Brightline West construction kicks off Monday in Las Vegas

A major milestone for a high-stakes, high-speed rail project is expected Monday. Brightline West is set to break ground on a new  rail system that will someday link Southern California with Las Vegas.

Once operational, it will be the nation’s first truly high-speed intercity rail system. And it will largely expand on Brightline’s innovative concept and service in Florida that currently connects the southeast coast with Orlando.

Brightline West

Monday’s groundbreaking at Brigthline’s future station in Las Vegas will mark the official start of construction on the planned 218-mile rail line, featuring a station just south of Vegas’ strip. From there, the all-electric trains would cross the Nevada desert en route to Southern California stops in Victor Valley and Hesperia, before reaching the westernmost station in Rancho Cucamonga, outside Los Angeles.

GRIMSHAW ARCHITECTS/BRIGHTLINE WEST

In Rancho Cucamonga, Brightline West riders would be able to connect to regional transportation, with the planned station set to be located just steps from a Metrolink stop, where travelers could then travel onward to other parts of Southern California.

Once fully functional, trains are expected to reach speeds up to 200 miles per hour, with the ride between Rancho Cucamonga and Vegas expected to take just over two hours. By car, the trip can take well over four hours — including a drive across the Mojave Desert.

BRIGHTLINE WEST

In total, a Vegas-to-Rancho Cucamonga trip followed by a Metrolink connection to central Los Angeles should take closer to three hours, the company says.

Significant investment planned

Discussed for years, the estimated $12 billion project got a significant leg-up in December, when the Biden administration announced $3 billion in grants supporting Brightline West, made possible through partnerships with California and Nevada via the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

Like Brightline in Florida, the the company’s western line may be well-positioned to avoid many of the trappings of red tape, by relying on existing rights of way for its tracks. Brightline West trains will run along the Interstate 15 corridor — down the median of the highway. That should help the company avoid many of the time-consuming permitting processes that come with clearing land or cutting across properties — often factors that can delay rail projects.

BRIGHTLINE WEST

Construction on the Brightline West project is expected to last about four years. If all goes according to plan, that timeline could see the new system open just in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Groundbreaking Monday

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is expected to join local leaders and top Brightline officials at Monday’s groundbreaking.

That the ceremony falls on Earth Day is surely no accident, considering the trains will be emissions-free, running on electricity. Monday’s planned groundbreaking also comes exactly seven months after the company opened the extension of its Florida line, connecting its coastal stations with the terminals at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

Related reading:

Can you mix hotel points and free night certificates for a fourth or fifth night free?

Several hotel loyalty programs offer a valuable perk to select travelers: a fourth or fifth night free on award stays. But, some of the best hotel credit cards also offer free night certificates to cardmembers. In particular, some of the best hotel credit cards offer an annual free night.

As such, travelers often wonder whether you can only get a fourth or fifth night free when redeeming solely points. We often get asked whether you can use a mixture of points and free night certificates when getting a fourth or fifth night free. So, in this guide, I’ll answer this question for three popular loyalty programs that offer a fourth or fifth night free on award stays.

Marriott Bonvoy

COURTYARD ANAHEIM THEME PARK
COURTYARD ANAHEIM THEME PARK ENTRANCE/FACEBOOK

Marriott Bonvoy offers a “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk that allows you to get a complimentary night when you redeem Marriott points for five consecutive nights. In particular, when you redeem points for a standard redemption or PointSavers award stay under one reservation, you’ll only need to redeem points for four nights. You won’t get the fifth night free, though. Instead, you won’t need to pay for the lowest point redemption night within your stay.

However, the Marriott Bonvoy terms and conditions note:

Stay for 5, Pay for 4 Offer does not apply to Award Redemption Stays using Free Night Awards, Premium Room Redemption Awards, Cash + Points Awards, and Nightly Upgrade Awards.

So, you can’t use the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk unless you redeem points for five nights. Here’s an example where redeeming an up to 35,000-point free night award would only provide 4,500 points of value. After all, you’d need to redeem 81,000 points for your stay if you use the free night award or 85,500 points if you use the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk instead of your free night award.

However, you can get the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk and redeem credit card free night award certificates on the same stay if you redeem points for at least five nights. For example, consider this sample six-night stay:

Marriott stay booked with points and a free night award
MARRIOTT.COM

Redeeming a free night award on a six-night award stay could provide good value. After all, between the certificate and the “Stay for 5, Pay for 4” perk, you’d get two of your six nights free. You can earn free night awards in several ways, including through select Marriott Bonvoy cards and Marriott Choice Benefits.

Related: 5 ways to maximize Marriott Bonvoy award night redemptions

IHG One Rewards

STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS - STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK
STAYBRIDGE SUITES LAS VEGAS — STADIUM DISTRICT/FACEBOOK

Several IHG credit cards offer a fourth-night-free reward perk. Cardholders of eligible cards can use this perk each time they redeem IHG One Rewards points to book a standard room reward night stay of four or more consecutive nights at the same property. Using this perk, you’ll pay the award night rate for the first three nights and zero points for the fourth night.

IHG fourth night reward
IHG.COM

I’ve saved a ton of IHG One Rewards points thanks to the fourth-night-free reward perk, and I’ve gotten a lot of value from IHG anniversary night certificates. But, unfortunately, you can’t use these perks together in the same reservation. After all, IHG directs members with anniversary nights to:

Please book your Free Nights in their own separate reservation transaction, one room at a time. To book additional paid nights, please create separate, additional reservations.

Meanwhile, the offer details of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card and the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card all state the following for the fourth-night-free reward:

Applies only to 4 or more consecutive nights within the same Reward Night point redemption room stay at the same property. With this benefit, eligible members will be charged the Reward Night point redemption rate for the first 3 nights, and 0 points for the 4th night of the stay, as applicable.

If you want to use an anniversary night and a fourth-night-free reward at the same property, you must stay at least five nights and book two separate reservations. After booking, you could ask the hotel to link your reservations so you can stay in the same room.

Related: How to maximize redemptions with the IHG One Rewards program

Hilton Honors

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON ARUBA RESORT
EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON ARUBA RESORT

You can earn Hilton free night certificates with select Hilton Honors credit cards. Plus, Hilton Honors elite members get every fifth night free on standard room reward stays of five or more consecutive nights (up to four times per stay).

Hilton fifth night free
HILTON.COM

The Hilton Honors terms and conditions note that the fifth-night free perk is only available “within the same full Points Standard Room Reward stay at the same property, up to 20 nights, when confirmed at time of booking.” As such, you’ll need to book consecutive reservations and stay for at least six nights if you want to use a free night certificate and receive the fifth night free on reward stays perk.

Related: 7 great ways to use 100,000 Hilton Honors points and a free night reward

Bottom line

Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and IHG One Rewards don’t allow members to mix hotel points and free night certificates to get a fourth or fifth night free, but Marriott Bonvoy will let you book a stay using a combination of points, cash and certificates. You may also be able to extend your fourth- or fifth-night-free award booking by reserving a separate one-night stay with a free night certificate on either end of your Hilton Honors or IHG One Rewards stay.

Everything you need to know about visiting Shenandoah National Park

Editor’s note: In celebration of National Park Week, which runs April 20-28, The Points Guy is publishing a series of articles focusing on the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks. We will share guides, news and tips that will help you get the most out of your next national park visit. The following story is part of this series. 

When Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park was established on Dec. 26, 1935, it became the 22nd federally designated tract of land considered special enough to preserve for the American people.

But unlike many fabled national parks in the U.S. — where glacier-capped peaks protrude from meadows and granite monoliths rise from valley floors — Shenandoah National Park’s uniqueness lies not just in its natural landscape but also in its history.

For thousands of years, the Iroquois, Shawnee, Catawba, Cherokee, Delaware and Susquehannock nations hunted and gathered in the fertile Shenandoah Valley against a backdrop of the ridgeline now encompassed within Shenandoah National Park.

By the mid-18th century, European settlers began moving into the valleys below the Blue Ridge Mountains; they were logging, building saw and grist mills, raising cattle, and harvesting chestnuts and apples.

Now, well over a million people visit the 100-mile ridge annually to hike, fish, climb and explore the many off-shooting ridges that overlook the rolling foothills of the Piedmont plateau to the east and the Shenandoah Valley to the west.

Skyline Drive traverses the 4,000-foot ridge, providing easy access to countless pull-offs, scenic vistas and trailheads that lead hikers toward the park’s best-kept secrets.

Before you go

TOMWACHS/GETTY IMAGES

With just one road — Skyline Drive — cutting through the park’s center, Shenandoah National Park can feel more crowded than some of its busier counterparts. Visiting during non-peak seasons and mid-week can help you avoid traffic and heavy crowds.

Related: Tips for visiting the busiest national parks

Many of the park’s viewpoints can be seen from Skyline Drive, contributing to its busier feel. However, the best way to experience the park is by lacing up your hiking boots and heading into the backcountry. If you intend to camp, you should reserve a campground or get a backcountry camping permit in advance, then hit the trails from there.

The park’s 200,000 acres are divided into three districts, and while all three can be done in a single trip, it’s good to have an idea of which district you want to be based in.

Despite its proximity to Washington, D.C., the North District tends to be a bit quieter and offer a more secluded feel than the others. In contrast, the Central District — which has some of the higher peaks and popular destinations like Old Rag Mountain — is relatively busy. Like the North District, the South District also tends to be a bit quieter.

Getting there and around

View from Blackrock Summit in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. CHANSAK JOE/GETTY IMAGES

There aren’t any park-run shuttle services in Shenandoah, but the entirety of the park is easily accessible by car. The northernmost entrance of the park in Front Royal, Virginia, is just 56 miles from Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Once you’re in the park, the 105-mile Skyline Drive traverses its entire length, passing most of the attractions and trailheads along the way. Make sure to grab an information pamphlet, which includes a map, from a visitor center at the start of the trip.

Spending a little time at the visitor centers will also allow you to familiarize yourself with the park. You can learn about its flora and fauna, find out about any closures, explore available guided nature walks and programs, and get some tips from the people who know the park best.

The best time to visit

Like any national park, the “best” time to visit depends on your priorities. During early October, deciduous trees at higher elevations become illuminated with reds, oranges and yellows; the bright colors work their way toward lower elevations as the month progresses. It’s a spectacular scene that comes with crowds, especially during peak foliage weekends.

Related: 10 of the best national parks to visit in the fall

Once the leaves fall and cold sets in between November and February, crowds dissipate, and opportunities to find solitude become endless. While temperatures tend to hover between the upper 20s and upper 30s Fahrenheit, it can snow at higher elevations, forcing temporary closures of sections of Skyline Drive.

Front-country campgrounds in Shenandoah are closed during winter, so lodging is confined to backcountry camping or hotels and lodges.

Early spring can be one of the best times to visit Shenandoah National Park. Wildflowers and trees begin to bloom, days become warmer and longer, and the summer crowds have not yet arrived. Weather can vary greatly, though, making planning a bit more difficult. The lowlands can sometimes be warm enough for shorts and a T-shirt, while higher elevations can still be covered in snow through March.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, bringing warmer temperatures, longer days and crowds. Luscious greens take over the landscape, and cascading streams filled with brook trout beckon fly fishermen.

Thru-hikers taking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine are often seen hiking the 100 miles of trail that traverse the park. So, it can be a great time to meet interesting people. (Make sure to keep some cold beers or sodas around to share — it’s always appreciated.) Although it’s the most crowded time of year, you can still find some solitude in the forest by visiting mid-week, avoiding the most popular trails and spending time in the northern and southernmost parts of the park.

What to see and do

Doyles river falls in Shenandoah National Park. SAM SPICER/GETTY IMAGES

Hiking

Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in the park — and rightfully so. There are several ways to reach the summit, but the 9.4-mile Old Rag Circuit is one of the most exciting (and crowded). The hike combines a mix of relaxed trails through the forested, steeper sections of trail and strenuous rock scrambles over the 2,348 feet of elevation gain.

Hikers are rewarded with 360-degree views at the summit, perfect for enjoying a snack before the hike down. You must obtain a day-use ticket in advance from March 1 through Nov. 30.

In the North District of the park, the 7.4-mile Little Devils Stairs Loop is an all-day, full-value hike; it passes through a gorge with cascades and waterfalls as well as through an old-growth forest, yielding occasional views along the way. On the southern end of the park, the 3.4-mile hike to Chimney Rock features a granite outcropping overlooking the valley below.

Biking

With more than 15,000 feet of uphill on a meandering wooded road with periodic vistas, Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive is a road biker’s dream. Some cyclists choose to ride the entire 105 miles of the road, arranging for a shuttle or stashing a car at either end of the park; others prefer a more leisurely out-and-back from various starting points along the way. There is also a 1-mile section of gravel riding on the Rapidan Fire Road in the Big Meadows area.

Rock climbing

At over a billion years old, the Blue Ridge Mountains are some of the oldest in the world. Over the years, glacial activity and erosion have exposed pristine granite, some of which can be found within Shenandoah National Park and serve as a playground for rock climbers.

Related: The ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

Scattered throughout the park, boulder fields present challenges for every skill set, but the two major roped climbing areas are Little Stony Man and Old Rag Mountain. The latter requires a more grueling approach and advanced climbing skills.

Unless you’re already an experienced outdoor climber, the best way to get the most out of climbing in Shenandoah is by booking a trip with a guide service like Blue Ridge Mountain Guides.

Waterfalls

From afar, Shenandoah National Park might not appear to have the dramatic terrain that would be home to countless waterfalls. But hidden in deep hollows, along streams that twist around boulders and plunge over granite outcroppings, there are enough waterfalls to keep visitors busy for a lifetime. The best time to visit the park’s waterfalls is during spring or after a period of heavy rain (before the hot and dry summers reduce many of them to a trickle).

At 93 feet, Overall Run Falls is the tallest in the park reachable via a strenuous 5.1-mile round-trip hike through a designated wilderness area. The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is much shorter and less strenuous, but it can also get relatively crowded.

Fly fishing

Shenandoah National Park is home to more than 70 boulder-strewn streams that cascade through thick forests toward the valley below, making it one of the East Coast’s premier fly fishing destinations. From March through May, native brook trout cruise the deeper emerald-colored pools, sipping freshly hatched mayflies from the water’s surface. This makes it the prime time for fly fishermen to visit.

You can reach most of the best spots by parking at trailheads along Skyline Drive and hiking down toward the lower stretches of streams. While online searches can yield specific spots to check out, simply grabbing a map and following a random stream downhill is often the best way to explore. To start, check out a few popular streams like Big Run or the Rapidan River.

Where to stay

The exterior of Big Meadows Lodge. JEFFREY GREENBERG/UNIVERSAL IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

Hotels

At 3,680 feet, Skyland Lodge is a 19th-century lodge at the highest point on Skyline Drive. This historic mountain retreat has been renovated over the years to feature premium and traditional rooms, suites, cabins and pet-friendly rooms across 28 buildings. Not only does the lodge offer sweeping views of the valley from its property, but its location is perfect for accessing some of the park’s most popular trails. Rates start from $196 per night.

Built in 1939 with stones from Massanutten Mountain and native chestnut trees, Big Meadows Lodge is another lodge with similar accommodations to Skyland, including cabins, suites and standard rooms. As the name suggests, the lodge sits adjacent to a large meadow, perfect for stargazing or viewing wildflowers when they bloom in spring. In addition to 72 cabins and 29 traditional rooms, the property features a taproom with local beers, perfect for relaxing after a long day on the trails. Rates start from $127 per night.

Camping

Shenandoah National Park has ample opportunity for backcountry camping — a unique opportunity that requires self-reliance and rewards visitors with tranquility they can’t find at the drive-in campgrounds. But for those who might not be comfortable or interested in hauling camping gear into the woods, the park does have five campgrounds within its boundaries.

Matthews Arm Campground — which offers a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites — is the first you come to when entering the park from the north. Big Meadows, in the Central District, requires reservations and is conveniently near some of the park’s most popular hikes.

The Lewis Mountain Campsite is just south of Big Meadows, but it’s much quieter and requires self-registration once you arrive. Both the Loft Mountain and Dundo Group campgrounds are in the southern part of the park; the former boasts views to the east and west and the latter is available only to groups. Loft Mountain has both first-come, first-served and reservable sites.

Where to eat

STARR HILL BREWERY/FACEBOOK

Located within Shenandoah National Park, both the Skyland and Big Meadows lodges offer menus that feature regional dishes like venison bolognese and shrimp and grits. The nearby towns of Front Royal and Charlottesville are both worth a visit in their own right.

The small city of Charlottesville has a college-town vibe thanks to the University of Virginia, but it also has an unassuming culinary scene. Check out the Dairy Market Charlottesville, a food hall that opened in 2019 in the historic Monticello Dairy Building. Grab a local beer at the Starr Hill Brewery or a sandwich from Citizen Burger Stand. The nearby Ridley, which is in the Draftsman Hotel, offers unique and traditional takes on Southern food, such as shrimp and grits and fried green tomatoes.

At the northern entrance of the park lies Front Royal, which is a bit quieter than Charlottesville but still has plenty of restaurants, wineries and breweries to choose from. Osteria Maria is an Italian restaurant that offers fresh pasta made in-house each day. Vibrissa Beer and Kitchen is a hip, modern brewery complete with a taproom, beer garden and full kitchen. Their menu is diverse, with options ranging from country-fried steak to pork belly miso ramen.

Tips

Before heading to Shenandoah, familiarize yourself with the seven “Leave No Trace” principles that will help you to be a conscientious and responsible user of our outdoor spaces. While this is important any time you head into the woods, it’s especially important in places like Shenandoah and other national parks that experience high visitation.

When camping, proper food storage is critical — especially during spring, summer and fall when black bears are out and about looking for an easy meal. Ticks can also be an issue, so make sure to pack plenty of bug spray, especially if you plan on hitting the trails.

If you plan to bring a pet along (Shenandoah is one of only a handful of national parks that allow pets), make sure to comply with their leash law, and don’t leave little gift bags around for the next hiker to find.

It’s also worth catching a sunset from one of the viewpoints on Skyline Drive and stargazing from Big Meadows while you’re in the park. Despite being relatively close to Washington, D.C., light pollution isn’t much of an issue here, so stargazing from the top of the ridge can be a spectacular experience.

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Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Dulles’ iconic mobile lounges are getting a major face-lift — and a second life

One of the quirkier aspects of flying out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., is getting set for a major face-lift.

Yes, we’re talking about Dulles’ so-called “people movers.” Over the coming years, the airport’s fleet of “mobile lounges” and “plane mates” is getting a multimillion-dollar overhaul. It’s work that, like it or not, should solidify the notorious — and, dare we say, iconic — vehicles as part of the airport’s airside transportation picture for years to come.

Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free biweekly Aviation newsletter.

This week, Dulles shared a video on social media of a crane hoisting a plane mate in the air, with the “Star Wars”-esque vehicle precariously dangling in the air.

It was en route to a flatbed truck, which was standing by, out of frame, ready to transport the people mover to Brookville, Pennsylvania, for a two-year renovation.

People mover renovations approved

SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

Last summer, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which oversees Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), approved a plan to overhaul its fleet of 49 people movers.

What is the people mover at Dulles?

The Dulles fleet technically consists of 19 mobile lounges and 30 plane mates.

MWAA

Mobile lounges, which move passengers between concourses, are perhaps best known among Dulles travelers. You’re likely to ride on one if you’re flying out of United’s D gates, connecting between Concourse D and the regional A gates, or arriving from an international flight.

The plane mates act as mobile jet bridges, transporting passengers to remotely parked aircraft.

Each vehicle can move more than 100 passengers at a time. Dulles is, today, the only airport in North America that still uses these types of vehicles as a regular part of airport operations.

A half-century old

The vehicles’ age is remarkable, dating back to Dulles’ earlier years in the 1960s and 1970s. They’re so old that the original manufacturers no longer support the equipment.

A mobile lounge roams Dulles’ airfield in 2005. TRACY WOODWARD/THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES

Now, they’re at the end of their useful life, the MWAA said, and they’re in need of a “major rehab.”

To kick off that process, crews disassembled one plane mate and one mobile lounge at the airport and then transported it by truck to the facility in Brookville, about 250 miles away from the airport in western Pennsylvania.

MWAA

There, crews will spend the next two years designing and refurbishing the people movers on both the outside and the inside. The planned price tag: up to $16.4 million.

From there, the MWAA would have the option to proceed with a similar overhaul to the 47 other vehicles at a cost that could top $140 million over six years.

Crews transported the first plane mate to Pennsylvania on March 26, with the first mobile lounge transported this week. Both are now safely at the factory, a MWAA spokesperson said.

Does Dulles still use people movers?

The refurbishment of the Dulles people movers is intensive work that figures to improve the people mover experience for both passengers and the workers operating them.

But it also seems to make clear that the people movers themselves aren’t going away anytime soon.

That’s despite the airport’s plans — now in the works — to build a new E Concourse to support United Airlines’ hub, replacing the regional A gates, as well as the longer-term vision to do away with the existing C/D Concourse, not to mention the AeroTrain that launched service in 2010.

MWAA

Indeed, the size and flexibility of the people movers make them a “uniquely useful” tool, the MWAA said in a statement to TPG this week. “As Dulles continues to grow, mobile lounges and plane-mates will continue to be essential for the airport’s airside passenger transportation needs.”

Translation: Whether you loathe the people mover experience or find it endearing, it appears they’ll be around — in some capacity — for years to come.

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Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?

When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to account for any tourism taxes you must pay during your stay.

Some are a small extra cost added to what you pay for your accommodation per night. Others may be a one-and-done (or even daily) fee, such as Thailand’s tourist tax. In some places like Bhutan, these fees can be quite costly.

You might find your vacation spot has implemented this kind of tax for several reasons. It could be a response to overtourism and concerns about sustainability and the environment (case in point: Venice, Italy), or it could simply be a way to help the local economy put funds back into tourism infrastructure.

Here, we’ll look at top tourist destinations that charge a tourism tax and how much each will cost you.

Europe

Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris and Prague all charge tourism taxes. GREG GIBB/GETTY IMAGES

Amsterdam

After increasing its tourist tax in 2024, Amsterdam now has the highest tourist levy in Europe, with hotels, vacation rentals (including Airbnbs) and camping sites all charging guests an additional 12.5% of their overnight rate (excluding value-added tax).

Meanwhile, cruise travelers are charged 14 euros (around $15) as part of the “day tripper tax” for every day spent in Amsterdam. The charge, however, excludes passengers who start or end their cruise in Amsterdam and those living in Amsterdam.

Find out more about the various kinds of taxes on Amsterdam’s official website.

Balearic Islands, Spain

Fees on the islands vary from 1 to 4 euros per night, depending on the accommodation type, as follows:

  • 4 euros (around $4.30) for those staying in luxury hotels
  • 3 euros (around $3.20) for those staying in midrange hotels
  • 2 euros (around $2.15) for cruise passengers and those staying in cheaper hotels and apartments
  • 1 euro (around $1) for campers and hostel guests

This sustainable tourism tax applies to Minorca, Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza. Travelers under the age of 16 are exempt.

Germany

Germany charges tourists both a culture tax, known as “kulturforderabgabe,” and a bed tax, known as “bettensteuer,” in several of its more popular cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

In Berlin, the tourist tax is 5% of the room price. It varies in other cities such as Frankfurt (2 euros per night) and Hamburg (up to 3 euros per night).

Greece

Depending on the accommodation type (either the number of stars the hotel holds or the number of rooms), Greece charges 0.50 euros to 4 euros per night.

Manchester, England

The newly introduced City Visitor Charge costs 1 British pound ($1.25) per room, per night.

France

France’s tourist tax varies depending on which city you are visiting but generally costs 0.80 euros to 4 euros per night, depending on the kind of accommodation you choose. Find out more.

This year, however, Paris’ tourist tax has been raised in advance of the Summer Olympics. You can now expect to pay between 0.75 and 15 euros per night, depending on your accommodation.

Portugal

The tax is 2 euros per night for the first seven nights in Lisbon, Porto, Faro and nine other municipalities. Other parts of the country that charge a tourist tax usually have lower fees, around 1 euro to 1.50 euros per night.

Prague

In the capital of the Czech Republic, there is a charge of 50 korunas ($2.11) per person, per night for hotel stays.

Rome

In Rome, the tax varies from 3 to 7 euros per night, depending on the star rating of your accommodation.

Spain

In addition to the tourist taxes for Spain’s Balearic Islands mentioned above, you’ll find a couple of taxes apply when visiting Barcelona.

The city charges two different taxes to tourists. The first is the city tax, which increased in April 2024 to 3.25 euros per night. Visitors must also pay a regional tax depending upon the type of accommodation they’re staying in.

  • 2.25 euros per night for rental accommodations
  • 1.70 euros per night for four-star hotels
  • 3.50 euros per night for five-star and luxury hotels

Cruise passengers also pay different amounts depending on the length of their stay. Expect to pay 3 euros for visits less than 12 hours and 2 euros for visits longer than 12 hours.

Venice, Italy

Taxes in this popular tourist destination vary from 1 euro to 5 euros per night and are paid to your accommodation. A separate tax for people visiting on a daytrip during peak times between April and mid-July costs 5 euros.

Other destinations

Additional places in Europe that charge tourist taxes include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. Some locales may only have regional tourist taxes.

Tourist taxes can always be introduced later, so be sure to do your own research before you travel. This is especially true for Edinburgh, Scotland, as the city is on the brink of introducing a tax of 2 euros per night. Potential tourism tax discussions are also underway in Wales.

North America

Hawaii is considering adding a $50 Green Fee for visitors. M SWIET PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

California

A Transient Occupancy Tax of around 12% to 14% of the room price will appear on California hotel stays, according to Turbotax. There may be other tourism-related taxes as well.

Canada

Rates vary across the country, but Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec are among the areas that add a visitor tax to a hotel’s price.

Hawaii

While Hawaii doesn’t currently have a tourist tax, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green proposed a $25 fee on visitors when they arrive and check in to a hotel or short-term rental; it may pick up speed and become a reality at some point. This isn’t the first time a fee on visitors has been suggested in Hawaii, with previous calls for a $50 so-called Green Fee visitor payment also recently put forward.

New York City

New York City charges a hotel room occupancy tax to visitors that costs about 14% of the room price plus up to $2 per room, per night, according to the New York City government website.

Other destinations

In addition to the ones mentioned above, you should expect taxes and fees on hotel stays in most other U.S. states.

Latin America, South America and the Caribbean

Destinations in Quintana Roo, Mexico, require visitors to pay a fee. WOLFGANG KAEHLER/GETTY IMAGES

Buenos Aires

Tourists will pay $1.50 per room, per night when staying in Argentina’s capital city.

The Caribbean

Taxes vary by country in the Caribbean. For example, Bonaire has a one-off $75 fee that tourists need to pay via its official website, while Aruba adds 12.5% to your room rate plus $3 per room, per night. In Barbados, you’ll pay $2.50 to $10 per room, per night, and there will typically be a $70 departure tax already included in your flight cost.

Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also known to apply tourist taxes. Check details before booking or traveling, as there may be a departure tax already included in your airfare.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

In 2024, entry fees for visitors to Galapagos National Park are set to double in cost, with visitors now paying $200 to enter the park from Aug. 1. A reduced fee is set to be available for children under the age of 12, and children younger than 2 will be able to enter for free.

Quintana Roo, Mexico

This region charges a one-off tourist payment of 224 Mexican pesos (around $13) to visit any destination in Quintana Roo. This includes Cancun, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. A tourist tax may also be added to hotel stays in these areas and other parts of Mexico.

Asia and the Pacific

In 2022, Bhutan’s tourist tax went up to $200 per day. DAVID LAZAR/GETTY IMAGES

Bali, Indonesia

Bali introduced a tourist tax in February 2024. It charges 150,000 rupiahs (around $9.25) in addition to other visa fees. The tax aims to combat overtourism on the popular island.

Bhutan

Until recently, Bhutan charged a whopping $200 fee per day. Known as the Sustainable Development Fee, this tourist tax is designed to assist with paying for infrastructure improvements, environmental efforts and fair wages for locals, among other things.

However, this was recently reduced to around $100 per day to encourage more people to visit. This is the most expensive tourist tax in the world and is paid regardless of your accommodation type.

Japan

There is a charge of 1,000 yen ($6.47) included in all airfare for flights departing Japan. Find out more.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s tourist tax costs 10 Malaysian ringgits ($2.08) per room, per night.

Maldives

The tourism tax in the Maldives ranges from $3 to $6 per day. The Green Tax total varies depending on if you’re staying in a guesthouse, hotel or resort. Find out more.

New Zealand

When you book your New Zealand visa, you’ll usually pay 35 New Zealand dollars ($20.60) for the International Visitor Levy.

Thailand

A one-time fee of 300 baht ($8.14) was introduced in June 2023. All tourists arriving by air will need to pay this tax. For visitors who enter the country via a port or land border, the fee will be 150 baht.

Bottom line

More and more, tourist taxes are becoming a regular part of travel around the world. While these fees are nominal and shouldn’t cause too much of a dent in your budget in most cases, they can rack up quite quickly in some destinations if you’re not careful. Always research the fees at the destination you plan to visit before you get there, and make sure you budget for it if you don’t want a surprise bill.

Related reading:

Music cruises to set sail on the high seas in 2024 and 2025

Editor’s note: This guide has been updated with the latest information. 

Rocking and rolling is not how most people prefer their cruise ships. However, if you’re sailing on a music-themed cruise, rock ‘n’ roll is the vibe you want as you soak up some sun and cruise the world with thousands of like-minded music fans.

Music-themed cruises cover a wide array of styles, including rock, metal, country, Broadway, disco and blues. They offer a complete immersion into the world of each genre. You’ll enjoy close-up encounters with your favorite artists during performances and meet-and-greets and find a sense of community from being with other fans for multiple days at sea. (Not to mention, you’ll get to visit beautiful destinations in the process.)

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter.

Note that these specialty music cruises sell out — often as soon as cabins are made available. All sold-out cruises we’re featuring offer a waitlist you can join. You’ll be notified if someone cancels, as well as be among the first to be alerted of on-sale dates for future sailings.

Below are 11 music-themed cruises in 2024 and 2025 that are bound to create epic memories, whether your vibe is crowd-surfing during a rock show or belting out show tunes with Broadway’s best.

Note: Unless otherwise noted, cruise fares are per person, based on double occupancy, and include cruise basics like meals, select nonalcoholic beverages (water, juice, coffee and tea) and use of the fitness center, hot tubs, pools and casino, among other onboard amenities.

Soft drink and alcohol packages are available for an extra fee. Theme cruise events, such as concerts, are included, though some limited-access special events often cost extra. Fares were valid as of writing but are subject to change based on availability.

Malt Shop Memories Cruise

Cruise ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Date: Oct. 27-Nov. 3, 2024

The good ol’ days can now be found sailing the Caribbean on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise. Set to take over all decks of Holland America‘s Nieuw Amsterdam, the ’50s and ’60s music cruise will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, with four days at sea.

Favorites set to perform on board include The Beach Boys, The Four Tops, Chubby Checker, The Coasters, Darlene Love and The Chantels. Highlights among the ship events range from a senior prom and a sock hop to game shows and karaoke.

The Malt Shop Memories Cruise is filling up fast. Rates for available cabins start at $2,349 per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise website or by calling 844-855-6258. If your preferred cabin category is currently sold out, you can join the waitlist here.

Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise

Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Independence of the Seas
Date: Dec. 9-14, 2024

Maybe one stop in Jamaica isn’t enough, and reggae vibes are calling your name. If so, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise might appeal to you. This five-night cruise on Royal Caribbean‘s Independence of the Seas, organized by Jamrock Productions and Rose Tours, will travel round trip from Miami to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Jamaica.

The entire list of performers for the December 2024 voyage hasn’t been released as of this writing but so far will include Stone Love, Steelie Basement, Westafa, Seani B and Spexdaboss.

You can also take part in themed parties, soccer and domino tournaments and Jamaica-themed film screenings when you’re not enjoying ship amenities like a FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, waterslides and a bar arcade.

Welcome to Jamrock’s prices start at $1,359 per person for an inside cabin, not including $399 in additional fees and taxes.

How to book: Reserve a cabin for this cruise on the Rose Tours website or by calling 215-663-8800.

ShipRocked

ShipRocked. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Carnival Magic
Date: Jan. 19-25, 2025

For fans of rock and metal music, ShipRocked is a popular sailing organized by Ask4 Entertainment. The 2025 edition aboard Carnival Cruise Line‘s Carnival Magic will start in Miami and include stops in St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

There will be multiple stages for performances throughout the ship. The 2025 lineup will be announced soon, though top bands like Dead Poet Society, Black Stone Cherry, Highly Suspect and I Prevail performed during past cruises. Fans can enjoy one-on-one time with their favorite groups at scheduled meet-and-greets with all the bands.

Prices for ShipRocked’s 2025 cruise start at $1,600 per person for an inside cabin. The fare includes access to all performances and meet-and-greets with artists.

How to book: Although this cruise is sold out, there is a waitlist. For future sailings, book through the Ask4 Entertainment Reservations portal or by calling 888-402-2754. A deposit is required to secure your spot. Ask4 Entertainment strongly suggests buying travel insurance.

Groove Cruise

Groove Cruise. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Allure of the Seas
Date: Jan. 23-27, 2025

Electronic dance music fans 21 and older can turn up on this early 2025 Whet Travel sailing from Miami aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. The cruise visits the line’s private beach, Labadee, in Haiti.

The lineup for the EDM sailing hasn’t been announced, but previous performers include major headlining acts Tiësto, Diplo and John Summit, plus a remarkable list of dance music stars, such as Aly & Fila, Boris, Craig Connelly, Disco Lines, Haliene and Joel Corry.

Along with multiple music sets, Groove Cruise hosts fun theme party nights focusing on everything from an ’80s prom to fire and ice.

Cabins on Groove Cruise start at around $1,549 per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: At the time of writing, the ship was mostly sold out, with fewer than 200 cabins available to book. To add your name to waitlists and be among the first to know about future sailings, head to Whet Travel’s website or call 877-438-9438.

The Country Music Cruise

Cruise ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Date: Jan. 19-26, 2025

Adding more than a bit of boot-scootin’ country to the cruise life, The Country Music Cruise takes over Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam for a weeklong jamboree at sea. The voyage leaves from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Key West, Florida, and Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

The artist lineup of country music favorites includes John Michael Montgomery, Deana Carter, The Bellamy Brothers, Neal McCoy and Lacy J. Dalton. This is your chance to meet and greet the country stars, join in on jam sessions and attend panel discussions. If you like to kick up your heels, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for line dancing, Texas swing and two-stepping.

Cabins for The Country Music Cruise are sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist. Rates start at $2,399, plus taxes and additional fees totaling $365, per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: To join the waitlist, head to StarVista Live’s website or call 866-476-2879.

Chris Jericho’s Rock ’N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea

Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2025

Wrestling and rock fans will love this Sixthman cruise with wrestler and musician Chris Jericho. For the fifth installment of Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea, cruisers will sail on Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Gem from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

The 2025 lineup hasn’t been announced yet beyond two musical guests, Fozzy and Kuarantine. The sailing will offer autograph sessions and host four days of wrestling matches featuring wrestlers from All Elite Wrestling.

Rates for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise start at $1,100, plus taxes, per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: Cruisers eager to jam and sit ringside can learn more on Sixthman’s website or by calling 877-379-9174.

Outlaw Country Cruise 9

Outlaw Country Cruise. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: Feb. 22-28, 2025

If you’re a little more country than rock ‘n’ roll, maybe a cruise with a country twang is the right vacation for you. In February, Norwegian Gem will host the ninth installment of the popular Outlaw Country Cruise. This Sixthman voyage will sail from Miami and stop in Nassau, Bahamas, and St. Thomas.

The ship features five different venues where notable country acts like Old Crow Medicine Show, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Carlene Carter will perform. Along with endless concerts, passengers can enjoy activities like yoga classes and film screenings.

The cruise is sold out and is waitlist only. Rates start at $1,465 per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: For more information or to join the waitlist, check out Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9189.

Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X

Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X. FACEBOOK

Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: March 21-26, 2025

For blues and jazz fans, Sixthman also offers the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X cruise, which sails from Miami and stops in Harvest Caye, Belize, and Costa Maya, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a casino in addition to special music events.

The lineup for the cruise features musicians like Joe Bonamassa, Samantha Fish, Eric Gales, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Larkin Poe and Thunderstorm Artis. More artists will be announced closer to the sail date.

There will also be collaboration shows from some of the artists on board, as well as autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite musicians.

Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea X is sold out and waitlist only. Join the waitlist, as cancellations do occur. You’ll also be among the first to be alerted about future sailings. The rates for the 2025 cruise start at $1,630 per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: To join the waitlist, visit Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9170.

The Broadway Cruise 3

Cruise ship: Norwegian Gem
Date: March 31-April 4, 2025

Tony Award-winning Broadway stars are coming aboard for Sixthman’s third Broadway Cruise, which will sail round trip from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico. Aboard Norwegian Gem, passengers will have access to ship amenities like pools and a waterslide, a climbing wall and a casino, plus many special concerts, events and insider panels.

The lineup for the 2025 Broadway Cruise hasn’t been announced yet, though last year’s cruise featured Tony Award winners like Christian Borle, Matt Doyle and Santino Fontana, as well as Broadway A-listers Phillipa Soo, Norm Lewis and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Expect plenty of fun Broadway-themed events, including a Broadway pub crawl and show tune singalongs, plus autograph sessions for fans to meet their favorite Broadway stars.

Prices are not published as of this writing, but expect them to hover around $1,600 per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: To join the presale, visit Sixthman’s sign-up page or call 877-379-9172.

’70s Rock & Romance Cruise

Cruise ship: Celebrity Summit
Date: March 15-22, 2025

The best of the ’70s lives on as music icons from that rockin’ era show they’ve still got it on the ’70s Rock & Romance Cruise. This weeklong getaway on Celebrity Cruises‘ Celebrity Summit, organized by StarVista Live, will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.

The lineup of ’70s rock legends includes Air Supply, Kansas, The Guess Who, Melissa Manchester, The Family Stone and Dire Straits Legacy. They’ll be performing, hosting events and attending special meet-and-greets.

The top-tier music acts join a long lineup of rock ‘n’ roll icons. The cruise will feature days filled with concerts, artist Q&A sessions, panel discussions and game shows.

Available rooms start at $2,449, plus taxes and additional fees of $365, per person for an inside cabin.

How to book: To book a cabin, head to StarVista Live’s website or call 844-466-7625.

Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond

Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond
Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond.

Cruise ship: Norwegian Pearl
Date: Feb. 19-25, 2025

Jam out at sea to the greatest disco anthems as Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond returns for a fifth year in 2025. The six-night cruise is an immersive, nonstop music festival with legendary music acts performing and hosting events throughout Norwegian Pearl. The round-trip itinerary from Miami includes port stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

The 2025 lineup includes Kool & The Gang, Shalamar, Lisa Lisa, George McCrae, Boogie Wonder Band, Rose Royce and other classic disco acts. In addition to more than 40 live performances, entertainment will include dance and costume parties, theme nights, dance contests and game shows. Passengers will appreciate the opportunity to go behind the music as artists sit for intimate Q&A sessions, panel discussions and meet-and-greets.

Prices for Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond start at $1,799 per person for an inside cabin, not including $300 per person in taxes and port fees.

How to book: Head to Ultimate Disco Cruise and Beyond’s website to reserve your cabin soon, as the ship is filling up fast.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

3 reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

For many travelers, airport lounge access is crucial as it allows a space where you can either relax before a journey or be productive and get work done.

This is where American Admirals Club lounges come in — over 50 of them exist all over the world, and you can get access by purchasing a daypass for a fee or using AAdvantage miles.

However, the best way to access Admirals Clubs is through one specific credit card: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) — which is the only card that can get you into Admirals Clubs. While it does come with a $595 annual fee, the exclusive lounge access might make it worth adding to your wallet.

In fact, managing editor Matt Moffitt’s main reason for opening the Citi AAdvantage Executive card was for Admirals Club access.

Related reading: The ultimate guide to Admirals Club access

Why this card is a winner

If you can’t get access to an Admiral Club from elite status or the class of service you’re flying, one option is to purchase a membership. Here is annual pricing broken down by AAdvantage level:

AA.COM

Related reading: Full review of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

1. Cheaper than paying for an Admirals Club membership

However, the best way to guarantee entry into Admirals Clubs is to have the Citi AAdvantage Executive card. You’d actually save money by having the card versus paying for any of the membership options.

For instance, say you were considering purchasing an Admirals Club membership as a general AAdvantage member (no elite status). Instead of paying $850 for access per year, you’d be better off applying for the Citi Executive card and paying the $595 annual fee per year, plus getting other credit card-specific perks.

a hand holds a credit card
THE POINTS GUY

The card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 70,000 AAdvantage miles after you spend $7,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening, worth $1,106, based on TPG’s most recent valuations.

Related reading: American Airlines joins Delta and United in extending elite status and more

2. Authorized user access

The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard allows you to add up to 3 authorized users for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user. Authorized users can also access Admirals Clubs.

This applies whether the primary cardholder is flying with that person or not, a fantastic perk that is notably different from similar premium cards offered by other U.S. carriers.

Note that while primary cardholders have access to all Admirals Clubs (over 50 worldwide) and partner lounges (about 60 worldwide), authorized users only get access to American Admirals Clubs. However, both the primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or up to two traveling guests into the lounge.

Related reading: The best credit cards for airport lounge access

3. Other Citi Executive card perks

With this Citi card, you’ll also earn 10 miles per dollar on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars.

In addition, cardholders earn 4 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, up to $120 in statement credit for eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $10 per month) and up to $120 statement credit on Avis or Budget car rentals each calendar year.

The card comes with Group 4 priority boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

In addition, like a lot of other premium cards, this one also offers a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. You’ll get up to a $100 statement credit once every four years to reimburse your application fee.

Related reading: Battle of the premium travel rewards cards: Which is the best? 

Admirals Club restrictions

American Airlines requires a same-day boarding pass for American or one of its partners to access an Admirals Club lounge before or after a flight. While this move is said to reduce overcrowding in the lounges, it’s undeniably a devaluation for elite members and paying customers alike.

Admirals club
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

This new rule was instituted regardless of how you earned access — whether through a credit card or paid outright for an annual membership. That means you’re not disadvantaged with this Citi AAdvantage Executive card over other club members.

Related reading: AA, Delta and United lounges have limited access to customers flying with them: Here’s what to do

Bottom line

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card is unique in that you can spread the benefit of the annual fee with friends and family in a way that you can’t do with just an Admirals Club membership by adding authorized users and paying a moderate fee.

As a frequent AA or Oneworld alliance flyer, this is the best card for Admirals Club access in addition to many other perks such as statement credits, Loyalty Point bonuses, and decent earning rates.


Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard


 

Hilton Honors Dining program: Earn easy points at your favorite restaurants

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. 

If you want to earn a few extra Hilton Honors points on dining purchases, you’ve come to the right place.

Hopefully, you’re already earning credit card rewards on restaurant spending with one of the best dining credit cards. However, many major hotel and airline loyalty programs offer dining rewards programs that let you earn rewards while dining out.

There are many types of rewards you can earn through these programs. We’ll dive into how you can use the Hilton Honors Dining program to earn Hilton points.

Related: The 19 best Hilton hotels in the world

Hilton Honors Dining overview

Man using a card at a coffee shop
MOMO PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

The Hilton Honors Dining program allows you to earn Hilton Honors points when you dine at select restaurants. These points are on top of the rewards you’d normally earn through your credit card or the restaurant’s rewards program.

To get started with the Hilton Honors Dining program, you need to join the program, enroll at least one card and then search for eligible restaurants. The remainder of this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Related: The award travelers guide to Hilton Honors

How to join

Woman using a tablet with a credit card
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES

Go to the Hilton Honors Dining website to join the Hilton Honors Dining program. You’ll fill out a short form with your first name, last name, ZIP code, Hilton Honors number, email address and desired password.

You’ll also need to agree to the program’s terms and conditions. You’ll likely want to opt in to emails to maximize your earning potential.

The last step required to join Hilton Honors Dining is to link a card to your account. When adding a card to Hilton Honors Dining, it will automatically be removed from any other dining programs you’ve registered it with. For example, within a few minutes of adding a card to my Hilton Honors Dining account, I received an email noting that the card had been removed from my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Dining account.

Related: 8 ways to maximize Hilton Honors redemptions

How to use Hilton Honors Dining

Once you’ve joined Hilton Honors Dining, you’ll want to search for restaurants, bars and clubs near you that participate in the program. You can do so by using the search function. Type your city into the search bar to see a wide range of results.

Find venues with Hilton Honors Dining
HILTONHONORSDINING.COM

Each time you dine at an eligible restaurant, bar or club and pay with a card you’ve registered with Hilton Honors Dining, you’ll automatically earn bonus points.

Note that you can only enroll each credit card in one Rewards Network-operated dining program at a time. So, if you add a card to another Rewards Network-operated dining program, it will be automatically removed from Hilton Honors Dining.

Related: Can you earn rewards with a dining rewards program and a credit card at the same time?

Earning rates

Woman paying for her meal with a credit card
OSCAR WONG/GETTY IMAGES

Your earning rate with the Hilton Honors Dining program varies based on several factors. Specifically, you’ll earn:

  • 8 bonus points per dollar if you dine 11 or more times a year and agree to email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining. This earning level is referred to as the VIP level, and you maintain it for the year you earn it and the year after.
  • 5 bonus points per dollar if you dine 10 or fewer times a year and opt to receive email notifications from Hilton Honors Dining. This earning level is referred to as the Select level.
  • 2 bonus points per dollar if you don’t opt for email notifications. This earning level is referred to as the Basic level.

Based on TPG’s valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth about 0.6 cents each. So, earning 8 points per dollar would get you a 4.8% return on your spending. Meanwhile, 5 points per dollar would equate to a 3% return, and 2 points per dollar would provide a 1.2% return.

As such, it’s worth opting in to receive email notifications if you plan to use the Hilton Honors Dining program. You’ll get emails about once a week, and they will provide restaurant recommendations and alerts when new restaurants in your area join the program.

If you didn’t initially choose to receive email notifications, you can do so now by logging in to your Hilton Honors Dining account. Click on the “profile” tab and then check the box stating: “Yes, I want to earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points dining at participating restaurants. Email me occasionally about restaurants in my area, special offers and bonus opportunities to earn Bonus Points.”

Related: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?

Cards to use with Hilton Honors Dining

Woman buying coffee
THOMAS BARWICK/GETTY IMAGES

You’ll ideally enroll one (or more) of the best cards for dining when you set up your Hilton Honors Dining profile. Here are some of the best currently available cards to use:

If you’re looking to accrue Hilton Honors points quickly for an upcoming redemption, you may want to enroll a Hilton card in the Hilton Honors Dining program. If you enroll and use the Hilton Amex Surpass Card for dining at an eligible U.S. restaurant, you’ll earn 6 Hilton points per dollar due to the card’s bonus category; you’ll also earn up to 8 Hilton points per dollar from Hilton Honors Dining.

Related: Best Hilton cards

Bottom line

As with all dining rewards programs, knowing which nearby restaurants participate in the program is the best way to maximize Hilton Honors Dining. However, you’ll only earn at the highest rates if you have VIP-level status.

While dining rewards programs are free to join, you should consider whether the Hilton Honors program is the best dining rewards program for you. After all, you can only enroll each credit card in one Rewards Network dining program at a time.

Based solely on TPG’s valuations, some airline dining programs may provide better value than the Hilton Honors Dining program. Ultimately, it comes down to which points and miles you’re most interested in earning now.

30 best Disney World rides ranked for 2024

With four iconic theme parks, more than five decades of history, innovation and nostalgia to consider, and over 50 rides to choose from, naming anything the “best” at Walt Disney World is no easy task … but we gave it a try anyway.

The best rides at the Most Magical Place on Earth are the ones that deliver incredible thrills, groundbreaking technology and mind-blowingly immersive theming — so this ranking is based on a combination of storytelling, thrill factor, innovation, emotional response and old-fashioned nostalgia.

So buckle up, tug on the yellow strap and enjoy your tour of the best rides at Walt Disney World.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. MATT STROSHANE/DISNEY
  • Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — the centerpiece attraction in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — is such an epic, visceral experience that it feels reductive to call it merely a ride. During the nearly 20-minute adventure in a galaxy far, far away, guests become recruits, enlisted to join the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order.

There’s no other Disney attraction that can compete with the scale of Rise of the Resistance and its four different ride systems, vast cinematic sets, upward of 65 Audio-Animatronics, original score by John Williams, and audio and visual media featuring the original “Star Wars” cast.

The queue, pre-show and ride experience blend seamlessly, forming a cohesive narrative journey that is enhanced by technology but never overpowered by it. The attraction makes you forget the real world — but not because you’re stuck in a dark space staring at a screen. In fact, Disney cast members doubling as Resistance heroes or First Order captors appear at key moments during the attraction, bringing a tangible reality to the experience that deepens the immersion.

Rise of the Resistance is a fully realized attraction that also still feels aspirational — new rides have opened since, but none have been quite so ambitious or delivered as Rise does. The bar has been set, and Rise is holding strong.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmid Rewind. DISNEY
  • Location: World Discovery, Epcot
  • Height requirement: 42 inches

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — Epcot’s first-ever roller coaster and Walt Disney World’s first Marvel ride — definitely wins the “most fun” award. The fact that it’s still using a virtual queue nearly two years after opening is a testament to its popularity.

The galaxy’s fate is at stake, and the Guardians need help. Coming to their aid, guests board a “starjumper,” a 360-degree rotating ride vehicle that reverse-launches into a high-speed indoor roller coaster journey through time and space.

One of six randomized ‘70s and ‘80s pop-rock classics provides the soundtrack for the silky smooth ride that feels like a swinging, soaring dance party through space. Like Space Mountain, the ride is in near darkness but enhanced with elaborate projections and some physical set pieces.

Everyone has a favorite song, and predicting which one you’ll get adds to the fun, making the ride even more repeatable.

Bonus points go to the physical queue, which winds through the Wonders of Xandar pavilion, formerly “Universe of Energy,” and tells a story that feels like classic Epcot but with plenty of Guardians banter.

Ride vehicles rotate to direct attention to a mix of screens and physical set pieces, and though it’s a controlled rotation, those prone to motion sickness are likely to be affected by this ride. The negative effects can be minimized by avoiding looking at the screens and keeping your eyes pointed in the direction of the track.

Avatar Flight of Passage

Avatar Flight of Passage
A scene from Avatar Flight of Passage. DISNEY
  • Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 44 inches

You don’t even need to see an “Avatar” film to be wowed by your first ride on Avatar — Flight of Passage.

The breathtaking 4D experience simulates a flight over Pandora’s Valley of Moara. A motorcycle-like ride vehicle creates the sensations of soaring, swooping and diving on the back of a banshee, which you can feel breathing and flapping its wings beneath you.

The stunning score, gorgeous visuals and effects like scents, mist and wind combine to make this one a top must-do, but it also comes with one of the heftiest wait times — still regularly clocking in at two or more hours, nearly seven years after opening.

Luckily, the standby queue is one of Walt Disney World’s best, winding through alien flora, mysterious caves, an RDA bunker and a bioluminescent forest before entering an ACE laboratory that includes a stunning full-size Avatar moving inside a tank.

Interesting though the queue is, we still only recommend waiting in it when wait times are manageable, typically at rope drop or as late as possible in the evening.

For most Walt Disney World guests, time is money, so purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane is a smart way to skip the line.

Haunted Mansion

Haunted mansion
Haunted Mansion. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

An opening-day attraction that never gets old, Haunted Mansion adds more fans to its cult following every year. 2023 brought the debut of a new film inspired by the ride and the announcement that the mansion’s 999 happy haunts would soon be hitting the high seas in Haunted Mansion Parlor, opening when the Disney Treasure sets sail this December.

This Ghost Host-led tour aboard a Doom Buggy weaves through the cavernous mansion and its grounds. It’s spooky but not too scary for most kiddos — just remind timid little ones that these grim-grinning ghosts are having a big party, and everyone’s invited to the swinging wake.

You don’t need a new reason to keep this one high on the list, but last November, the Walt Disney World ride did get a long-awaited addition of the legendary Hatbox Ghost, already part of Disneyland’s version.

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Expedition Everest at Dinsey’s Animal Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Asia, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 44 inches

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great roller coaster on its own, but like the other top rides on this list, its immersive theming is as strong as its thrills.

From Serka Zong village in the Himalayan foothills, an old steam-engine tea train operated by a tour and expedition company brings climbers to Mount Everest base camp —  if they’re brave enough to ignore the warnings that a mysterious yeti stalks the mountain, that is.

The tallest “mountain” of any Disney park at 199 feet, this is definitely one of Walt Disney World’s more intense rides. There’s a sizable drop and some big surprises, but there are no inversions, and it’s well paced, giving you time to catch your breath during the scenic ascent and dramatic pauses.

This is one of the better picks at Animal Kingdom if you have to do the standby line — it moves quickly, and the immersive queue sets the stage for the adventure, passing through the village tourism office, the Yeti Museum, and even an internet cafe and inn for trekkers.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Frontierland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness combines family-friendly thrills, nostalgia and immersive theming. Hold on to your hats and glasses as you take off on a runaway mine train, weaving among the iconic towering buttes that reach 197 feet at the highest point.

The bumpy ride is laugh-inducing, sending riders sliding into each other as the train rounds tight turns. A fan favorite since it opened in 1980, the oldie-but-goodie still stands up to Disney’s newer coasters in both theming and fun, and at nearly 3 1/2 minutes, it provides a much more satisfying length than many of the newbies.

Three main ascents are followed by gentle drops and thrilling turns that aren’t overly stomach-churning. For the wildest ride, sit in Row 15 in the back of the train.

An enhanced backstory and new character, Barnabas T. Bullion, were introduced to the ride in 2013, along with an updated interactive queue. Owner and president of the Big Thunder Mining Company, Bullion is also a member of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, a fictional mythology spanning stories and attractions across Disney parks worldwide.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

Constructed in just 15 months after guests expressed disappointment when Magic Kingdom opened without the popular Disneyland attraction in 1971, Florida’s version of the (mostly) slow-moving, dark boat ride absolutely deserves a top spot on this list.

Housed behind the facade of an old Spanish fort, El Castillo del Morro, the entrance and queue take their design inspiration from a fortress in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Many people would argue Disneyland’s version is better, but Walt Disney World’s queue is far more immersive. Depending on whether you use the standby queue or Lightning Lane, you’ll pass through either the soldiers’ quarters or the dungeon, where a famous scene dreamed up by famed Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis shows two skeletons frozen for eternity staring at a chessboard stuck in a no-win configuration.

The ride includes one gentle but exciting plunge in the darkness, followed by some of the most iconic scenes, music and Audio-Animatronics on any Disney ride.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

It’s hard to imagine Disney’s Hollywood Studios without the iconic Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but the attraction didn’t open until 1994, along with the Sunset Boulevard area of the park.

Once the site of a glamorous Tinseltown hotel, the ominous 199-foot-tall tower casts an aura of foreboding over the decaying grounds. Overgrown landscaping and eerie big-band jazzy tunes help set the stage in the immersive queue, which becomes even more impressive upon entering the abandoned, cobweb-covered lobby.

As the story goes, on a fateful night in 1939, five hotel quests disappeared when lightning struck the hotel elevator. Today, guests visit the abandoned site — riding in a still-functioning service elevator that enters the fifth dimension, launching riders on a series of dramatic drop sequences.

Not for the faint of heart (or stomach), this ride is both scary and nausea-inducing for some, but a runaway fan-favorite thrill ride for many. Even if you hate the freefall sensation, it’s worth trying to experience some of Disney’s best-ever ride theming and storytelling.

Tron Lightcycle / Run

Tron Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 48 inches

A must for thrill-seekers, Tron Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom is now the fastest roller coaster at Walt Disney World. Inspired by the 1982 “Tron” and 2010 “Tron: Legacy” films, the indoor-outdoor coaster adds more thrills and gorgeous nighttime lighting to Tomorrowland.

We love the unique body positioning that really makes you feel like you’re on a bike (especially in the front row!) and the silky smooth ride.

Many Tron fans will tell you night rides are superior — and with lighting after dark, they’re not wrong — but unless you’re willing to pay for a timed Individual Lightning Lane after sunset or are eligible for the 6 p.m. virtual queue drop during extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests, you’ll have to settle for the virtual queue return time you’re assigned.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. DISNEY
  • Location: Hollywood Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: None

Walt Disney World took nearly 50 years to open its first ride starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, so it had to be good. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened March 4, 2020, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing The Great Movie Ride in the Chinese Theatre.

The innovative dark ride blends a little bit of everything — trackless ride technology, digital projections, Audio-Animatronics, a catchy original theme song and original animation based on the newest generation of Mickey Mouse shorts.

The pre-show features an original Mickey Mouse short called “Perfect Picnic,” after which guests find themselves on a train ride driven by Engineer Goofy through Runnamuck Park.

The ride is packed with hidden Mickeys and Easter eggs. For example, the original whistle used in Disney’s 1928 animated short film “Steamboat Willie” was used to create the train whistle sound on Runaway Railway.

Each “train” comprises four trackless ride vehicles, which split apart and shuffle positions during the attraction, with each car providing a slightly different ride experience.

Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled. In addition to a secondary storyline involving poor Pluto’s desperate attempt to reunite himself — and a picnic basket — with his owners, a curious little crab appears in each scene, giving you even more to look for during repeat rides.

Spaceship Earth

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: World Celebration, Epcot
  • Height requirement: None

Housed in a geodesic sphere that’s arguably as iconic to Walt Disney World as Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth opened with Epcot on Oct. 1, 1982.

Related: Why Epcot is now Disney World’s must-do park

The 16-minute, slow-moving dark ride follows the development of human communication from prehistoric times to the computer age and beyond. From the invention of the alphabet to classical Greece to the Industrial Revolution, key periods and moments are represented with detailed sets, animatronic figures and narration by Dame Judi Dench.

The attraction has received a few updates through the years, but if you love the current version, thank the Phoenicians it’s still around. While it might not be a physically thrilling ride, it’s quite the thrill to make the “rounds” inside such a legendary structure.

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

This opening-day attraction is always a good time; if you don’t believe me, you’re in de-Nile.

The “10-minute, 10,000-mile” boat ride down the rivers of Asia, Africa and South America first debuted on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955 as a straightforward, educational attraction. It took shape as the joke-filled version we know today in 1960, when Walt Disney Imagineer Marc Davis stepped aboard to skipper the story in the comedic direction that made it the “World Famous Jungle Cruise” it is today.

A 2021 reimagining to address cultural insensitivities in certain scenes introduced new characters, animals and scenes to the ride and established a more elaborate backstory that deepens the ride’s connections to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers.

Related: The best restaurants at Disney World in 2024

Pro tip: We love pairing a ride on Jungle Cruise with a meal at the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen restaurant across from the ride. This Easter egg-packed restaurant serves some of the best table-service food in Magic Kingdom (along with plenty of puns courtesy of Skipper servers).

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Africa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

The next best thing to a real African safari, Kilimanjaro Safaris is in many ways the realization of Walt Disney’s original vision for Jungle Cruise, which was to have wild animals in true-to-nature environments. You can spot more than 30 different animal species during the 18-minute open-air drive across 110 acres of savanna — nearly as much space as all of Magic Kingdom park.

Given the unpredictability of live animals, no two rides are the same. Through the years, we’ve experienced so many memorable moments, from a giraffe coming right up to our vehicle and keeping us there until he was ready to move along, to watching a 2-month-old baby elephant run around on her first day on the savanna.

Pro tip: Many of the animals are most active early in the morning and at sundown, so aim for those times. And don’t shy away from a rainy ride — some animals seem to love it, and you’ll stay (mostly) undercover.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 38 inches

“Star Wars” fans simply can’t pass on the chance to take the controls in the cockpit of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy by joining Hondo Ohnaka’s flight crew for an important smuggling mission aboard the Millennium Falcon.

For “Star Wars” fans, the queue is as bucket list-worthy as actually taking a seat at the controls. After first passing the life-size Millennium Falcon from the front as you enter the queue, you’ll get to see it from additional angles and from multiple levels, getting a closer look at the iconic ship from different perspectives as you wind through the Easter egg-packed queue.

Flight crews of six are assigned the positions of pilot, gunner or engineer and get a few minutes to explore the main hold and take a seat at the centerpiece dejarik table before heading to the cockpit.

Once in your seats at the controls, it’s time to work as a team to put the bucket of bolts to the test and see if you can complete your mission — and get back to Batuu with the Falcon in one piece. Pilots steer, gunners defend and engineers perform repairs, and at the end of your mission, Hondo will let you know how well you’ve done — and what your cut of the credits will be.

Pro tip: Young riders who just make the 38-inch flight requirement often struggle to reach all of the controls in the pilot position. If they have their heart set on piloting, consider putting the longest-armed adult in the other pilot position so they can reach over and help.

Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Toy Story Land, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 38 inches

When guests enter Toy Story Land, they “shrink” to the size of one of Andy’s toys from the films. It’s easy to look at Slinky Dog Dash, which Andy has “built” in his backyard by combining his Slinky Dog toy with a Mega Coaster Kit, and assume it’s a coaster for little kids a la Magic Kingdom’s The Barnstormer.

But this coaster is tons of fun and worth the ride, even without kids. The ride vehicle mimics Slinky Dog’s springy body — launching then seemingly springing along, bobbing up and down over gentle but exhilarating hills, and winding among Andy’s toys. You’ll also glimpse some wonderful vistas across the theme park. A second, more thrilling launch, narrated by Slinky Dog, sends riders seemingly straight up into the sky, giving a brief feeling of weightlessness.

Grown-ups will get a nostalgic kick out of the classic toy boxes used to construct portions of the queue and load area too.

Pro tip: Slinky Dog Dash is the most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so make sure to grab this one first at 7 a.m. The ride also frequently goes down due to weather, so if you’re opting for the standby queue and only have one day to ride it, make sure you don’t save it until the end of the night if the sky looks threatening.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. RYAN WENDLER/WALT DISNEY WORLD
  • Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 38 inches

Like Slinky Dog Dash, this is another true family coaster that’s not just for kids. Opened in 2014 as part of Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland expansion, this gentle but exciting coaster ups the thrill factor just enough to engage adults and bigger kids without scaring less daring littles.

The ride vehicles are modeled after mine carts and sway back and forth along the otherwise smooth track, which ventures into the diamond mine where the seven dwarfs famously whistle while they work.

Bright, reflective gemstones (look out for the Hidden Mickey!); cheerful, singing dwarf animatronics; and an earworm rendition of “Heigh-Ho” as you make your ascent up the main hill make it impossible not to smile on this ride.

One drawback — there’s only one main show scene and a second brief final scene, making the ride feel over a little too quickly given its consistently long wait times.

The ride is available via standby queue (an interactive queue helps keep kids busy) or Individual Lightning Lane. The price may not be worth the cost for thrill-seekers, but it could definitely be worth it with antsy younger kids.

Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

Star Tours — The Adventures Continue. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Echo Lake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge might get more of the attention lately, but Walt Disney World’s first “Star Wars” ride has been going strong since 1989.

Opened first as Star Tours and later updated to Star Tours — The Adventures Continue in 2011, this 3D flight simulator ride takes guests on an unpredictable adventure across a galaxy far, far away in a Starspeeder 1000 ship helmed by reluctant pilot C-3PO and trusty navigator R2-D2.

Every adventure includes four randomized main scenes, introducing potential variability of characters, including classic original trilogy characters like Princess Leia and Darth Vader and destinations like the planets Tatooine and Hoth.

Updates through the years have added new characters and destinations as new “Star Wars” films have been released and ahead of the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. On April 5, 2024, Star Tours got its latest galactic glow-up — new scenes and characters from the Disney+ series “Ahsoka,” “Andor” and “The Mandalorian.” Now, guests could get an urgent transmission from Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor or the Mandalorian and Grogu.

For a limited time, all guests will visit a new destination, the planet Seatos from “Ahsoka,” where the Starspeeder joins Ahsoka’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle in a dogfight amid a pod of purrgil, massive space whales first introduced in the animated series “Star Wars Rebels.” After this phase of introduction to the new characters and scenes, the ride will reenter a “random play” mode, as Walt Disney Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald called the ride’s eventual fully randomized sequencing, and will increase the ride’s total potential storyline variations to more than 250.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Peter Pan’s Flight. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

One of Disney’s most nostalgic and iconic dark rides, with a soundtrack that can instantly unlock childhood memories, Peter Pan’s Flight opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 and to this day remains one of the park’s most popular Genie+ Lightning Lane attractions — with a correspondingly hefty standby wait.

Board a pirate ship and take off from the Darling family nursery, flying over the rooftops of London then off to Neverland. Fly past scenes like a miniature Mermaid Lagoon below and a life-size swordfight between Peter Pan and Captain Hook overhead.

If you do end up in the standby line, the interactive queue through the Darling family home helps pass the time. Look out for twinkling signs of Tinkerbell’s trail of pixie dust, and you might spot her rattling around and even getting stuck in tiny places around the house.

Space Mountain

Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. MATT STROSHANE/DISNEY
  • Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 44 inches

This Walt Disney World original, which opened Jan. 15, 1975, was so popular that it inspired new versions in four more parks worldwide. Fitting for Tomorrowland, it was the first roller coaster ever to be controlled by a computer.

The iconic structure encloses two almost identical tracks, Alpha and Omega, which each launch spaceship-themed ride vehicles on their ride through space. The nearly total darkness makes the coaster feel much faster as it makes sudden sharp turns and drops.

An attraction that definitely feels its age, this coaster doesn’t have any inversions or extreme drops, but it’s definitely one of Walt Disney World’s rougher rides.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot. MATT STROSHANE/DISNEY
  • Location: World Showcase, Epcot
  • Height requirement: None

Pixar meets Paris in a whimsical extension of Epcot’s France pavilion that gently transitions from the real-world architectural grandeur of the City of Light to Pixar’s more playful and exaggerated animated version, setting the stage for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

You’ll shrink down to rat size and board rat-shaped trackless vehicles for a 4D dark ride that has you scurrying through Gusteau’s restaurant.

The multisensory ride combines screens and physical sets, enhanced with scents and some other surprise effects we won’t spoil, and makes wonderful use of the film’s excellent soundtrack.

Located at the opposite end of Epcot from most of the park’s other rides, Remy’s is a welcome reward for kids who lose steam making their way around Epcot’s World Showcase.

The ride is equally enjoyable for adults and kids, but it may bother some guests prone to motion sickness.

Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After.  MATT STROSHANE/DISNEY
  • Location: World Showcase, Epcot
  • Height requirement: None

A reskin of the Viking-themed Maelstrom boat ride attraction in Epcot’s Norway pavilion, Frozen Ever After takes guests on a cruise through Arendelle past scenes inspired by the original “Frozen” film.

Related: How Disney brought animated mega-hit ‘Frozen’ to life at Hong Kong Disneyland

Audio-Animatronic characters sing abridged versions of songs from the film, modified to support the ride’s storyline. Light thrills include a gentle reverse drift during “Let It Go” and one thrilling drop that’s not too scary to keep little kids off the ride — but just nerve-wracking enough to generate some hilarious expressions on the Disney PhotoPass ride photos.

This ride continues to be extremely popular and breaks down a lot, so if it’s a top priority, try to pick up an early Genie+ Lightning Lane or rope drop it.

Toy Story Mania

TOY STORY MANIA. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Toy Story Land, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: None

Toy Story Mania opened in 2008, long predating the opening of Toy Story Land, which better established the ride within the world of Andy’s toys. The 3D carnival game-inspired attraction remains extremely popular, is endlessly rerideable (that is, until your arm gets too tired) and the game aspect of the ride even edges out newer game-focused rides like Web Slingers at Disneyland.

Ride vehicles seat two passengers side by side at spring-action shooters and whip and spin players from game to game.

Toy Story characters, including Woody and Jessie, Rex and Trixie, and the Green Army Men, host a series of five carnival-style 3D games on screens. Players ultimately compete against each other, but can also work together to unlock secret targets worth more points.

Dinosaur

Dinosaur. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: DinoLand U.S.A., Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

You either love or hate this rough, dark and downright terrifying (for some) blast to the past. Guests board a Time Rover with a mission to travel back to the Cretaceous period to retrieve an iguanodon and bring it back for research before the extinction-causing meteor strikes.

The fan-favorite preshow features Dr. Marsh (Phylicia Rashad), director of the Dino Institute, and Dr. Grant Seeker, a goofy, passionate scientist who briefs guests on the mission and frantically narrates during the harrowing attraction.

Loosely based on the 2000 film “Dinosaur,” this attraction parallels Disneyland’s Indiana Jones Adventure with respect to ride vehicle and layout. Unlike Indy, however, Dinosaur relies more on extreme darkness and jump scares than cinematic sets and impressive effects.

Kids who love dinosaurs and don’t scare easily love this ride.

Dinosaur fans should get their rides in while they can. While no official retheme has been confirmed, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro began teasing potential rethemes of DinoLand, first in 2022 at D23 Expo, then again in 2023 at Destination D23, by playing “Indiana Jones” theme music, teasing a possible “Indiana Jones”-themed update in the area. More recently, D’Amaro confirmed that work is “well underway” for this project, with teams already going on research trips to Mexico.

Living with the Land

Living with the Land. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: World Nature, Epcot
  • Height requirement: None

A prime example of Epcot edutainment, this “voyage of discovery and awareness” aboard slow-moving boats is part dark ride, part greenhouse tour.

Situated in Epcot’s The Land pavilion, the dark ride portion showcases a variety of ecosystems — the tropical rainforest, desert and American prairie — before cruising through the pavilion’s four working greenhouses.

It might sound dull, but guests of all ages will find themselves captivated by the array of different edible crops growing on display — from familiar tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens and strawberries, to the more exotic banana trees and giant melons, to cacao and peanuts. Fish farms and hydroponic and aquaponic farming methods are also showcased.

Get a taste of the end products by dining at Sunshine Seasons or Garden Grill Restaurant, also in the Land pavilion. Both restaurants use produce and seafood farmed in the greenhouses in some of their dishes.

If you visit Epcot during the holiday season, be sure to wait until after dark to ride, when a holiday overlay bathes the greenhouses in the warm glow of festive colored lights.

Pro tip: Want to learn more? Book a Behind the Seeds walking tour — a one-hour tour of the fish farm and greenhouses.

Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ Around the World. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: World Nature, Epcot
  • Height Requirement: 40 inches

This flight simulator attraction gives riders a hang gliding sensation as they “soar,” feet dangling up to 40 feet above the ground, through screen-based scenes.

The ride originally debuted as “Soarin’ Over California” in 2005. In 2016, it was replaced with the current “Around the World” version, which visits some of the world’s most famous natural wonders and manmade landmarks, including the American Southwest, the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Recognizing fans’ love for the original “Over California” attraction, Disney has begun bringing it back for limited runs. At Walt Disney World, it returned during the Disney100 celebration, and at Disney California Adventure, it’s been making an annual return during the park’s yearly Food & Wine Festival.

Pro tip: The farther you sit from the center of the screen, the more distorted some images appear — the Eiffel Tower in particular appears dramatically curved for guests sitting on the far sides. The best section and row for the least distorted image and no feet hanging in your view is B1.

Navi River Journey

Navi River Journey. KENT PHILLIPS/DISNEY
  • Location: Pandora — The World of Avatar, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

Navi River Journey can’t compete with Flight of Passage in the thrill department, but it does fully immerse guests in a beautiful, tangible Pandoran setting.

During the slow-moving (indoor) nighttime journey in Pandora’s bioluminescent rainforest, boats float through the lush jungle, seemingly alive with the glowing sights and sounds of the planet’s otherworldly creatures. Screens and projections are combined with physical sets, motion and sound to create impressively realistic effects, like alien creatures hopping from giant leaf to leaf overhead.

Ethereal music swells during the journey, reaching a crescendo as the boat approaches the massive Navi Shaman of Songs, a lifelike animatronic that is the most advanced Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created.

Navi River Journey gives those who don’t meet the height requirement or are unable to ride Flight of Passage a great opportunity to experience Pandora’s beautiful theming and detail.

“It’s a small world”

“It’s a small world.” TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

Who wouldn’t want to hop aboard “the happiest cruise that ever sailed”? An opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom following a successful debut at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, then at Disneyland in 1966, this nostalgic classic celebrates a message of peace, understanding and friendship by sharing a look at the world through the eyes of a child.

Different countries and cultures worldwide are represented by costumed Audio-Animatronic dolls designed to look as though they’ve been created by a child using papier-mache and other craft materials.

The lyrics to the timeless theme song by Robert and Richard Sherman, sung in the native languages of the represented regions, have become synonymous with calls for peace, empathy and acceptance. In an ongoing effort to honor the ride’s message of inclusivity, a doll in a wheelchair was added to the ride last March.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Views from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Views from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
  • Height requirement: None

An oldie but goodie that’s enjoyed a new wave of appreciation and popularity in recent years, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover takes guests on an elevated, narrated tour of Tomorrowland.

The magnetically powered tram takes passengers behind the scenes for a different perspective of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and travels right through Space Mountain. The ride also provides stunning views of Cinderella Castle, the canopy of Tron Lightcycle / Run and an overhead look at Tomorrowland Speedway.

There’s no Lightning Lane but the standby queue moves quickly and is rarely longer than 20 minutes.

Test Track

Test Track. MATT STROSHANE/DISNEY
  • Location: World Discovery, Epcot
  • Height requirement: 40 inches

The current iteration of Test Track gets high marks for thrills but lands this low spot for seriously lackluster theming, especially when compared to a sister ride at Disney California Adventure Park. Radiator Springs Racers uses the same ride vehicles and mechanisms but adds the stunning backdrop of Ornament Valley, a heartwarming dark ride component, and a head-to-head race at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour to the finish for extra fun.

With the right theming, this could be a top-tier ride like Radiator Springs Racers — and the good news is, a retheme is in the works. Test Track will close June 17, 2024, for its reimagining, which will take inspiration from the original World of Motion. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
  • Location: Sunset Boulevard, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Height requirement: 48 inches

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a high-speed roller coaster ride in the near darkness, save for neon signs, with Aerosmith music blasting the whole time.

The premise: After meeting Aerosmith in the recording studio, guests are invited to the band’s concert on the other side of town and have to get through LA traffic in a super-stretch limo to get there.

This ride can be rough, but that doesn’t stop it from being perpetually popular.

Note: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is currently closed for refurbishment, with plans to reopen in summer 2024.

Related reading:

Breeze Airways Breezy Rewards: How to earn and redeem points

Breeze Airways is a newer domestic low-cost airline that commenced operations in 2021. It was founded by aviation legend David Neeleman, who also founded JetBlue Airways and WestJet.

Although the airline’s headquarters are in Utah, most of its operating bases are in eastern airports like Charleston International Airport (CHS), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Norfolk International Airport (ORF).

While Breeze flights can be relatively inexpensive to book compared to flights on other U.S. airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, can you save money by using points and miles to book Breeze Airways flights?

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about earning and redeeming Breezy Rewards points.

Related: Breeze announces new base in Fort Myers, records first profitable month

Breeze Airways Breezy Rewards overview

Breezy Rewards (formerly known as the BreezePoints Rewards program) is the loyalty program of Breeze Airways. BreezePoints, its currency, do not expire.

Overall, it is a simple loyalty program with fixed earning and redemption rates when flying Breeze. The program currently does not have airline partners, does not belong to an alliance and has no elite status levels.

Breeze offers four fares — the cheapest, basic No Flex fare and then Nice, Nicer and Nicest bundles that correspond with coach, extra-legroom coach and first-class, although each fare comes with different benefits like luggage allowances and included snacks.

Related: Best frequent flyer programs for US travelers

How to earn BreezePoints

DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY.

You can join Breezy Rewards online for free. BreezePoints are earned on Breeze Airways cash fares as follows:

  • Earn 5 points per dollar on Nicer and Nicest bundles (excluding fees and taxes).
  • Earn 2 points per dollar on Nice bundles (including taxes and fees).
  • Earn 1 point per dollar on No Flex fare purchases (including taxes and fees).

Breezy Rewards members will earn 5 BreezePoints per dollar spent on add-ons like carry-on and checked baggage, seat selection, and pet-in-cabin purchases.

You can also earn BreezePoints with the Breeze Easy™ Visa Signature® Credit Card described below.

The information for the Breeze Easy credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

How to redeem BreezePoints

ETHAN KLAPPER/THE POINTS GUY

To redeem points, log in to your Breezy Rewards account when booking your trip.

On the payment page, you will be given the option to use your BreezePoints to cover some or all of the cost of your travel.

You may only book using BreezePoints from one account at a time.

BreezePoints are currently worth 1 cent per point toward fares or other purchases with Breeze; however, the airline hopes to improve the program over time to offer more ways to earn and redeem the points, which may lead to some more lucrative redemption options.

One major plus of using BreezePoints is that you can redeem points to also pay for taxes and fees, a rarity among airline loyalty programs. Additionally, if you don’t have enough points or don’t want to redeem all of your points, you can adjust how many reward points you’d like to spend.

Related: Breeze Airways launches cobranded credit card, adds 5 new cities, plans loyalty program revamp

Breeze Airways credit cards

A Breeze Airways Airbus A220.
DAVID SLOTNICK/THE POINTS GUY

While Breezy Rewards is not a transfer partner of any major credit card programs, it has a cobranded credit card.

The Breeze Easy Visa Signature Credit Card, issued by Barclays U.S., has an $89 annual fee and earns:

  • 10 BreezePoints per dollar spent on Nicer and Nicest fare bundles, along with add-on purchases (5 points per dollar when the flight is purchased and 5 additional points per dollar once the flight is completed)
  • 4 BreezePoints on Nice fare bundles (2 points per dollar when the flight is purchased and 2 additional points per dollar once the flight is completed)
  • 2 points per dollar on grocery store and restaurant purchases
  • 1 point per dollar on everything else

The card offers priority boarding and free inflight Wi-Fi on equipped planes for the cardholder and all passengers on the same reservation.

New cardholders can get a signup bonus of 50,000 BreezePoints after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days of card membership, along with 7,500 bonus anniversary points each year that they spend at least $10,000 on the card.

Cardholders can also upgrade to a Nice or Nicest bundle one-way with every $15,000 spent on the card per year, with no limit to the number of upgrades they can earn.

Related: What it’s like on board Breeze’s new Airbus A220

Bottom line

Breezy Rewards is still a very young program for a newer airline. If you live near a Breeze operating base (or find yourself flying to one) and like the low-cost Breeze model, it is a no-brainer to join its loyalty program and earn BreezePoints.

While there are currently no ways to get outsize value from your points, they are fairly easy to earn and redeem if you fly Breeze regularly, especially with the bonus of the cobranded credit card.

If you want to fly in premium classes to foreign destinations with your airline points, you may consider an airline with a larger loyalty program.