make a lasting impact on the local communities that welcome those ships year-round.
The cruise line’s latest milestone hits right in the heart of Nassau. Partnering with NBA star Buddy Hield, The Buddy Hield Foundation, and ESPN’s Take Back Sports, Disney Cruise Line officially unveiled a newly transformed courtyard and sports complex at Woodcock Primary School.
The upgrade—complete with a repaved basketball court, brand-new rims, and a striking mural by Bahamian artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield—marks the latest expansion of The Play Project. Launched in 2024, the initiative has already brought over 60,000 hours of play to more than 800 children across nine schools in Eleuthera and Nassau, with plans to expand into Abaco next.
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Disney Cruise Line The Play Project Nassau (2:34)Why Disney Is Investing Deeply in Bahamian Youth
Disney Cruise Line
For everyday cruisers, it is easy to view cruise lines purely through the lens of onboard slides, dining rooms, and tropical port days. But for the people who call The Bahamas home, long-term partnerships with major travel brands can reshape neighborhood spaces for generations.
"The purpose of this project is to give kids a more welcoming place to play, and this courtyard at Woodcock Primary School is built for exactly that," says Rena Langley, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Disney Signature Experiences. "The Play Project helps create opportunities for children to connect, build confidence, and simply enjoy being kids. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate this milestone with the Nassau community and our partners across The Bahamas."
Local leaders emphasize that having safe, well-equipped spaces for sports does far more than just fill recess time—it gives young students a constructive outlet to grow and learn teamwork.
"Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive in an environment that nurtures their full potential," says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technology Chester Cooper. "The expansion of The Play Project from Eleuthera to Nassau demonstrates the power of meaningful partnerships. We are grateful to Disney Cruise Line for investing in spaces that promote healthy development, teamwork, and lifelong learning for Bahamian children."
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Passing the Gift Forward: A Local Hero Steps Up
Disney Cruise Line
The unveiling was not just a ribbon-cutting ceremony—it was an active sports day for the students. Bahamian native and NBA player Buddy Hield joined representatives from Disney, ESPN, and non-profits love.fútbol and Good Sports to host a hands-on basketball skills camp right on the new court.
For Hield, bringing world-class athletic facilities directly to local elementary students hits close to home.
"Growing up in The Bahamas, I know firsthand how a positive place to play can change a kid's life. Hosting today's basketball skills camp is all about passing that gift forward," says Hield. "The Buddy Hield Foundation is thrilled to team up with Disney Cruise Line and our collaborators on The Play Project here in Nassau, bringing world-class athletic experiences directly to these kids, showing them that their dreams matter and their community is fully behind them."
School leadership echoes that sentiment, noting that the physical changes to the campus bring a renewed sense of pride to the entire student body.
"This space goes far beyond a fresh coat of paint," says Candice Culmer, Vice Principal of Woodcock Primary School. "Disney Cruise Line and the nonprofit organizations have created a joyful environment and provided quality equipment necessary for students to learn, play, and thrive by bringing the community together and providing opportunities for the development of youth through The Play Project."
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What Else Disney Is Doing in The Bahamas Behind the Scenes
While passenger visits to private island stops like Castaway Cay generate major tourism revenue, Disney’s local footprint extends into several lesser-known community programs across the islands:
Maritime Careers & Education: Disney funds scholarships at the LJM Maritime Academy and brings students aboard its ships to explore maritime careers. Through Junior Achievement Bahamas, the company also sponsors job-shadowing in hospitality and operations.Cultivating Local Agriculture: In partnership with the Agricultural Development Organization, Disney helps build community and school gardens—including at Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau—providing hands-on learning and fresh local produce.Recycling Onboard Resources: Every week, Disney Cruise Line offloads and recycles roughly 7,000 pounds of used cooking oil in Nassau, converting it into biofuel to run Bahamas Waste Management vehicles.Fighting Food Insecurity: Through annual $50,000 contributions and active employee volunteer hours, Disney VoluntEARS work alongside the Bahamas Feeding Network to pack and distribute essential meal kits to local families.So the next time you step onto the gangway in Nassau or set sail for a day at Lookout Cay, you can know that the magic extends well beyond the ship's upper decks—helping build brighter, safer spaces for the kids who live there long after the ship pulls out of port.
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