Courses to play near Disney World?

[TysonJC]

Anyone have any recommendations for some Orlando courses near Disney World? Price isn't a huge issue, but the best value would be nice. Going mid Feb. Thanks!

[tftimm]

[sub]I haven't played any courses in Orlando outside of the Disney courses. My favorite is probably many others least favorite. Disney's Lake Buena Vista which goes in and around Disney's Old Key West. We stay at Old Key West and I really like playing that course over the Magnolia and Palm.[/sub]

[MrMileHigh]

I was down there in September and played Magnolia. It's a tough golf course and with any rain it plays very long. I've been to Orlando several times and I always play at Grand Cypress. It's about 5 minutes for Disney World, the service is great, conditions are always top notch, and really like all of the courses. You can usually get some great deals on GolfNow for Grand Cypress as well. I didn't get a chance to play Four Seasons (used to be Osprey Ridge) but I've heard great things at it's very close to Disney World.

[hougy12]

Orange County National is close distance-wise, but I'm not sure how long it takes to drive there. It's NW of Disney, but close enough that you can hear the train whistle when you're playing golf.

[mpghouse]

i guess it depends on your definition of 'near' disney. Celebration gc is across the highway from disney and is a gorgeous course. a lot of fun, and always below the price of championsgate/hawks landing/grand cypress (which are also very nice and in the area). Grand pines is a better value but it's 5-10 miles up the highway from disney. it is closing soon, though.

[bullsfan]

Reunion Resort and spa off of hwy532 across from Champions Gate is a great track as well. 4 courses, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson & Sorenstam. Champions Gate is a Greg Norman course. Any of the Disney Courses, Waldorf Astoria, Orange county National, and Grand Cypress.

[misplacedtexan83]

I would just stick with the Disney courses. I was down there and for me it was easier just to play one of their courses then adventure out past them.

[RichieHunt]

Waldorf Astoria
Grand Cypress
Grande Pines
Southern Dunes (about 15 minutes away)
Orange Lake Resort (Legends)
Celebration GC
Falcon's Fire
Reunion (Palmer & Watson)

I've heard bad things about ChampionsGate's conditions.

If you're looking for value, I would say Southern Dunes, Orange Lake Resort (Legends) and Falcon's Fire are gong to be pretty good value.

I tend to stray from the Disney courses unless you want to play 6 hour rounds.





RH

[Philfil]

[quote name='bullsfan' timestamp='1421089582' post='10733287']Reunion Resort and spa off of hwy532 across from Champions Gate is a great track as well. 4 courses, Palmer, Nicklaus, Watson & Sorenstam. Champions Gate is a Greg Norman course. Any of the Disney Courses, Waldorf Astoria, Orange county National, and Grand Cypress.[/quote]


Huh, what? There are a total of 3 courses at Reunion. Annika has an academy there, not a course.

[Lefty94]

I'm going in June. We are staying at Port Orleans. What courses can I take the disney transport too?

[mckennwa]

I recommend Grand Cypress - New Course. It is a design inspired by the Old Course in St. Andrews and I found it to be a really fun experience. You can find a twilight round on Golfnow to get some value.

[ballana]

The two biggies for me would be Waldorf Astoria and Grand Cypress North and South nines. I do also have a soft. Spot for Disney's Magnolia, but it's not on the same level as the other two...

[pearls24]

If playing Waldorf you must play Ritz Carlton.... Also check out Tranquilo at the new Four Seasons (new Fazio course). I'll be playing 36 there on Monday and will do a review when I get back after the PGA Show. Also playing OCN, the new/private Championsgate CC, and Shingle Creek.

[hublee]

I think you are pretty much stuck playing the disney courses using there transportation but I would call and ask. You will probably have to take cabs to the courses, none of the disney buses stop at the disney courses. To clarify the cabs are included if you get the right package but you have to play their courses. Cabs to other courses are pretty pricey for what they are.

[healthyscratch]

Going to WDW next week, have always played only the Disney courses (free cab rides if staying at Disney resorts and the courses are nice enough), this is the first time in many visits that I'm venturing out. Will be playing Grand Cypress North/South and New; not far from WDW but I'm guessing cab fees will run around $20 each way. Sound about right?

[mpghouse]

Naw, Grand cypress is right next to disney. even if you're staying at a hotel/villa in animal kingdom (as far away from grand cyprus as you can get), an uber should be half of that each way.

Played lake buena vista yesterday. It didn't recover from Sunday and Monday's rain very well but otherwise in good condition.

[moose557]

Waldorf Astoria and Four Seasons. Both on Disney property.

[healthyscratch]

[quote name='mpghouse' timestamp='1421270922' post='10747087']
Naw, Grand cypress is right next to disney. even if you're staying at a hotel/villa in animal kingdom (as far away from grand cyprus as you can get), an uber should be half of that each way.

Played lake buena vista yesterday. It didn't recover from Sunday and Monday's rain very well but otherwise in good condition.
[/quote]

Thanks for the Uber tip, brother! Forgot about them; figure that might save me about $40 over two trips.

I played LBV this past Thanksgiving after we got rained out of The Magnolia two days prior (got 10 holes in, clubhouse gave us a full raincheck!), I was surprised how well the course drains.

[TheLarch]

Harmony Golf Preserve. My favorite course in the Orlando area. And not overpriced like Reunion, Waldorf, etc...

[moose557]

Harmony is a great course, but about 45 minutes from Disney so it's not really practical if your taking a cab.

I don't really agree with the stay away from Disney cause of pace of play notion. I played LBV earlier this week and Magnolia on a Saturday morning about a month ago and our 4some got around in 4.5 hours each round. Yes, the tee sheets are usually pretty full so there not courses your gonna buzz around in 3.5 hours on, but I've never had a 6 hour round and I have played the courses about 3 dozen times. And the courses are pretty fun. Palm is my favorite and recently renovated

[Lefty94]

How is getting paired up? When I go in June, I'm going to play as a single. Will I just get paired up with whoever?

[RJD]

I played Disney's Magnolia and the Waldorf Astoria course the December before last, and my experience apparently differs from others above. I loved the Magnolia course, thought it was a great layout and a ton of fun, decent pace of play. The Waldorf Astoria was a fine course, lots more sand if you're into that challenge, but the pace of play exceeded 6 hours. I threw in the towel after 9 and got half my round refunded.

[TysonJC]

I appreciate all the help guys! Will definitely let you guys know which courses I play and which ones were my favorite!

[crazy8golfer]

[quote name='Lefty94' timestamp='1421348466' post='10752201']
How is getting paired up? When I go in June, I'm going to play as a single. Will I just get paired up with whoever?
[/quote]

I would plan on getting paired up. I don't think they are going to let a single player go out unless it's 4 pm in the afternoon in August.

[nickosbad]

I travel to Orlando every year from the UK and the last few years i've managed to sneak in a few rounds

2012: Played Falcon's Fire
2013: Played Falcons Fire & Celebration
2014: Played Celebration & Waldorf Astoria

Overall, I like Falcons Fire, challenging enough and when i've been has been in good condition, I absolutely love Celebration, the condition has always been top notch and off the back tees is quite a challenge with some awesome views of the huge homes and the food afterwards is nice

The surprise for me last year though was Waldorf Astoria......I read a few good and bad reviews (mainly down to being lots of back to back holes) it but gave it a go anyway and found it challenging (some very very tight holes) but a great experience......the service I received though was fantastic, made to feel very welcome and all the little touches made it a great afternoon

I'm coming back in October and Celebration & Waldorf will be high on my list again

[Phreddy]

I played the Waldorf Astoria a week ago. It was in excellent condition and a challenge for someone who hasn't played a round since October. There is nothing "trickey" about the course, it all lays out in front of you, but a nice variety of holes and a real penalty for missing greens.

Phred

[rcain1us]

I played Falcon's Fire a lifetime ago (back when woods were wood) , and I enjoyed Magnolia,