Theme park and attraction news, rumors and videos.
The classic television series that inspired Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror attraction has now been immortalized in putt-putt form, as the first Twilight Zone mini-golf has opened at Bally’s Las Vegas. [Read more…]
Enter into a dimension of sound, sight and mind with the new indoor entertainment experience on the Las Vegas Strip, “The Twilight Zone” by Monster Mini Golf. [Read more…]
The grand opening of the newest addition to Orlando’s mini-golf courses, Monster Mini-Golf, took place on Friday, July 24. The indoor course is located around 15 minutes north of the Magic Kingdom in the city of Winter Garden.
While the location may be a bit out of the way from your usual Orlando tourist attractions, Monster Mini-Golf still packs in plenty of excitement and fun into its 9,000-square-foot facility. It features 18 holes of uniquely-themed blacklight-filled miniature golf, a video arcade, and two ghoulishly-themed party rooms.
Overall, I highly recommend the Monster Mini-Golf experience. While the course’s footprint is relatively small, it is tightly-wound and offers interesting paths around each corner. The difficulty of each hole is just right, ranging from somewhat easy to fairly hard – but without frustration. Putting along strips of black carpet-like material rather than the usual greens adds extra flavor to the course. The numerous visuals found throughout the course layout are intriguing and often surprising. Players waiting for their turn won’t ever find themselves bored while letting their eyes wander from creature to creature.
If I had to find something negative to say about Monster Mini-Golf, it would be the selection and volume of the music playing throughout. I was expecting to hear a variety of spooky music (the Monster Mash, the theme song to Halloween, etc) while golfing. Instead, the playlist included of Madonna and Van Halen. Frightening to some, but in an entirely different way. There is a booth featuring a live DJ on the course, so the music may depend on who’s picking the tracks at the time.
The tunes were also cranked to 11 when I arrived, though they did turn the volume down a bit upon request. It was opening day and I have a feeling they’ll find the most comfortable and appropriate volume over time. In addition to playing music, the DJ also interacts with golfers, sometimes holding dance contests or giving out prizes. It’s a welcome addition to the usual mini-golf experience.
(Shameless plug: If you want to compare this course to the rest of Orlando’s many mini-golf courses, you won’t want to miss our upcoming Fall 2009 issue, so subscribe to Orlando Attractions Magazine today to be among the first to receive it.)
Although Monster Mini-Golf is filled with, well, monsters, even the most timid visitors will find a good time there. Only a handful of the monsters are on the creepy side. The rest are rather playful. When I visited, I saw a number of elementary-school age kids having a blast.
But don’t take my word for it. See it for yourself in the video and pictures below.
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Visit monsterminigolf.com to find out more information about the course and its location.
UPDATE: May 15, 2012: This location has closed.
A new addition to Orlando’s mini-golf scene is opening soon. It’s called Monster Mini-Golf and it’s unlike any putt-putt course you’ve ever encountered. The indoor course features 18 holes surrounded by a variety of monsters, skeletons, creepy trees, animated creatures, and other ghoulish sights. Think Disney’s Haunted Mansion and Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters meets mini-golf.
When it opens at noon on July 24, you won’t find it in the usual Orlando tourist areas. Instead, the first Monster Mini-Golf location to open in Central Florida (there are 23 others around the United States) will be found in Winter Garden. The city of Winter Garden is located around 15 minutes directly north of the Magic Kingdom, so it’s not too far to consider making a special trip if you find the idea of a macabre miniature golf course appealing.
When I contacted the Monster Mini-Golf folks about the new course, they sent me the image included here of their “signature 18th Hole Clown.” I asked for a look at some of the other monsters that would be included but was told those would remain secret until opening. For those of you who are curious as to what they will potentially look like, you’ll find plenty of images from other locations on the Monster Mini-Golf web site. And for those of you who are skittish about monsters, their web site makes the point that “it’s not so scary that small children and meek adults would not want to come.”
In addition to 18 holes of blacklight-filled golf, Monster Mini-Golf locations generally also include an arcade, private party rooms, and a DJ.
Monster Mini-Golf is holding its grand opening on Friday, July 24 at noon in Winter Garden, FL at the following address:
1297 Winter Garden Vineland Rd (Rte 535) Suite 130
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Admission into the building is free. A round of mini-golf costs between $5.50 and $7.50 depending on height.
UPDATE: May 15, 2012: This location has closed.