Miniature Golf Fun at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens

Disney Fantasia Gardens

Disney Fantasia Gardens As you know, last month I attended the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Disney World which I paid a fee to attend and I’ve been sharing all the fun and exciting experiences we enjoyed. Today, I’ve got one you may never have thought about. I certainly hadn’t.

As I’ve mentioned before, our days and nights at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration were filled with movement. This night was no different. After a delicious dinner and watching Goofy show off his musical talent, we were treated to some more fun and that included music and movement.

Disney Social Media Moms - Goofy

How we chose to move was by grabbing our putters and playing some miniature golf at Fantasia Gardens.

My kids love to play miniature golf but don’t love the hot summer Texas heat so this was a treat for them. Yes, Florida can be hot but it’s a whole different kind of heat than we are used to.

The kid were ready to rock this! Don’t believe me? Check this out. It has to be my favorite photos from the evening.

air guitar with golf clubsRocking out at Fantasia Gardens! What a memory that is.

18 holes of Disney magic and the kids loved each and every one of them. I think we all managed to stay dry at this one. Watch out for the water sprays…

fantasia gardens mickeyThey especially loved the very last hole and watching the ball swirl around and around until it was gone! disney fantasia gardens miniature golf

I was not asked to share my experiences with you but they are just too good to keep to myself. Hope you enjoyed hearing about our time at Disney Fantasia Gardens.

© 2013, Nanette Gomez. All rights reserved.

The Disney Experience Changes from Park to Park

downtown disney

Time, after time, theme park after theme park my husband would say, “I’m at Disney but it doesn’t feel like Disney, it’s like a whole other experience with a little Disney mixed in.”

Like when we went to Downtown Disney, yes it’s Disney but not at all what you would think of when you think Disney. This was a whole different kind of crowd. It was nightlife. Live bands, early 20 year olds, lots of shops and entertainment venues – clubs, bowling, restaurants and a movie theater. That was a little weird for me.  Not to say it wasn’t fun.

We found our way over to both DisneyQuest which the kids didn’t want to leave and Splitsville for a game of bowling! It’s kinda fun bowling with a Minnie Mouse bowling ball even if it didn’t improve my game any, it still made me smile.

downtown disney

And Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach were no different. They were Disney but a totally different experience. At Animal Kingdom you felt as though you were in a completely different part of the world. And even with all the animals you didn’t get that feeling of being at zoo. I almost don’t know how to explain it. I mean, if you saw these images below would you think Disney?

Disney's Animal Kingdom

But like I said earlier, you know you are at Disney not only by the courteous and friendly cast members and the immensely clean and smoke free environment but you can definitely find pixie dust and Disney characters throughout the parks.

Makes me wonder what a Disney Cruise, a visit to Aulani or an Adventures by Disney vacation would be like. With Disney it’s all about the experience.

© 2013, Nanette Gomez. All rights reserved.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach

blizzard beach

blizzard beach

I was kind of putting off visiting Disney’s waterpark, Blizzard Beach for fear it would wear the kids out or they’d get sunburned and be uncomforatable. Plus water parks are kind of a new thing for my kids. Since Bug doesn’t like water splashed in his face, and neither of them swim needless to say we were all just a tiny bit concerned. But once they put their life vests on, I was so glad they had one large enough for Bug, we all felt better. And it eased up the stress level for Bug too. But still we started off slow.

Bug wanted me to go with him to Tike’s Peak. And I think that helped him a lot. It was a very gentle and fun ride dropping him off into a shallow pool he could step right into. Of course, he had to do that more than once. Then of course, he had to take his sister and get his dad to go. We did eventually move on to the rest of the park though.

Cross Country Creek – Oh how my kids loved this one. It is essentially a lazy river. Just hop on an inner tube (single or double) and relax as the current takes you around. While my Bug was so against this, it didn’t take long for him to relax and just enjoy it. Then of course, he didn’t want to leave it and we wanted to see the rest of the park.

Melt Away Bay – Ouch! The waves even up against the shore were a bit rough. And so was the ground. My Princess was sitting down and the waves caused he hip to rub against the ground and boy did that hurt. It left a red mark and some pain. We left this area and decided to check out the rest of the park. It’s a nice area don’t get me wrong just be aware of the roughness of the “beach”.

Ski Patrol Training Camp – This was a popular area with the kids. Princess gave it a try and didn’t make it across but she didn’t give up and was able to get all the way across the second time. Way to go Princess!

Teamboat Springs – You know those photos on the Disney ads with the kids smiling from ear to ear with pure joy? What I like to call the “Disney Smile” Well, it was on this ride, we got it! We were on the opposite side of the kids and just watching their faces and listening to them laugh on this particular ride was just perfect. It was the “Disney Smile”. And of course, I couldn’t have my camera with me for two reasons: 1) I didn’t want to get it wet and ruin it and 2) I needed to hold on. But have no fear it is etched in my mind and heart.

And do worry, if you really like the thrill rides you could always try Summit Plummet

summit plummet

Disney’s Blizzard Beach surpassed my expectations. It was so relaxing and calming. The kids loved every minute and so did we. No stress, no long lines, no having to wait for innertubes (plenty for everyone), lots of lifeguards, complimentary life vests – so much to love about Blizzard Beach. We laughed, we smiled and we got wet, wet, wet.

© 2013, Nanette Gomez. All rights reserved.