LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — Disney has once again proven it’s got game after announcing the new ‘NBA Experience’ at Walt Disney World Resort.
The announcement was made at Amway Center in Orlando during the Orlando Magic-Philadelphia 76ers game on March 25, where Mickey Mouse made a surprise on-court appearance.
“When we were young, we played basketball in our driveways or in the park creating those imaginary moments of making the game-winning shot for a championship,” said Stan Dodd, executive producer, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We want to take that energy and help you feel what it’s like to be an actual NBA or WNBA player.”
Opening Aug. 12, 2019 in Disney Springs, NBA Experience – launched in collaboration with the NBA – will feature 13 interactive elements and hands-on activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.
Upon entry, guests will feel as if they’re walking through the players’ tunnel at an NBA or WNBA arena. A ticket grants access to every activity, in any order guests choose, with the ability to return to stations to improve performances or learn more about the game and players.
Here are some highlights:
- A slam dunk challenge where guests can change the height of a standard 10-foot hoop to as low as seven feet to perform their own superstar moves, all of which are captured by burst photography
- An activity that tests shooting skills with spots on a court that light up as guests move from one location to another while attempting to sink as many shots as possible in 15 seconds
- A way for guests to see how they stack up to the world’s best basketball players by measuring their vertical leap, wingspan, shooting and dribbling
- Personalization for various activities with guests’ names and associating the activity with their favourite NBA or WNBA teams
- Real-time technology to aggregate statistics of NBA and WNBA games and players for continuous updates, while leaderboards will track top NBA Experience performers throughout the day
- A retail store featuring NBA-themed merchandise
In addition to the new NBA Experience, Disney Springs is also home to over 150 shops, entertainment venues and restaurants by celebrity and award-winning chefs. It’s located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida and is open daily.
