If you’ve spent even one day at Walt Disney World, you know how overwhelming the crowds, long ride lines, and nonstop walking can feel. Sometimes you want a low-stakes, fun activity that doesn’t require rushing to a FastPass reservation or standing in the sun for an hour waiting for a rollercoaster. A lot of first-time and even repeat visitors ask where are the mini golf courses in Walt Disney World, and it’s easy to see why: these themed courses are affordable, family-friendly, and a perfect way to slow down during your trip. I’ve been visiting Disney World every year for over a decade, and mini golf has become a non-negotiable part of every one of my itineraries, even when I’m only there for three days.
Where Are the Mini Golf Courses in Walt Disney World, Exactly?
Disney has two official mini golf complexes on property, both within 10 minutes of every major theme park, so you never have to travel far to get to one. The first is Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf, located right across the street from EPCOT’s World Showcase entrance, near the Swan and Dolphin Resort. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can take a direct bus to Fantasia Gardens, or you can drive or take a Minnie Van for a 5-minute ride from Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. The second complex is Winter Summerland Mini Golf, located right next to Blizzard Beach water park, just a 7-minute drive from Animal Kingdom.
Both complexes are open from 10AM to 10PM most days, though hours can shift during holiday seasons, so it’s always a good idea to check the official Disney app before you head over. If you’re still wondering where are the mini golf courses in Walt Disney World, you can find both listed in the “Things to Do” section of the My Disney Experience app, with real-time wait times for check-in and special offers available only to app users. You won’t have to leave Disney property to get to either course, so you don’t have to deal with Orlando traffic if you don’t want to.
What to Expect From Each Disney Mini Golf Course
Each of the two complexes has two separate 18-hole courses, so you have four total options to pick from depending on your group’s skill level and interests. Fantasia Gardens has two courses: the Gardens Course, which is themed after the classic Fantasia movie, with obstacles shaped like dancing hippos, magical brooms, and sorcerer Mickey’s hat. This course is designed for casual players and families with young kids, with minimal water hazards and wide fairways that are hard to miss. The second Fantasia course is the Fairways Course, which is built for more experienced mini golf players, with sloped greens, tricky water obstacles, and narrow holes that feel more like a real golf course than a casual family activity.
Winter Summerland’s two courses are split into a Winter side and a Summer side, both themed around Santa Claus taking a vacation in Florida. The Winter side has snow-themed obstacles, including ice castles and sleds, while the Summer side has beach-themed obstacles like surfboards, sandcastles, and even a fake wave pool. No matter which course you pick, you’ll get a few standard perks that make Disney’s mini golf options way better than off-property courses near Orlando:
Pricing for the courses ranges from $14 to $19 per person for a full 18-hole round, and kids under 3 play for free. You don’t have to book in advance, though booking through the My Disney Experience app can save you 10% off your ticket price most days. Fantasia Fairways is my personal pick for groups of adults, while the Winter Summerland Summer Course is perfect for families with kids under 10, since the obstacles are playful and the holes are easier to get the ball into.
Pro Tips for Making the Most of Your Disney Mini Golf Trip
After playing every course multiple times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make the experience way more fun and affordable. First, you don’t need a park ticket to play any of the mini golf courses, which makes them perfect for arrival day, departure day, or any day you don’t have park reservations planned. I usually schedule a round of mini golf on my first day in Orlando, after I check into my resort but before the parks open for evening extra magic hours, to get in the Disney mood without dealing with crowds. If you’re trying to fill a free afternoon and are wondering where are the mini golf courses in Walt Disney World, they’re far more accessible than most off-property courses in Orlando, so you won’t waste half your day driving.
Second, go during the hottest part of the day, between 1PM and 4PM, when park lines are at their longest and most people are hiding in indoor rides or eating lunch. The mini golf courses are almost empty during this time, and most of the holes are shaded by trees or themed structures, so you won’t get overheated. There are also water fountains spaced every few holes, so you can refill your water bottle for free as you play. Third, if you play after 4PM, you can get a second round for 50% off if you play the same day. That means you can try two different courses for less than $25 per person, which is one of the best deals on Disney property.
Fourth, don’t be afraid to ask the cast members working the course for hints on the tricky signature holes. They love giving tips to help players get a hole in one, and some will even show you hidden tricks you’d never notice on your own. If you get a hole in one on the final hole of any course, you also get a free small ice cream from the snack stand, which is a fun little bonus for good play.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Visit
Even if you’re a seasoned Disney visitor, there are a few common mistakes people make when they go to play mini golf on property that can ruin the experience. First, a lot of people assume mini golf is included with their park ticket or Disney Resort stay, but it’s a separate paid activity, so make sure you budget for it in your vacation plan. It’s still one of the cheapest activities on Disney property, but it’s not free, so don’t show up expecting to get in without paying. Second, don’t show up right after the parks close, between 9PM and 10PM, because that’s when everyone is leaving the parks and looking for low-key activities to do before going back to their hotels. Wait times for check-in can be up to 30 minutes during this time, and the courses get really crowded, so you’ll end up waiting a long time between holes.
Third, don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a hat, even if you’re going on a cloudy day. Most of the course is shaded, but you’re still outside for 1 to 2 hours per round, and it’s easy to get sunburned without noticing. Fourth, don’t rush through the course to finish as fast as possible. The best part of Disney’s mini golf courses is all the small details, like the sound effects that play when you hit the ball past a Fantasia broom, or the Santa jokes hidden on the Winter Summerland scorecards. Don't skip the photo ops at each course’s signature hole, either – they make great souvenir photos that are way more unique than the standard ride photos you get on Space Mountain or Tower of Terror.
If it starts raining while you’re playing, don’t panic. Disney will give you a free rain check that you can use any time in the next year, no proof of purchase required besides the ticket you got when you checked in. That means you can head to a nearby restaurant to wait out the rain, or come back another day to finish your round for free.
At the end of the day, Disney World is about more than just riding rollercoasters and meeting characters. It’s about making fun memories with the people you’re traveling with, and mini golf is one of the most underrated ways to do that without spending a ton of money or dealing with massive crowds. Whether you’re traveling with young kids, a group of adult friends, or just going on a solo trip, there’s a course that fits your skill level and interests. Knowing where are the mini golf courses in Walt Disney World opens up a whole new set of activities you can add to your itinerary, even if you’ve been to the parks a dozen times before. Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the parks, head to one of these mini golf courses for an hour or two – I promise you won’t regret it.
