Pixar Putt Brings Fun Mini-Golf Course to Discovery Green for Limited Run

1/18/22 - By Jessica Stautberg

Pixar and putt-putt fans take note: You can now interact with some of your favorite movie scenes thanks to Pixar Putt, an immersive, interactive, pop-up mini-golf experience that's taken over Sarofim Picnic Lawn at Discovery Green for a limited time.

I recently played the 18-hole course with my two kids and their grandparents, and we've got a sneak peek at the fun that awaits. Whether you want to walk in the shoes of The Good Dinosaur, sail away with Up, or whack a golf ball a little too hard at a creepy Benson doll bust, Pixar Putt is a fun addition to downtown Houston. But act fast: Your favorite characters are only in town until March 20th.

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Drawing creative inspiration from Pixar's suite of flicks, Pixar Putt takes you on an 18-hole journey that's a walk down memory lane for grownups and big kids, and an introduction to fun new characters for little ones.


See scenes from popular Pixar flicks, like Up, during your visit to Pixar Putt. Photography by Daniel Ortiz, The PR Boutique

The 18-hole course is easy to navigate and it was easy to keep track of my kids, who sometimes wanted to wander to the next hole ahead of us. Visitors, who must have a pre-purchased timed-entry ticket, can start play wherever they'd like and go in any order. We played on a weekday afternoon, and groups were spread out on the course with plenty of social distancing.


Some of the creative holes at Pixar Putt employ no putters to hit the pin. Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.

The course was a mix of challenging, traditional putt-putt obstacles and fun, quirky features. I was a little worried that my kids, at ages 5 and not-quite-3, would be too young to enjoy mini golf. But they absolutely loved each hole, especially the Toy Story-themed hole and the Inside Out-themed hole, which both had special chutes that they could put their balls in. My little one insisted on revisiting The Incredibles hole, where he pretended to be a superhero defeating an evil robot.

 
The Ratatouille inspired section has lots of fun props. Photography by Daniel Ortiz, The PR Boutique

Although we didn't keep score, many of the holes would offer a challenge even for teens and adults, which makes Pixar Putt a fun outing for the whole family. But if you do visit with younger children, don't forget to visit Discovery Green's John P. McGovern Playground before or after — it's a good one for both toddlers and school age kids. It's also a fun place for a family walk, with sculptures, fountains, and a turf-grass hill to roll down. 

 

 
Photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins
 

Know Before You Go to Pixar Putt

  • Pixar Putt is open daily through Sunday, March 20, from 10am-10pm on weekends and 3pm-10pm on weekdays, with the last entry at 8:30pm.
  • Want to leave the kids at home? An after-hours 18+ experience takes over from 7pm-10pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Timed-entry tickets must be purchased online in advance and start at $25.50 on weekdays. Children under age 3 enter for FREE, though they will not be given a putter or a ball.
  • Allow about 1 1/2-2 hours for your outing.
  • There are no refunds or exchanges, so plan your visit carefully and dress for the weather.
  • Strollers are not allowed on the course, and there is no secure place nearby to store your stroller, so travel lightly or plan to keep an eye on it parked outside the course while you putt.
  • There are no bathrooms at Pixar Putt, but there are clean public restrooms right outside the course.
  • Parking in downtown Houston offers metered street parking, lots, and garages.

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