The summer of 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of miniature golf. To celebrate, Walt Disney World just completed a refurbishment on a different type of link, designed to challenge and inspire.
For more than 20 years, the resort has turned mini-golf upside down.
"I like to consider it real golf, but miniaturized,” Disney Guest Experience Manager Jeffrey Saunders said with a sly grin.
The more than 1,400 feet of "precision putting" take on new meaning at Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course.
“The Fairways” course at Fantasia Gardens resembles a real 18-hole course, but on a smaller scale.
"It's only with putters,” says 9-year-old Trent Walden while standing on a mound of AstroTurf designed to be a course hazard.
The Walden family celebrated summer's last hurrah before school started with a morning round of golf. Here, there are no windmills, corkscrews or fiberglass creatures. Instead, the 18 holes resemble a real 18-hole course, on a smaller scale modeled after miniature golf.
"I would say the hardest hole and feature would be the first one," Trent says. "There is so much slope sending you off, away from the green."
With putters in hand, Trent and his twin sisters discovered this is quite the challenge.
"What was your average putt on the course?” We ask.
“One hundred,” Trent’s sister Janie says.
Janie joined her twin sister Conley in a fierce round on the links.
"So, did you have the best score?” We asks.
“No,” Conley responds.
Just like a traditional game of golf, there are hazards to contend with.
"Stay out of the sand. Stay out of the water. Stay out of the bushes,” Saunders with Disney says.
The course was designed by Disney’s famed Imagineers to be challenging.
"I would give this a 10, it is probably the hardest golf course in Central Florida from a miniature golf-size level,” Saunders said.
The winner's board keeps track of the best score each day for the Fairways course, along with what awaits next door. In the meantime, a second miniature golf course with scenes featuring parading ostriches and tutu-wearing hippos sits right next door.
The Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is described by Walt Disney World as “perfect for families and beginner golfers.” Here, find the traditional twirling obstacles and fountains set to music from the 1940s film “Fantasia.”
Yet, leave it to a 7-year-old for more than color commentary as summer comes to an end.
"I liked it because it was really fun. I played with my family," Conley says with a warm smile.
It’s a feeling Jeffery says he sees all the time.
"When guests leave our courses, they’ve had a great time,” Jeffery said.
Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is open late, until 11 o'clock nightly. To see a map of the course and learn prices, click here.
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