Just as the amusement
park was revolutionized by Walt and his followers, miniature golf,
once a homey mom-and-pop sort of attraction, has become a multi-level
“themed” extravaganza with entrepreneurs competing with
each other to create the most unusual, most atmospheric, most
elaborate course yet. And the Orlando area boasts some of the
finest examples of the genre. For most visitors, there’s
nothing quite like this back home, and I think a visit to at least
one miniature golf attraction should be included in every Orlando
vacation.
Most of the courses
are concentrated in the International Drive area of Orlando and
along US 192 in Kissimmee. During the warmer months, it’s
best to avoid the torrid heat of the day and play at night. Don’t
worry, they all stay open late. Discount coupons to most (if not
all) of these courses can be found in brochure racks and throwaway
magazines.
Bonanza
7761 West Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-7536
Behind that towering rock formation over the Magic Mining Company
restaurant (“Steaks & Seafood”) lies a cleverly
laid out miniature golf course with a Gold Rush theme. There are
two complete 18-hole courses, “The Prospector” (the
easier of the two) and “The Gold Nugget.” Putt your
way over this three-story mountain past cascading waterfalls,
old mining sluices, trestle bridges, mountain pools, and cool
grottoes. The course is compact, well maintained, and a lot of
fun. The entrance to Splendid China (see Chapter 6) is just across
the way.
Prices: $6 adults, $5 children under 9. The second 18 holes are
half price.
Congo River Golf
6312 International Drive, Orlando 32819
(407) 352-0042
4777 West Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-6900
531 West SR 436, Altamonte Springs 32714
(407) 682-4077
Here you can putt your way up, through, around, and over Livingston
Falls in a setting that evokes a storybook Africa and the memory
of Stanley and Livingston. There are two complete 18-hole courses,
with the “Stanley” course being the easier of the two.
If you find yourself having difficulties making par, it’s
“Livingston,” I presume. The holes on both courses are
lined with small rocks and large boulders, making for erratic
and unpredictable bounces. The International Drive location offers
views onto Wet ’n Wild’s lake (see Chapter 10), where
you will see screaming riders in inner tubes being towed by jet
skis.
Prices: $11.50 for 36 holes, $7.95 for 18, $3.95 for replays.
The Altamonte Springs location only has 18 holes and the fee is
$7.50.
Million Dollar Mulligan
2850 Florida Plaza Boulevard, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-8180
Before there was Astroturf, there was turf, and Million Dollar
Mulligan, located right next to Old Town (see Chapter 12), is
unique in offering a miniature golf experience on honest to goodness
Bermuda grass. The nine-hole “pitch and putt” course
is impeccably maintained with each hole looking just like a grown-up
golf hole, complete with sand traps.
Prices: The course is $11.75 for adults, $7.50 for kids under
12 and seniors (50+).
Pirates Cove
8601 International Drive, Orlando 32819
(407) 352-7378
Crossroads Center, Lake Buena Vista 32836
(407) 827-1242
2845 Florida Plaza Boulevard, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-7484
www.piratescove.net
Adventure on the high seas is the theme here with two 18-hole
courses named after Blackbeard and Capt. Kidd. “Blackbeard’s
Challenge” is the more challenging of the two. The design
and execution of these courses is on a par with that seen at Congo
River (see above). I give Pirates Cove a slight edge, however,
with the Lake Buena Vista location my personal favorite. It boasts
extra height and higher waterfalls, not to mention its location
next to Pebbles restaurant (a personal favorite for its tasty
cuisine). At all locations, the courses are punctuated with signs
offering the real-life history of their namesake pirates. (Will
this edutainment never stop!) Prices are somewhat higher than
at other area courses, but dollars-off coupons are fairly easy
to come by.
Prices: “Blackbeard’s Challenge” ranges from $7.50
to $8 for adults and from $6.50 to $7 for kids 12 and under; “Captain’s
Course” ranges from $7 to $8.50 for adults and from $6 to
$7.50 for kids. Prices vary by location with Kissimmee charging
the least. At the Orlando and Lake Buena Vista locations, you
can play both courses for $12.50 for adults and $11.50 for children.
This option is not available in Kissimmee.
Pirates Island Adventure Golf
4330 West Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-4660
Once again the theme is piracy and once again the two 18-hole
courses are named for Blackbeard and Capt. Kidd. This is one of
the handsomest courses in the Orlando area, with a spectacular
central waterfall cascading down in stages to a series of lagoons
complete with artificial mist. The course is beautifully maintained,
with smooth brick borders on each hole. There’s edutainment
here, too, with signs providing capsule biographies of well-known
(and not so well-known) pirates.
Prices: Blackbeard is $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for children; Capt.
Kidd is $8 and $7. All-day unlimited play costs $11 for adults,
$10 for kids.
River Adventure Golf
4535 West Irlo Bronson Highway, Kissimmee 34746
(407) 396-4666
The spinning waterwheel that serves as this course’s billboard
says it all. A river bubbles up at the top of an artificial hill
and tumbles down through a number of rocky streams to a placid
lagoon below. There’s just one 18-hole course with plenty
of greenery. Hedges and ivy-covered rock outcroppings abound.
This is yet another impeccably maintained course, with signs that
announce not just the hole number and par but the distance to
the hole as well. There’s a “19th hole” where you
can putt for a free game.
Prices: $7.50 for everyone 4 and older. The second game is $4.
Children under 4 play free with a paying adult.
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