PHOTOS - Concept art and opening details for The NBA Experience at Disney Springs

Oct 19, 2017 in "The NBA Experience"

The NBA Experience concept art
Posted: Thursday October 19, 2017 2:10pm EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has today announced that the previously announced NBA Experience will open in the summer of 2019 on the West Side at Disney Springs.

“We are inspired by the design of the new building and the energy that it will bring to the West Side of Disney Springs,” said Senior Vice President of Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Maribeth Bisienere.

The state-of-the-art space, inspired by the modern architecture of new NBA arenas around the country, will include interactive games and competitions, immersive experiences, a retail store and an adjacent restaurant.

NBA President, Global Partnerships Sal LaRocca, recently commented on the project, sharing, “This one-of-a-kind experience is sure to be enjoyed by basketball and Disney fans of all ages who visit Disney Springs from around the world.”

Disney is currently in the process of demolishing the DisneyQuest building which closed earlier this year to make way for The NBA Experience.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

View all comments →

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.