Santa and his elves have joined Walt Disney Imagineering to create
Disney's Winter Summerland, a new 36-hole miniature golf course located
near the entrance to Disney's Blizzard Beach water park.
The wacky, elf-sized golf course is divided into two 18-hole experiences.
One course (Snow or Winter course) carries the zany, snow-clad Florida
look reminiscent of Blizzard Beach, while the other (Sand or Summer
course) takes a more tropical, holiday theme, with ornaments hanging
from palm trees." The Castle Hole Winter/Snow version is the photo on
the left. The Castle Hole Summer/Sand version is the photo on the right.
Like all Disney attractions, this miniature golf course has a story
behind it. Late one moonlit Christmas Eve, as Santa was flying over
Florida on his way back to the North Pole, he glanced down and could
not believe what he saw. Santa found 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.
The only thing Winter Summerland lacked was a golf course. So the
elves divided into two camps, one that enjoyed the warm Florida sun
and another that preferred the snow and cold of the North Pole. In this
Winter Summerland, the elves built two distinctly different 18-hole
golf experiences -- a sand course and a snow course.
Both courses at Winter Summerland are loaded with interactive elements
that will entertain and engage golfers of all ages. On the snow course,
Squirty the Snowman sprays water on unsuspecting guests when their golf
balls pass beneath him. On the sand course, guests putt over a slumbering
Santa buried underneath a tremendous sand mound.
Although the elves were split into different camps, they agreed that
the last couple of holes should converge within an old log campground
lodge. Guests will need pinpoint accuracy to tap the ball between two
model trains that circle below a fully decorated pine tree.
Upon sinking their last putt on hole 18, guests journey through cyberspace
via the WinterNet as a computer downloads a special greeting from Santa.
Winter Summerland also features Santa's winterbago, a converted travel
trailer that houses the starter booth, and small snack and gift shops.
For a great photo opportunity guests can sit behind the reigns of
Santa's sleigh or gather in front of the surfing Santa statue, an elf-made
tribute to jolly old St. Nick.
Winter Summerland is the second themed miniature golf course at Walt
Disney World Resort. Fantasia Gardens, Disney's first miniature golf
experience, is located along Buena Vista Drive adjacent to Disney's
BoardWalk. The popularity of Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf has given
us an opportunity to create the Winter Summerland golf attraction,said
Joe Wisner, director for Disney Sports and Recreation. This incredible
addition offers Walt Disney World guests a totally unique golfing experience.
Winter Summerland is located next to Blizzard Beach water park.
Tickets cost approx. $10 for adults, $8 for children.