The NBA Experience had a grand opening ceremony on Monday morning at Disney Springs where amid cheering fans and celebrity guests, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger unveiled the first-of-its-kind destination. Iger was joined onstage by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and several current and former NBA and WNBA players.
“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.”
The grand opening was celebrated like a basketball championship, complete with a DJ, T-shirt tosses, fan-cam and a dance performance, hosted by ESPN personality Rachel Nichols. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse made an appearance as confetti rained down toward the end of the ceremonial opening. Several NBA and WNBA stars joined in on the celebration 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. You can watch a replay of the grand opening ceremony here.
“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.”
Walt Disney Imagineering worked with the NBA to develop the NBA Experience as an immersive, interactive venue. The high-energy environment is packed with 13 different basketball-related activities across 44,000 square feet and two floors.
A ticket to NBA Experience provides access to every activity, in any order guests choose, and you can return to stations throughout the day to improve performance or learn even more about the game.
The adjacent NBA Store offers official NBA apparel, collectibles and more, along with Disney products designed specifically for NBA Experience including jerseys, apparel, headwear, basketballs, home goods, accessories and limited-edition memorabilia.
NBA Experience Highlights
Dribble! – Test ball-handling skills with 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
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 the NBA Draft with a photo moment that re-creates the 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 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/WNBA
News & Media Source: Disney Parks Blog
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