Young people from across The Bahamas recently celebrated Junior Junkanoo with their schools and communities. In 2025, Disney Cruise Line expanded 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.
Junkanoo is a longstanding Bahamian cultural tradition celebrated with vibrant costumes, joyful dancing and energetic music. Junior Junkanoo introduces young Bahamians to the Junkanoo tradition while creating a pipeline for young Bahamians to join Junkanoo celebrations in their communities in the future. To prepare for Junior Junkanoo competitions, students spend several weeks choreographing dances, practicing traditional instruments and creating costumes and parade floats out of materials like cardboard and crepe paper.
“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.”
Disney Cruise Line is dedicated to investing in programs that support local youth and make a lasting, positive impact on the port communities it visits. For over two and a half decades, Disney has introduced countless families to the enchanting beauty and vibrant spirit of The Bahamas, while simultaneously generating substantial economic benefits and demonstrating a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and community well-being. Roughly, 70% of the cruises offered by Disney include a stop in The Bahamas, all six of its ships are registered in the country, and it is estimated that Disney Cruise Line operations collectively contribute over $70 million annually to the gross domestic product of The Bahamas.