The NBA City at Universal Orlando’s Citywalk is set to close August 31st and a new NBC Experience will open up at Disney Springs. That’s the word on the court as the world prepares for the NBA Finals. The new NBA Experience will include a… Read More »NBA packing bags moving from Universal Citywalk to Disney Springs
The Indiana Pacers are in Orlando for the NBA Playoffs and the coach of the Indiana Pacers gave them a couple days off. Indiana Pacers team members Paul George (22) and George Hill (26) both celebrated birthday’s this week, and what better place to spend… Read More »Indiana Pacers Players visit the Magic Kingdom
Although the Orlando Magic’s basketball season washed out in the first round of the playoffs, Dwight Howard (former NBA MVP and ‘superman’ of the court), knew where he wanted to go next – Walt Disney World. Here Howard gets chummy with the only character who… Read More »Dwight Howard meets Chewbacca at Star Tours in Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Where do you go for Dr. Seuss’s birthday? Well, a library seems the most appropriate, but failing that Seuss Landing at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure is good too. Orlando Magic’s Community Ambassador and former player, Nick Anderson, was there and reading Dr. Seuss’ “The… Read More »Universal Orlando Resort Joins Read Across America’s Celebration
The Los Angeles Lakers are the 2010 N BA World Champions and what better way to celebrate than visiting the happiest place on earth – Disneyland. Team leader Kobe Bryant was spotted at the park hamming it up with Goofy and enjoying some quality time… Read More »Kobe visits Disneyland
Celebrating the best in basketball, the Disneyland Resort saluted the 2009 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers today with a victory parade down Main Street U.S.A, for Kobe Bryant, MVP of the recent NBA Finals. Kobe smiled and waved to fans as he rode on a float with Mickey Mouse and other characters.
“It’s like a dream come true to be here and celebrate at Disneyland, coming down Main Street U.S.A. with all the fans cheering,” Bryant said after the parade. “It’s a tremendous honor to represent my team.”
As part of the ‘Fairytale Series’ the presidents of the two Resorts, Ed Grier at Disneyland and Meg Crofton at Walt Disney World, made a friendly wager on the NBA Finals. On Thursday, Meg Crofton fulfilled her pledge by donning a pair of Lakers’ purple and gold Mickey Mouse ears and walking down Main Street, U.S.A., in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. I’m hoping a photo of that will turn up somewhere.
Each of the Resorts also turned the lights of their respective castles to the team colors of the Lakers and the Magic, in celebration of the historic pairing. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park was glowing with Lakers purple and gold during the NBA Finals and will stay that way through Thursday night.
“I heard there was a little competition with Disneyland and Disney World and we won,” Kobe Bryant said, “so our colors are staying up a little bit longer.”
Two of the many Lakers fans at Disneyland on Thursday were selected to ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds with Bryant after the parade. David Guerrero and his son Jonathan, 4, of Pomona, are Annual Passport holders and they came to Disneyland in their team jerseys to celebrate the Lakers’ World Championship.
“They just picked us out of the crowd and said, ‘Do you want to ride the Matterhorn with Kobe?’ I’m shaking, this is so exciting,” David Guerrero said as Jonathan jumped up and down. “In Southern California, being a Disney fan and a Lakers fan, it just goes together and that’s why we wanted to be here today.”
A short video of Kobe Bryant at Disneyland is below the cut:
Tonight is Game 3 of the Fairytale series aka the Disneyland vs Disney World NBA Finals. Here are the Disney themed t-shirt designs that are available for purchase at STAPLES Center and Amway Arena, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and online at nbastore.com, orlandomagicshop.com and lakersstore.com.
Still looking for the first shots of these in the wild. They didn’t have any of them at Downtown Disney on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers get the fab four on their shirts.
But the Orlando Magic get the classic pie-eye Mickey. Which I think is pretty cool.