VIDEO - NBA Experience officially opens its doors to guests at Disney Springs

Aug 12, 2019 in "The NBA Experience"

NBA Experience Grand Opening
Posted: Monday August 12, 2019 3:22pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The NBA Experience at Disney Springs officially opened its doors to guests today - a collaboration between the Walt Disney Company and the NBA.

“NBA Experience lets everybody who loves the game, live it,” said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “We’re excited to open the doors to a fun and unique experience for fans of all ages.”

Athletes and personalities from the world of NBA and WNBA were in attendance, including Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Grant Hill, along with NBA legend Dwyane Wade, Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez, Utah Jazz point guard Mike Conley, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon, Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem and WNBA legend Swin Cash, now the vice president of basketball operations and team development for the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I want to thank Bob Iger and the Walt Disney Imagineering team for capturing the authentic NBA experience at this landmark destination at Disney Springs,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Disney creates memorable experiences better than anyone, and we are thrilled to share the excitement of NBA basketball with fans and Walt Disney World guests from around the world.”



In collaboration with the NBA, Walt Disney Imagineering developed NBA Experience as an immersive, interactive venue. The high-energy environment offers 13 different basketball-related activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.

A ticket to NBA Experience grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose, and they can return to stations throughout the day to improve performance or learn even more about the game.

Pricing is $34 for ages 10+, and $29 ages 3-9.

Games inside the NBA Experience include:

  • Dribble! – Test ball-handling skills with an interactive coach who leads a variety of dribbling routines
  • Dunk! – Execute the perfect slam just like a superstar, captured by cameras surrounding height-adjustable baskets
  • Slingshot –Use an oversized slingshot to launch balls at hoops of varying heights, making as many baskets as possible before the clock runs out in this thrilling timed challenge
  • Shoot! – Step onto the court and hear the roar of the crowd while maneuvering through a series of last-second shots before the clock expires
  • Combine – Compare wingspan and vertical leap to NBA or WNBA players with this series of tests that replicates NBA Combine drills
  • Draft – Experience one of the biggest milestones for a basketball player at the NBA Draft with a photo moment that re-creates the electric atmosphere of the Draft stage
  • Replay – Take a seat at an interactive, multi-screen module to watch replay clips from NBA games and use tools at the station to make the right calls
  • Players –Enter the off-court sanctuary of the locker room and explore current team rosters, records and highlights
  • Champions – Be immersed in the rich legacy and history of NBA and WNBA championship teams and take a photo with replicas of the NBA championship and MVP trophies
  • “Game Time” – Watch a heartwarming film about the in-arena game experience and the impact it has on a young woman and her father
  • “Together” – Discover the amazing on- and off-court story of an NBA superstar in this inspirational, 180-degree cinematic presentation
  • Arcade –Play interactive games, from the fan-favorite Pop-A-Shot to the latest NBA video games
  • Trivia –Demonstrate knowledge of the NBA and WNBA – past and present – during a multi-player, real-time contest
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eddie1042 days ago

Probably expanded too fast and now experiencing being somewhat of a Covid casualty.

danlb_20002 days ago

Round1 has been expanding a lot in the US and they currently only have one location in Florida, might be a good option for them.

Comped3 days ago

D&B are apparently, from what I've heard, been in a bit of financial trouble post-pandemic. They've had ample chance to expand their offerings in Orlando (we're probably the biggest destination that doesn't have 2 locations), but keep using their extremely small offering on I-Drive as their only location and seem uninterested in opening a 2nd location. The one all the way out in Daytona is surprisingly big...

SoFloMagic5 days ago

$

Cmdr_Crimson5 days ago

We had that at Woodfield mall at one point... Let's just say...

MisterPenguin5 days ago

Starfleet forbids it.

Cmdr_Crimson5 days ago

So, why haven't they brought it back to WDW? I recall pop century having a redemption booth at one point but, then they were removed..Same thing when they had the Midway on the moon section at Disneyquest..It was weird laying redemption games but no prizes.,Thus also happened in the Chicago based one as well..

MisterPenguin5 days ago

Old article. Law was changed to allow such penny ante stuff that was 'skill based' and not having a random element.... Are arcades legal in Florida? That depends on what games they offer. Arcades that offer video or physical games of skill that allow you to win tokens or tickets to be exchanged for prizes are covered by Florida's Family Amusement Games Act, so heading out to Chuck E. Cheese or Dave & Buster's is fine. But if the game includes a randomized element, such as a random chance as to which prize you can win — even if the outcome relies on skill — it's considered a game of chance and is illegal under the regulations against slot machines. In 2016 a court ruled against the Palms II internet cafe in Ocala that featured such games, saying that the random element brought them under the law against “any game . . . of chance, at any place, by any device whatever, for money or other thing of value.” https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/state/2023/09/15/gambling-florida-sports-betting-adult-arcades-seminole-tribe-casinos-whats-legal-illegal/70861454007/

Cmdr_Crimson5 days ago

Only problem is that they can't have redemption based games on Disney Property anymore... (how the Dinoland games are still running is beyond me). https://www.vendingtimes.com/news/disney-is-removing-redemption-games-and-crane-machines-from-its-florida-fecs/ So, it would be the first Redemptionless D&B's..Or make it To Wreck It Ralph's BarCade..

ToTBellHop5 days ago

I don’t know the characters but I assume Dave & Buster’s, which would do great at DS and Disney wouldn’t be tasked with replacing the arcade games. Everyone wins!

peng14 days ago

You know, I feel like its the most likely, that or it becomes another space for disney merch (but personally I'd take another crack at an arcade).

MisterPenguin14 days ago

If you don't watch the straight to video sequels, hand in your Disney Adult Card!!

cookiee_munster14 days ago

I'm questioning my own Disney nerdiness with struggling trying to work this out...

MisterPenguin14 days ago

How about a... and ?