Disney’s NBA Experience aims for hands-on immersion in pro basketball world
by Andy Knaggs | 21 Dec 2018
The NBA Experience is due to open summer 2019 / Disney
Basketball fans will get a hands-on taste of life as a professional player, when Disney’s new NBA Experience attraction opens in Q3 2019 at the Disney Springs leisure district in Orlando, Florida.
Visitors will be able immerse themselves in the world of professional basketball, experiencing the atmosphere of the NBA Draft, practicing and showing off their skills in a replicated NBA Combine challenge that provides them with a scouting report highlighting their stats, and stepping onto the court and hearing the roar of the crowd as they go through a series of timed shots.
Adjustable baskets will enable all ages and sizes to execute a perfect slam dunk, while an interactive trainer will challenge visitors with a variety of ball dribbling routines. There will even be an oversized slingshot that visitors can use to launch basketballs at hoops of varying heights in a timed challenge.
The rich legacy and history of the NBA and WNBA will be explored through a team locker room setting that showcases up-to-date statistics of top players and trivia quizzes with up to 25 participants. Two 180-degree cinematic presentations showcase the in-arena experience moments before a game, and an interactive multi-screen module shows replay clips from NBA games, with tools provided to make the right calls.
Finally, there will be a retail outlet with exclusive NBA-themed merchandise designed by Disney.
The attraction has been developed by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with the NBA, and is inspired by the league’s 29 arenas.
"The Walt Disney Imagineering team has unparalleled expertise in creating best-in-class attractions for the millions of guests who visit their parks each year,” said Salvatore LaRocca, president of Global Partnerships at the NBA. “The NBA Experience will be a destination for basketball fans from all over the world, and we are excited to partner with Disney to bring new and lifelong fans closer to the game."
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Basketball fans will get a hands-on taste of life as a professional player, when Disney’s new NBA Experience attraction opens in Q3 2019 at the Disney Springs leisure district in Orlando, Florida. Visitors will be able immerse themselves in the world of professional basketball, experiencing the atmosphere of the NBA Draft, practicing and showing off their skills in a replicated NBA Combine challenge that provides them with a scouting report
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