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Disney’s NBA attraction hasn’t been a slam dunk for the operator, with reports suggesting the attraction will not reopen following its COVID-enforced closure in 2020
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 17 Aug 2021
A number of NBA stars attended the attraction’s launch event in 2019 alongside Bob Iger and Mickey Mouse Credit: Disney
Despite opening to great fanfare just a couple of years ago, the NBA Experience at Disney Springs appears to have come to the end of its lifecycle, with the operator reportedly “moving in another direction” with the venue.
The experience - developed by Disney Imagineering in collaboration with the NBA - first opened its doors in 2019, with the 44,000sq ft (13,400sq m), two-storey attraction comprising 13 different NBA-themed activities. Among these were being selected for the NBA Draft and making a slam dunk, as well as a series of interactive displays and films created to educate visitors about both the NBA and the WNBA.
The basketball attraction had been closed since 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic forcing Disney’s hand in its closure. Despite many Disney attractions since reopening, the NBA Experience has remained closed to visitors.
Reporter Scott Gustin broke the news, saying that after “two years and a pandemic”, Disney would be moving on from the venture, with plans to use the location for an as-of-yet unknown new enterprise.
“Disney says this will not impact their other partnerships with the NBA or their business relationship with the Orlando Magic,” said Gustin.
“Disney will share an update about the future of the NBA Experience location at a later date.
“The decision to close the facility, which was a mutual decision made with the NBA, was communicated to Disney Springs employees via email earlier today.”
At the time of its launch NBA commissioner Adam Silver described the basketball attraction as an “authentic NBA experience in a landmark destination”. It was preceded by DisneyQuest, which closed its doors in 2017.
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