A visit to Universal Orlando to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is on most Potterheads’ travel wish lists.

Here, fans don wizarding robes (even in the Florida heat), wave interactive wands to work magic spells and pretend that they are following in the footsteps of Hermione, Ron and Harry. They can also enjoy some epic themed rides, fill their tummies with butterbeer and pub favorites, and wander the streets of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, immersing themselves within the magical world of “Harry Potter.”

Universal divides its Harry Potter attractions across two parks. You’ll find the land of Harry’s magical London in Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida, while Hogsmeade — where you’ll find the famous Hogwarts Castle, Hagrid’s hut and the Three Broomsticks pub — is set within Universal Islands of Adventure. The Hogwarts Express train ride will carry you between the two parks, but only if you’ve purchased a Park-to-Park ticket for the day.

If this sounds like your cup of frozen (or hot) butterbeer, know that even the best spells can’t zap away the long lines for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or help you choose between a one- or two-park ticket. However, TPG’s theme park experts can help you out with some magical tips for the perfect visit.

Here’s what you need to know about each of the Harry Potter-themed lands, your ticket options and our best advice to make the trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando a success.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley

How to get to Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley is located at Universal Studios Florida, so you’ll need a ticket to this park to visit. To get there, walk straight through Production Central and turn right when you reach the New York section of the park (in front of the Revenge of the Mummy attraction). Continue on until you see a replica of King’s Cross Station on your left.

Be careful not to overshoot and walk past the somewhat hidden entrance to Diagon Alley. There is no sign, but when you see an opening in a brick wall, you know you’ve found it.

Diagon Alley rides: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Once you’ve entered Diagon Alley, walk straight to Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts indoor steel roller coaster ride. You can’t miss it; it’s the building with the fire-breathing dragon perched on the roof. It’s also the only ride found within Diagon Alley.

Tip: When you hear a low growl, that’s your signal that the Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon is about to spew some fire. The dragon does not perform on a schedule, but spend a reasonable amount of time in Diagon Alley and you will see its fireworks.

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There are free and paid lockers to the right of the line so you can stash your belongings before the ride.

Children must be 42 inches to ride; be sure your party meets that requirement so you don’t get to the head of the line only to be turned away. There is also a “child swap” room where parents can take turns alternating riding or waiting with kiddos not tall enough (or ready) to ride. Let the team member at the ride entrance know that you plan to use child swap and they will instruct you on the protocol.

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There is also a test seat in front of the building where you can confirm whether or not the seating configuration will work for your body style.

Wait times can get long for this ride, but it does have an Express Pass line throughout most of the day. There’s also a lot to look at while in line since you’ll snake through the Gringotts Bank lobby and see a multitude of goblins at work. The four chandeliers that hang inside the bank’s lobby are made up of 62,000 individual crystals.

Related: TPG’s complete guide to Universal Orlando

What’s neat about Escape from Gringotts is the motion-based 3D projections that make you feel as if you’re interacting with characters like Bill Weasley and the goblin Blordak.

Diagon Alley shows and attractions: Ollivanders and Knockturn Alley

After exiting the Gringotts ride, you’re just across from Ollivanders Wand Shop, where you can get in line to see the show that depicts how a wand chooses its wizard. Note that there is an identical Ollivanders wand experience at Hogsmeade, so feel free to skip the experience here if you’d prefer to see the show there later in your visit.

During the show, one guest is picked from the audience, and the wizard in residence facilitates the wand choosing. The guest then has the option of purchasing the wand (or another of their choosing) at the wand shop next door.

If you weren’t lucky enough to be chosen for the show, you can pick out and purchase your own wand. Interactive wands currently cost a minimum of $65. You also can order an interactive wand in advance of your trip or pick one up in the hotel gift shop at most on-site hotels.

You will enhance your Wizarding World experience if you spring for an interactive wand that helps you make “magic” at many locations in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. Look for brass medallions set into the pavement that mark the spots where you can cast spells and make magic. A map that plots each spot where you can cast spells is included with your wand purchase (including a few unmarked “secret wand spots”).

Wands are reusable and Ollivanders staff will happily “re-magic” your dying wand for free if it gets scratched or broken. That means you can bring back a wand from a previous Universal Studios visit or borrow one from a friend to save money.

Standard, non-interactive wands are also available if you are looking to save a little cash or your kids are too young to know the difference.

Other shows in Diagon Alley take place on an outdoor stage in the Carkitt Market area. Shows include “The Tales of Beedle the Bard” — complete with puppets — and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees (song and dance). Find a nearby bench or just sit or stand on the ground by the stage.

From the stage, walk toward the Gringotts ride and you’ll come upon the Gringotts Money Exchange. Go inside (it’s a store) and you can chat with the Gringotts goblin standing behind a teller’s desk. It’s a neat experience — especially for curious kids. You can also exchange muggle money for Gringotts bank notes that can be used to make purchases within Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, and at select locations elsewhere at Universal.

Another easy-to-miss attraction in Diagon Alley is Knockturn Alley. It’s dark, feels seedy and is so well hidden that you might miss it. There are two entrances — one next to the Leaky Cauldron and one next to the Fountain of Fair Fortune.

The enclosed space is dark and a cool break from the heat. It also has several fun spots where you can use your interactive wand to cast spells; don’t miss them. The shop here, Borgin and Burkes, oozes dark magic and is where you can purchase souvenirs paying homage to Death Eaters and the dark arts.

Diagon Alley restaurants: The Leaky Cauldron

One of Harry’s first stops in magical London is The Leaky Cauldron, and it can be one of yours, too. The Diagon Alley pub is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a refreshing butterbeer (regular, frozen or hot). Lines to get in can be long, but you can place orders on the Universal app to speed up service.

Breakfast is pricey, but where else can you dine among witches and wizards? Breakfast plates for adults all ring in at $18.99 and include a small beverage (yes, you can have butterbeer for breakfast). The kids breakfast plate is $13.49. You can choose options like an English-style “Traditional Breakfast” with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, English bacon and baked beans or opt for the more American pancakes.

The lunch and dinner menu is full of pub favorites, such as fish ‘n’ chips ($17.99), bangers and mash ($16.99) or a beef, lamb and Guinness stew ($17.99). Kids entrees include things like mac ‘n’ cheese and fish ‘n’ chips for $8.29. Desserts — such as sticky toffee pudding and butterbeer potted cream — shouldn’t be missed.

Other Diagon Alley spots to get a refreshment include Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour, where you can try butterbeer-flavored soft-serve or sticky toffee pudding ice cream. You can also grab a drink at The Fountain of Fair Fortune or The Hopping Pot.

Shopping in Diagon Alley

Shopping options are plentiful in Diagon Alley. Along with the perfect souvenir, be alert for a few “magic moments.” Among them is a snake speaking Parseltongue in the window of the Magical Menagerie and a talking mirror in Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. Be forewarned, she isn’t always complimentary of your wardrobe choices.

Related: Unlock more magic: 16 Universal Orlando secrets to know before your next trip

One word of caution: Harry Potter souvenirs are pretty expensive. You might want to set a budget with your kids before exploring the shops or explain to them why you won’t be purchasing certain items.

Shops in Diagon Alley include Borgin and Burkes for more sinister souvenirs, Ollivanders for wands, Quality Quidditch Supplies to support your favorite teams and Sugarplum’s Sweetshop for impulse buys of Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans.

Harry Potter attractions outside Diagon Alley

Once you’ve seen everything on Diagon Alley, leave this part of The Wizarding World through the opening in the brick wall. Directly across you’ll see the Knight Bus. Here you can meet the conductor and the shrunken head that hangs at the front of the bus. Kids and adults love interacting with these two. Sit by the fountain to listen in and be ready for a laugh.

Then, look across the way, and you’ll see a replica of a London street. Upon closer inspection, you’ll see 12 Grimmauld Place, the home of Sirius Black (Harry Potter’s godfather). He gifted the property to the Order of the Phoenix, which used it as a headquarters. Look up toward the second floor and you might catch a glimpse of Kreacher, the Black family house-elf, peering at you from the window.

When you’ve thoroughly explored Diagon Alley and the streets of Harry Potter’s London, it’s time to make your way to King’s Cross Station, where you’ll board the Hogwarts Express and ride the train to Hogsmeade. You can only ride the Hogwarts Express if you have a Park-to-Park ticket. If you’ve got one-day, one-park tickets, there is no way to experience this attraction, but there is a ticket desk in the train station where you can make a last-minute upgrade if you so choose.

The Hogwarts Express is both an immersive experience and actual transportation. Don’t miss the neat mirror trick in the queue that makes it look like folks are walking through a brick wall to access Platform 9 3/4. When you’re ready to board, eight passengers can fit in each train compartment. Greet your fellow Hogwarts schoolmates and then turn your attention to the windows, where you’ll watch as the train leaves London on the way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Be prepared to see some Dementors on the four-minute trip to Hogsmeade. The show is slightly different on the return trip, so fans will want to ride it both ways.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade

How to get to Hogsmeade

You’ll find Hogsmeade inside the Islands of Adventure theme park. Here, you can visit both the town of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This area has three rides, plus the Hogwarts Express.

To get there, take a right after passing through the Port of Entry and head toward Seuss Landing. Continue through Seuss Landing to The Lost Continent and on to Hogsmeade.

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a popular thrill coaster, and the attraction does not accept the Universal Express skip-the-line pass. Wait times can be longer than an hour and sometimes up to two hours or more.

If you have your heart set on riding this thrill coaster, get in line as soon as you arrive in Hogsmeade; you should see team members directing you toward the start of the line before you even reach Hogsmeade from The Lost Continent. If you have early park access, you’ll want to make this ride your first stop as soon as the park opens. Have someone hold your spot in line while you put belongings in the lockers next to Hogsmeade Station and the ride entrance.

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This is by far the fastest ride in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It reaches speeds up to 50 mph and includes both spikes into the air and fast drops. You need to be at least 48 inches tall to experience it. You’ll either ride Hagrid’s motorcycle or get in the sidecar. Either spot will make your heart pound, but I think the ride in the sidecar is a bit easier for anyone that might be nervous.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the ride that takes you inside Hogwarts Castle. The queue itself is filled with interesting scenes from the books; consider skipping the Express Pass line to have time to take it all in. If you have kids who want to see the sights but not ride the ride, you can go through the line and then bail out before boarding the ride.

On this ride, you “ride a broomstick” in and around Hogwarts Castle. The attraction is a “robocoaster,” where a robotic arm holds your seat above a track and you pivot in a multitude of directions. It makes you feel as if you’re flying through the air and, if you are prone to motion sickness, might make you feel queasy.

In addition, if your waist is larger than 40 inches, you might not be able to ride. If you’re uncertain, test out the pair of seats in front of Hogwarts Castle at the entrance for this ride or another pair about halfway through the queue.

The ride is dark at times, with encounters with dangers like Aragog the spider in the Forbidden Forest, the Whomping Willow and a gang of Dementors. But you’ll also screech around the Quidditch field. You must be 48 inches or taller to ride Forbidden Journey. There are lockers to the left of the castle entrance to store your belongings.

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Hogwarts Castle is also the key photo op in this land. You’ll find the best views from the bridge leaving Hogsmeade for Jurassic Park. This is where you can grab that quintessential photo of the castle

On select nights throughout the year, Universal shows “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle.” Light projections are beamed onto the castle walls, celebrating the four Hogwarts houses. It’s a great finale to your day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Flight of the Hippogriff

Flight of the Hippogriff, dubbed a “family-friendly coaster,” is across from Hogwarts Castle. Children have to be just 36 inches tall or taller to ride.

Related: 7 magical places every ‘Harry Potter’ fan should visit

This ride is super quick, and the twists, turns and drops might remind you of a slightly tamer Big Thunder Mountain Railroad from Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The track is elevated so you get a nice view of Hogsmeade. The queue is neat, too, as you walk by Hagrid’s Hut and on to an open area where you’ll recognize the Care of Magical Creatures class site.

If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can easily give this ride a miss, but if you are visiting with young kids they will love it.

Hogwarts Express — Hogsmeade Station

When you’re ready to leave this part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, walk through the arch toward Hogsmeade Station and get in line for the Hogwarts Express.

The train will take you back to “London” at Universal Studios. The experience is a bit different in each direction, so be sure to hop on — even if you rode the train from London to Hogsmeade earlier in the day.

Shows and attractions at Hogsmeade

If you didn’t see the “wand picks a wizard” show at the Ollivanders location at Diagon Alley in Universal Studios, you can get in line to see it here. After the show, shop for a wand if you don’t already have one. Hogsmeade also has magical spots where you can cast spells with your interactive wand. (This is a great activity if you have early park access but don’t want to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure; lines can get long at the spell-working spots.)

For more shows, head to the outdoor stage set between Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle. Here you can attend showings of the Frog Choir (songs by human and amphibian singers) and the Triwizard Spirit Rally (cheer on your favorite magical school). The stage is small but you can get a close-up spot if you arrive a few minutes before showtime.

Hogsmeade restaurants

If you’re hungry at Hogsmeade, you can sit down to a meal at the Three Broomsticks or grab a drink at the Hog’s Head bar next door (serving butterbeer, beer and spirits).

At Three Broomsticks, many families opt for The Great Feast, which includes a combination of rotisserie smoked chicken, spareribs, corn on the cob and roast potatoes and vegetables. (A platter for four is $74.99; additional servings are $19.99.)

You can also buy British favorites like fish ‘n’ chips, beef pasties and shepherd’s pie, plus soups and salads. Kids ages 9 and younger pick from fish ‘n’ chips, chicken fingers, chicken legs and mac ‘n’ cheese — each entree is $8.29 and served with grapes and applesauce.

Desserts include Butterbeer ice cream, apple pie and chocolate trifle ($5.49 to $6.99).

Nonalcoholic butterbeer (regular, hot or frozen) is $8.99. Draught beers on tap are Hog’s Head Brew, Daisyroot Ale, Dark Forest Ale and Dragon Scale ($13).

Three Broomsticks also serves breakfast daily until 10:30 a.m. with options similar to The Leaky Cauldron’s.

If you just want a Butterbeer to go, look for the red kiosks with giant wooden casks set up in the middle of the street. You can order regular and frozen Butterbeer to go.

Hogsmeade shops

You’ll find plenty of places to shop within Hogsmeade, including this area’s outpost of Ollivander’s. Many souvenirs repeat among stores, but each offers something unique.

Honeydukes is a sweet shop filled with confections like Exploding Bonbons, Cauldron Cakes, Fizzing Whizzbees, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs.

You can mail postcards or letters from the Owl Post, complete with an official Hogsmeade postmark. You can also purchase all kinds of writing implements (think quills and seals) as well as owl-themed souvenirs.

If you didn’t ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, you would have missed Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods since the ride empties into this shop. This is a terrific shop if you’re looking for house crest banners, T-shirts, hats or scarves.

Get your Hogwarts uniforms and robes, Sneakoscopes, Quaffles and Golden Snitches at Dervish and Banges.

Buying the right ticket for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade is part of Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure while The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley can be found at Universal Studios. Splitting this land into two sections was a brilliant move on Universal’s part since it means you need to purchase the upgraded Park-to-Park admission ticket if you wish to see both parts of Harry’s world on the same day.

You can use single-day one-park tickets to visit each land separately, but there’s no way to use those tickets to board the Hogwarts Express. A one-park ticket is your cheapest option, but you will miss out on a key Harry Potter attraction. For the full Wizarding World experience, you really want to choose the Park-to-Park ticket.

When buying Universal tickets, look at all the combinations and prices to determine which is the best deal for your family. We explore all the options in our complete guide to Universal Orlando. You should also look for limited-time Universal Orlando deals that could save you money.

The right credit card and transferable points can help save you money or earn you points toward future free travel with your Universal Orlando booking.

If you’d like to purchase Universal tickets with points, you have the option to do so through the Chase Travel℠ portal, with Bilt Rewards Points or through Citi Travel.

Related: How to use points to save money at Universal Orlando

If you’re paying cash, you’ll want to use a credit card that gives you extra points or miles for your theme park purchases. However, data points from many travelers tell us that tickets bought at an on-site Universal hotel and charged to the hotel room have coded as “travel,” but tickets and VIP tours purchased directly from Universal have coded as “entertainment.”

If you know your charge will code as travel, you’ll do well to use any of the best credit cards for general travel purchases, but if you think your purchase will code as entertainment, you’ll want to use one of the best cards for entertainment spending.

Related: The best credit cards for Universal vacations

And, of course, you can use points and miles to cover your airfare or hotel stay if you’re coming from out of state to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

How to see more of The Wizarding World in less time

First, you can use Universal’s Express Pass. This is a skip-the-line pass that works on most attractions at Universal’s two theme parks, with the exception of Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

There are three ways to get an Express Pass. The easiest way is to book one of Universal’s on-site Premier hotels such as Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Your room rate comes with a free Express Pass Unlimited to use throughout your visit.

If you have a Premier-level Universal annual pass, you’re entitled to Express Pass access beginning at 4 p.m.

Otherwise, you can purchase Express Passes. The Universal Express This pass lets you skip the regular line one time per participating ride at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks. The Universal Express Unlimited pass lets you skip the regular lines at participating rides as many times as you want.

The best strategy to ensure you do as much as possible within the World of Harry Potter is to rush straight for Hagrid’s when the park first opens and then use your Express Pass for all the other attractions.

If you are staying at any of the on-site Universal hotels, you can get into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour earlier than general admission.

Which park opens early varies by day and sometimes both parks open early. Check the Universal Orlando website for the most up-to-date information.

No matter which park is opening early, plan to arrive at the front gates at least 45–60 minutes before the Early Park Admission opening time. It’s the only way to beat the crowds and make the most of your extra time.

Only certain attractions open during Early Park Admission, but this typically includes all of the Wizarding World attractions. The ones you will most likely want to knock out are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal Studios Florida.

If you’re spending multiple days in the park, or have folks in your travel party who don’t like thrill rides, you can also use those early, less crowded hours to use your interactive wand at the designated spots without having to wait behind other budding wizards.

Related: How to get the most out of 1 day at Universal Orlando

A pricier way to skip the lines is to book a VIP tour. You can book a small-group or private VIP experience at Universal, which will package together walk-on ride access during the tour, Express Passes and complimentary meals at designated Universal restaurants. These tours will get you on rides like Hagrids that otherwise don’t have short-cut access.

Bottom line

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is an incredible place to visit for muggles and wizards alike.

The rides and attractions are fantastic. It’s fun to watch the daily performances that all relate to an aspect of Harry’s magical world, and you must raise a pint of butterbeer (or one of the beers specially brewed for The Wizarding World) in one of the themed establishments across the land, such as the Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks.

To get the most out of your visit, splurge on Park-to-Park tickets and pair that with an Express Pass. Only then will you be able to get in early and (with a little magic) skip the worst of the lines. The added expense is worth it for a day or two of immersion into Harry Potter’s magical world.

Planning a trip to Universal Orlando? Start with these stories:

If Munich is on your must-visit list and you want to travel in style this summer, Lufthansa has some excellent business-class redemptions available right now on its biggest passenger jet. For the first time, the German airline is adding its Airbus A380 superjumbo jet, the world’s largest passenger plane, to regular service out of Denver International Airport (DEN).

The route from DEN to Munich International Airport (MUC) will run during the summer, from April 30 through the end of September. Right now, you can book business-class seats to the Bavarian capital from Denver and some other cities like Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Big thanks to our friends at View from the Wing for first spotting this deal. The website noted that the size of the double-decker A380 jet — 78 business-class seats in the plane’s 2-2-2 configuration — provides many opportunities for award redemptions.

We found a lot of availability from Denver and Boston in May and June, starting from 88,000 miles each way, plus taxes and fees. If you’re flying out of LA or D.C., then July is your best bet to score business-class seats at the lowest redemption rate.

When searching for this deal, I used United Airlines’ website to find the available award flights. This is because I don’t have a lot of miles in my Lufthansa Miles & More account, and the site won’t let me search for award flights without the proper amount of miles.

Tip: If you plan to use miles you’ve accrued on United, go to United’s website and click the “30-day calendar” link to get the best idea of availability for the month you’re searching. Also, don’t forget to hit the “lowest” link under the “Business” tab to sort the results; this way, you will see the lowest redemptions at the top.

Deal basics

Airline: Lufthansa (Star Alliance)
Routes: From Boston, Denver, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to Munich
How to book: Directly with the airline
Travel dates: April 30 to Sept. 30
Book by: As soon as possible

Sample flights

As we mentioned above, we found the best availability at the lowest redemption rates in the following months:

• May (from Denver)
• June (from Boston)
• July (from LA and D.C.)

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Here’s the United MileagePlus award calendar showing the availability for business-class redemptions out of Denver in May and early June. As you can see, you have lots of options.

Here’s a nonstop flight from DEN to MUC on May 7 available for 88,000 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.

Here’s the entire itinerary that you can book for 176,000 miles and $130 in taxes and fees.

Related: United Airlines debuts largest-ever lounge at Denver International Airport

You can fly from Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the Washington, D.C., area to MUC in July for 88,000 miles nonstop.

As we said earlier, May is the sweet spot for finding business-class seats out of Boston to Germany. This mid-May flight from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to MUC is available for only 88,000 miles.

The return flight to Boston is available at the same redemption rate. The round-trip journey will cost 176,000 miles and $136 in taxes and fees.

Here’s the calendar view showing the availability for business-class seats out of Los Angeles in late June and early July. As you can see, you have lots of options for scoring a great redemption.

The one caveat for those looking to take advantage of this deal in Los Angeles is that all the lowest redemptions are for flights with a layover in Denver. Still, flying business class from the West Coast to Munich for 88,000 miles each way is too good to pass up.

Maximize your purchase

Bottom line

These award flights are not just a great way to score a luxurious seat for a trip across the Atlantic; they’re also ideal for families looking to visit Munich and who have the miles to splurge on luxury seating for a summer vacation.

Related reading:

Plitvice Lakes have always been known for their extraordinary beauty, which changes with the change of seasons. The winter brings with itself a peaceful glow to the lakes, when the lakes are covered with a layer of ice and snow; and with the arrival of spring, the nature awakens. Regardless of whether you visit in the winter or spring, the Plitvice Lakes provide an unforgettable experience in a beautiful natural setting.

Winter silence

Winter brings a special charm to Plitvice Lakes National Park, and its waterfalls, forests, and lakes covered in snow are a sight that many don’t often witness. While most visitors come to the Park in the spring and summer, the winter brings a quieter, more intimate experience of this unique place. During the cold months, the waterfalls partially or completely freeze over, creating stunning scenes. The snowy landscape offers the visitors the opportunity to experience Plitvice Lakes in a completely new way. In this period of the year, there are no crowds, so visitors can enjoy nature in a special way: without distractions, with enough time to explore and admire every detail. A white blanket covers the trails and wooden bridges, and the forests take on an almost surreal appearance.

A walk through this landscape brings a sense of serenity and a deep connection with the nature. In addition to walking, a winter electric boat ride on the Kozjak Lake offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy and photograph unique scenes of enchanting nature. Winter is also a time when visitors need to be more careful. Trails can be slippery due to ice, and temperatures often drop below zero. Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear is extremely important to make your stay in the nature pleasant and safe. For those who want to escape from everyday obligations and stress, visiting Plitvice Lakes during the winter is an ideal choice. Here you can find not only natural beauty, but also inner peace. The winter silence which reigns here offers a special form of rest: the one that fills the mind and heart with tranquillity, bringing a sense of contentment and happiness. Whether you are a nature lover, a photographer, or you simply want to experience something special, Plitvice Lakes under a blanket of snow will provide you with an unforgettable experience that you will remember for a long time.

Mukinje Ski Resort

Did you know that Plitvice Lakes National Park has a ski resort? Since the 1980s, the Mukinje ski resort has become an essential destination for all those who want to enjoy winter joys, as well as the unique nature of this National Park. Located along the D429 state road, in the village of Mukinje, the ski resort is ideal for family fun and recreation in the fresh air. It is only 2.5 km from Entrance 2, the hotel complex of the National Park, or about 5 km from Entrance 1 and the popular restaurant Lička kuća, in the direction of the Adriatic coast. The ski resort offers everything you need for a winter vacation. With one ski lift which has the capacity of 400 skiers per hour, visitors can climb to a height of 700 meters above sea level, from which they descend down the tracks to the foot of the ski resort at 640 meters. The tracks are about 400 meters long, and their gentleness (average slope of 15%) makes the ski resort ideal for beginners, recreational skiers, and families with children. In addition to skiing, visitors can also enjoy snowboarding, as well as sledding down the slope.

For those who want to enjoy winter moments after the sunset, the ski resort also offers a special experience: night skiing under floodlights. Every Friday and Saturday, the tracks are illuminated, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for all skiers. For snow lovers who want to enjoy sledding, the ski resort offers rental of sleds, plates and shovels for descending the slope, making the ski resort also accessible to families with small children. The Mukinje ski resort is available depending on the natural conditions, and with favourable weather conditions, the ski lift is in operation, ensuring pleasant skiing. The ski resort also offers rental of ski equipment, so you don’t have to worry about it: everything you need is at your disposal. After enjoying themselves at the Mukinje ski resort, visitors have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the gastronomic offer at Pizzeria Vučnica. Located in the very heart of winter activities, the Pizzeria provides the perfect place to relax after an active day on the tracks. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend winter moments in nature, surrounded by mountain landscape.

A walk through the nature

During the winter period, when the National Park enters hibernation, touring the lake has a special charm compared to other seasons. Winter at Plitvice Lakes does not allow visitors to enjoy full tour programmes, but that is what makes them truly special: because even the little they manage to see leaves them breathless. For the safety of visitors, certain parts of the Park are temporarily closed. The Upper Lakes are closed first, and remain closed until spring when they are prepared for the arrival of visitors. During this period, a tour is possible through the canyon of the Lower Lakes, until the snow cover becomes high enough that the lakes can only be seen from above the canyon. A walk on top of the canyon offers you a view of snowy trails which no one has ever travelled before, while waterfalls and lakes create a different sound.

Everything in nature seems to be at rest, awaiting the arrival of spring, when with the first rays of sunshine, birds will chirp and the first spring flowers will bloom. With the arrival of spring, everything awakens, and the National Park’s programmes reopen, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of bright colours and fully experience the wondrous natural world that surrounds them. The Park offers a variety of tours tailored to different interests and levels of physical fitness: from shorter walks to full-day tour programmes. In the spring and summer, when nature reaches its full glory, a walk through the Park becomes a true pleasure for all nature lovers. Every step reveals a new wonder, and every view brings a sense of admiration for this unique natural world.

The arrival of spring and tour programmes

As spring approaches, Plitvice Lakes take on a new look, showered with colours. The lakes sparkle under the first morning sun, and their colour changes from turquoise green to blue as the day progresses. At the very entrance to the Park, you are greeted by the stunning Big Waterfall, whose power is impressive. As you walk along the Park’s paths to the sound of birds and the silence of the nature, you will experience the beauty of the Lower Lakes. After a pleasant walk through the canyon of the Lower Lakes, you will reach another attraction, which is an electric boat ride on the largest lake, Kozjak. This ride lasts a pleasant 20 minutes and provides an opportunity to rest with the beautiful scenery of a spring day. The adventure does not stop there. If you are a fan of long walks in nature, the tour then takes you to the Upper Lakes of the National Park.

They are truly special, and consist of 12 lakes and numerous waterfalls, large and small. The Upper Lakes have a cascading form, which means that the waterfalls spill over travertine barriers at every step. Such scenes are particularly impressive in spring, when water levels are high and the lakes shine in special colours. Pleasant spring temperatures and clean air further enrich the experience. The National Park offers various tour programmes, so you can enjoy the beauty of the Park for one, two, or even three days. At the very end, a panoramic vehicle provides a view of the forested landscape of the Park, with occasional rays of sunlight glimmering through the treetops: the perfect ending to your walk.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is truly special in every season. Winter tells its own fairytale, when lakes and waterfalls stand still for a moment in a serene environment, waiting for the first rays of spring sunshine. With the arrival of spring, everything awakens, and nature once again enchants people with its beauty. Whether you come in the silence of winter or the splendour of spring, each period is special in its own right. The only important thing to do is to coordinate your visit with the current weather conditions and let yourself enjoy the beauty of nature, which always offers something special here.

It’s going to be an exciting year at Disneyland as the park prepares for its 70th anniversary celebration this spring. The celebration will see the Southern California theme park debut new entertainment offerings, including a new attraction with an audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney.

For guests staying at one of Disneyland’s on-site hotels, the excitement doesn’t have to end when you exit the park gates and head back to your resort. All three hotels are undergoing exciting enhancements, including new concierge lounges, refreshed guest rooms, new themed suites and a new design for a fan-favorite restaurant.

Here’s what’s coming — and when you can experience these updates for yourself.

Disneyland Hotel

This summer, the Disneyland Hotel will open an all-new concierge lounge for guests staying in the property’s club-level rooms. The hotel’s current E-Ticket Lounge is now closed to make way for the new High Key Club.

Inspired by Disneyland’s early years, the High Key Club will feature a fun and colorful midcentury modern aesthetic, with opening-era park artifacts and a custom soundtrack of classic songs from the park. The new lounge, which is in the hotel’s Adventure Tower, will be nearly double the size of its predecessor.

In addition to being a comfortable place to gather or grab complimentary food and beverages, the High Key Club will be a prime viewing location for Disneyland’s nighttime spectaculars. Similar to other Disneyland club-level lounges, the High Key Club will broadcast music from the show to provide the full experience.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Rather than overhauling its concierge lounge, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is adding a second lounge where guests can enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages in a relaxing atmosphere. The new two-story, club-level space will stretch between the hotel’s fifth and sixth floors, overlooking the Great Hall lobby.

The giant sequoia — California’s state tree — will inspire the lounge’s design, in keeping with the hotel’s California craftsman style. The new lounge is scheduled to open in 2026, but guests can still enjoy the concierge lounge at The Veranda in the meantime.

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Guests at the Grand Californian will also soon experience fully refreshed guest rooms featuring new decor, bedding and more. This includes standard rooms and the hotel’s Disney Vacation Club Villas.

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The new decor will remain in line with the current design, with bold new accent colors and artwork in each room commissioned from local plein air painters.

The hotel’s award-winning Napa Rose restaurant is also getting a new look. The new design is inspired by California’s history of winemaking; it will feature rich colors and textures alongside authentic details like flooring and columns made from French oak — a wood commonly used in wine barrel production. Newly expanded counters will let guests watch staff prepare food in the open kitchen; the outdoor area will also increase in size, with additional seating and two new fireplaces.

Napa Rose will temporarily close this spring and summer to implement these changes, reopening in the fall fully redone.

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Pixar Place Hotel

Disneyland’s newest lodging, Pixar Place Hotel, will add two new, two-bedroom themed suites this summer.

One will be themed to Pixar Animation Studios’ “Coco,” with Oaxacan-style architecture, terra-cotta tiling, decor crafted by Mexican artisans, hand-painted art and handcrafted wooden furniture. When you enter the space and see the photos and mementos, you’ll feel like you just stepped into the Rivera family’s hacienda.

The second suite will be themed to “The Incredibles,” with a midcentury modern design and hidden details that will make you feel like a real-life superspy. Beginning with a hand scanner at the room’s entrance, guests can also uncover a spy phone, hidden messages, a secret door and more.

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A father was left furious after Ryanair staff fined him £100 and “threatened to cancel his family’s holiday” over bag straps which were “slightly too big”.

John Butler, 50, was stopped at Dublin Airport last month while attempting to board a flight to Lanzarote with his family.

Staff are said to have threatened to cancel his family’s holiday

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“The next minute, I’m told ‘you step aside as well’,” Butler explained. “Myself, my wife, and two kids step aside and I’m still wondering what this is about.”

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When asked to place the bags in the measuring device, Butler said: “It was clearly obvious that it was fine but she said it’s not fine. She said the handle was above it and just kept insisting.”

The situation escalated when staff reportedly threatened Butler’s daughter, telling her she “won’t go on your holidays if your father doesn’t pay”.

When Butler challenged the charge, he was told the gates were closed but could be reopened if he paid the fine.

MORE TRAVEL HELL:

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Butler was told the gates were closed – but could be reopened if he paid the fine

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After reluctantly paying to avoid missing their 10-day holiday, Butler requested the staff member’s name, but she reportedly turned her name badge backwards to conceal her identity.

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Butler claims this practice appears to target passengers at the end of the queue. “When we came back with the exact same bag and same contents, no one even asked us about our bags,” he said.

“On the plane, the air hostess and all agreed it was totally wrong,” Butler added. “It seems to be a common practice that if you’re the last few in the queue, you’re pulled aside.”

The father has submitted a formal complaint and is demanding both a refund and an apology from the airline.

Ryanair has denied targeting passengers at the end of the queue.

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A spokesman for the airline said: “This passenger and his travelling companions booked a non-priority fare for this flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, which allowed them to carry a small personal bag onboard.”

“Two of these bags exceeded the permitted size and they were correctly charged a standard gate baggage fee (€60) to place their oversized bags in the hold.”