“Mini-Golf” comes to Navy Pier!

The world is opening again! It has been a long time since we have been to Chicago’s Number One Attraction, Navy Pier. I have been to productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, but not the actual pier itself. Today, Jane and I took our granddaughter Sarah and her bestie, Noa down to see the new and exciting “Pixar Putt Chicago!”. This is a pop-up mini golf course that will be here starting today and thru August 21st. There are 18 holes, each one having something to do with a Pixar film.

The course is designed to be played in groups of four. Today, because it was a press day, it seemed that many of those on the course were larger families and a lot of youngsters who I think have never played min golf before.

Chicagoans are well aware of this amazing activity. If you have played Par-King or the Novelty Golf at Lincoln Avenue and Devon, you know that these are courses that have novelty holes that make you work hard to keep your score down. Pixar Putt, bein a “pop-up” curse can be taken down quickly and moved to another spot, so the holes are not electrical. There are some clever holes and some that were impossible to score par on. Hitting a ball up a ramp and into the mouth of a character is not easy to begin with, but when you do get the ball in the mouth, one would expect that now the ball will end up close to ( or in) the hole. NO WAY!

The concept of min golf with characters and scenes from familiar Pixar films helps the kids feel at home. Sarah and Noa had fun but found the holes to be close to impossible to master. Both of these girls are athletic and have played the aforementioned courses, with ease. They truly struggled with this one. Part of the struggle was that some of the patrons did not follow the order of holes, but moved around to empty ones and then came back to fill in the gaps.

Let’s face it, those who are visiting Navy Pier are there for fun and games and some great food. They are not entering into a game of mini golf to win awards. Since the ultimate goal is to have fun, here you will find success and happiness. Yes, you will have some shots that will just fall short of what you feel you can achieve, but guess what? The others in your group will have the same problems. I scored a 6 on the very first hole ( that is the max you should allow) but had twos and threes for the other 17 holes.  Both Sarah and Jane had a hole in one ( hard to do in any mini-golf course, but almost impossible to even consider at this course.

The course is not located on the Pier itself, but in what is called Polk Brothers Park ( how many of you remember Polk Brothers and what it was?) which is the park right in front of the main gates to Navy Pier. If you are driving and park , you want to use the first garage entrance. Then you will also see all the new food venders added to the food court and the corridors that lead to the Shakespeare Theatre. Lots of choice to please every taste in your family.

Playing this course does have one important fact. You MUST pre-order your playing time as they do not sell tickets at the course.  For group outings, parties and more, go to PixarChicago@rockefellerproductions.com and they will get back to you on answers.

They have family packs ( includes 2 adults and two children)

Anyone 12 and over is considered an adult.

A child is under 12 BUT must be accompanied by an adult.

Pixar After Dark ( Thursdays – Saturdays from 7 p.m. and later are reserved for those 18 and older- NO CHILDREN’s TICKETS AVAILABLE!

You can only purchase tickets online- they have help to assist you at the location BUT not to sell you tickets ( this is subject to change by management)

Tickets range from $25

Hours :

Monday-Friday noon first tee off times

Saturdays and Sunday 10 am first tee off time

Time sold by the half hour for reservations.  To place your reservation, www.pixarputt.com

Bus service will take you to the door ( well, there is no door, but to the sign in booth).

Covid regulations and rules are enforced, but right now, being outside you can go mask less.