The NBA Finals are here, and while most people are cheering for their favorite team, Disney is cheering for the entire league, as the NBA and Walt Disney World has entered a deal to bring a huge NBA Experience to the all new Disney Springs expansion at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney district. The new NBA Experience will bring an interactive are for the entire family, as well as restaurant and retail store.
The new NBA Experience will feature several interactive, hands-on activities, as well as NBA video productions and more. The new experience will also feature a huge NBA themed restaurant, which will most likely be filled with NBA memorabilia. Of course, the attached retail shop will feature tons of NBA Jerseys and other other merchandise.
“We’re thrilled to work with the NBA to take our guests inside the world of professional basketball with an extraordinary entertainment experience,” said Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’ve had a long and successful partnership with the NBA through ESPN, and we will continue to build on that foundation as we bring the Disney and NBA brands together for the first time in this exciting and innovative way.”
“We look forward to uniting the passionate, global fan bases of the NBA and our longtime partner, Disney,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “Working with the world’s top creator and operator of themed entertainment attractions, we can’t wait to bring the magic of Disney and the excitement of the NBA to guests from around the world.”
“Basketball fans of all ages will be able to experience the game in a whole new way when they visit ‘The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort,’” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We’re excited to join the NBA in offering this unique form of family entertainment. It will be a terrific addition to the world-class lineup of shops and restaurants coming to Disney Springs.”
The obvious question is, what does this mean for NBA City at Universal Orlando’s CityWalk? Rumors have circulated for months that the restaurant would disappear, with a replacement already lined up. Could this new deal be the final nail in the coffin for NBA City? We’ll have to wait and see, as it’s very unlikely that the Disney and Universal will both have licensed NBA restaurants.
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