It looks like Milwaukee Bucks player and Disney superfan Robin Lopez’s Fairy Godmother has come THROUGH!
NBA Experience
Earlier, the professional athelete lamented on Twitter about not being allowed inside the theme parks while the NBA finished their 2019-2020 season at Disney World. Even though the players are being housed on-property, they’re being kept apart from the general public for the entirety of their stay.
But according to USA Today, the NBA teams are now being given the opportunity to enjoy the theme parks once the crowds have left for the day! While it seems like only select attractions will be available, the NBA has made arrangements with Disney to provide after-hours access to the NBA players including rides like Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios, and Test Track at Epcot!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
The NBA teams were informed of this latest development in a memo that was delivered to them last night. The letter stated, “Players will have the first opportunity to select experiences on a first come first serve basis and are recommended to book experiences at least 48 hours in advance.”
Test Track
But that’s not all — while we’ve already learned about some of the extra amenities NBA players will enjoy while inside the Disney bubble such as video games, pedicures, and 24-hour concierge service, they’ve just sweetened the pot a lot more!
Check out these brand-new“bookable experiences on the NBA campus at Disney” that have been just been added!
Golf
NBA players and staff will now have special access to Disney’s Palm Golf Course, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, and Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course with exclusive tee times for four players throughout the day, six days a week.
Disney’s Palm & Magnolia Golf Course
Fishing and Boating
Later this month, fishing excursions for the NBA players will start! The trips will last up to two-hours with five guests allowed per boat. These guided fishing tours will disembark from the Grand Marina (many NBA players will be staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort).
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
NBA players will also have access to motorized pontoon boats.
Bowling
Earlier, we learned Splitsville Luxury Bowling Lanes would be reopening July 10th in Disney Springs. And 2-3 times a week, NBA players will have the chance to bowl!
Splitsville
By the end of the day today, all 22 NBA teams that will be participating in the NBA restart will be inside the Disney bubble while the first game will kick-off July 30th. You can click here to see their game schedule and be sure to let us know which teams you’ll be rooting for in the comments below!
Check out the newly installed practice courts where NBA players will be warming up at Disney World here!
Disney Park Reopening Details and Info
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What do you think about these new perks for NBA players inside the Disney bubble? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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I’m sorry but I really do not agree with this. It’s not fair to have after hours for the players when normal park goers had that taken away from them. It’s not fair these athletes get these perks when normal people are paying thousands of dollars to get barely anything
Are you posting these updates to anger regular guests, annual pass holders and/or DVC members?
This just makes more more annoyed. They’re getting Carte Blanche & interfering with everyone else’s vacations, resort & park access.
If you don’t like what is happening, don’t tell the DFB, tell Disney. Write them letters, send emails, talk to CMs at Guest Relations. Let them know you don’t appreciate the special treatment of non-paying guests (the players aren’t paying; their team is paying).
I certainly don’t blame the DFB, but I totally disagree with this also. We all realize they are just doing their job, but we are giving and sharing our opinions. So many of us have changed or canceled several trips since March. I’m about to cancel the 3rd one and will need to try to reschedule for our 4th time when we feel it will be safe to return to WDW. Of course this will all just be a guess because frankly Florida is a mess right now. We lost our deluxe resort reservation, then we lost free dining , now we’ll lose our 30% resort discount. It’s all very time consuming and frustrating. To see the NBA just swoop in and pay Disney a lot of $ (yes, I know they need this I’m a stock holder), to play Basketball and then get all these perks they didn’t ask for, and would not normally get, on top of their already over inflated salaries feels like a slap in the face. It just feels wrong to me.
Research the amount of money the NBA is paying to finish their season at WDW. Disney is probably quite willing to go above and beyond to accommodate special requirements they may request.
DebC &John
I have emailed, called, tweeted & commented via FB. No, DFB is not the place to complain, especially since AJ & her team gave really provided more I formation than the entities that I pay. I have been lied to both verbally & in written statements, particularly about all the confirmed NBA information. I was told, “no, that’s just a rumor.” Really? I $150 mil in rumors.
Annual Passes & DVC are not free. We pay for these things. Even if they extend my pass, eta say. It’s a park hopper. I’m not getting that. No extra magic hours. Do you know that other guests were permitted to buy length of stay passed BEFORE DVC Members? You know all those deluxe resorts? We pay to maintain them. Annually.
Well, GF & YC/BC are being segregated from the regular & DVC guests for the NBA.
In the 22 years I have visited (~70 times, I live in NY) WDW & DL and purchasing all 9 of my DVC contracts, paying 18 years of Maintenance & dues and wedding w/ 50 guests, I have spent ~$250,000 myself. Not including my family, my husband’s family, some friends and all the other DVC Members & Annual Passholders & even regular repeat guests.
They don’t care because it makes them look sort-of good to the public eye, I guess. If o could sell my DVC that I worked so hard to pay for I would. But I feel there’s a diminished market for it. But after a ll these shenanigans, I BC would never encourage the purchase ever again.
Apologies for all the atrocious typos above. Angry typing 🤣
My point, complaints don’t help.
Oh, I didn’t have a super fancy wedding, either . 50 guests in Epcot. No MK or wedding pavilion.
So annoying. NBA players aren’t Gods..
Disney owns ESPN. It’s greatly in their interest to have this on WDW grounds. In fact, it’s the perfect arrangement. Having said that, I’m pi**ed I had to cancel my trip and they all get this awesome experience.