Category: Things to do in Orlando

Crazy / Mini Golf Courses in Orlando

Although classed as a smaller attraction compared with the major theme parks, the mini adventure golf courses in Orlando are really popular. Very different to anything you might experience in the UK, these courses are spectacularly designed and are lots of fun for all the family – challenging mini golfers with putt-through’s designed in logs, hills, waterfalls, caves and tunnels. Great if you want to play a game in the sun, or as your evening’s entertainment under the stars. We’ve put together a list of the good ones and links to their website so you can have all the info on prices, opening times and directions. Pick up your putter and away you play!

Congo River mini golf on International Drive and Kissimmee hosts an African explorer themed adventure golf course in a tropical rainforest setting with waterfalls and caves. Look out for the live gator feeding exhibits here too.

Pirates Cove mini golf on International Drive takes you back to the 18th Century on a pirates adventure while you play amongst cascading waterfalls, sunken ships and dreaded pirate dungeons!

Hawaiian Rumble mini golf on International Drive and Lake Buena Vista both sites feature a Hawaiian themed 50 foot volcano with fire and lava, lush tropical palms setting and rhythmic calypso beats to entertain you during your game.

Disney Fantasia Gardens mini golf – Disney’s own take on miniature golf located at Epcot has 2 courses: Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways. These are inspired by the animated Fantasia film and during your 36 hole game you’ll see characters from the movie like the dancing hippos and the marching broomsticks!

Disney Winter Summerland mini golf – another Disney offering of miniature golf outside Blizzard Beach, these are Santa Claus themed courses: the ‘Snow’ course – put your way to the 18th ‘North Hole’!! and in contrast the ‘Sand’ course,  is beach-themed with 18 holes to play amongst sandcastles and surfboards.

Discount vouchers are available for most of the mini golf courses (excluding Disney) in the local coupon/tourist/attraction books that you can get in entrance to most supermarkets, restaurants and tourist information booths.

Nearly all of the mini golf courses are located less than 15-20 minutes from all our Orlando vacation rentals on HWY192, International Drive or just off Interstate 4 (I4) in the main tourist areas.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Cinemas in Orlando, Films and Showtimes

Looking to take in a film during your vacation in Orlando, Florida? Here’s the local cinema details for you in one handy post. Nearly all of our Florida Villas are within 20 minutes drive from them, so great for your self-catering holiday in Florida.

Downtown Disney Cinema:

Located at Pleasure Island in Downtown Disney is the AMC Theatre multiplex cinema – its modern in design, inspired by an Art Deco style; and comfortable high-backed rocking seating along with THX Surround and Sony Dynamic Digital Sound. Its a fantastic movie experience on a weekend evening or rainy day. Downtown Disney is an attraction itself – along the scenic walkway you’ll find lots of dining, entertainment and shopping for the whole family. Closest parking for the cinema are Lots J & K, 1500 Buena Vista Drive.

Click here for showtimes at AMC Downtown Disney 24

Pointe Orlando & IMAX Cinema:

Pointe Orlando is a big hit for cinema goers in Orlando, with the popular IMAX experience available on varying blockbuster films. In an IMAX theatre, the projected images are extended to create the illusion that the screen’s boundaries have disappeared and the viewer has a more ‘immersive’ experience of the film.  Pointe Orlando is located at 9101 International Drive – opposite the Orange County Convention Center. Again you’ll find diverse dining, specialty shopping and entertainment here. You will have to pay for parking, but you can get your ticket validated at the cinema.

Click here for showtimes at Regal Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 & IMAX

Universal CityWalk Cinema:

Take your pick of the latest movies at AMC Universal Cineplex 20 and IMAX. Featuring 20 screens, stadium style, plush rocker back chairs, its another premier movie showplace along with the CityWalk’s great dining, bars, clubs and music entertainment. A general parking rebate is offered at the box office with a movie ticket purchase.  To get here take the I-4 – if you’re heading Eastbound take exit 75A, or if your heading Westbound take exit 74B – follow the signpost to Universal Orlando’s main parking garage.

Click here for showtimes at Universal Orlando Cineplex 20 & IMAX

The Loop Kissimmee Cinema:

Regal cinemas ‘The Loop’ cinema complex at The Loop and West’  shopping centre is located at the junction of John Young Parkway and Osceola Parkway; and has 16 cinema screens and stadium seating to enhance your viewing experience.

Click here for showtimes at The Loop Kissimmee Cinema

Related articles

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford Florida

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, Florida has over 400 exciting animal attractions and a great mix of education and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy! Have a close encounter with the the elephants at feeding times. Take your swimsuit, towel and suncream to experience the Wharton-Smith Tropical Splash Ground – a unique water playground featuring animal inspired water fountains, rain trees and a fun water tunnel.

With a separate charge, you can visit ZOOm Air Adventure Park – explore the surrounding forest from an animal’s perspective on the aerial treetop adventure course with rope bridges and thrilling ziplines.

Visit the ZOOm Air Treetop Adventure Park website for prices and further details here.

The Central Florida Zoo is about 60-90 minutes away from most of our Orlando rental villas and is located just off junction 104 of Interstate 4 (I4) and is a very easy drive.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Harry Potter World – Universal Orlando

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a feature of theme park Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a must see for all Harry Potter fans. There’s rides for all ages and family members: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (voted best new attraction of 2010 by ThemeParkInsider.com), Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff.

Experience the excitement first hand soaring above Hogwarts castle grounds on a ride in this iconic location you’ll recognise from the books and films. As part of this spectacularly themed environment, you can visit the Three Broomsticks for a unique dining experience. Here you can try the butterbeer, the favourite drink in the books – people queue up in anticipation of tasting this famous brew! It’s non-alcoholic, so family friendly and the sweet taste is likened to shortbread and butterscotch.

Visit the shops of Hogsmeade, along the streets you’ll find Dervish and Bangs, Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods, Zonko’s joke shop and the Owl Post Office! There’s a lot that will captivate your imagination and you might want to bring home a souvenir – perhaps a ‘sneekascope’. Watch the video here of the ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. For directions on how to get to Universal,  from I-4 Eastbound (Disney/Lake Buena Vista/Kissimmee) take exit 75A, or from I-4 Westbound (Downtown Orlando) take exit 74B.

April events at Celebration, Orlando

We’ve featured the town of Celebration previously, but thought its worth an update as there’s some events coming up in April which you may want to fit into your holiday in Florida. Celebration is such a pretty, traditional American district with a quaint village style setting – there’s boutique and souvenir shopping, restaurants and bars and an old fashioned cinema set around the pretty lakeside.

On the weekend of 9th-10th April the Great American Pie Festival returns to Lakeside Park in Celebration. Thousands of pie lovers will gather for this 10 year running event. If you take the family there you won’t want to miss the highlight, the Never-Ending Pie Buffet and Pie Eating Contest, or let the kids make their own pies at the Kids Creation Station. Events times – Saturday 9th 11am – 7pm and Sunday 10th 12pm – 5pm.

Here is video from last years festival to give you a taste of whats to come…

Also held on 9th April in the town centre, the now world class Exotic car festival hosted by the Ferrari Club of America, benefitting children’s charities, is an event showcasing 250 cars  – from racing cars to the exotic and unique vehicles, with some you’ll recognise from famous movies and TV shows. This year you’ll see the Lamborghini Diablo from Jim Carey’s film ‘Dumb and Dumber’ and the DeLorean – famous as the ‘Back to the Future Car’ – a great day for photo opportunities for car and film enthusiasts and a keepsake from your Florida holiday. Admission is free.

Soak up the noise and atmosphere from last years car show with the below videos.