Audrey,
No, you do not have to use a theme park ticket, or park hop, to play miniature golf at Walt Disney World. The two miniature golf venues,
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf and
Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf are stand-alone locations, so you don't have to use one of those precious park admissions from the
Disney Park Pass System to hit the links!
You can simply walk up and pay to play at each of these miniature golf courses. What might add to the confusion is the
Water Park and Sports Ticket Option that can add access to a variety of non-theme park activities to your overall admissions purchase, including miniature golf. With that add-on to your theme park tickets, you get a specified number of passes to these sports and water park activities, but they are counted and used independently of your theme park admissions. Also, in the UK you have the
14-Day Magic Ticket that lists visits to the miniature golf venues. But as with other ticket options, these visits do not tie into your use of theme park admission plans.
Finally, so that I am sure I cover it all, you cannot use the Disney Park Pass System to make a reservation to play miniature golf, but you can call to secure a time. I recommend you do, as they can get busy, especially later in the day. When you get to Florida you can call to make those reservations at
407-WDW-PLAY, or
(407) 939-7529.
Please feel free to
write me back directly if you have any follow-up questions.
Have a Magical Vacation!
Doug