We visited Pirate’s Cove on a beautiful winter evening in January 2012. This was the second Pirate’s Cove mini golf property our family has had the pleasure of enjoying, having visited the Wisconsin Dells location in the summer of 2010. This particular leisure activity is a family favourite for our threesome, and is a much-anticipated part of every vacation. We were eager to grab our clubs, select our balls, and hit the green!
The placement of the Orlando course, right on International Drive just south of Sand Lake Road and only about a mile from the Orange County Convention Center, was convenient to the many lodging and dining options in the area. It was very easy to access both by car and via the I-Drive trolley.
The property itself was super clean, with not a piece of trash in neither sight nor as much as a stick out of place. The turf was in excellent condition, showing absolutely no signs of wear and tear. The pirate theme was woven well throughout the property, from the detailed skeletons of the unluckiest scoundrels to the chests full of pirate treasure. Beautiful gardens, cascading waterfalls, and an assortment of lush bushes and trees surrounded the multi-level course, and the lighting was excellent even in the later evening hours. The attention to detail on both the course and the overall setting really sets this particular chain of mini golf courses apart from (and above) all others.
Pirate’s Cove features your choice of two courses: the Captain’s Course and Blackbeard’s Challenge. When we couldn’t decide between the two options, the attendant suggested we start with Captain’s Course as most patrons found it to be easier overall. While my husband and son possess a natural talent for the sport of mini golf, the skill does not come as easily to me. We were happy to find that the course was neither “easy” nor “hard”, falling somewhere comfortably between, with an interesting assortment of holes of varying degrees of difficulty. We were all challenged to various degrees, and I managed to enjoy the outing without frustration!
The cost of $10.95 per person was the highest of the three courses we golfed over our week’s stay in Orlando; however a second game is offered for a discounted rate of $6.95. Discount coupons are widely available at hotels and tourist sites throughout the area, which can save you $1.00 per person. Children 4-12 pay a reduced rate and kids 3 and under golf for free.
If you are lucky enough to sink a hole in one on the 16th or 17th hole, you’ll capture yourself a little pirate treasure….a gold coin worth a free game at any Pirates Cove location in the United States. And if you are golfing near the end of your vacation and won’t have time to return for your free round, there’s good news: the tokens never expire.
For an hour or so of good, old-fashioned family fun after a day enjoying one of the Orlando area’s theme parks, this is a great choice. Pirate’s Cove will not disappoint! To find out about their Orlando property or their other locations throughout the USA, visit their website at www.piratescove.net/location/5 .
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf – map & links
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Official website: http://www.piratescove.net
Pirates Cove Adventure Golf – photo gallery
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[sws_author_bio user=”GinaBrak” size=”105″ authorposts=”More OI posts by Gina” name_format=”About the author”] [/sws_author_bio]
We visited here on our New Years trip but didn’t finish (too late/tired) … looking forward to finishing our round(s) next time we go – hopefully within the year, with more of the extended family in tow! I agree, this is a fun family outing in a pleasant environment that young and old can enjoy … yes, even teenagers like mine!
You cannot beat a good game of mini golf in orlando, pirate golf is one of the best and we play multiple rounds or our stays!!!
And it is good for a group of all ages!!