Disney Mini Golf: Fun For All 4 Seasons!
Whether it’s playing a board game or racing go-karts, there’s something about simple competition that can’t be beaten. It’s invigorating and suspenseful, and – provided everyone’s a good sport – great for bonding with friends and family.
Mini golf certainly falls into that category of good old-fashioned fun, but did you know it could be part of your Walt Disney World vacation? When we say Disney has it all, we aren’t kidding! In addition to the kitchen sink, yes, there really is Disney mini golf. In fact, there are TWO Disney mini-golf courses!
Try your putt-putt luck at either Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf or Winter Summerland Miniature Golf! Both Disney World mini golf locations offer two 18-hole courses imbued with classic fairy tale magic. Perfect for all ages, we definitely recommend checking them out.
Let’s go!
Is Mini Golf Included in Disney Tickets?
While Disney mini golf is part of the Walt Disney World property, neither course is situated within a theme park, which means you can access them without a park ticket!
Currently, a round of golf is decently affordable at $14 per adult and $12 per child. Both locations are usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., so it’s pretty easy to fit a game into your schedule.
Disney mini golf is an excellent option for non-park days where you want to have fun – but in a laidback sort of way. We suggest pairing some mini golf with a visit to Disney Springs for a full day of Disney that doesn’t require a multi-hundred-dollar price tag!
In fact, it’s worth noting that even if you have park tickets, you still need to pay to play a round of mini-golf. (Unless you’ve got the Magic Extras vacation package, which gives you four free vouchers, or an Annual Pass with the Water Park and Sports Option add-on.)
We love being able to get a taste of Disney without having to battle the theme park crowds. Although, depending on the time and day, this Disney mini golf course can get pretty busy, and you may have to wait a bit to start your game. Nevertheless, it’s nice that the courses keep visitors spread out, so you don’t feel like a pack of sardines. (Just imagine getting whacked by someone’s killer backswing! Oof!)
Plan to spend at least an hour at your chosen course (or two hours if you decide to do both sets of 18 holes). It’s the perfect little afternoon or late evening activity to round out a day in Orlando!
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways is right next to Disney’s Swan and Dolphin hotels and the Hollywood Studios park. In fact, it’s so close you can see the Tower of Terror! But don’t worry. The only scary thing about these putt-putt courses is getting a really embarrassing score. (Okay, that is kind of terrifying…)
You can choose between Fantasia Gardens or Fantasia Fairways. Both 18-hole courses are pretty well-loved by visitors, but they’ve got some distinct differences!
If you’re looking for that classic Magic Kingdom feel, definitely head over to the Gardens. Here, you’ll find different scenes directly inspired by the Fantasia film. Dancing hippos, crocodiles, marching broomsticks, and Wizard Mickey all make appearances in statue form. This whimsy, combined with the ease of the Garden course, makes it the best choice if you have a kiddo in tow.
However, if you’re on a date or just hanging out with friends, you might want to try the more challenging Fairway. The Fairway doesn’t have that same fantasy flair, but it makes up for it by providing a truly (and nicely designed) competitive environment. It’s an actual miniaturized golf course with sand traps, water hazards, and bunkers! Note that the Fairway course usually closes one hour before the Fantasia Gardens mini golf, so plan accordingly!
Winter Summerland
True to its name, Disney’s Winter Summerland miniature golf course has 18 holes celebrating both seasons.
Located near Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, this Disney mini golf is great for all ages (especially for families with kiddos). It can make for an enjoyable Christmas excursion if you pick the winter route!
The summer course celebrates Florida sunshine with sandcastles, surfboards, and palm trees. Thanks to this tropical getaway, you can reach the beach right here in the city. Ahh, paradise!
While the summer course is tons of fun, we especially love the theming of the winter one. With snow castles, snowmen, and candy canes, you might just feel like you’re at the North Pole. And that’s no accident!
This adorable Disney mini golf course has an equally cute backstory – it was designed by Santa Claus himself!
During one of his annual Christmas flights, Santa was amazed to discover a patch of snow in Florida. (I would be amazed, too!) He knew he had stumbled upon something special, so he decided to build a vacation home there.
All of the hard-working elves were invited to rest and relax with him down in Florida, but things quickly devolved into an argument over which season they liked best: summer or winter. Luckily, Santa had a clever solution and built two camps with two golf courses – one for each season!
Now you can pick a favorite season, too, or simply play a round through both! Try not to wake Santa sleeping in the sand on the summer side, and watch out for mischievous Squirty the Snowman on the winter course! (He squirts water at people, if that wasn’t apparent, LOL.)
And the Best Disney Mini Golf Course Is…?
So, which one of Disney’s miniature golf courses is the best? You can’t go wrong with any of them, but as a general rule, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course does seem to be the favorite. With the classic Disney theming and ease of play for all ages, it’s hard to beat! Nevertheless, there’s something so very charming and nostalgic about the Winter Summerland courses that makes them irresistible, too!
All in all, a round of Disney mini golf – no matter which course you choose – is lots of fun! It’s a great way to enjoy Disney without breaking the bank and also an excellent opportunity to bond with family and friends in a fun, laid-back environment. Honestly, this might be the perfect vacation activity!
But what do you think? Have you visited any of these Disney World mini golf locations? Let us know which one is your favorite – and what your favorite vacation activity is – in the comments below!
See you on the green!
Cover Image
Photo: Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr
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