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Thanksgiving in Orlando falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, in one of the busiest theme park weeks of the year. Orlando’s public schools are off all week, Disney and Universal are already decorated for the holidays, and the day after Thanksgiving brings Black Friday sales and the start of EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays.
This guide covers official park hours for Thanksgiving Day, the nights when Disney’s Christmas parties close parks early, Thanksgiving meals, Black Friday shopping, the weather and three hotels that suit a holiday trip. Details come from official pages checked in October 2026 and can change, so confirm them before you go.
Quick answer: Expect heavy crowds from Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, November 29. At the time of writing, Magic Kingdom was scheduled to open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, the other Disney parks to close between 6 and 9 p.m., and Universal’s parks to close at 8 p.m.; recheck both calendars before you go. Book your Thanksgiving meal now: Disney’s 60-day dining window is already open for the whole week, and Four Seasons Orlando and Rosen Shingle Creek have posted their 2026 holiday buffets. Avoid full Magic Kingdom days on November 24, 25, 27 and 29, when the park closes at 6 p.m. for a Christmas party.
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Thanksgiving in Orlando 2026 at a glance
Here’s what is scheduled in and around Thanksgiving week. Most holiday events are included with a regular park ticket; Disney’s two evening parties are the exception.
| Date | What’s on | Where | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Nov 6 | Christmas Celebration (select dates) | SeaWorld Orlando | Park admission |
| From Nov 13 | Holidays at Walt Disney World | All four Disney parks | Park ticket |
| From Nov 13 | Christmas at Gaylord Palms, with ICE! | Kissimmee | Separate tickets |
| From Nov 14 | Holidays at Universal Orlando | All three Universal parks | Park ticket |
| Nov 21 | Last day of EPCOT Food & Wine; Florida Classic (FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman) | EPCOT; Camping World Stadium | Park or game ticket |
| Nov 21, 23, 28 | Disney Jollywood Nights | Hollywood Studios | $169–$199 + tax |
| Nov 23–27 | Public school Thanksgiving break | Orange County | — |
| Nov 24, 25, 27, 29 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party | Magic Kingdom | $189–$229 + tax |
| Nov 27 | Black Friday; Festival of the Holidays opens | Malls; EPCOT | EPCOT ticket |
| From Nov 28 | Now Snowing, nightly | Celebration Town Center | Free |
Thanksgiving week crowds and park hours
Disney and Universal don’t publish crowd forecasts, but two signs point the same way. Orange County Public Schools’ official 2026–27 calendar gives students the whole week off, November 23 to 27, though it names the 23rd and 24th as backup make-up days if severe weather closes schools. And WDW Prep School, a planner site, says in its 2026 crowd calendar that “Thanksgiving Week crowds hit hard” from November 21 to 29, after a “brief calm” from November 16 to 20.
If your dates are flexible, the week before Thanksgiving gets you the holiday decorations with fewer people. Our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Orlando compares the rest of the year, and our guide to how many days you need in Orlando helps you fit your park plan into the school break.
Walt Disney World hours on November 26, 2026
Disney’s park calendar listed these hours at the time of writing (its site redirected us to the Portuguese-language version of the same calendar). Hours can change, so check the calendar again the week before you go. Guests of Disney resorts and select other hotels can enter 30 minutes early every day through Early Theme Park Entry.
| Park | Thanksgiving Day | Other nights that week |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Kingdom | 9 a.m.–10 p.m. | Closes 6 p.m. on Nov 24, 25, 27, 29 |
| EPCOT | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Extended Evening Hours to 11 p.m. on Nov 23 |
| Hollywood Studios | 9 a.m.–9 p.m. | Closes 7 p.m. on Nov 21, 23, 28 |
| Animal Kingdom | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. | Extended Evening Hours to 8 p.m. on Nov 25 |
Extended Evening Hours are only for guests of Disney’s Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts, plus the Swan, Dolphin, Swan Reserve and Shades of Green. The early closings matter most: on party nights, Magic Kingdom closes to day guests at 6 p.m. before the 7 p.m. to midnight party, and Hollywood Studios closes at 7 p.m. on Jollywood nights. For a full Magic Kingdom day with Happily Ever After, scheduled at 8 p.m., pick November 21, 22, 23, 26 or 28.
Universal Orlando hours
Universal’s official calendar listed the following for Thanksgiving Day at the time of writing. Early Park Admission is a perk for Universal hotel guests.
| Park | Nov 26 hours | Early Park Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Studios Florida | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Not available |
| Islands of Adventure | 9 a.m.–8 p.m. | From 8 a.m. |
| Epic Universe | 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | From 9 a.m. |
| Volcano Bay | Closed | — |
Islands of Adventure was listed until 9 p.m. on November 27 and 28. Recheck Universal’s calendar before your visit. Volcano Bay closes for maintenance on October 26, 2026, with reopening expected on or before April 1, 2027, and Universal lists Jurassic Park River Adventure as closed until December 16, 2026.
Holiday events already running at Thanksgiving
Orlando’s Christmas season starts before Thanksgiving, so a late-November trip gets most of the decorations:
- Walt Disney World: the holiday season runs November 13 to January 6, with the Frozen Holiday Surprise castle show and Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Tower Hotel projections and a 55-foot tree at Animal Kingdom, all included with admission.
- EPCOT: the Food & Wine Festival ends November 21, and the Festival of the Holidays runs November 27 to December 30, including the Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre. From November 22 to 26, neither festival is running.
- Universal Orlando: the holidays run November 14 to January 3 and come with a park ticket: Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and Snoggletog in Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk.
- SeaWorld Orlando: the Christmas Celebration runs on select dates from November 6 to January 4 and is included with admission. Its FAQ still says November 7 to January 5, so check the calendar for your day.
- Gaylord Palms: Christmas at Gaylord Palms, with ICE! featuring The Polar Express, runs November 13 to January 3.
- Celebration: Now Snowing starts November 28, with free “snowfall” in Celebration Town Center listed nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the town’s events calendar.
For party prices, show details and the full December calendar, see our guide to Christmas in Orlando. Visiting earlier in the fall instead? Our Halloween in Orlando guide covers the events that wrap up before the holiday season starts.
Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando
Holiday tables fill early, so reserve as soon as you can. These options had official 2026 details at the time of writing.
At the theme parks
Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern serves what Disney calls a “traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner” all year: the all-you-care-to-enjoy Patriot’s Platter with roasted turkey, pot roast, oven-roasted pork and traditional sides. It serves lunch and dinner, but hours vary by day (on party nights the park closes to day guests at 6 p.m.), so check the restaurant page. Disney puts it in the $35 to $59.99 per adult price band, and you’ll need Magic Kingdom admission.
Disney takes dining reservations 60 days ahead, and its resort guests can book their whole stay (up to 10 nights) 60 days before arrival. The window for November 26 opened on September 27, so all of Thanksgiving week is bookable now. If your time is full, keep checking, and note that Disney charges a per-person no-show fee. We found no Thanksgiving Day menus on the Universal or SeaWorld pages we checked, so look again in November.
Resort Thanksgiving buffets
- Four Seasons Resort Orlando: the resort’s September 2026 announcement lists the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals at Ravello from 7 to 11 a.m. ($64 per adult, $44 per child), a Ravello buffet from 1 to 8 p.m. ($170 and $58) and a Plancha buffet from noon to 7 p.m. ($150 and $58). Overnight guests can order an in-room Thanksgiving meal from 1 p.m. for $59 per person. Reservations are required: 407-313-6161.
- Rosen Shingle Creek: Thanksgiving Brunch at Cala Bella runs from noon to 7 p.m. on November 26. It costs $157.95 per adult and $65.95 for ages 4 to 11 (3 and under eat free), plus 6.5% tax and a 20% service charge. It includes unlimited champagne, mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys for guests 21 and up, plus free valet and self-parking. Book at (407) 996-3663; there’s a $25-per-person no-show fee unless you cancel 24 hours ahead.
Other hotels post menus closer to the date, so ask yours.
Black Friday shopping in Orlando
Orlando has two Simon outlet centers, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets near Disney Springs and Orlando International Premium Outlets on north International Drive near Universal, plus the luxury Mall at Millenia and Disney Springs itself. We couldn’t confirm 2026 holiday hours for most of them when we checked.
| Shopping | Area | Black Friday hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando International Premium Outlets | North I-Drive | 2025: 5 a.m.–10 p.m. | 2026 hours not confirmed |
| Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets | Vineland Ave | Not confirmed | Check Simon’s site |
| The Mall at Millenia | Conroy Road | Not posted yet | Regular Fri hours 11 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Disney Springs | Lake Buena Vista | 10 a.m.–11:30 p.m. | Free parking |
Last year’s pattern is a useful guide, not a promise: on Black Friday 2025, the I-Drive outlets’ official hours page listed 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., then 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. At the time of writing, Disney’s calendar listed Disney Springs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and until 11:30 p.m. on Black Friday (individual store hours vary), with no 2026 details yet for its Christmas Tree Stroll.
To stay within walking distance of the stores, see our guides to hotels near Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets and hotels near the Mall at Millenia.
Orlando weather at Thanksgiving
Late November is usually pleasant. NOAA’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Orlando International Airport give November an average high of 78.3°F and an average low of 58.2°F. For November 26 itself, the normal high is about 76.5°F and the normal low about 56°F. November averages 1.79 inches of rain, with about three days of 0.10 inch or more.
Pack for both: shorts or light layers for the day and a jacket for late nights, especially if you’re staying for a party that ends at midnight. For water parks, Disney’s calendar listed Blizzard Beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 26 and 27 at the time of writing, Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment, and Universal’s Volcano Bay is closed for maintenance.
Where to stay for Thanksgiving in Orlando
Book a refundable rate early and compare the full price, since resort fees, parking and Orange County’s 12.5% hotel tax add up. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book. Disney says its own resort hotels put up holiday decorations and Christmas trees, but you book those directly with Disney. For a neighborhood-by-neighborhood comparison, start with our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando.
For a holiday feast at your resort: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
The Four Seasons sits inside Disney’s Golden Oak community at 10100 Dream Tree Boulevard, and it had the fullest Thanksgiving program we found: the Goofy character breakfast, two buffets and an in-room holiday meal. It’s on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list, but not the Extended Evening Hours list. Its complimentary scheduled buses run to all four Disney parks, about once an hour to each. For a slower day, Explorer Island has a lazy river and two water slides, and Oasis is a 21-and-up pool.
Parking is valet only, for a fee. Our Four Seasons Resort Orlando review covers the resort fee, rooms and Disney perks in detail.
Check your Thanksgiving dates at Four Seasons Resort Orlando on Booking.com
For Universal, SeaWorld and a holiday brunch: Rosen Shingle Creek
Rosen Shingle Creek, at 9939 Universal Boulevard near the Orange County Convention Center, has the Cala Bella brunch on site and charges no resort fee. As a Universal partner hotel, it offers complimentary scheduled shuttles to Universal’s parks, including Epic Universe, with a connector bus to SeaWorld and Aquatica. You reserve seats in person at the Universal Vacation Planning Desk. Self-parking is $36 and valet $48 a day, plus tax, at the time of writing.
Rosen also lists a “Big Four” pre-Thanksgiving package for four guests staying four nights, November 22 to 26, with discounts on select restaurants and self-parking.
See prices and availability at Rosen Shingle Creek
For value and Black Friday at Disney Springs: Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Drury Plaza, at 2000 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, is the value pick. It includes a free hot breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. and its 5:30 Kickback with evening snacks and cold drinks, and it charges no resort fee. The free shuttle to all four Disney parks is first come, first served, and the hotel is on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list. Drury also advertises free late-night rides back from select special events at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios; ask which party nights it covers.
Drury lists Disney Springs half a mile away. Our walking route to World of Disney came to about 0.9 mile, roughly 20 minutes, so Black Friday shopping is an easy walk. Parking was $28 a night at the time of writing.
Compare rates for Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Frequently asked questions
Is Disney World crowded on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Disney doesn’t publish crowd forecasts, but planner site WDW Prep School’s 2026 crowd calendar says Thanksgiving week crowds “hit hard” from November 21 to 29, and Orlando’s public schools are off November 23 to 27. Arrive for Early Entry or opening, ride the most popular attractions first and book dining early.
What are Disney World’s hours on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
At the time of writing, Disney’s calendar listed Magic Kingdom from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., EPCOT and Hollywood Studios from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Animal Kingdom from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 26, 2026. Eligible hotel guests get Early Theme Park Entry 30 minutes earlier. Check the calendar again the week before.
Where can I get Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando?
In the parks, Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom serves a Thanksgiving-style family feast all year. Four Seasons Resort Orlando has posted 2026 buffets at Ravello and Plancha plus a Goofy character breakfast, and Rosen Shingle Creek has a Thanksgiving brunch at Cala Bella. Book ahead; other hotels post menus closer to the date.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Thanksgiving night?
No. Thanksgiving Day isn’t a party night in 2026. The nearest parties are November 24 and 25 and November 27 and 29, from 7 p.m. to midnight, with tickets from $189 to $229 plus tax. On those nights, Magic Kingdom closes to day guests at 6 p.m. On Thanksgiving itself, the park was scheduled to stay open until 10 p.m. at the time of writing.
Are Orlando’s outlets open on Black Friday?
They have been. On Black Friday 2025, Orlando International Premium Outlets listed hours from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. We couldn’t confirm 2026 holiday hours for either Orlando outlet center, so check each center’s hours page in November, including Thanksgiving Day itself. At the time of writing, Disney Springs was scheduled to stay open until 11:30 p.m. on Black Friday.
What is the weather like in Orlando at Thanksgiving?
Usually mild and mostly dry. NOAA’s climate normals for Orlando International Airport put the normal high on November 26 at about 76.5°F and the normal low at about 56°F, and November averages 1.79 inches of rain. Bring shorts for the day and a light jacket for the evenings, especially if you’ll be in the parks late.
Bottom line
Thanksgiving in Orlando means holiday decorations, full parks and plenty of places to eat turkey, as long as you plan ahead. Book your Thanksgiving meal and any party tickets now, build your park days around the 6 p.m. party closings, and treat Black Friday as a shopping or pool day. Then book a refundable room near the celebration you want most, and compare Thanksgiving-week rates in the search box on this page.
Sources checked in October 2026: Walt Disney World park hours calendar, Universal Orlando park hours, Four Seasons Resort Orlando Thanksgiving dining, Rosen Shingle Creek Thanksgiving, NOAA U.S. Climate Normals