Where Did The NBA Players Stay In The Bubble?

The NBA players were staying in the bubble at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa in Orlando, Florida.

The NBA Bubble

The NBA Bubble was a term used for the isolation of the 2020 NBA season. It was held at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. All players and staff members were required to stay onsite at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the duration of the season.

What is the NBA Bubble?

The NBA Bubble was a term used to describe the strict measures taken by the National Basketball Association (NBA) to protect its players and staff from the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 NBA season. The “bubble” was actually located in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World, where players and staff were isolated from the general public.

Every person inside the NBA Bubble had to undergo daily COVID-19 testing, and everyone was required to wear masks and maintain social distancing when possible. In addition, there were strict rules about who was allowed inside the Bubble – only essential personnel were allowed, and even then, they had to go through a 14-day quarantine period before being allowed in.

The NBA Bubble was successful in preventing any COVID-19 outbreaks amongst its players or staff, and it ultimately allowed the 2020 NBA season to be completed.

Why Was the NBA Bubble Created?

In order to understand why the NBA created a bubble, we need to first understand the context in which the season was taking place.

The 2019-2020 NBA season was originally supposed to end in April, but it was postponed due to the outbreak of COVID-19. When it became clear that the virus was not going away anytime soon, the NBA decided to resume the season in a bubble.

The main reason for creating the bubble was to protect the players from exposure to the virus. By keeping them isolated from the outside world, the NBA could be sure that everyone in the bubble was healthy and there was no risk of spreading the virus.

Another reason for creating the bubble was to create a level playing field for all teams. If some teams were able to play in their home arenas while others were not, it would not be fair. By putting everyone in the same place, everyone would be on an equal footing.

Finally, by holding all of the games in one place, the NBA could control every aspect of the environment. This would allow them to create a TV-friendly environment that would be easy for viewers to watch at home.

Now that you know why the NBA created a bubble, you may be wondering where exactly this bubble was located.

The NBA Players in the Bubble

The NBA players were in the bubble for over two months and they stayed at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The players had everything they needed inside the bubble and they were able to focus on the playoffs.

Who Stayed in the Bubble?

When the NBA season resumed in July 2020, all games were played at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. For several weeks leading up to the start of the season, players were allowed to arrive early and undergo quarantine and testing for coronavirus.

The players who chose to participate in the season were required to stay within the NBA bubble, which consisted of three hotels on Disney property: Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.

Players had their own rooms and suites and were not allowed to leave the bubble except for authorized reasons such as medical emergencies. They could order room service from any of the restaurants on Disney property, and they had access to private dining rooms and an outdoor patio area where they could eat with other players.

In addition to their hotel rooms, each player was given a private space in a suite inside a converted convention center that served as the NBA campus. The campus had multiple restaurants, a coffee shop, a barber shop, a laundromat, a basketball court, a weight room, and a screening room where players could watch movies and TV shows.

What Did the NBA Players Do in the Bubble?

The NBA players in the bubble were not just playing basketball. Many of them used their time in the bubble to bond with their teammates and create a sense of camaraderie. They also took advantage of the amenities in the bubble, such as the golf course, the bowling alley, and the weight room. Some players even took classes while they were in the bubble.

The NBA Players’ Families in the Bubble

The NBA players and their families were put up in a hotel near the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The players were given their own rooms and the families were given suites. There were a total of 16 restaurants available for the families to eat at, and they had their own private pool.

How Did the Families Enter the Bubble?

The NBA players that were in the bubble had to quarantine for a total of two weeks before their families were allowed to enter. The league restricted the number of visitors per player to two, and they had to be immediate family members. The visitors also had to go through a process that was similar to the one the players went through. They quarantine for a week and then they are retested for COVID-19. If they test negative, they are then allowed to enter the bubble.

The families that entered the bubble stayed in hotels that were near the arena. The league set up family zones in those hotels where the visitors could gather and watch games together. The NBA also provided childcare and other activities for the kids while they were in the bubble.

What Did the Families Do in the Bubble?

While the NBA players were in the bubble, their families were not allowed to stay with them. However, the players’ families were able to visit them during special family days.

On family days, the players’ families were able to spend time with them in their hotel rooms and watch them play basketball games.

The NBA Players’ Pets in the Bubble

While the NBA players were in the bubble, their pets were not able to accompany them. So, where did the NBA players’ pets stay? Many of the players’ pets stayed with family or friends, but some players’ pets stayed at a special pet hotel.

How Did the Pets Enter the Bubble?

The NBA players who chose to bring their pets into the Orlando bubble had to go through a rigorous quarantine process to make sure their animals were healthy and would not pose a risk to other players.

The first step was a health and behavioral evaluation from a veterinarian, which had to be conducted within 10 days of the animal’s arrival in Orlando. The player then had to submit paperwork from the vet, along with a pet profile, to the NBA’s security team.

Once that was approved, the animal was quarantined in the player’s room for at least three days. If everything went well and the pet showed no signs of illness, it was allowed to roam free in the player’s room and enjoy all the amenities of the hotel, including room service.

A few players, like Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, even brought more than one pet into the bubble. Antetokounmpo brought his dog, Dex, and cat, pelican, into the quarantine with him.

What Did the Pets Do in the Bubble?

In the NBA bubble, players were not allowed to have any visitors for the duration of their stay. This included family, friends, and pets. While many players expressed how much they missed their furry friends, some did get to bring their pets with them to the bubble. Pets were not allowed on the main campus where the games were played but they were able to stay at a nearby pet resort. The NBA pet resort provided all the amenities that one would expect including walks, playtime, and even massages. This was a great way for the players to stay connected to their pets and have some peace of mind knowing that they were being taken care of.