Building in non-park days to your extended Walt Disney World vacation is not only one way to rest, recharge, and enjoy the amenities of your resort, but is also a wonderful opportunity to explore the many activities outside of the parks that are filled with The Magic of Disney. One of those activities is playing a round of mini-golf at either Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens miniature golf course. Both locations offer guests the ability to explore two separate themed 18-hole courses that are colorful, fun-to-play, and appropriate for all ages.
Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways courses enchant guests with the recreated scenes from Disney’s third-ever animated film at each hole, but the design of the two courses is quite distinct.Becoming familiar with each course’s layout will help you decide which course will be right for your travel party.
Fantasia Gardens Course
Fantasia Gardens course is the prototype of a miniature golf course. Each hole consists of a colorful sign announcing the hole’s number and theme. Guests are greeted with a storybook opened to a page with the title of a signature song from Disney’s Fantasia movie soundtrack. The song appearing at the beginning of each hole inspires the obstacle that each player attempts to traverse in as few strokes as possible. A clever poem gives tips to the players on how to best play the hole.
The large-than-life décor and obstacles bring nostalgia to fans of the classic Disney film and create fun memories for those who are being introduced to its most-notable scenes. One of the best representations comes at hole 16 where golfers should beware of the mischievious mops and brooms from the famous movie scene with Sorcerer Mickey.
If you are looking for a characteristic round of mini golf filled with fun challenges that are creatively themed, choose Fantasia Gardens course. You won’t be disappointed by the excitement and laughs brought about at each entertaining hole.
Fairways Course
The Fairways Course differs from the Gardens course in a variety of ways. First, this collection of 18-holes is designed to be played like a miniature full-sized golf course, but with just your putter! Each hole is also introduced with a colorful sign themed to the movie Fantasia, however, in place of the music book specifying which song from Fantasia by which the hole was inspired, golfers are met with details of the length of the hole and how many strokes make par.
While each hole is imaginatively named with a title corresponding to Fantasia, such as hole #1 Rolling Symphony, the challenges on the Fairways Course match those of a full-size golf course. Players must navigate rolling hills, “sand” traps, right and left doglegs, and difficult approaches to the hole. The sign also suggests a path for your ball as you tee off from a Mickey-shaped tee box.
The Fairways Course provides a different challenge and form of entertainment and overall takes a bit more precision and accuracy than the Gardens Course. The holes are longer in distance and may require patience at times. For the avid golfer, this miniature golf course is a dream, but it is also fun for those of all who ages who are up for trying something new.
No matter which course you choose, or perhaps you will elect to play both, you’ll be immersed in the magical Disney theming and lush landscape architecture at Disney Fantasia Gardens and Fairway miniature golf coures. Try the more traditional mini-golf experience at the Gardens course or test you putting skills on the Fairways course as the Fantasia soundtrack is broadcast at each hole. With validated parking or a short stroll from Disney’s BoardWalk, it makes for a perfect non-park day activity. Have you ever visited Disney Fantasia Gardens and Fairway miniature golf? Tell us which course you would like to play in the comments below!
Written by
Shelley Wehler
Contributing Writer
Shelley is a stay-at-home mother of two girls living outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her love of all things Disney has grown even more as she sees the magic come alive through the lens of her young daughters. She spends her free time keeping up with the latest in Disney news and daydreaming of her next trip to the parks!
