Walt Disney World Fantasia Gardens Fairways Course Review

Review of: Fantasia Gardens

Date of visit: February 26, 2010

Address: Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Description of Location: On Walt Disney World property, near the Swan and Dolphin resorts in the Epcot area.

General Overview: Walt Disney World offers 2 miniature golf locations with 2 18-hole courses each. The Fairways course at Fantasia Gardens features 18 holes almost like a chip & putt course. They are not themed with cutesy characters and silly obstacles. They are not even brick-bordered; it’s easy to go out of the green. Challenging and fun, this is our very favorite mini-golf course, anywhere, bar none.

Pros: Only WDW course allowing personally owned (metal) putters. Well maintained and less favored by many Disney visitors. Often the Gardens course (the other option at Fantasia Gardens) has a wait time. The Fairways course is usually available with no wait.

Cons: Difficult and challenging, if that is a con for you.

Nitpicks: None at all!

Hole-by-hole review and photos:
(Click on any of the thumbnail photos below to see a full-size version, but be warned: loading time may be slow)

Course Name Fairways Course

Hole 1 – Rolling Symphony

Par 3
65 feet from tee to cup
Note the music playing in the background – symphonies from Fantasia – speakers like the one pictured above are scattered throughout the course.

Hole 2 – Chernabog’s Revenge

Par 3
75 feet from tee to cup
Challenging due to lack of borders around the greens… lots of slopes, gullies and curves

Hole 3 – Pastoral Simplicity

Par 3
91 feet from tee to cup

Hole 4 – The Nutcracker

Par 4
83 feet from tee to cup. Very difficult – many slopes, drains and gullies on this hole.

Hole 5 – Ave Maria

Par 4
101 feet from tee to cup… You’ll be saying this if you hit the sandtrap. Trick will be to stay with the banked curve.

Hole 6 – The Legend of Yen Sid

Par 3
75 feet from tee to cup. This has more straight appearance, but watch out for those big boulders! Get your ball in next to one of those, and your putting stance may well be challenged.

Hole 7 – Ballet of the Bunkers

Par 3
75 feet long; 3 drainage holes to pass

Hole 8 – Zeus’ Thunderbolt

Par 3
60 feet long, short, but lots of slopes

Hole 9 – Bacchus’ Corner

Par 4
79 feet from tee to cup, semi-circle curve with lots of gullies and rocks. One of the most difficult to guage speed and velocity

Hole 10 – Dance of the Crown

Par 4
88 feet in length

Hole 11 – Skeleton Dance

Par 4
80 feet – looks like one of the straightest lines, but has new carpet around the cup, that really slowed the ball down and kept it near the green. While this appeared very straight, it was quite tough. Secret is to aim for a point 8 feet to the left of the cup.