>Playing A-Round

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Hakuna Mawednesday, to you all. Last week we stuck around the Magic Kingdom to Relax before Fireworks. Today, we’re leaving all the Parks behind and heading out to enjoy some family time away from it all. There are many different ways you can leave the parks behind, there are Water Parks, Shopping Areas, Water Sports, tennis, Basketball and of course, Golf.



Around Christmas Disney puts Golf Balls on their Tees.

 The Walt Disney World Resort is home to 99 holes of PGA caliber golf over five courses. Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, named after the Magnolia Trees around the course, is home to the Children’s Miracle Network Classic along with Disney’s Palm Golf Course. Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Course, which is located near Fort Wilderness Campground is one of Golf Digest’s Best in Florida. It is also Certified Wildlife Sanctuary. A little way down the road from this course, on the Grounds of the Saratoga Springs Resort is Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.

The last course is Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, which is a 9-hole course that is geared toward a family golf outing. This 36 Par course is a walking course and is set on a very natural environment. My family doesn’t golf, so we haven’t played any of these courses and I can’t give you my opinion of which ones are better than others, but I have talked to other people whom have played them and they said they are all great courses. For more information about Walt Disney World Golf, you can check out my friend Marc’s website at http://www.wdwgolf.com/.

As I said my family is not the golfing type, however, we do enjoy a good round of Mini-golf, especially in Disney. We have played both of the Courses, actually three of the four courses that are available in Walt Disney World.

Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is located across from the Swan and the Dolphin Resorts. It is split into two different courses. The first one, the Fantasia Gardens course is set up in a whimsical way with characters from the Disney classic, Fantasia. It has obstacles throughout based on the film and some holes with special water and musical surprises. We have not played the other course here it is Fantasia Fairways, as it is just a small version of a real golf course.

The other two courses are located next to Blizzard Beach, one of Disney’s Two Water Parks. This collection of courses is called Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. As the name states one set of holes has a summer setting, while the other 18 has a winter theme. Both sides are fun to play and you have to get around obstacles that are themed around Santa Claus. On one side you play through Santa and the Elves enjoying their Summer Holiday with activities like Surfing and Swimming. On the other side, you get to play through their winter activities, Ice Fishing, Hockey and skiing.

All of the mini-golf courses are a blast to play and most afternoons aren’t very busy, making them a great Hakuna Wednesday thing to do! So, next time you need to relax on your vacation, take some time out to play a round, where all the family can enjoy themselves.

>A Classical Course

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Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 were just released on Blu-ray and DVD. Walt Disney once said Fantasia represents our most exciting adventure.” The concept for Fantasia was that Walt wanted his artists to create an animated feature based on what they felt form a piece of music. Some of the scenes of the movie portray this concept better than others, but they all do convey the idea that the music was the important aspect of the film. Although the animators were supposed to let their thoughts just flow with the music, the film ended up with many memorable scenes where the music is now connected with these parts. The Film is truly a Disney Classic. Fantasia 2000, on the other hand hasn’t been given the same status by movie audiences. I personally like the film, I think the musical choices were very diverse and the animation was fun, and sometimes awe-inspiring. The movement with the Humpback Whales are wonderfully done, and the yo-yo playing flamingo is just fun. It is a part of the film which reminds me of the Dancing Hippos and the Alligator from the original. Anytime I think of the Dancing Hippos, I think of playing miniature golf. I know that sounds weird, but almost directly across from the Swan and Dolphin Resort Hotels there is a miniature Golf course. This Course is an Unknown Magic in Walt Disney World that is based on Fantasia and one that is a great place to take a break from the noise and rush of the parks. This Unknown Magic is called the Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course.

The Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is actually two different courses in one; Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways. Fantasia Gardens is more of the mini-golf course that many people are used to. This course includes many characters from Fantasia, including the dancing hippos and marching broomsticks. Some of the holes include water (watch for these, they sneak up on you) and some reward you with musical tones. The Musical ones are kind of neat; the music plays after you sink your putt.

Fantasia Fairways is more of a practice course for real golfers. This one is set up as a miniaturized version of an 18 hole golf course. This course is set alongside the Fantasia Gardens course and it also has great views of the Swan and Dolphin and also The Hollywood Tower Hotel (which is also known as the Tower of terror).

Both of these courses are fun to play in their own way. We enjoyed the Fantasia Gardens course, as we considered the other one putting practice and since we don’t play golf, we thought it might be a little boring to us. Both courses are open from 10am-11pm, cost below $15, for an adult round.

We enjoy playing miniature golf when we are in Walt Disney World either at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland. We usually use take an afternoon or sometimes an early evening break from the parks to play some golf. Usually my wife wins (we think she cheats) but it is always a Magical experience for the whole family.

So, now you know, you can not only get Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on Blu-ray and DVD and when you are I Walt Disney World, you can enjoy the fun and music of Fantasia by going to Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course. It is a great way to take a break from the parks and enjoy some Magical Family Experiences.

*This is Bruce’s wife, I do not cheat, at least it hasn’t been proven yet!*

>Fore!-or maybe 2; it’s miniature

>In yesterday’s post, we talked about your teenagers needing a break from you. Not only do they need a break from you and you from them, but you all need a break from the Theme Parks from time to time. It doesn’t matter if you have teenagers, young children, or you are just there without kids, you need to take a break from the Parks. You need to get away from the crowds, the lines, the sun and the heat. My family does things at a slower pace, than a first time visitor, but we still take a break almost every day from whichever park we are in. This is my biggest tip for First Time Visitors, especially those of you with young children. TAKE A BREAK!

Now, during your break from the park, there are many different things you can do. Most people do the Pool at the Resort. Some may go to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (Disney’s two Water Parks). Others may take in a round of golf or do some shopping at Downtown Disney. All of these are great options (as is a NAP, One of my favorite park breaks!) But there is an Unknown Magic that you can enjoy during your Park Break that even some repeat Disney travelers don’t know about.

Walt Disney World is home to 99 professional holes of golf. They are also home to two Miniature Golf course, Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course and the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is located across the road from The Dolphin and Swan Resorts. Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course shares a parking lot with Blizzard Beach.

Both courses have their own charms. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is based on the 1940 Disney Film Fantasia. The course is set up with memorable characters from the film. It also features some Water “Hazards” and musical rewards. It is a good putting course, with not many obstacles to play through.

Winter Summerland is a little different. Like Blizzard Beach (and most other attractions in Alt Disney World), there is a back story.

From the Disney Website, here is the story of how Winter Summerland came to be:

“Late one moonlit Christmas Eve, as Santa was flying over Florida on his way back to the North Pole,

he glanced down and discovered snow in a place that is usually hot.

After surveying the strange location,

he decided to build a vacation destination for his off-duty elves—a Winter Summerland.

Seeing that the only thing Winter Summerland lacked was a golf course,

the Santa Claus and his elves divided into two camps,

one that enjoyed the warm Florida sun and another that preferred the snow and cold of the North Pole.

The elves then built two distinctly different 18–hole golf experiences

— a sand course and a snow course.”

The sand course is set up as if it is summer time and Santa and the Elves are on Vacation at a beach type resort. There is Surf music like the Beach Boys playing and all the holes are sand/summer themed. The snow or winter course looks like you are in a wintery wonderland. There are hockey rinks and ski slopes and a very mischievous snowman that lives up to his name. As you finish hole 18 on both courses, you get a special Message from Santa, Thanks to the computer system and the “Winter-net”. After your round, you may want a snack from Santa’s “Winterbago”, which is also the starting point and gift shop for Winter Summerland. You may also want to play a round on the other side of the of the course, either snow or sand depending on which one you just played, please know though that it does cost to play another round.

So now that you know, you can get in 18 holes of family fun and maybe have yourself a Magical experience, away from the Parks.