Did you know that you can play miniature golf at Disney World? It’s true – but you won’t find it in the parks! Disney is home to two mini golf courses that each feature two 18-hole courses. Both are lots of fun, require no golfing experience, and make for a great activity if you’re looking to escape the crowds in the Florida theme parks.
Whether you’re just learning about this unique activity, or have been thinking about trying it for years, here’s everything you need to know before adding a round of Disney mini golf to your trip.
FANTASIA GARDENS MINIATURE GOLF COURSE
The Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is located next to the Swan and Dolphin hotels in the Epcot resort hotels area. It’s closest to the new Swan Reserve hotel, but is just a short walk from Disney’s BoardWalk, where many other resorts can be found.
You don’t need to visit the Magic Kingdom to get a dose of Disney theming. This mini golf course is themed after Disney’s Fantasia. Guests can choose between two 18-hole courses including the Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Course. The Fantasia Gardens course is the easier of the two, with holes featuring 5 different scenes from the movie. The Fairways Course is more difficult, resembling something like a traditional golf course.
The Fantasia Gardens course is much more “Disney-fied” compared to its counterpart. Each hole features a reference to the movie, so you will find yourself putt-putting around a dancing hippopotamus, magic brooms (that might shoot some water out at you!), and more. Plus, you’ll even get to hear some special sound effects as you play, depending on what you hit!
If you choose the more difficult Fairways Course, you’ll face obstacles like sand traps, water hazards, bunkers, and sloping greens. This can make for lots of fun competition among family members if you’re more experienced. The course is also much more shaded compared to the Fantasia Gardens course, so you may want to choose it if you’re visiting on a particularly hot day.
As you putt, you’ll be able to see the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the background.
The Fantasia Fairways course does close one hour before the Fantasia Gardens course, so you’ll need to plan accordingly if you’re hoping to face the challenge. If you do happen to visit after the course has closed, just keep in mind that you may experience a longer wait before you can start your game, depending on crowds, since only one course is open.
WINTER SUMMERLAND MINI GOLF COURSE
The Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course can be found next to the entrance to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. This location also features two 18-hole courses, with one being themed after summer and the other after winter. Whichever you choose, your little ones are sure to enjoy it, because Santa Claus designed both courses himself! Well, at least that’s the backstory.
The story goes that Santa was heading back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and noticed that it was snowing in Florida. Instead of just passing by, he decided to build mini golf courses as a vacation spot for his elves. The courses were split into two, with one being all about summer for the elves that love the warmth, and the other being all about winter for those who prefer the North Pole temperatures. Pretty fun, right?
On the Summer Course, you’ll put your way around palm trees with ornaments hanging from them, melting snowmen, sandcastles, and even Santa sleeping buried in the sand. Whereas, on the winter course you’ll encounter Squirty the Snowman (who sprays water at you), giant peppermints, and a huge melting castle as you make your way to the “North Hole.”
No matter which course you choose, you’ll finish on the same hole where you’ll hear a special message from Santa Claus! All in all, the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course is one of the best places to be if you’re looking to celebrate Christmas in July (or any other month for that matter!). There’s even Christmas music playing in the background year-round.
Looking for more fun outside the parks? Try one of these nearby adventures!
- Take a ride on The Wheel at ICON Park. Observe Orlando’s most famous landmarks from a height of 400 feet during one full rotation around The Wheel at ICON Park. Enjoy exceptional views of Cape Canaveral, downtown Orlando, and Floridian landscape from an air-conditioned capsule.
- Visit the Museum of Illusions. Explore over 50 exhibits at the Museum of Illusions in ICON Park. Confuse your sense of sight while learning about optical illusions.
- Explore the Kennedy Space Center. Get admission to the world’s most authentic space attraction, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and combine it with the Explore tour. This bus tour makes several stops where you’ll see spaceflight icons and get many photo opportunities.
DISNEY MINI GOLF QUESTIONS ANSWERED
IS THIS INCLUDED IN MY PARK TICKET?
Access to Disney World’s mini golf courses is not included in the purchase of a park ticket, even if a park closes early on the day you’re visiting. Instead, it must be purchased separately. One round at any of the courses costs $14 per adult and $12 per child ages 3-9.
The only exception is those booking a vacation package with a Walt Disney Travel Company. The Magical Extras vacation package will entitle you to 4 miniature golf vouchers for free. Guest can choose either Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course or Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course.
Just note that vacation packages usually require that you book both your Disney hotel and tickets together for a certain number of days.
Disney World Annual Passholders can also choose to add the Water Park and Sports Option, which includes access to the mini golf courses throughout the year. This add-on includes one round at each golf course prior to 4:00 p.m. per day, along with admission to Disney’s water parks and sports complexes. It costs an additional $99 plus tax annually.
ARE ANY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?
Disney World Annual Passholders get 15% off the regular price of one round of miniature golf for themselves and up to 3 guests. Of course, this would not apply to those who have purchased the Water Park and Sports Option as an add-on to their pass. For these passholders, the round is free prior to 4:00 p.m. every day.
Disney Vacation Club members also receive 15% off rounds at both courses. Additionally, all guests who play one round of mini golf on any course are usually entitled to a second round at a discount. Be sure to ask the Cast Members at the counter for details on the current offerings.
WHICH DISNEY MINI GOLF COURSE IS BETTER?
You can’t go wrong when deciding which mini golf course you’d like to visit at Disney World, but there are a few key differences that might sway you to choose one or the other. First, you’ll want to consider which location is the most convenient for you. You’re likely adding a round of mini golf onto a day that you have other plans as well, so it’s best to choose the course that is closest to you.
If your plans involve a visit to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, then the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course will be best. And, if you’re visiting EPCOT, Disney’s BoardWalk, or staying at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel, then consider choosing the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. But, what if one isn’t necessarily more convenient than the other for you? Visiting Animal Kingdom? Fantasia Mini Golf is the closest choice.
If there isn’t a preferred course based on your location, you’ll want to consider which theme is most interesting to you and what difficulty level you’re looking for. The theming is much more elaborate at the Winter Summerland courses, and the Fantasia Fairways course is the most challenging of them all.
The Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course tends to be the more popular of the two based on crowds. However, because of this, the wait times can be longer. There is seating available at the entrance if you do happen to visit and find that you’ll need to wait.
WHAT TIME DO THE MINI GOLF COURSES OPEN AND CLOSE?
Generally, each mini golf course is open from 10AM to 10PM daily. For the most accurate hours of operation, you can visit Disney’s website or check the My Disney Experience app.
Cast Members at the front desk of your hotel should also be able to assist you if you have questions.
ARE CONCESSIONS OFFERED AT THE MINI GOLF COURSE?
While it’s best to grab a bite to eat before you head out for a round of mini golf, you can grab a snack at both golf courses in Disney World. Each has a very small concessions area that is usually stocked with bags of chips and cold bottled beverages. Note that the drinks at the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course are in vending machines, so you may want to bring cash or change with you.
If you’re opting to play at the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, there are many restaurants nearby in the hotels and at Disney’s BoardWalk. The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve features over 10 different dining options and is likely the most convenient spot to look if you’re looking for a quick bite, since it is right next to the course.
WHICH COURSES OFFER THE MOST SHADE?
The Fantasia Fairways course at the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is the most shaded of the four courses. The others do not offer much reprieve from the sun, so you may want to plan to visit later in the afternoon or evening when the sun is setting. It’s also best to pack some sunscreen!
CAN YOU MEET ANY DISNEY CHARCTERS AT THE DISNEY MINI GOLF COURSES?
Guests cannot meet Disney characters at the miniature golf courses.
The Fantasia Gardens course is the only one that is themed after a Disney movie, so you will see some statues with recognizable characters, but none that you can interact with.
HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD WE SCHEDULE HERE?
Each golf course takes about 90 minutes to play through, depending on crowds and your party size. If you happen to be visiting during a busier time, you may experience a waiting period before you’re able to start playing. Wait times can get fairly long, especially at the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, so budgeting some extra time here just in case is beneficial.
You’ll also want to take into account transportation time. Disney does not offer any direct transportation to the mini golf courses, so you may need to take multiple Disney buses to get there. You can get there more directly (and efficiently) by driving your own car.
DOES DISNEY OFFER TRANSPORTATIONS TO THE MINI GOLF COURSES?
No, Disney does not offer direct transportation to the mini golf courses. It’s still possible to get to the courses using Disney transportation though! Here’s how to get to each location.
If you’re going to the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, you’ll need to use Disney transportation to get to Disney’s BoardWalk, the Swan & Dolphin Hotel, or the Swan Reserve Hotel. The easiest way to do this is to take a bus from a Disney Park or Disney Springs directly to one of the hotels. If you’re staying at them yourself or coming from EPCOT, you can simply walk.
To get to the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, you’ll need to take Disney transportation to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park. Bus transportation is available to the water park from any Disney World hotel. Just keep in mind that the bus will also stop at Disney Springs.
Note that bus transportation is not offered to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park when the park is closed for refurbishment. This tends to happen on an annual basis, so be sure to check before finalizing your plans. All guests can also choose to use Disney’s taxi service (known as Minnie Vans) to get to the mini golf courses for an additional cost.
IS PARKING AVAILABLE?
Yes! Both mini golf courses have parking nearby for guests.
For the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course, parking is at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and parking at the Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is near the Swan Reserve hotel. There is no cost to park at either location.
DO WE NEED TO MAKE A RESERVATION?
Reservations are not required at any Disney miniature golf course, but they can be made.
If you’d like to plan ahead and secure your tee time, you can call (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529 up to a day in advance. Walk-ups are also accepted, though you may experience a short wait time.
DOES DISNEY HAVE ANY REAL GOLF COURSES?
Is there real Golf at Walt Disney World? Yes! Disney World has four golf courses ranging from 9 to 18 holes. You can learn more about the Palm Golf Course, the Magnolia Golf Course, the Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, and the Oak Trail Golf Course or book a tee time by visiting Disney’s website.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO FLORIDA’S THEME PARKS
- YOUR FLORIDA THEME PARK VACATION
- ROLLER COASTERS: 9 THRILLING & FUN DISNEY WORLD ROLLER COASTERS
- CHARACTER DINING: DINING WITH DISNEY CHARACTERS:14 SPOTS YOU’LL LOVE
- DISNEY TIPS: 80 BEST DISNEY WORLD TIPS FOR A MAGICAL VACATION
- BUILD YOUR OWN LIGHTSABER DISNEY: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR AN AMAZING TIME
WHERE TO STAY NEAR DISNEY
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