NBA Experience Now Open at Disney Springs

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

A brand new attraction is open at Disney Springs. The NBA Experience held its Grand Opening on August 12. There were plenty of NBA and WNBA superstars on hand to celebrate the day, including Grant Hill and Kareen Abdul-Jabbar. Also in attendance were CEO of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger, and Adam Silver, who is the current NBA Commissioner. Mickey and Minnie were there as well to get the party started.

The NBA Experience is broken up into different activities. Some of these are physical, to make you feel like you are a star player. Others do not require you to try to make a basket. There are activities for all skill levels and all ages.

Dunk – Allows you to dunk like a pro. If you don’t think that you can reach the basket, that isn’t a problem. The basket is adjustable, so you can set it to your perfect height. You’ll be able to make the shot every time without breaking a sweat. If you want the challenge, move the basket higher.

Shoot – Requires a little bit of skill, but anyone can have fun with it. You’ll play on a court that feels real, and shoot against the clock. There is a virtual crowd there to cheer you on. It tests players to see how many shots they can make from different areas of the court in just 15 seconds.

Dribble – Teaches you a skill. You will warm up, and then learn the basics of dribbling. It has guests work with an interactive coach to show the drills and skills they need to become the next great point guard

Slingshot – Puts a ball into a slingshot, and then release it and hope that it goes into the basket.

Arcade – Has a couple of different activities. You can race the clock and try to score as many points as possible. You can play Pop-A-Shot, which is perfect for guests of all ages. You can also try your hand at some NBA related video games.

Combine – Measures visitors’ wingspan, reach and vertical leap. Once the results are in, the interactive screen will show how guests compare to today’s most popular NBA stars like Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and more. If you get discouraged after your combine results, have no fear: There are plenty of interactive basketball activities to help guests sharpen their skills on the court.

Trivia – An NBA and WNBA trivia game. You’ll play against the others in the room. The questions are random, so you can’t learn the answers and then go back and beat everyone else in the room.

Champions – A great way to learn more about the NBA and the WNBA. There are screens where you can look up past championships, learn stats from the games, watch videos, and more.

Replay – Let’s you become the ref! You will watch a clip from a game and then decide whether or not the ref made the right call.

Theaters – Allows you to watch two different ten minute films. You will be able to be part of a player’s world, or experience pro basketball through the eyes of a fan.

There are also activities that are designed to make you feel like an NBA or WNBA player.

Draft – Allows you to be the number one draft pick! You will learn which team has drafted you, and then there’s a picture opportunity with Adam Silver (he’s wax). You’ll then see your picture, “wearing” the team’s hat, in the My Disney Experience App.

Players – Takes you inside a locker room. You will then see what one looks like. During the season, you will also be able to see real time stats of current games.

Trophy Moments – Offers great picture opportunities. You can feel like an MVP when you have your picture taken with both the NBA MVP Trophy and the NBA Championship Trophy.

The NBA Experience is also filled with other things that you will want to check out. You can measure your hand against the size of a basketball great’s hand. You can literally measure up against a couple of players.

The NBA Store is located right next to the NBA Experience. You’ll find plenty of team related items, as well as Disney’s take on things. One thing to keep in mind, you will not find food or beverages for sale inside the NBA Experience. You can leave and purchase something to eat elsewhere, and then return.

Tickets for The NBA Experience cost $29 for those three through nine, and $34 for ten and older, plus tax. All activities are included with your ticket. If you’re looking for a break from the theme parks or something to do on a rainy day, this could be the answer. Remember, you don’t have to be a basketball expert in order to have a great time.

Book Your Experience Today!

Applications Now Open for 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

High school students can apply now for the 2020 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. This annual life-changing mentoring program will take place March 12-15, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The application window is open now through October 31, 2019. With celebrity speakers, out-of-the-classroom learning and countless emotional moments, the program helps 100 select students, ages 13-19, from across the United States jump-start their life goals and pursue their dreams.

Disney Dreamers Academy turns the entire magical setting of Walt Disney World into a vibrant classroom. Students participate in a series of sessions and workshops designed to help them imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action. Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side by side with celebrities, community and industry leaders and Disney cast members.

For more than a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired young people from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career seminars in a wide range of disciplines found at Walt Disney World. Students learn how to improve their communication skills, discover what it means to be a leader and acquire networking strategies, among other skills. They are also inspired by celebrity speakers and other special guests who share their stories and provide insights on how to achieve their life goals.

Disney Dreamers Academy is focused on challenging young people to relentlessly pursue their dreams through the “Be 100” campaign. This aspirational initiative is inspired by the powerful impact Disney Dreamers Academy has made on graduates, who have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more. Some have started their own public relations firms, while others have worked with national political leaders.

Applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. A parent or guardian accompanies each student on the trip.

This four-day, all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World will continue to help change the lives of young people in 2020. For more information or to apply, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.

Boys and Girls Club First to Experience Galaxy’s Edge

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

More than 1,000 local students from the Central Florida Boys and Girls Club had the opportunity for a special community preview of the new land.

Disney has a 50-year partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida to help provide experiences and imagination to local children and their families. The students got to experience the land, taste blue milk and other treats, meet and greet with characters and experience the new Millennium Falcon attraction.

This is not the only of the community experiences that are planned for the new land. Disney will also bring over 140 Wish families staying at Give Kids the World Village into the land for a preview.

Check out the video below for highlights of their experience.

Takumi-Tei Now Open at Epcot

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Epcot

Walt Disney World’s latest signature restaurant is open in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. Takumi-Tei is Japanese for “house of the artisan”, and the name is perfect for this artistic new dining experience. 

Takumi-Tei celebrates the five natural elements; earth, stone, washi paper, water, and wood. These are represented by five globes as you enter the restaurant. Each globe has a Haiku printed below it. Once inside, you will dine in a room that has a corresponding theme. Each room is decorated to match its element, and even the chairs are different colors to represent the element. The restaurant is not very large, but that is part of its charm. There is a calming feeling throughout the space.

In the Water Room, there is a working fountain. The Water Room is where the Chef’s Table takes place. That is a nine course meal. The chef will join the group with the various courses to explain what they are all about. A meal at the Chef’s Table at Takumi-Tei is not something that you will rush through. It is recommended that you give yourself and your party at least three hours to dine. It is for groups of six to eight people, and the cost is $180 per person. A six course beverage package can be added for an additional $100 per guest. 

Reservations Available at 3 Galaxy’s Edge Locations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Exciting news! With the opening Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in just about three weeks Disney has opened reservations for some its most popular offerings within the land. Reservations will be required to enjoy these experiences, so you’ll want to make them as soon as possible for your visit to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

Three expereinces–Oga’s Cantina, Droid Depot, and Savi’s Workshop-Handbuilt Lightsabers, will require reservations to enjoy the experiences.

At Oga’s Cantina, even the blaster-bolt scorches on the walls tell a story. Here, guests gather to share their tales from around the galaxy as they enjoy exotic beverages served in unique vessels and listen to spirited musical entertainment provided by DJ R-3X, otherwise known as Rex, the former Starspeeder 3000 pilot droid from the original Star Tours. Rex re-invents himself as the cantina’s DJ, and he’s as quirky and talkative as ever.

The Droid Depot invites guests to construct their own astromech droids. Patrons pick pieces and parts off a conveyor belt to build one of two core models (R-series or BB-series) and they can customize their droids with various parts and colors. These droids interact with elements throughout the land, enhancing guests’ adventures. Additional accessories can be added to further customize these new friends. In addition, the Droid Depot will offer pre-built droids, droid-inspired toys and apparel, and more. 

At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests have the opportunity to craft and customize their very own lightsabers. In this mystical experience, guests feel the Force as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age.

It’s important to know that entry into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be limited and will be subject to capacity. Having a reservation to one of these experiences appears to gurantee you entry into the land. Disney has the following information on the Oga’s Cantina page:

Checking In
Guests should check in no earlier than 15 minutes prior to their reservation time with the Cast Member at the end of the queue at Oga’s Cantina inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Each person in your party must be present upon check-in and for admission to the land and the cantina. Please be prepared to present your reservation confirmation email, photo ID and the credit card provided at the time of booking.

Guests will be admitted as soon as space that accommodates their party size becomes available. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.