Anyone tried the miniature golf courses?

[carolinadj]

We thought we would try one of the miniature golf courses this trip since that is something we have never done. Can someone recommend one? Which one is closest to OKW and what is the fastest way to get there without a car?

Thanks for any and all suggestions. We leave in a few days!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

are you talking about the Disney courses (Fantasia Gardens) or others, we have done Fantasia Gardens and always have a great time, they are within walking distance from the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[skelooch]

The closest would be Fantasia Gardens, but there is no easy way to get there without a car. I would guess you would have to take a bus to DD and then a bus to the Swan/Dolphin then walk across the street.
Winterland/Summerland is right next to BB, so if you are going during the day you can just take the bus to Blizzard Beach. To do it after BB closes would be a bit of a challenge, I guess you could just take a cab.

Things like this are the reason I would never be without a car. It gives you so much flexibility for doing different things at night and getting to different resorts for dinners, etc. I think it's well worth the extra cost.

 

[CraftyMouse]

If you go during the day you can take a bus to Blizzard Beach and then make the short walk over to Winter Summerland. We have done all of the Disney mini-golf courses and like Winter Summerland the best. There are two sides, one winter themed and one summer themed. We usually go with the least crowded course as both are equally fun.

We also like Fantasia Gardens. If you plan to golf at night you'll probably want to do this one as there is no way to get to Winter Summerland by Disney bus in the evenings. To get to Fantasia Gardens take a bus from any Disney park or Downtown Disney to the Swan resort. From there you need to walk out the main exit of the resort and across the street to Fantasia Gardens.

Have fun...and remember, DVC members get a discount!

 

[Plutofan]

We did Fantasia in June which is near OKW. You will still want a car. Also we had to wait an hour to play. I believe that you can make reservations that day. It is a great course. Our kids still talk about today.

 

[utahkennedys]

This past week we tried Fantasia and DH and I both agreed it was not worth it...we didn't have any waits, but the course was disappointing...some of the interactive things weren't working. It is the 2nd worst course I have played (we are kind of mini-golf fanatics), the worst being a putt-putt in Michigan near U of M where I went to college.

 

[Bribrittmom]

Try the Fairways course. It is the most like real golf. Very challenging,not good for real young kids.

 

[simzac]

We play Fantasia Fairways every trip to WDW. It is part of our traditional trips to the World. We love it. Much better than traditional miniature golf.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We love Fantasia Gardens and the Fairways course there! You CAN take a bus, but it is a rather circuitous route. You can go out the back of Epcot through the Boardwalk and to Swan /Dophin and across the street to the mini golf if you don't mind the walk. You can also take the Swan/Dolphin bus from DTD and return to OKW through DTD if the parks are closed when you go. SInce Epcot is open until 9PM. We usually use Epcot for transportation to and from OKW and just walk over to Fantasia Gardens.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We always mini-golf & rotate which courses we go to. It's definately a fun night out.

Don't forget the AP discount here is 50%.

 

[Fitswimmer]

We did Winter Summerland one morning and really enjoyed it. DF wants to try Fantasia Gardens, so we may do that in November.

 

[Lexxiefern]

We do mini golf about every other trip. Fantasia Gardens is fun, but tends to be busier than Winter Summerland IMHO. We really enjoy all the courses. My DH prefers the fairways one though, he says it is more like real golf. And as mentioned, the AP discount makes it very affordable.

 

[psu4glory]

we played easier Fantasia course in JUN...it was OK - i was not overwhelmed. being a golfer, i think i would have enjoyed the more challenging Fairways course, but my wife wasn't buying it!

we've never played Winter Summerland, but it looks pretty cool....hoping to hit it on our Thanksgiving trip.

have fun whatever you decide!!

 

[carolinadj]

You have all been a big help. Thanks so much for the suggestions! At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is an AP discount? Is that the same thing as a DVC perk?

 

[bobbiwoz]

You have all been a big help. Thanks so much for the suggestions! At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is an AP discount? Is that the same thing as a DVC perk?

The AP discount is 50% for passholder and up to 3 guests, that's a better discount than the DVC perk.

Bobbi

 

[Doctor P]

I may be mistaken, but I am pretty sure that the Blizzard Beach buses continue to run into the evening to service the minaiture golf course. I remember stopping there coming back from Animal Kingdom late one night well after Blizzard Beach had closed.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

AP = Annual Pass

 

[carolinadj]

Thanks again for the mini-golf info. We don't have APs since we go to WDW only once a year. Twice if we're lucky

 

[Lori2816]

My DH and DD hit Fantasia Gardens on most every vacation. They really enjoy mini golf.