Banana Ball has become one of the most talked-about live entertainment experiences in the country, blending baseball with dancing, fan interaction, outrageous antics, and nonstop energy. But according to founder Jesse Cole, bringing the wildly popular phenomenon to Walt Disney World felt less like a business decision and more like destiny.
Why Jesse Cole Says Disney And Banana Ball Share The Same Magic
Speaking exclusively with The Blast ahead of Friday night’s game at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney World, Cole explained why Disney and Banana Ball feel like a natural match, pointing to one key ingredient that connects both worlds: magic. “Because it’s magical,” Cole said when asked why Disney World feels like the perfect place for Banana Ball.
For Cole, the comparison goes far beyond surface-level entertainment. He sees Banana Ball and Disney as sharing the same obsession with crafting unforgettable moments, right down to the smallest details. “You think Banana Ball’s magical? Does it bring people memories, just like Disney?” he said. “I think we have the same obsession over every moment, every sound, every movement. The blocking of every dance. It’s very intentional.”
Cole Says Walt Disney Inspired The Banana Ball Experience
Cole, who has frequently spoken about his admiration for Walt Disney, said the legendary creator has played a major role in shaping how Banana Ball operates today. The founder explained that, much like Disney parks, Banana Ball is designed to immerse fans from the second they walk through the gates to the moment they leave.
“When you look at Disney, you don’t realize all the tension, the detail, the cues and the lines,” Cole said. “You don’t realize how everything’s handcrafted.” That same philosophy, he says, drives Banana Ball.
Whether it’s choreographed dances, crowd interactions, music cues, or players mingling with fans, Cole says every moment is carefully designed to spark emotion and create memories. “We’re trying to embody the same values and the same attention to detail that Walt did,” he shared.
Jesse Cole Shares His Favorite Disney Park And Go-To Snack
When it comes to picking a favorite Disney park, Cole admitted it is no easy decision. “Magic Kingdom’s special,” he shared, before revealing that Disney’s Hollywood Studios holds a unique place in his heart because of its connection to creativity and storytelling.
“You got the Disney museum in there, which is special for me,” he said, adding that he sees Disney through a different lens due to his admiration for Walt’s creative vision. Still, Cole acknowledged that no Disney conversation feels complete without mentioning Disneyland, the park Walt Disney personally helped bring to life.
As for snacks? Cole didn’t hesitate to gush over one recent favorite: Dole Whip. “I had Dole Whip the other day,” he said enthusiastically, specifically shouting out the version topped with boba pearls. “The fruit explosion in your mouth,” Cole joked. “Those were just happiness altogether.”
Cole Says ‘People Couldn’t Fathom It’
Cole also drew parallels between Walt Disney’s early doubters and the skepticism Banana Ball faced when it first launched. “The reason Walt was doubted so much [was] because what he was doing was so hard,” Cole said, referencing the ambitious vision behind Disneyland and full-length animated films.
Similarly, Cole said many people struggled to understand Banana Ball’s unconventional approach to America’s pastime. “What do you mean there’s a game where fans catch foul balls for outs? They’re dancing nonstop, celebrating, players are in the crowd?” he said. “No one would think about that.”
Still, like Disney, Cole believed that if entertainment could be more fun, audiences would embrace it.
Which Disney Character Would Thrive In Banana Ball?
When asked which Disney character he believes would dominate the world of Banana Ball, Cole landed on an unexpected but fitting choice: Moana. “I think about Moana a little bit,” he explained, connecting the beloved heroine’s fearlessness to the women who play in Banana Ball.
Cole praised the female athletes in the sport, saying they consistently command attention and bring unmatched energy to the field. “They have no fear,” he said. “The courage, they get out there, and they own the mound, they own the field.”
For Cole, Moana embodies that same spirit. “She wasn’t scared of anything,” he said. “She went into a man’s world and showed what people could do.” According to Cole, that courage and confidence perfectly mirror the women helping redefine the Banana Ball experience.
Jesse Cole Says Banana Ball Is About One Thing: Joy
At its core, Cole says Banana Ball has always been about creating joy. He hopes families leaving the stadium feel exhilarated, exhausted, and filled with memories they’ll carry long after the final inning. “If we do our job right, you will have so much excitement, so much adrenaline, and you’ll be absolutely exhausted,” he joked.
But more than anything, he wants fans, especially kids, to walk away happier than when they arrived. “It always comes back to joy,” Cole said. And perhaps that’s exactly why Disney World feels like the perfect stage for Banana Ball after all.