Whether you have small children, are in search of adrenaline-rush thrills, love nature,
shopping or world-class golf, there's no shortage of things to do
in Orlando! Our vacation homes are located in the heart of the theme park/attractions
area of Orlando, convenient to all of the action! Read our descriptions
of all the best things to do below, with tips, tricks, and info you won't
find anywhere else!
Golf: Orlando has too many golf courses to mention!
We'll confine our descriptions
to golf courses in the Disney area, which are all within a 15-20
minute drive of our vacation homes.
Disney's Magnolia Course: This course is home to the PGA Tour FUNAI
Classic every fall, and is surrounded by fragrant Magnolia trees. The
course boasts elevated tees, spacious greens, and tranquil water hazards.
Of note are the GPS-equipped golf carts, which offers computer-generated
images of course fairways, greens, and hazards, professional tips that
aid course strategy, and precise yardage.
Disney's Eagle Pines Course: This course is surrounded by wetlands
and is a low profile, Carolina-style course. Designed by Pete Dye, the
greens are guarded by strategically placed bunkers. Of note are the
GPS-equipped golf carts, which offers computer-generated images of course
fairways, greens, and hazards, professional tips that aid course strategy,
and precise yardage
Disney's Oak Trail: This is a family-friendly, 9-hole, par-36 course,
designed for everyone. This walking course is designed to accommodate
even the beginning golfer with holes ranging from 132 to 517 yards from
the back tees. Ideal for a family outing or getting in a quick nine,
Oak Trail is a great place to relax.
Falcon's Fire Golf Club: A Rees Jones design, the front side of this
course is forgiving with water on three holes, while the back wraps
around two large lakes with a run of holes (12-18) that will challenge
the most skilled player. Boasting tournament playing conditions 12 months
a year, the course is arguably the finest maintained in Central Florida.
Falcon's Fire has often hosted such events as the Senior PGA Tour Qualifying
School and the Oldsmobile Scramble National Finals.
Celebration Golf Club: The father & son team of Robert
Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr designed this course. The layout is protectively
framed by borders of native trees and natural wetlands and speckled
with clusters of native oaks, pine and magnolia trees. Featuring
strategic hazards and challenging greens, this championship caliber
course demands accurate approach shots and consistent putting. Sporting
five sets of tees, the course stretches from 4,933 to 6,792 yards
and invites competition from all skill levels.
Champions Gate: This world-class 36-hole facility, designed
by Greg Norman, opened in the fall of 2000. Although Norman designed
it as an 'Australian links,'
the International was also clearly influenced by his British Open
success and features a wild, windswept appearance. The fairways are
peppered with devilish pot bunkers, making it a tough challenge to
safely reach the small, slick greens. At a stretch of over 7,300
yards, it has the highest course rating in the state and is one of
the most unique and challenging anywhere.
Southern Dunes: Steve Smyers' design features imaginative
bunkering and large sandy scrub areas that line dramatically rolling
fairways. Unusual for Central Florida, the course has elevation changes
of up to 100 feet and a series of huge dunes that give it even more
character. Best of all, the Tifdwarf Bermuda greens are large, true
and fast.
Shingle Creek: Designed by international architect David
Harman, Harris Rosen's Shingle Creek provides lush terrain, significantly
undulating fairways, interconnecting waterways, and magnificent panoramic
views from the 23,000-square-foot clubhouse. The course is bordered
by dense oaks and pines in a backdrop along historic Shingle Creek
Highlands Reserve: Set atop one of the highest areas of
the state, Highlands Reserve is not your typical Florida golf course.
This championship design by Mike Dasher gives you tree-lined fairways
reminiscent of the Carolinas, open spacious fairways likened to the
great Scottish courses, and a bit of old Florida with citrus trees
dotting the countryside. Large, fast, undulating greens make this
course challenging and fun for all levels of golfers.
