We’ve all seen prices go up at Walt Disney World over the years. Value Resorts are now $ 125 / night as standard, with Deluxe Resorts in the $ 400 range, and Mickey Premium Bars will soon exceed the $ 6 top price. But how much does it cost to rent most of the ESPN Wide World of Sports, in addition to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and the new Grand Destination Tower? For the next resumed NBA season, it’s $ 1.5 million a day.
In a recent podcast, ESPN sports journalist and commentator Brian Windhorst spoke about the cost of building and maintaining a self-contained “bubble” within Walt Disney World for the resumed 2019-20 season:
This is something that I don’t think everyone understands. The Orlando ‘bubble’ is costing the NBA more than $ 150 million. More than 1.5 million dollars one day to put in. Not to mention all the lost income they have from not being able to sell tickets …
Of course, the arrangements made for NBA players are more “Club 33” than “All-Star Sports”. Brilliant blue perimeter fences have even been erected at Walt Disney World’s flagship resort, the Grand Floridian, tarnishing the landscape to ensure players’ health, safety, and privacy. To help entertain players and their families, Disney plans to make movies available, including those waiting to be released. Marvel Studios’ Black widow was specifically cited, although it may also include Mulan. The food will be made primarily by Walt Disney World’s culinary staff, though teams and players may use their private chefs.
Disney also offers potential downtime activities for players. Teams can sponsor private restaurants for dining, boating, and fishing, golfing, and bowling, which may explain why Splitsville has yet to reopen to the public at Disney Springs. Possible excursions may include Disney’s Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and without a hint of irony, the NBA Experience.
To read more about the quirky details behind the NBA at Walt Disney World, click here. And for a full reboot schedule for upcoming games, starting July 30, click here.
