April Orlando Trip

05LMBVette · February 10, 2021

Trying to plan a semi-last-minute buddies trip to Orlando in early-to-mid April. Plan is to fly in on Wednesday morning and fly out on Sunday morning. I've played in Orlando a number of times, so I'm solid on a couple of the courses, but would like opinions on the others.

Wednesday Afternoon (open to suggestions): Shingle Creek, Falcon's Fire, Disney Magnolia, Mission Inn, or Championsgate CC... Shingle creek is the only one of these I've played.

Thursday: OCN Crooked Cat and Panther Lake - I love OCN and haven't been there in a couple years, so I'm solid on this.

Friday: Southern Dunes or Mission Inn El Campeon.... I've played Southern Dunes and loved it. I suppose I could do one of these on Wed. afternoon, and then the other this day?

Saturday: Streamsong - I've played both red and blue, but no one else in my party has played any of them, so I'm open to recommendations on which to play.

I'm a 1.1 handicap, and everyone else in the group probably ranges from about 10 to 18, but i feel confident that all of the above courses have tees that will make it fun for everyone.

TIA on your recommendations and thoughts regarding the latest conditions!

sabram · February 10, 2021

Do you know where you'll be staying? That might affect where you'd want to play based on driving times. Mission Inn El Campeon is a very good course, but likely a further drive. I'd suggest the following itinerarary:

Wed PM: Championsgate CC. Consider renting a place at Championsgate. They have some beautiful inexpensive homes that are a bargain and provide access to the pools and Oasis Club facilities

Thurs: OCN -I prefer Panther, but play either or both. OCN is only 25 minutes north of Championsgate

Fri : Southern Dunes - This has become my favorite course in the area. In great shape, fun for all handicaps. There will be some three putts. The greens are excellent, fun and fast. Located 20 minutes south of Championsgate

Sat: Streamsong. I like all three equally. Since you haven't played the Black, why not play it. It is awesome. The greens will blow your mind.

Click on a photo below for photo tour of the course

Championsgate CC

OCN Panther Lake

Southern Dunes

Streamsong Black

Edited February 10, 2021 by sabram

05LMBVette · February 10, 2021

Thanks for the input!

I"m not too worried if there's a 40 min drive.... they're relying on me to plan it, so they'll live with it! 😄 I've been looking at AirBnB's in the South-Disney/Kissimmee area, so Chapionsgate CC is def closer. If its a better bet than Mission Inn, then i'll take your suggestion.

sabram · February 10, 2021

2 hours ago, 05LMBVette said:

Thanks for the input!

I"m not too worried if there's a 40 min drive.... they're relying on me to plan it, so they'll live with it! 😄 I've been looking at AirBnB's in the South-Disney/Kissimmee area, so Chapionsgate CC is def closer. If its a better bet than Mission Inn, then i'll take your suggestion.

I just did a quick search. This is a 4 BR condo with private pool at Championsgate $116/night in April (on VRBO). There are much larger houses with more amenities for around $150/night. If I didn't live in the area, that's where I'd stay on a golf trip here.

https://www.vrbo.com/7343518ha?adultsCount=4&arrival=2021-04-07&departure=2021-04-11&unitId=6688864

05LMBVette · February 10, 2021

49 minutes ago, sabram said:

I just did a quick search. This is a 4 BR condo with private pool at Championsgate $116/night in April (on VRBO). There are much larger houses with more amenities for around $150/night. If I didn't live in the area, that's where I'd stay on a golf trip here.

https://www.vrbo.com/7343518ha?adultsCount=4&arrival=2021-04-07&departure=2021-04-11&unitId=6688864

Ya I find it crazy how cheap places are on VRBO and Airbnb.... makes the trip so much more affordable for everyone!

05LMBVette · February 11, 2021

Well, i booked all of my tee times today, but i was kinda stunned at OCN. Last time I was there (about 3 years ago) they gave me a great deal... $180 for the 36 hole rate seems kinda steep... don't get me wrong, i LOVE the course, but for that rate, part of me would rather play another round at Streamsong. 😬

Warrior42111 · February 11, 2021

Seems about right to be honest, rack rate is $100 for a FL resident and $120 for a non resident before 1pm and just $10 less later in the day.

05LMBVette · February 12, 2021

1 hour ago, Warrior42111 said:

Seems about right to be honest, rack rate is $100 for a FL resident and $120 for a non resident before 1pm and just $10 less later in the day.

yea, i know its correct, based on their published rates.... i was just saying that it seemed steep to me. Its two fantastic layouts, but i'm not sure they're THAT good. its subjective i suppose.

pearls24 · February 12, 2021

On 2/10/2021 at 2:47 PM, sabram said:

I just did a quick search. This is a 4 BR condo with private pool at Championsgate $116/night in April (on VRBO). There are much larger houses with more amenities for around $150/night. If I didn't live in the area, that's where I'd stay on a golf trip here.

https://www.vrbo.com/7343518ha?adultsCount=4&arrival=2021-04-07&departure=2021-04-11&unitId=6688864

What do you think or know about The Bear's Den in Reunion? We are about to book with them through Teetimesusa.com for a 4 bed house. Playing Four Seasons, 36 at Reunion (Palmer/Watson), 36 at Championsgate, and Hawks Landing.

sabram · February 12, 2021

5 hours ago, pearls24 said:

What do you think or know about The Bear's Den in Reunion? We are about to book with them through Teetimesusa.com for a 4 bed house. Playing Four Seasons, 36 at Reunion (Palmer/Watson), 36 at Championsgate, and Hawks Landing.

Don't know of the Bear's Den, but before I moved down here, I stayed at Reunion several times. We rented large homes and Condos. All were nice, especially the homes. Some of the older condos are starting to look a little dated, but still okay. Teetimes USA is reputable. Which Championsgate course(s) are you playing?

pearls24 · February 12, 2021

4 hours ago, sabram said:

Don't know of the Bear's Den, but before I moved down here, I stayed at Reunion several times. We rented large homes and Condos. All were nice, especially the homes. Some of the older condos are starting to look a little dated, but still okay. Teetimes USA is reputable. Which Championsgate course(s) are you playing?

Bear's Den are brand new homes for sale but they are renting some of them out. We are playing the International and National. We've played Championsgate CC several times. The package could end with that or Hawks and I think we are leaning towards Hawks since they redid some holes and have an island green now on one of them.

Warrior42111 · February 12, 2021

13 hours ago, 05LMBVette said:

yea, i know its correct, based on their published rates.... i was just saying that it seemed steep to me. Its two fantastic layouts, but i'm not sure they're THAT good. its subjective i suppose.

Understood, I think they're pretty solid myself, I think the price also includes the whole range / practice area as well, and it's a great set up there.

05LMBVette · February 23, 2021

Following up on this topic - - I can't book Streamsong until I'm within 25 days... so, in the event that its booked up and I can't get a tee time, what's a good alternative?

I have never played Mission Inn, Bella Collina, or Harmony Golf Preserve. Any impressions of these?

sabram · February 23, 2021

Quote

I have never played Mission Inn, Bella Collina, or Harmony Golf Preserve. Any impressions of these?

El Campeon at Mission Inn is my favorite of the places you mentioned, although none of them can really replace Streamsong. Las Colinas at Mission Inn is pretty good if you want to play 36 that day, but if you are only playing 18, make sure it's on El Campeon.

I also like Bella Colina and Harmony, but not as much as El Campeon. Both Bella Colina and Harmony both get mixed reviews. Bela Colina is a big brawny course with some quirky holes including a couple of blind shots. The fairways and greens have a lot of movement anf there is significant elevation change through much of the routing. There's only one hole I don't like there because the right to left tilt to the fairway makes it difficult to keep even a good drive in the fairway. There are a number of holes where local knowledge will help in knowing where to place shots. You'll shoot a lower score and probably enjoy it more after multiple plays, but the majority of the guys on the trips we have had there really enjoy it. The club house and locker room are over the top opulent in a faux Italian style.

Harmony is more of a typical Florida course with lots of water and several dogleg holes. I haven't played there since last February, but will play there again sometime this year.

Depending on where you are staying, Mission Inn and Harmony can be a hike to get to, although not as far a drive as Streamsong.

Click on a photo to link to pix of the course.