Hollywood Drive-In Mini Golf

[jtsalien]

I found $12 and change with the AP discount reasonable, but while paying Thursday evening, looked across the counter and saw they had a form for "People who walk up, ask the price and walk away" and one for "People who ask the price from a distance and walk away." Looked like 30 or 40 hash marks a day. The courses seemed almost empty while the parks were still open (guess it was 5 - 5:30), but had a steady stream of people once the parks shut down. My guess is we might see the price come down a dollar or two, but will probably see a more substantial daytime discount.

I think a solution to the park hours problem is to offer lower prices during park hours, or at least early morning and afternoon. But they could get away with the current prices when the parks are closed and it's in higher demand.

 

[TheDecemberists]

Either way, easily the #1 and #2 courses in Orlando, trailed in the distance by the rundown Winter Summmerland courses and Pirates Cove LBV.

Why no love for Fantasia? Perhaps it's because I played it at night, but I thought it was loads better than Winter Summerland.

 

[Brian G.]

Fantasia is my favorite course, with Ghostly Greens being 2nd now.

I really loved the decorations and the little horror jokes (Where Wolf? There Wolf) but I felt the course was too easy for my golfing skills. Not saying it's not fun, I had a blast! But Fantasia is a bigger challenge to me and that's why I still have it #1.

As far as price goes, Disney does offer half-off if you have a return visit within 24 hours of your first round to all 4 mini-golf courses. Maybe that's what Universal should look into. The price to play 1 is fine, but to do 2 in the same day is a little steep.

 

[JungleSkip]

Why no love for Fantasia? Perhaps it's because I played it at night, but I thought it was loads better than Winter Summerland.

I like fantasia, but Winter Summerland is a lot more fun, IMO. Fantasia's theming is just a little too plain for my tastes.

Fantasia is my favorite course, with Ghostly Greens being 2nd now.

I really loved the decorations and the little horror jokes (Where Wolf? There Wolf) but I felt the course was too easy for my golfing skills. Not saying it's not fun, I had a blast! But Fantasia is a bigger challenge to me and that's why I still have it #1.

As far as price goes, Disney does offer half-off if you have a return visit within 24 hours of your first round to all 4 mini-golf courses. Maybe that's what Universal should look into. The price to play 1 is fine, but to do 2 in the same day is a little steep.

Thanks for the update. Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[Brian G.]

Well today Universal officially announced it as open. Here is the release, but photos from my trip on Friday.

http://orlandounited.com/2012/03/12/hollywood-drive-in-mini-golf-officially-opens/

 

[BJCool]

^And yet there is still no mention of its opening on Uni's website (every page that mentions it still says "Coming Soon" and the course's website still looks like this:

 

[shiekra38]

Says now open here:: http://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/New-Attractions-2012.aspx

I think the gold site may be going dead...or perhaps they are still working on it..

 

[Felipe]

I got a chance to play both courses with my brother this past Sunday night, and we both really enjoyed it! It was my first time mini golfing (or any type of golfing), so in no way am I an expert to judge it against any other courses, but I thought it was a really fun way to spend an hour. I got a couple hole in ones, but mostly took two or three hits(?) per hole, and there were a couple holes that I couldn't even get in five tries

We were planning on doing just one course at first, and my brother chose Invaders. So we did that one and we liked it so much that we went ahead and did Haunting right after, instead of waiting for another day like we were originally gonna do. We were there around 11pm and there were a few groups playing on both courses. There were a couple of big groups (of 4 or 5), and they let us pass them in both courses since we were just two guys playing. Everyone was very chill and friendly, from the employees, the other people playing, and even the 'people watching from above'

I thought the theming on both was very well done, and the effects were fun too. I also enjoyed the music on the courses, especially listening to Pink Floyd on the Invaders From Planet Putt course :smiley: I don't know that I could pick a favorite. I will admit, I went in a little biased thinking I'd like Haunting of Ghostly Greens better, but I think both courses were pretty cool, so I don't have a clear favorite. I'm judging in theming and creativity, though, not really in actual golf-play. Maybe after I get more experience I'll be able to say which course is better for play. But for now, I like both very much and would enjoy playing either one again!

The only thing that bothered me (but not much at all, just a small detail) was while playing at night, the signs with the hole descriptions were lit up, but the actual hole numbers were not, and with the decriptions shinning it made it even harder to see hole numbers than if we just had to make them out in the dark/moonlight. But that's just a minimal detail.

Overall, I think the mini golf is a great addition to CityWalk. It's definitely another fun and unique way to chill and spend some time with friends / family at Universal. Two Thumbs Up! :thumbs: :thumbs:


Oh also, pricing was ok. I got the 10% discount with my AP for the first round, which is the same for all AP holders regardless of level. (I think the 10% is also for FL Residents.) Then we got the 25% off that everyone gets on their second course. I wish they would offer AP holders a bigger discount on the second course. That, or just lowering the price a bit in general, would be sweet :thumbs:

 

[figment1986]

Oh also, pricing was ok. I got the 10% discount with my AP for the first round, which is the same for all AP holders regardless of level. (I think the 10% is also for FL Residents.) Then we got the 25% off that everyone gets on their second course. I wish they would offer AP holders a bigger discount on the second course. That, or just lowering the price a bit in general, would be sweet :thumbs:

I wish they would give AP holders (premier and prefered) a different discount than FLA residents get... maybe 15% instead of 10% (UO team members get 20%)

 

[Felipe]

I wish they would give AP holders (premier and prefered) a different discount than FLA residents get... maybe 15% instead of 10% (UO team members get 20%)

Yeah, that would be nice. And how about 50% for the second course instead of 25%! That'd be swell :dance:

 

[UNIrd]

And give Premier Passholders 100% PERCENT OFF.

 

[Felipe]

And give Premier Passholders 100% PERCENT OFF.

I was gonna laugh at it, but you know, it would be cool for Premier Pass holders to get at least one free game in each of the courses. :thumbs:

 

[jh32488]

as a premier AP holder i was hoping for one free round of each course. like my free hhn ticket.

 

[ChristopherSE]

It was my first time mini golfing (or any type of golfing)

:jaw:

I got a couple hole in ones, but mostly took two or three hits(?) per hole, and there were a couple holes that I couldn't even get in five tries

Okay, it was your first time golfing and you got several hole-in-ones? Maybe my family and I are just really bad, but that's pretty impressive. Also, I believe the word you are looking for is "strokes".

Well, in any case, I'm glad you had fun. :thumbs:

 

[Felipe]

Okay, it was your first time golfing and you got several hole-in-ones? Maybe my family and I are just really bad, but that's pretty impressive. Also, I believe the word you are looking for is "strokes".

A couple hole-in-ones. Beginner's luck, maybe? I remember off the top of my head, on the Invader's course, I got a hole-in-one on the first hole (which might seem easy, but I didn't get it on the first hole on Ghostly Greens) and in the hole with the little stars/explosion thingies on the ground:

I remember someone congratulated me from the moving walkway above when I got this one

And thanks! Strokes is the word! hehe

 

[figment1986]

Yeah, that would be nice. And how about 50% for the second course instead of 25%! That'd be swell :dance:

And give Premier Passholders 100% PERCENT OFF.

remember, this is a 3rd party... they don't HAVE to offer ANY discount if they don't want to... :doh:

 

[Felipe]

remember, this is a 3rd party... they don't HAVE to offer ANY discount if they don't want to... :doh:

Of course, we're just saying it would be nice. And Uni should make it happen

 

[UNIrd]

So I just tried out the mini golf last night and it was awesome. I did the Invaders from Planet Putt course and it had a lot of neat special effects and details, definitely a must-do at night moreso than in the daytime I would think. Thought it was definitely worth the price, but did feel bad for the family of 4 in front of me paying $60. Yikes. The only cons are the waits behind other plays, which especially gets backed up near the final hole. Also, it seems like there might have been some players jumping courses so I would definitely install a minor separation between both courses, especially around hole 15 of Invaders.

But overall I had a great time and I'll be back soon to try the Haunting course.

 

[BJCool]

Cheesy coverage of the Haunting of Ghostly Greens course via Attractions Magazine - (skip to 2:00)

[video=youtube;gLcnaJVirCo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLcnaJVirCo[/video]

(coverage ends @ 8:00) :thumbs:

 

[Teebin]

It was my first time mini golfing (or any type of golfing), so in no way am I an expert to judge it against any other courses, but I thought it was a really fun way to spend an hour.

I have never graced a mini golf course either. I have three toilets in my house and a compost pile outside which are very successful at making my money disappear. :wave: