We Reintroduce You To The Reimagined Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, along with Disney's Palm Golf Course, opened on October 1st, 1971, the very same day that Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park first opened to Guests. Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course later opened in 1972, with all three originally designed with differing features by the late, renowned golf course architect, Joe Lee. We are proud of the long history of each of these courses, including our hosting of the PGA Tour's Disney Golf Classic from 1971 - 2012.
In the over 50 years since then, each of our 18-hole courses have undergone major renovations and redesigns, to enhance course conditions and playability, and update the courses to meet the demands of the modern game. The most recent renovations were to Disney's Palm Golf Course in 2013, Disney's Magnolia Golf Course in 2015 and Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course in 2018. The changes to each of the three courses have resulted in substantial improvements in the aesthetics of the courses, as well as the quality of playing conditions, and we have been very pleased by the overwhelmingly positive feedback that we have received from our Guests after each renovation.
Earlier this year, Disney's Magnolia Golf Course completed another extensive re-imagination with reconstructed greens, including reshaping and contouring, rebuilt all teeing grounds, and renovations of the chipping and bunker areas that surround the greens and that are along the fairways. Many of the areas off the fairways have been transformed into more natural and sandy waste areas with native grasses and wildflowers. A new wooden bridge was also constructed to connect updated holes 16 and 17, taking you through a scenic forested area.
Each of the 18 holes on Disney's Magnolia Golf Course features new signage at their respective tee boxes, with each given a new whimsical name, and an intentionally inspirational quote from either Walt Disney or Arnold Palmer. The most significant focus of the extensive reimagination was the introduction of “Grumpy’s Gauntlet”, consisting of holes 14 through 17. This stretch of holes will bring shot selection and strategy challenges to all golfers, as we are reminded, “Mark my words … there’s trouble a-brewin’!”
We want to introduce you to a few of the newly themed holes, to give you a sense of the new storylines and inspirations that will greet you as you play the course, along with brief pro tips for each hole:
Hole #1: Seize Your Moment
Par 4 / 285 yards up to 428 yards
There is no easing your way into this round! The opening hole is a demanding Par 4 with trees to the left, and water to the right. A tee shot into the right side of the fairway will leave you with a great opportunity though to “Seize Your Moment” (a reference from Disney’s movie, Coco) with an approach shot wisely aimed at the middle of the green. You’ll need all the wisdom you can muster to walk away with a two-putt par on this hole, as the green is undulating, and predominantly slopes from left to right. “Seize Your Moment” features an inspirational quote by 62-time PGA TOUR winner Arnold Palmer, “Putting is like wisdom – partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience.”
Hole #6: The Mouse Trap
Par 3 / 107 yards up to 231 yards
Oh boy! This is the one time you don’t want to pay a visit with Mickey! Be sure to club up as this hole deceptively plays to a slightly elevated green. Be cautious to not fall into this “Mouse Trap” of a par three. This hole showcases a quote from Walt Disney, reminding everyone, “I hope we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse.” The iconic Mickey-inspired sand bunker in the front of the green ensures that we’ll never forget!
Hole #10: Reach for the Sky
Par 5 / 430 yards up to 526 yards
Howdy Partner! Now is the time to “Reach for the Sky” (Disney’s Toy Story) and take advantage of this wide fairway with space “to infinity and beyond” down the right side! If you’re still feeling loose, go for the green in two. Want to layup? Then keep the ball left and short off the green for the simplest angle to pitch from for a great look at the pin. Be sure to club up for this elevated green sloping from back to front for a chance at birdie, or better yet…an eagle! As Walt Disney himself said, “If you can dream it, you can do it!”
Hole #18: Westview
Par 4 / 355 yards up to 492 yards
“Westview” (Marvel’s WandaVision) is your last chance to impress as you complete your round and your day at “The Happiest Place on Turf!” facing towards the setting sun.
If you reach the 18th, and you’ve still got spare golf balls in your bag, then consider yourself fortunate! You will need a strong and accurate tee shot to set up your approach to this green that slopes towards the waterway on the right. Walt Disney said, “When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.” You’ll need all the belief you can muster in your long-iron approach to this well-protected green in order to stand a chance of finishing with a four!
One of Arnold Palmer’s most famous golf quotes is: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated…it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.” We take this quote to heart and feature it on the 9th hole of Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, as you finish the front 9. Keep this quote in mind as you make the turn and prepare to take on “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” on the back 9.
We hope that you enjoy this brief re-introduction to Disney's Magnolia Golf Course, a course that we are very proud of, and know that you will enjoy for many years to come!
We look forward to welcoming you to "The Happiest Place on Turf!"
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