'The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort' announced for Disney Springs

Jun 03, 2015 in "Disney Springs"

Posted: Wednesday June 3, 2015 1:17pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Walt Disney Company and the National Basketball Association have just announced that 'The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort' will be coming to Disney Springs.

According to Disney, the expansive, one-of-a-kind destination will feature hands-on activities that put families and guests of all ages right in the middle of NBA game action. Guests will enjoy immersive NBA video productions and numerous interactive experiences, as well as a restaurant and a retail store.

“We’re thrilled to work with the NBA to take our guests inside the world of professional basketball with an extraordinary entertainment experience,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’ve had a long and successful partnership with the NBA through ESPN, and we will continue to build on that foundation as we bring the Disney and NBA brands together for the first time in this exciting and innovative way.”

“We look forward to uniting the passionate, global fan bases of the NBA and our longtime partner, Disney,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Working with the world’s top creator and operator of themed entertainment attractions, we can’t wait to bring the magic of Disney and the excitement of the NBA to guests from around the world.”

“Basketball fans of all ages will be able to experience the game in a whole new way when they visit ‘The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort,’” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re excited to join the NBA in offering this unique form of family entertainment. It will be a terrific addition to the world-class lineup of shops and restaurants coming to Disney Springs.”

Disney did not announce an opening date or location for the the new NBA Experience, but the size of the project would appear to be a very good fit for the Disney Quest space on the West Side. Speculation has been building during the last couple of years that Disney Quest will be closing in the near future.

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Club Cooloholic14 days ago

All the Deluxe Resorts used to have these kids clubs...which made so much sense. Miss them,!

SoFloMagic20 days ago

I was curious, so I did a bit of research. Sounds like it's a licensing deal: "The 10-year, $1.5 billion deal with ESPN gives PENN access to ESPN personalities and channels, which include live sports, studio shows, and written articles." https://sportshandle.com/penn-2023-q2-earnings-espn-bet/

Comped20 days ago

I'm not privy to their contract talks, but I would assume there's some level of revenue sharing involved.

SoFloMagic20 days ago

Ah ok. So partial ownership but no revenue sharing?

Comped20 days ago

Disney can own up to I think 15% of Penn, the people they're signing the deal with, and can get a couple of seats on the board.

SoFloMagic21 days ago

If only they hadn't led the charge on an amendment that made expansions of gambling in Florida virtually impossible. And against the amendment that would have legalized online sports books in FL But also, isnt espnbet just a licensing agreement? Not sure they have actual skin in the game on profits

HauntedMansionFLA21 days ago

Just turn it in a ESPN sports bar along with the gambling aspect they are involved with at this time

EPCOT-O.G.21 days ago

Ah, the old CommuniCore gambit

Cmdr_Crimson22 days ago

Well, one out of 15 ideas happened...They had it on the Midway on the moon area.

jaklgreen24 days ago

Make it a giant daycare so that parents can drop their kids off and go to the parks on their own. Make it like the kids' club on the cruise ships. Kids love that.

Club Cooloholic26 days ago

This original post is so full of hope. Sad where it did go eventually, even sadder how quickly it happened!

Disstevefan126 days ago

WDWTank27 days ago

An authentic Pizza Planet with the robotic guards at the entrance and the rocket would be the ideal replacement. Complete with exclusive games & vending like the claw, whack-an-alien, giant raygun, and slime dispenser. Redemption, retro, and pinball are a must.

DreamfinderGuy27 days ago

Correct. The existing DisneyQuest structure was fully removed. It just so happens that the final NBA building is more or less identical to part of the building they tore down. Even though the old building is long gone, the current one is basically it with a haircut and some bling on the outside.