NBA Officially Coming to Disney World!
Walt Disney World will be the center of the pro basketball universe this summer, as the NBA has officially announced it will finish its season & playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex! In this post, we’ll cover the official details, plus info about how the bubble-site environment will work at WDW, and how it could impact your trip. (Updated June 26, 2020.)
Game play will resume on July 30, 2020 with 22 teams (the eight teams in each conference with the highest current winning percentages and the six teams currently within six games of the eighth seed in either conference) competing to determine seeding for the NBA Playoffs. The playoffs will feature 16 teams and the NBA Finals will end no later than October 13 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Games will be held in the Arena, HP Field House and Visa Athletic Center.
Based on current league guidelines which were developed in consultation with public health experts and government officials, all games will be held without spectators. We’ve been following this story for a while, and even though the official announcement came today, it has been a done-deal for the last week. Here’s some additional details from our last update…
Last week, NBA players and teams were sent a detailed info packet outlining the Walt Disney World bubble-site environment for playing out the remainder of the regular season and playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports. The 100+ page packet contains the plans ironed out between Walt Disney World and the NBA.
The first big thing about which many of you will care is accommodations. Before we delve into this, we want to (once again) reiterate that this is not happening at the expense of regular Walt Disney World guests. If you have an upcoming hotel reservation at the impacted hotels, you will be relocated–which would be the case regardless of the NBA.
Viewing this as Disney making a “choice” between regular paying guests and the NBA (which is also paying big bucks to rent out resorts and event space) is a false one. The real choice was renting resorts out to the NBA or not opening them at all. Walt Disney World has already made it clear that some hotels will not reopen in the near future–or perhaps at all this year.
In our view, there is absolutely no downside for regular guests to the NBA playing its season at Walt Disney World. To the contrary, this move is beneficial for the long-term health of both Walt Disney World and the Walt Disney Company as a whole.
This move will help reemploy Cast Members and support staff, while also giving ESPN and ABC content to air. Given how hard Disney has been hit by the pandemic and the amount of debt the company has taken on during this time, Walt Disney World being the host venue for professional sports should be viewed as a good thing by anyone who cares about the long term health and viability of Disney.
Sorry to sound like a broken record on this point, but judging by reader comments, too many Disney fans don’t get why this is happening and what the alternative actually is. Suffice to say, it’s delusional to think the NBA is what will “cause” your Coronado Springs (or wherever) reservation to be moved. That would’ve happened regardless, as the root cause is the pandemic and ensuing economic fallout. The NBA is a partial solution to the larger problem–nothing more, nothing less.
Just something to keep in mind as you read this, before getting up in arms…
According to NBA insiders, three Walt Disney World hotels will be utilized by the 22 teams invited to Orlando. The “main campus” will be Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, which will be utilized for its flexible event space and housing.
Gran Destino Tower will host the championship contenders: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat.
The likely middle seeds will stay at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. These teams include the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies.
Playoff bubble teams will stay at the Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. These teams include the Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards.
Teams that advance beyond the first round of the playoffs will be given 17 hotel rooms to book for guests to stay on the campus (these will likely be at Gran Destino/Coronado Springs).
Interestingly, players will be responsible for the costs of these rooms. Guests must quarantine for three days in their home market or in Orlando outside of the campus before entering the campus, where they’ll need to quarantine and test again.
While it’s amusing to WDW fans that Gran Destino Tower is being treated as the ‘top seed’ resort, it’s actually pretty nice when viewed in isolation and divorced from Walt Disney World context.
If you don’t care about theme, location, proximity to parks, transportation, or pools (and all of this likely won’t matter to the NBA), the argument could be made that Gran Destino is the best of the bunch.
There’s also the practical reality of returning Yacht Club and Grand Floridian to Walt Disney World as soon as possible, so those resorts could potentially reopen to the general public (if demand so dictates) sooner rather than later. That would explain why the teams with lower chances of making or advancing in the playoffs are being placed in those properties.
As-is, it’ll be interesting to see how Walt Disney World manages to operate the Villas at Grand Floridian for Disney Vacation Club guests while maintaining the ‘bubble site’ at the adjacent Grand Floridian Resort for the NBA. (That’s the one spot where we could see the guest experience being negatively impacted.)
As we’ve noted before, we wouldn’t be surprised if Coronado Springs Resort does not reopen to the general public at all this year, so it’s really no issue for that resort to be blocked out by the NBA through mid-October.
While on Walt Disney World property, players will have plenty of opportunities for entertainment. Each hotel has a players-only lounge with televisions, NBA2k20, arcade games and ping-pong tables.
Disney will make first-run movies available for players and their families. This is likely to include movies that have not been released to the general public, including Marvel’s Black Widow.
The resorts will set up outdoor space for recreation, including pool access, card games, and lawn games. There will be opportunities for teams to go fishing, golfing, bowling, boating, bike riding, and running.
There will also be excursions to Disney’s Animal Kingdom for Wild Africa Trek and (no joke), NBA Experience, and private after-hours access to Walt Disney World’s four theme parks. Outside entertainment may be brought in to Walt Disney World by the NBA, including private performances by bands, DJs, and comedians.
The hotels will offer 24-hour VIP concierge service, and there will be barbers, manicurists, pedicurists, a virtual chaplain, yoga, meditation, and mental health services available.
Each team will have a designated their own Walt Disney World culinary team to provide customized cuisine. Meals will be served in individual portions rather than buffet-style. Players and teams may also hire private chefs who will work off the Disney campus and deliver meals. Other outside food will be extremely limited.
MagicBands will be mandatory for everyone in Walt Disney World’s NBA bubble. They will function as room key, security check points, plus testing check-ins, and more.
Players may also choose to wear alarms to notify them if someone else wearing an alarm is within 6 feet for more than 5 seconds. All team and league staff will be required to wear these alarms.
All players and NBA personnel will be expected to wear masks on the campus except while in their rooms, eating, working out or practicing, or engaging in physically distant activities.
NBA players will not be prevented from leaving Walt Disney World, but for all practical purposes it is a closed (rather than opened) campus. If players leave, they need to quarantine for 4-10 days upon returning, depending on circumstances. Tests upon returning will also include the more invasive nasal swabs. Players will also be deducted pay for any games they are forced to miss for leaving the campus.
Walt Disney World security will be trained to recognize NBA personnel, but will not report on movement. Any movement in and out of the resorts will be tracked by NBA security.
On this note, a couple of interesting tweets from insider Keith Smith (his entire thread is worth a read), which are quotes from his Walt Disney World source: “When President Barack Obama visited Magic Kingdom in 2012, we had safety and security protocols unlike any we’ve had in our Florida history. We’re bringing many of those back for the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex during the NBA/MLS stay.”
“Hosting the NBA and MLS is one of the biggest undertakings we’ve had since opening Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We’re excited that the NBA and MLS have chosen to trust us and we feel we are uniquely positioned to handle this sort of venture.
Other major details out of the packets concern logistics for arrival, self-quarantines upon arrival, and how players and NBA staff will be subjected to regular testing. All of that has been largely covered before, and even if not, is probably beyond the interest of most readers of this blog.
Overall, it sounds like a pretty posh playground and the idea of staying at Walt Disney World for 2-3 full months would be a dream deal…for Disney fans. On the other hand, if you were a professional athlete with a palatial mansion, used to staying in actual luxury hotels, and living it up in a major metropolis–with zero interest in Walt Disney World–you might feel very differently. So it’s all a matter of perspective.
All I know is that apparently there will be limited space for sports media, but with the stringent requirements that they stay on-site at Walt Disney World for 3+ months. That’s without access to all of those swanky amenities, and media will probably get stuck at one of the All Stars, but nevertheless: sign me up! I will gladly make the necessary pivot to being an all-NBA, all the time resource. Disneybasketballblog.com has a certain ring to it. 😉
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the NBA using Walt Disney World as a bubble site? Thoughts on the resort choices? What about the amenities? Are you jealous?!? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hello Tom
You wrote “we wouldn’t be surprised if Coronado Springs Resort reopens to the general public at all this year”
Does this mean you expect it to open or not to open?
Thanks!
There should be a “does not” in there. Sorry for the confusion.
I am glad to see this synergy. The onus is on rehiring Disney employees. This speaks to Disney’s commitment to its employees. Also, few companies have the massive over-head of Disney, and senior management is getting creative to pay the bills and off-set further losses due to the pandemic. As an annual pass holder, I am all for this partnership.
So is this the real reason why park hours have been cut for regular folks – in order to provide the NBA after-hours access to the parks?
The NBA might be a convenient boogeyman, but the reality is that Walt Disney World will be capping attendance at under 30% of normal levels and likely won’t even hit that most days. Cuts to park hours, entertainment, and other operating costs are an inevitability.
I’d have thought the same thing but this seems to be actually keeping them from taking away reservations during regular park hours . Let them go after hours and leave the regular hours to the Disney fans! Or maybe I’m delusional but this idea makes me feel better lol.
Good point Carrie!
As a Disney shareholder I absolutely love this agreement. Fill up as many hotel rooms as possible. As a DVC owner and potential visitor to WDW this summer, I can see how guests “could” be impacted. Staying at Grand Flo Villas? Gonna be an impact. Staying at Beach Club with no storm along bay? I don’t think so. And if the NBA Bubble has access to that pool and I wouldn’t…..I would be PISSED.
Here’s to a better 2021 all around!
Well, that explains why Stormalong Bay is going to be closed, either to ensure no spread during use or to leave to players.
I’m thinking that the reason these 3 were picked is because all 3 resorts have convention facilities that will be used as office space by the teams, meetings, film study, etc.
So, I guess it’s time for me to use my connections to see about getting Gayle Benson to get me a job with the Pelicans.
I feel this is a great revenue source for WDW. However, I have to agree with Rick. It sounds as if the players are being imprisoned, horrible!
They are not being imprisoned. Give the money back and don’t go. They agreed to the terms of the negotiated agreement, got their money now it is an issue. Typical pro sports.
Imprisoned? At the Yacht club or the GF? Coronado Springs, well, yes, that would be….
I thought I read somewhere a few weeks back they weren’t going to allow the players and their families going to the parks.
I also thought I read if the families were going to the parks then they couldn’t be with the players. So I am surprised to see the after hours access.
Did this change?
Also, I think the Yacht Club is an odd choice because there are so many places/things within walkable distance. I can see Gran Destino and Grand Floridian can be somewhat set up to isolate. Wouldn’t Gran Destino be big enough to absorb the teams from Yacht Club? Even Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge are a little more containable than Yacht Club.
I like the idea posted above about the documentary. Could be a Disney+ series!
I imagine they can set up player meals in ballrooms, but for those teams staying the longest and also the media (3months?!?) you would think they would want villas with kitchenettes and a little living space.
I do applaud Disney as a business for thinking outside the box to keep people employed and to get some live sports on tv (even though I do not watch basketball or soccer.) the financial impact of closing the parks, no live sports on ESPN, no movies filming or premiering have been a huge financial hit, and I am glad they are doing something to keep the operations going. Indirectly this helps regular guests too because park attendance by itself at 25% capacity is probably not doable by itself without other money coming in.
Now if they could only work something out with MLB…
Disney needs something.
Went to Disney Springs yesterday to exchange something at a store.
Disney Springs is….depressing. Stores are open. Hardly any shoppers. We were one of 2 tables outdoors at Raglan Road….didn’t see many people go inside.
Not sure why anyone’s going. No entertainment. Nothing very fun. Everyone wearing a mask – it’s grim.
Definitely grim. I can’t imagine the Magic Kingdom or anywhere else with masks.
Maybe it’s partially psychological – but not seeing people SMILE makes it look like no one is having any fun at all.
My guess is that locals are used to outlet prices and the people going are probably you tubers, bloggers, or personal shoppers. Which by the way, I need a reliable one. Also, with the cases growing in Florida, maybe just plain fear and/or lack of money is keeping people out. In fact, my normal personal shopper is older with pre-existing conditions and is not going back for a long time. Many people retire to Florida so I have a feeling that is not uncommon. The heat maybe another factor, especially if people have a hard time breathing with a mask. Where I live, new daily cases are decreasing and we’re just a few weeks away from zoos, larger churches and even children’s museums opening back up. I’m really hoping new cases stay down as I know Covid can be so very hard for people and honestly, I think it has more to do with genetics than anything else. I’m not a geneticist, but they can learn so much by studying people’s specific genes. As a mom of a kid who was 1 out of 8 million for a rare form of sarcoma, I was in constant contact with specialists, pathologists, Mayo Clinic and even people who worked at a genetics lab trying to find out if the P53 gene was our answer. How an individual’s body will react is so unpredictable and we are all “flying blind” and have to walk by faith, not by sight. Sorry for the long reply, guess I just had lots on my mind.
Ahh….thats one place in Disney that I haven’t been to yet. Thsnk you, Tom!
Here’s my issue: I booked BC for August for SAB. Now we won’t be able to utilize the pool bc of NBA players and their families. We will most likely switch resorts bc the pool and hopping to Epcot were the main draws … now both of those are off the table.
I bet the players will get to ride ROR multiple times without having to log in exactly at 7am to the app!
Hey Tom!
I would really like to know where you got that awesome looking coffee and Mickey cookie in that pic. My husband and I make batista coffees at home and I would so like to recreate that. Thanks!
Chronos Club Level at Gran Destino Tower: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/review-chronos-club-level-gran-destino-tower/
The GF is a surprising choice, since it’s almost impossible to create a “bubble” for the players, without severely affecting guests. Guests at GFV are paying top dollar to stay there, whether they’ve been moved there or originally booked. (They would most likely move GFR guests to the villas, which is one of the priciest hotels). The pool access, as well as lobby access (which is currently necessary to reach the monorail), would both have to be restricted, and Disney would need to rescind their statement that the restaurants in the hotel would be open. Not really fair to the guests, unless Disney offers to move them to a comparable villa property, free of charge, if they do, close off the pools,restaurants, and lobby.
Agreed that it’s an odd choice.
Even though Grand Floridian will be the first resort cleared of the NBA, there’s still going to be overlap between when VGF opens and when the NBA is using it.
I think this is a brilliant business move for Disney and I think if Disney is going to be around long term, something they need to do to bring in money. Let’s get some sports rolling in a safe, bubble environment and then we can see if we can safely open up other sports. I think it is a wise move!
The NBA smartly positioned the teams likely sticking around for the longest amount of time, at the hotel that is likeliest to not open for the rest of 2020: Coronado Springs. The teams staying at the Grand Floridian and Beach Club will likely only be there for two or three weeks at most. Those two hotels can then resume booking guests afterwards when they decide to do so. I know many DTB readers aren’t concerned with the NBA, but there will be hundreds of player / family / team personnel leaving WDW on a weekly basis over the first month plus, due to teams quickly being eliminated from contention.
I have a stay scheduled for VGF in late August. I really don’t think there will be much of an impact. We may see players passing in their roped off lane in the lobby as they head to their busses/cars and we head to the monorail, but that is it. (They may have their own section in the parking lot too).
DVC accounts for about 14% of the total Grand Floridian rooms, so there is plenty of room remaining at the resort. We will have one pool, they will have another. Their gym will likely be built in the conference center, so we will not be sharing the fitness center. There are many restaurants not opening anyway, so they may be using those kitchens and dining areas.
I’d think Walt Disney World would want to keep regular guests out of the main lobby, but they’ve already announced that Grand Floridian Cafe, Gasparilla Island Grill, Enchanted Rose Lounge, and Beaches Pool Bar & Grill would reopen with the Villas at Grand Floridian.
The location of all those restaurants within the main hotel complex presents a potential problem, IMO. I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney sets up something small in the lobby of VGF, opens Beaches Pool Bar, and otherwise directs guests over to the Poly. It’s not like VGF actually needs that many restaurants, anyway.
All about the NBA and players and their guests. Walt Disney World is a special and unique place. And beginning with beloved Walt Disney they have always been about the magic and their guests. So much has not been revealed about the parks, hotels, dining, special events for initial opening through end of year. Much info has been restrictions and warnings. I think it is really time to give at least equal communication to guests who love and support Disney all year every year and who want to come and spend hard-earned dollars in support of this most wonderful place. You are a special part of our lives. Please talk to us.
I agree. My trip is less than 8 weeks away and I have no idea if I will be allowed in the parks or where they will put my family since our reservation is in the All-Star complex. I’m ready to get back to my happy place. But I need to know that my happy place wants me back! 🙂
Seriously! I’d sign up in a heartbeat! I thought it was interesting that the players and their families could possibly have after-hours access to the parks. I think Disney would do pretty much anything to sweeten the deal at this point. Like you said, they need this; the players don’t, so in the larger picture of this, they have the bargaining power. And, someone, the NBA, ESPN, anyone, better be planning a documentary about this. It’s too historic and fascinating to pass up.
IMO, everyone needs this–the league, the players, Walt Disney World, and TWDC/ESPN. Those players aren’t getting any younger, and there aren’t really viable options outside of Walt Disney World.
I’d imagine WDW wants to sweeten the deal because they’re billing the NBA for every single thing offered. They probably also are well aware that Disney hotels are not on par with real world counterparts. Not to mention the fact that no one stays in their normal hotels for 3 months, so Disney needs to offer a home/hotel hybrid experience.
If they are staying at yacht club and will have pools available how will they not come in contact with the public as storm along bay is closed and all guests will be allowed to use boardwalk pools? How are boardwalk guests supposed to use the pools if the other 2 large resorts are using them. May have to move our boardwalk reservations.
Stormalong Bay is closed to the public.
Only BoardWalk Villas is opening at this point, so the BoardWalk pools should be well below their normal capacity, even when you add in guests from Beach Club Villas.
More likely, stormalong bay is closed to other hotel guests BECAUSE the NBA will have access and the other hotel guests are being accommodated at the Boardwalk pools.
Yacht & Beach Club have a combined 1,100+ rooms. Beach Club Villas has 282 rooms.
Even without the NBA, there was no way Walt Disney World was going to open the labor and maintenance-intensive Stormalong Bay for just 282 rooms.
Tom, so maybe my best chance of getting a Disney vacation this year would be to try out for the an NBA team? Just kidding. It sounds like a posh prison for those athletes. 3 months is a long time to stay in any hotel.
All I care about right now is getting park reservations.