Walt Disney World is an expansive resort complex. Most guests are familiar with the gated theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney-MGM Studios. Less well known, however, is the extremely wide variety of entertainment options. From water parks to bicycles built for two, Walt Disney World offers a plethora of choices beyond the gated theme parks.
Mini golf is a popular activity around the world. From small Mom and Pop operations to elaborately designed and manicured courses, mini golf is great fun for all ages. At Walt Disney World, you can play on your choice of four different courses, at either of two completely different locations.
Since this is Walt Disney World, expect mini golf as you have never experienced it before. The themeing, course layouts, variations in degree of difficulty, course grooming, drink and snack options, and all other details are just as you have come to expect from a Walt Disney World property.
Fantasia Gardens is an excellent choice for mini golf at Walt Disney World. Two separate courses are available: Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways. The Fairways course is reminiscent of a traditional golf course complete with water hazards, sand traps, and so forth. The course is themed to Fantasia, of course, but the emphasis is definitely on serious, challenging, competitive mini golf. The Fairways are not recommended for casual mini golfers unless you have endless patience, but are an excellent choice for experienced golfers.
The Gardens course is styled as a more traditional mini golf course. The theme is Fantasia and the props are larger than life. Whimsical and fun, the Gardens course features such as innovations as musical notes that sound when your ball hits them and a replica of Chernabog’s cave, in addition to more traditional features such as fountains. Fun is not the same thing as easy, however. The holes are quite challenging, offering extreme uphill slopes, severely banked curves, and other obstacles. This is a great course on which to practice, but remember to obey the 6 stroke limit or let faster groups play through.
Fantasia Gardens offers a snack bar (beer is sold here), an arcade, and a small souvenir shop. There are a few tables available outside the snack bar and beverages may be carried onto the courses. Prices are reasonable, and a 50% discount is offered on a second round played in the same day -- discount may be applied to a second round on the same course or a round on the other course. An Annual Passholder discount also applies. Fantasia Gardens is generally open 10 am to 11 pm (last round starts at 10:30 pm), but hours may vary so be sure to inquire.
Walt Disney World also offers a completely different mini golf experience in the form of Winter Summerland. Located near Blizzard Beach water park, Winter Summerland continues the twin themes of sun and snow. Winter Summerland offers two experiences: the Summer/Sun course and the Winter/Snow course. As the backstory goes, one Christmas Eve Santa discovered an unusual place: a hot location covered in snow (this ties in with the backstory to Blizzard Beach as well). Santa decided that this would be the perfect place for his elves to spend the off season. The elves divided themselves into two camps -- sun lovers and snow lovers. Each group built its own mini golf course, and the two converge at the end.
Both courses are full of fun, interactive elements appropriate to their respective themes. Guests report that the Winter/Snow course is the easier of the two, as well as offering even more whimsical elements than does the Summer/Sun course. Therefore, guests with small children may prefer to play Winter/Snow.
As at Fantasia Gardens, Winter Summerland has a snack bar and gift shop. These elements as well as the starter shack are housed in Santa’s “Winterbago.” The 18th hole, which is shared by both courses, features a computerized greeting from St Nick himself.
Winter Summerland offers an Annual Passholder discount. Additionally, guests receive 50% off the second round played in the same day. This 50% discount may be used for a second round on the same course or for a round on the other course, at the guest’s option. Winter Summerland is normally open 10 am to 11 pm, with the last round starting at 10:30 pm, but be sure to call to confirm hours.
Whichever course or courses you choose to play, mini golf at Walt Disney World offers everything you would expect and more. Traditional mini golf elements blend with exciting new technology, and the legendary Disney magic is everywhere. Make a day of it with the family, exploring all of the different options, or enjoy a date night with your significant other. Both courses are open late (call for exact times) and take on a special glow from the course lighting.
Here are the details at a glance:
Fantasia Gardens
Fantasia Gardens -- Larger than life scenes from the film “Fantasia.” Exciting for children due to excellent effects. Challenging holes that will hold the interest of even seasoned mini-golfers. Great for all ages.
Fantasia Fairways -- Better for experienced golfers. Reminiscent of a regular golf course. Challenging sand traps and water hazards. May not be as exciting for children who are not regular golfers.
Winter Summerland
Winter/Snow -- Best for children. Slightly easier course, more visual effects.
Summer/Sun -- More challenging course. Better for older children and adults.
