Profile picture for user dakota.gardner426

Date of birth

Member for

9 years 10 months

Name

Dakota Gardner

Location

New York

Country

United States

Biography

Dakota has been visiting Walt Disney World since before he can even remember. His favorite things are Space Mountain, Disney's BoardWalk Resort, and those massive Mickey-shaped cookies dipped in chocolate. When he's not waiting in line at Ample Hills Creamery, he lives in New York where he works professionally as an editor for a sports website.

Articles by Dakota Gardner:

The WORST Tourist Traps in Orlando You Should NEVER Visit

One day in Orlando is also enough to see that not all attractions are created equal. For every awesome themed land and museum, there’s also an awful, trashy tourist trap. For every genuine thrill, there’s also a slightly-too-real fright. For every exciting instagram opportunity, there’s also a tacky knock-off.

The 6 Best Mini Golf Courses in Orlando

There’s just something about mini golf that makes you feel like you’re on vacation, right? Perhaps it’s the themed courses or the whimsical holes, but there’s just something inherent to the activity that helps you forget all of your cares. Orlando, as a great tourist destination, has nearly as many mini golf locations as it does hotels — some of which even offer their own 9-hole course.

7 American Restaurant Chains in Orlando Worth Trying

It’s true that International Drive in Orlando is the fast food chain capital of the world, but so what?

5 Reasons Why Epcot’s Reimagining Needs to be a Success

It’s rare for the company to completely change the creative idea behind an entire park, and doing so will cost an awful lot of money. The only time it has done something this ambitious, it created the relaunched Disney’s California Adventure to great acclaim. Can they pull the rabbit out of the hat again? To stay on top in the burgeoning theme park wars, they must. Here are a few reasons why.

Think Disney Has the Market Cornered on Feature Pools? Think Again

All hotel pools are not created equal. Some are no different than you’d find at countless motor lodges and roadside inns around the country. They’re your basic water-filled rectangle, without much in the way of theming or fun features. Some hotel pools, on the other hand, are glamorous attractions unto themselves, with water slides, splash zones, and lazy rivers.

Best Day Ever Battle: Disney vs. Universal

Whatever the reason, it’s a surprisingly common thing to find yourself with one day — and one day only — free to explore either Disney or Universal, but not both. In such a case, which park makes the most sense? Would Disney or Universal give you the best bang for the single-day buck?

Every Universal Orlando Resort Hotel, Ranked

The Universal Orlando Resort hosts a grand total of eight resorts — more than half of which have been built in the last 4 years. It’s a truly impressive construction and resort-planning project, and it has resulted in Universal Orlando becoming a true destination unto itself. But, while all of Universal Orlando’s resort hotels are fantastic and among the best properties in Central Florida, they are not all created equal.

The 5 Best Buffets on Walt Disney World Property

If you’re looking for delicious food, Walt Disney World has you covered. But, what if you’re more interested in sheer amounts of food? Thankfully, Walt Disney World has mastered that area of cooking too.

The Top 7 Sweet Treats at Walt Disney World You HAVE to Try

What follows are the best desserts to have after a day exploring Disney’s parks, and which don’t require a special reservation or park admission to enjoy.

5 Surprising Live Music Venues You Might Not Have Realized Were at Disney

There’s just something about live music that really makes you feel like you’re finally on vacation. And, at Walt Disney World, you’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for such an escape.

About Theme Park Tourist

Theme Park Tourist is one of the web’s leading sources of essential information and entertaining articles about theme parks in Orlando and beyond.

We are one of the world’s largest theme park guide sites, hosting detailed guides to more than 80 theme parks around the globe.

Find Out More About Us...

Plan Your Trip

Our theme park guides contain reviews and ratings of rides, restaurants and hotels at more than 80 theme parks worldwide.

You can even print them.

Start Planning Now...