We're of the same mind Boo Boo Too. DW and myself ALWAYS play a number of rounds of mini-golf while we're in Florida, and even have a little trophy for the winner!
As we normally stay on International Drive, I can only comment on courses in this area, plus the ones at Disney. I did a quick review of all the ones I've played on for another website, so I'll reproduce it here.
There's a mark for the condition of the course (what sort of repair it's in), the quality of the theming and its difficulty out of ten. A low difficulty isn't necessarily a good thing - for example a "2" is incredibly easy and is probably only worth going to if you're with young kids. Us serious mini-golfers need at least a "6" to feel a challenge! However, a "9" is VERY difficult - possibly too much even for me!
Putting Edge (in Festival Bay shopping mall at top end of I-Drive):
Indoor, in the dark course, all lit up by flourescent and neon lights. Very clever design, but the course itself isn't up to much. Lots of long straight putts, not many slopes or obstacles to liven it up.
Condition: B | Theming: A- | Difficulty: 3
Congo River Rapids (two locations on I-Drive, best one is near Wet 'n Wild):
African themed course with baby alligators to feed outside. Two courses, one slightly harder than the other, both in very good condition.
Condition: A- | Theming: B- | Difficulty: 5/6 (depending on which course you choose).
Pirates Cove (mid I-Drive, near Mercado):
It's the one with the big pirate ship in front of it! One of the original Orlando mini-golf experiences, but showing its age and needing a refurb. Still great courses though. Hard one is a lot more difficult than the easy; seen a lot of young kids get frustrated by it considering the other course isn't too tough. Fine for us adults though!
Condition: C | Theming: B | Difficulty: 4/7 (depending on which course you choose).
Hawaiian Rumble (mid I-Drive, just before the Pointe):
The newest one on the block with a giant volcano to boot. Only played one of the two courses, but both looked fairly similar. However, it is more expensive than the rest.
Condition: A (it's new after all!) | Theming: B- | Difficulty: 5
Winter Summerland (Walt Disney World, just outside Blizzard Beach):
As you would expect from Disney, two superbly themed courses, but clearly designed with kids in mind. Balls tend to roll towards the hole and a good player will get lots of holes in one. Not that that's a bad thing mind...
Condition: B | Theming: A | Difficulty: 2
Fantasia Gardens (Walt Disney World, near Swan and Dolphin hotels):
Themed to the movie of the same name, there are two VERY different courses here. The Gardens course is standard mini-golf and is done quite well, though a few holes need a bit of a touch up. The Greens course is more like real golf with bunkers and rough and the like. Having played this, I found it very frustrating and will stick to the other course from now on!
Condition: B- | Theming: A- | Difficulty: 5/9 (depending on which course you choose).
There is another on I-Drive I haven't been to yet - Tiki Island. This is near Congo River and is themed like Hawaiian Rumble apparently.
If I could only play one, I'd probably choose Congo River, but personally I'd play a best of five series and experience as many as possible!
Hope this helps.
