BY JOHN PERRY
The happiest place on turf (on earth), Disney Golf is as good as it gets. It’s a “Public Paradise”, you can’t come to Orlando and not play at Disney. Nowhere else can you walk in the footsteps of golfing royalty, such greats like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Gary Player, Hale Irwin, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, etc. The list goes on and on.
Tiger dueled the great, late Payne Stewart on these hollowed grounds en route to his second career win in 1996. Tiger also won the then Walt Disney Classic again in 1999. The tournament was a regular annual stop on the PGA Tour from 1971 – 2012. It was hosted on Disney’s three outstanding championship golf courses. The Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista, affectionately referred to as LBV. Disney also has a 9-hole walking course called Disney’s Oak Trail. All of the courses feature Bermuda grass, manicured to perfection, and as challenging as any you’ll find anywhere.
Florida is not only the “Golf Capital of The World”, but the “Vacation Capital of The World”, as well and believe me that’s primarily due to Walt Disney World’s (WDW) presence. It’s like a 4-way celebration in one. Sun, Fun, Golf, & Magic. That’s a tough combination to beat. WDW should be considered the 9th Wonder of The World. It’s an institution unto itself. A universal and global attraction.
If you haven’t been there, done that, you’re overdue. Come and celebrate Wals Disney World’s 50th Anniversary and find out what’s been missing in your life. The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration will last a full 18 months from October 1, 2021, through April 1, 2023.
Something For Everyone
Disney has something for everyone, even Foot-Golf for the soccer enthusiast on the 9-hole Oak Trail Course. How many venues offer you Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon, Wide World of Sports, and many other attractions as a side dish after a round of golf?
Lodging accommodations are truly fit for a King or a Queen. Walt Disney World also has more 4 and 5-Star resorts and hotels directly on the premises than anywhere else on the planet possibly. Entertainment galore and “Family Friendly” to the core. You can’t beat a Walt Disney World Vacation.
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media network, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products, and interactive media. At Disney, every employee is called a “Cast Member”, because every interaction and experience is a show at Disney. As for the visitors, they’re called “Guests”. Guest are not considered customers, because Disney is welcoming them into this immersive experience and fantasy.
Currently, Disney has Theme Parks in 4 countries. The United States, Paris, France, Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. Disneyland in Anaheim, California. originally opened on July 17, 1955. Disneyland is the only Theme Park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself.
Walt Disney World (WDW) opened in October 1971. Walt Disney and his older brother Roy Disney were the original founders. A statue of Roy Disney is located in Town Square at the. Magic Kingdom on a park bench seated beside Minnie Mouse. For the last decade, Walt Disney World Golf’s has focused its attention on the public and amateur golfers with its championship layouts hosting about 200,000 rounds annually.
On a personal note, I vividly remember watching the original “Mickey Mouse Club“. It ran from 1955 – 1959 at first on ABC. It was essentially a variety show for kids and included comedy, music, a newsreel, and a cartoon. The 15-member cast was dubbed “Mouseketeers”. The series was canceled in 1959 for various reasons. In the ’70s the series was revived and aired from 1977 – 1979. The Series was revived a third time and aired for 7 seasons from 1989 – 1996, on the Disney Channel. I remember how everyone loved “Annette Funicello“, and don’t forget “Jimmie”. We were like Honorary Mousekteees. “MIC” (see you real soon) “KEY” (why, because we like you) “MOUSE”, Mickey Mouse.
I’ve. considered myself extremely lucky and blessed to have had a pretty fulfilled life so far and looking forward to adding to that resume. I’ve been to Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. (1969), I’ve. been to Euro Disney in Paris, France, (1996) and Disney World here in Florida numerous times since the (1980’s). The icing on the cake now for me is that since my wife and I relocated from Northern New Jersey and the New York Metropolitan area to Central Florida, I’m only 30 minutes away from Walt Disney World, and I’m a golfer of some sixty-something years. It doesn’t get much better than this, as far as I’m concerned.
Even the NBA basketball players who spent time here in the so-called “Bubble”, during the 2019-2020 season spent a significant part of their time on Disney’s Golf Courses. They couldn’t get enough. They played almost daily.
Q. Where do most of the Pros go after winning the big one?
A. Disney, Where else
In closing, I want to acknowledge two wonderful Disney employees, Alex Forsyth, Director of Sales & Marketing and George McNeilly. Public Relations/Media Manager at WDW for affording me and my quest to a most magical experience on the sacred grounds of Walt Disney World. We all found out that “It’s A Small World After All”. Now if I can just get to Disney in Tokyo and Hong Kong I’ll be good to go.
John Perry is a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Orlando, Florida.
