NBA Experience Coming Soon to Disney Springs

Live your NBA dreams this summer at Disney Springs, as the NBA Experience throws open its doors to basketball fans on 12th August! Inspired by the top modern NBA arenas, this is your chance to shine on the basketball court!

Disney magic combines with the dream of being scouted by a top team, as you discover what it takes to be among the world’s finest basketball players, and step onto the court at the brand-new NBA Experience over on West Side in Disney Springs. This venue is located on the 44,000sqft site of the former Disney Quest attraction, and features 13 fantastic interactive elements spread across the two floors, plus an NBA store where you will be able to pick up some exclusive NBA mementos designed by Disney! So tighten your laces (athletic footwear is recommended), and let’s take a look at all of the details we know about this great new attraction!

As soon as you step inside, the experience starts – stride down the player entry tunnel just like a basketball star and leap onto the arena to the applause of a cheering crowd!

You can go behind the scenes to start your adventure with the draft day stage where your basketball career will begin! It’s your turn be selected, as you experience that pivotal moment that begins every star basketball player’s career. Make your way to the locker room and discover various current team rosters, records and season highlights.

You’ll be able to make your own highlights, live your basketball fantasy and impress with your on-court skills as you try out a series of challenging activities. Try to slam dunk a ball in the baskets, which can be adjusted to be between seven and the standard 10ft in height. Burst photography will capture the moment for a great memento of your day out!

Keep the ball under control as you dribble your way around the court, drilled by the coach – players of all ages and skill levels from total beginner to NBA superstar-in-making can take part! Shoot some hoops in an interactive experience where you will be guided through a series of shots on the court to the roars of the virtual crowd. Marks will light up on the floor and show you where to move as you try to shoot as many nets as possible in just 15 seconds!

Test your hand-eye coordination as you use a large slingshot to aim the ball through hoops, which are set at a range of heights before the time runs out! You might want to catch your breath after all of that activity! Head to the arcade to play some classic basketball games and try out some new immersive video games, which even feature some popular basketball venues.

Afterwards, learn more about the game of basketball from short films in the experience’s two 180° cinema theatres, before getting to grips with the technicalities of the sport and testing your knowledge of the NBA in a fun trivia game. Compete against up to 24 opponents, not to mention the clock, in your efforts to be crowned the overall champion!

You’ll be spurred on by your trivia success to follow in the footsteps of other basketball stars in the Hall of Champions, where you can learn about some legends of both the NBA and WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). You can even hold aloft a MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy for an amazing photo opportunity; this is your moment in the spotlight!

Discover how the science behind the sport works, and how you measure up to the top basketball stars by taking on the challenge of some Combine drills. These are a series of tests including strength, power, speed and agility that basketball players are put through when looking to attract a team’s attention for the draft, which is held in June. You’ll even receive real-time feedback on your performance!

Basketball isn’t all about the players – the actions of the referee are also a major part of the game! Why not put your armchair-refereeing skills to the test and see if you make the right call on court?

Don’t forget, you can return to each activity as many times as you want, to see if you can improve your score; who will be the basketball champion in your family?

If you have developed basketball fever after your visit to the NBA Experience, be sure to check out the local team Orlando Magic, who play their home games at the Amway Center. We looked at the venue in a previous blog, and you can check-out their latest schedule on the team’s website.

After all of that exercise you might want to stop off for a spot of food. This is the perfect time to check out the City Works Eatery & Pour House, a sports bar where you can grab a bite to eat for lunch or dinner, and enjoy a refreshing craft beer! With more than 90 local and global beers on tap, a menu brimming with classic American fare with a gourmet twist, not to mention massive HD TVs on which you can watch the sport, this is bound to be one of your new favourite restaurants!

With the NBA Experience opening scheduled just weeks before that of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there is a lot going on over at Disney in August! Will you be dribbling your way around the court or holding aloft a trophy in the Hall of Champions? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this new attraction – drop us a line on our social media channels!

Single-Day Ticket prices (excluding taxes):

• Adult (aged 10+): $34
• Child (aged 3-9): $29
• Children under 3 are free