NBA at ESPN/Disney looks like a "Go"

[JimMIA]

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/23/nba...-resuming-season-at-espn-complex-in-july.html

 

[disneychrista]

I'm curious what this would mean for the opening of the parks?

I have been of the opinion if the NBA or other pro-sports were to utilize WDW to play it would be before the parks & resorts were open (to the general public). If this is the case then this could mean it would be awhile before the parks open (September or later).

 

[JimMIA]

I don't think it will affect the parks, but the story says they are going to use lodging facilities as well. Maybe they're going to take All Star Sports?

 

[disneychrista]

I don't think it will affect the parks, but the story says they are going to use lodging facilities as well. Maybe they're going to take All Star Sports?

Do you seriously think NBA players will stay at a value hotel?

I thought the point of them playing all in one location was to be sequestered. That will be harder to do if parks and resorts are open to the general public.

 

[sam_gordon]

How does having "exploratory conversations" = "a go"?

 

[JimMIA]

How does having "exploratory conversations" = "a go"?

Trust me.

 

[JimMIA]

Do you seriously think NBA players will stay at a value hotel?

I thought the point of them playing all in one location was to be sequestered. That will be harder to do if parks and resorts are open to the general public.

Agree on both counts. I don't know how they're going to handle things, but I know the teams want to keep the players and staffs really isolated for health reasons.

It won't be hard to isolate the sports complex, and it won't be hard to isolate one Disney resort if they decide to do so. Just put up a closed sign.

 

[low-key]

its good for NBA fans and Disney fans as everything gets a step closer to opening up

 

[sjberg79]

Looking at availability at the end of July through August... Contemporary and Coronado have way less so I'd guess those would be the resorts for the players but maybe they just happened to already be really booked? I can't imagine the players staying in a value resort.

 

[disneychrista]

Looking at availability at the end of July through August... Contemporary and Coronado have way less so I'd guess those would be the resorts for the players but maybe they just happened to already be really booked? I can't imagine the players staying in a value resort.

My guess (and yes just a guess) is whatever resort the players and associates stay at will be OFF LIMITS to regular guests. I still believe it would be very hard to sequester the teams if the parks are open.

 

[bcla]

Looking at availability at the end of July through August... Contemporary and Coronado have way less so I'd guess those would be the resorts for the players but maybe they just happened to already be really booked? I can't imagine the players staying in a value resort.

Right now the NBA is used to staying at the best hotels, but the most important thing is that they need access to beds that are big enough for. There are hotels that specialize at hosting basketball teams. I've read about one hotel and how it prepared for an NBA team. The first step was bringing out the extra long beds from storage as well as using special showerhead mounts that extended 8 inches higher than standard.

http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/st...ee-days-houston-rockets-hotel-monaco-portland
But what they would likely do is similar to what the NBA does, which is stay one place and then travel by bus together to the arena. Even multiple hotels wouldn't be a problem. I don't think that NBA teams would really care to be crammed into the same hotels. And it's not that bad just isolating. They could get tips on how to isolate teams on particular floors to keep others out.

Another issue would be about practice sites. I know there are two arenas that can be separated into multiple courts, but typically teams like privacy when practicing. Or at least when it's obvious that they're preparing set plays. They would really need access to something like high school or college gyms or at least rec gyms where they could practice.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Nvm.

 

[sam_gordon]

https://www.kennythepirate.com/2020/05/24/official-nba-will-restart-season-at-disney-world/

That article references this article
https://www.nba.com/blazers/forward...DHCSSxIGJjZf4BKPn3X_78hNCVw5oQLUKCBUIVDfM2ubg
Which, like the OP, has somehow turned "exploratory conversations" into "it's a done deal". Sure, the NBA and Disney are talking about plans. The NBA wants to do things at one location. Disney has the infrastructure to do so. But that doesn't mean "it's a go" or "it's official".

I won't be surprised if it happens. But nothing is definite, much less official yet.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Yea after I read it I deleted it because it’s the same and nothing is actually set in stone. So misleading. Lol

 

[jpakstis]

Having followed this a bit, this seems very likely to happen. The “rumors” are coming from official sources. Also there is no similar rumor regarding any other potential location (Las Vegas primarily). The stated goal is to issue guidelines on June 1st and games to start in mid-to-late July.

There still remains the possibility that the NBA does this in two locations (WDW and Vegas). But it seems like a done deal for WDW at the very least. Here’s a good article about the recent developments.

 

[WEDinspired]

Perhaps I’m a little selfish and I may need to be a little patient, however I am a little concerned about myself and others that have reservations for the future and it will be impacted by the NBA resuming at Walt Disney World. I highly doubt the NBA organization and its players will be staying at the All-Star resorts. I can see them staying at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, since it’s secluded with restaurants on location and far removed from the rest of the resorts or Coronado Springs for the reason that it is a convention resort. Of course, thinking about it, I have to roll with the punches. Walt Disney World has to re-open to the public, first. I can say this; we are all hoping to get back to normal and be able to go on vacation. If WDW delays opening for months past a safe opening to guests for the NBA to continue its games, is really going to make some people angry.

 

[sam_gordon]

Perhaps I’m a little selfish and I may need to be a little patient, however I am a little concerned about myself and others that have reservations for the future and it will be impacted by the NBA resuming at Walt Disney World. I highly doubt the NBA organization and its players will be staying at the All-Star resorts. I can see them staying at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, since it’s secluded with restaurants on location and far removed from the rest of the resorts or Coronado Springs for the reason that it is a convention resort. Of course, thinking about it, I have to roll with the punches. Walt Disney World has to re-open to the public, first. I can say this; we are all hoping to get back to normal and be able to go on vacation. If WDW delays opening for months past a safe opening to guests for the NBA to continue its games, is really going to make some people angry.

Here's something to think about. There are 30 teams. Fifteen players on a team. I'm guessing at least 10-15 support staff (coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, nutritionists, etc). So let's say 30 people per team. You know they're all going to get their own rooms. That's 900 rooms. Obviously there's plenty of room at WDW for that. BUT, that will fill up a couple of hotels.

 

[bcla]

Perhaps I’m a little selfish and I may need to be a little patient, however I am a little concerned about myself and others that have reservations for the future and it will be impacted by the NBA resuming at Walt Disney World. I highly doubt the NBA organization and its players will be staying at the All-Star resorts. I can see them staying at resorts like Animal Kingdom Lodge, since it’s secluded with restaurants on location and far removed from the rest of the resorts or Coronado Springs for the reason that it is a convention resort. Of course, thinking about it, I have to roll with the punches. Walt Disney World has to re-open to the public, first. I can say this; we are all hoping to get back to normal and be able to go on vacation. If WDW delays opening for months past a safe opening to guests for the NBA to continue its games, is really going to make some people angry.

More likely than not they'll disperse, possibly outside Disney properties. There's no specific need to stay on property as long as they travel together as a team.

I don't know who's seen an NBA team travel. I've seen it with a highway patrol escort from the team hotel to the arena. Not sure they would need it for something like this, but at the very least blocking off a few hotel floors for the exclusive use of an NBA team is hardly unusual. And I'm pretty sure that the NBA doesn't really care about the Disney Bubble.

 

[disneychrista]

I'm pretty sure that the NBA doesn't really care about the Disney Bubble.

I thought the "bubble" was the whole point. All teams sequestered within the resort/bubble.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I wonder where the teams stay, when they play the Magic. If they want to stay close to WDW, I'm surprised they're not booking all the rooms at the Ritz first. Many college teams stay at hotels that are nicer than WDW Deluxe resorts. It's hard to imagine that the NBA would stay in a WDW value or moderate resort. I've seen several people suggest that they'll stay at CSR. If that's the case, CSR will probably have to make significant upgrades to the rooms & dining options.