Former NBA Experience at Disney Springs Could Be Home to a New Interactive 'Level99' Gaming Attraction

Feb 19, 2025 in "The NBA Experience"

Gallery / 6 Photos
The NBA Experience facade removal - April 2024

Posted: Wednesday February 19, 2025 9:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

UDPATE - 3:00 pm, February 19, 2025: Level99 Officially Coming to Disney Springs, Largest Location to Date Confirmed

Original Article:

A new business filing suggests that Level99, an immersive challenge-based entertainment venue, could be making its way to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World.

A Notice Under Fictitious Name was published in the Orlando Sentinel today, listing "Level99" as the registered name for Open World Entertainment LLC, operating at 1486 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830—an address located within Disney Springs.

A Notice Under Fictitious Name is a legal notice published in a local newspaper to inform the public that a business intends to operate under a name different from its legal registered name.

Could Level99 Move Into the Former NBA Experience?

What Is Level99?

Level99 is an interactive, open-world gaming concept featuring over 50 challenge rooms that combine mental and physical challenges. Designed for a wide range of skill levels, the experience focuses on replayability and long-term engagement. Guests work together in small groups to complete challenges, earn achievements, and climb leaderboards.

Elements of Level99 include:

Physical and mental challenges in immersive environments
Leaderboards and rewards to track progress
Unique team-based puzzles and obstacle courses
A full-service restaurant and bar integrated into the venue

Could Level99 Move Into the Former NBA Experience?

One location at Disney Springs that appears to be a natural fit for Level99 is the former NBA Experience building, which has remained vacant since closing permanently in 2021. The spacious, multi-level venue was originally designed for interactive activities, making it a strong candidate for an attraction like Level99. While there is no confirmation that this is the intended location, the address listed in the filing aligns with that section of Disney Springs.

The Former NBA Experience building at Disney Springs

Expansion Plans and Industry Ties

Level99 launched its first location in Natick, MA, in 2021, followed by a second venue in Providence, RI, in 2024. The company, backed by Act III Holdings (founded by Ron Shaich, the former CEO of Panera), is in rapid expansion mode, with plans to triple in size over the next 18 months.

Open World Entertainment LLC, the company listed in the filing, was incorporated in Florida on February 12, 2025, suggesting that the Disney Springs project is still in its early stages.

No Official Announcement Yet

As of now, neither Disney nor Level99 have made an official announcement regarding the project. However, the business filing indicates that Level99 is taking steps to establish a presence in Florida, with Disney Springs appearing to be the likely destination.

Given Level99's focus on social, team-based gameplay and immersive environments, it could be a strong fit for the Disney Springs entertainment lineup and a natural successor to the location's former gaming attractions, Disney Quest and NBA Experience.

Discuss on the Forums

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Sirwalterraleigh27 days ago

What you talking about, Willis? Other than the one they built 28 years ago? I am always hopeful they will all finally get a job…but that’s just me

JEANYLASER29 days ago

This looks awesome! Definitely planning on checking it out too!

joanna7198530 days ago

This looks awesome! Definitely planning on checking it out

ToTBellHop30 days ago

She definitely buried the hatchet several times during fights with her husbands.

Agent H30 days ago

🤓er um actually we have no proof she ever threw the hatchet

networkpro30 days ago

Perhaps you would give Constance from the Haunted Mansion a run for her money...

JohnD30 days ago

That will be a factor of the brand. They have other experiences in Natick and Providence and are expanding to DS. So they have their own incentive to keep their brand fresh.

ToTBellHop30 days ago

Same. By having "NBA" in the name, they immediately excluded a lot of guests. There's nothing in the Level 99 concept that immediately turns people away. One key thing here will be the need to update it. They failed to update Disney Quest frequently enough which contributed to its declining popularity. At a certain point, you need returning visitors.

DoubleSwitchback30 days ago

Appreciate the reporting! That aligns with my experience. Really young kids won't enjoy as much, not because it's "adult" in the way that bars are adult, but because physically they might not have the height/strength/strategic thinking etc. for all challenges (similar to how they might struggle more with some games at an arcade than others).

doctornick30 days ago

I don't feel like it would need to be "heavily" themed to Disney but having some of the challenges be Disney themed would probably be a plus. Of course, the biggest thing that would have it be "successful" in terms of attendance would be to include a pass for it as part of "Water Parks & More" (or whatever that ticket upgrade is called nowadays) and/or the highest tier of Annual Passes. Reading over the website, this looks like a solid addition and I'm excited by the positive reviews from folks here who have experienced other locations. I don't know if it will "work" but it seems like a good concept to try out. It definitely seems like something that my family would be intrigued by.

doctornick30 days ago

Was it more "broadly appealing"? I think a ton of people would have no interest in an NBA themed venue no matter what the games or experience were like (how age appropriate, etc). I have no idea if this will succeed, but I never thought the NBA Experience was a good idea just because it seemed to have a very limited potential audience to me.

Basil of Baker Street30 days ago

I dont know. It seems people like Disney stuff while in Disney World. Not the NBA, etc. If this is heavily themed to the mouse, maybe. If not, I just dont see it working out.

Ayla30 days ago

I LOVE ax throwing…though my husband was a little concerned at how good I was for only the first time. 🤔 🤣

tnemgif30 days ago

Level99 in Natick has been chock full of kids having a blast both times that I’ve been. A dozen large tables are always reserved for kid birthday parties. And I’ve had multiple groups of kids and tweens excitedly lecture me (unsolicited) on the best way to solve a challenge. Disney charges $45 on top of theme park admission for tours of greenhouses. I think this will do fine, especially for locals.