Disney World Thanksgiving

Disney World Thanksgiving opening hours

The current published hours for Disney World on Thursday, November 26, 2026 are:

Magic Kingdom: 9am to 10pm.

EPCOT: 9am to 9pm.

Hollywood Studios: 9am to 9pm.

Animal Kingdom: 8am to 6pm.

Opening hours can change as Thanksgiving approaches, so check the My Disney Experience app or Disney World calendar shortly before your visit.

Is Disney World busy at Thanksgiving?

Yes. Thanksgiving week is one of the more popular periods to visit Walt Disney World, particularly from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and through the holiday weekend.

Expect longer waits for headline attractions, busy restaurants and heavier crowds around popular areas of the parks. That doesn’t mean you should avoid visiting. Arriving early, choosing your priority attractions and booking dining in advance can make a significant difference.

If Magic Kingdom is your priority, our Guide to Magic Kingdom can help you decide which rides, restaurants and attractions to focus on.

Thanksgiving dinner at Disney World

Thanksgiving dinner is one of the biggest things to plan ahead for.

Some Disney restaurants serve food that already suits a traditional Thanksgiving meal, while others introduce seasonal menus or dining experiences during the holiday period.

Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom

Liberty Tree Tavern is one of the most obvious choices for Thanksgiving dinner at Disney World.

Its family-style Patriot’s Platter includes roasted turkey, pot roast, pork and traditional sides, making it a particularly good fit if you want a familiar Thanksgiving-style feast without leaving Magic Kingdom. As it's a popular choice, reservations are strongly recommended.

Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine

Minnie’s Holiday Dine runs at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios from November 4, 2026 to January 6, 2027.

The seasonal character dining experience features Minnie Mouse and other Disney characters dressed for the holidays, served up alongside a tasty family-friendly buffet meal.

See our Guide to Hollywood Studios if you’re planning to combine Thanksgiving dining with a full day in the park.

Thanksgiving dining at Disney Springs

Disney Springs is another useful option if you would rather enjoy Thanksgiving dinner away from the theme parks.

Restaurants across Disney Springs often introduce Thanksgiving menus or seasonal dishes, although exact 2026 offerings can vary by restaurant.

This can also work well if you want Thanksgiving Day itself to be more relaxed rather than spending the entire day in a theme park.

Book Thanksgiving dinner early

Disney dining reservations generally open up to 60 days in advance, and Thanksgiving tables can disappear quickly.

Use the My Disney Experience app to book, manage reservations and check for cancellations closer to your visit.

Christmas at Disney World during Thanksgiving

One of the advantages of visiting Walt Disney World at Thanksgiving is that it coincides with the Disney World Christmas season!

Disney’s 2026 holiday celebrations begin on November 13, so by Thanksgiving you can expect decorations, seasonal entertainment and festive attractions throughout the resort.

Magic Kingdom at Thanksgiving

Magic Kingdom will already be decorated for Christmas, including Main Street, U.S.A., Cinderella Castle and seasonal attractions such as Jingle Cruise.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place on selected evenings during Thanksgiving week, including November 24, 25, 27 and 29.

There is no Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on Thanksgiving Day itself, November 26, so Magic Kingdom remains open later for regular daytime guests that evening.

For much more on the festive season, see our Disney World Christmas guide.

Hollywood Studios at Thanksgiving

Hollywood Studios also has its Christmas decorations in place by Thanksgiving.

Look out for festive decorations around Toy Story Land, seasonal projections on the Hollywood Tower Hotel and Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine.

Disney Jollywood Nights also runs on selected evenings during the holiday season as a separate-ticket Christmas event.

Animal Kingdom at Thanksgiving

Animal Kingdom brings its own style to the festive season, including Christmas decorations and the Merry Menagerie on Discovery Island.

The experience features handcrafted winter-animal puppets including penguins, reindeer, foxes and polar bears.

Our Guide to Animal Kingdom covers the rides, restaurants and attractions worth adding around the seasonal entertainment.

EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

If you’re staying for Thanksgiving weekend, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins on Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.

The festival celebrates Christmas and other seasonal traditions from around the world with Holiday Kitchens, storytellers, live entertainment and the Candlelight Processional.

This means visitors arriving for Thanksgiving can spend Thursday enjoying Disney World before experiencing the opening day of the festival on Friday.

Read our Guide to EPCOT for more on rides, restaurants and World Showcase.

Is there a Disney World Thanksgiving parade?

There isn’t a dedicated Thanksgiving Day parade at Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom does host Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but the Christmas Party is not taking place on Thanksgiving Day in 2026. If you particularly want to see the Christmas parade, party nights are scheduled immediately before and after Thanksgiving on November 25 and November 27.

Best things to do at Disney World over Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving week gives you a good mix of regular Disney attractions and Christmas experiences.

Some of the best things to include are:

• See the Christmas decorations at Magic Kingdom

• Ride Jingle Cruise

• Have a Thanksgiving-style meal at Liberty Tree Tavern

• See Minnie and friends at Holiday Dine

• Explore Animal Kingdom’s Merry Menagerie

• Visit Disney Springs for dining and shopping

• Attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on a nearby date

• Visit EPCOT Festival of the Holidays from November 27

• See the parks and Christmas decorations after dark

Tips for visiting Disney World at Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a busy time to visit, but a few simple decisions can make the parks much easier to manage.

• Arrive early: Crowds generally build as the morning progresses. Getting to your chosen park around opening time gives you a better chance of experiencing popular attractions before queues become heavier.

• Choose your priority rides: Don’t try to do everything in one day. Pick a handful of attractions that matter most to your group and plan the rest of the day around them.

• Consider Lightning Lane: Paid Lightning Lane passes can help reduce time spent in standby queues for selected attractions, which can be particularly useful during busy periods. Our Disney World Lightning Lane guide explains Multi Pass, Single Pass, Premier Pass and current booking rules.

• Book your Thanksgiving meal: If Thanksgiving dinner is important to your plans, make your restaurant reservation as soon as your booking window opens.

• Check Christmas event dates: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights affect evening schedules on selected dates. Check which events are running before deciding which parks to visit on each day of your Thanksgiving trip.

• Leave some time away from the parks: You don’t need to spend every day of Thanksgiving week inside Disney World. A pool day, Thanksgiving dinner at your villa or an evening at Disney Springs can give everyone a useful break between busy park days.

Where to stay for Disney World Thanksgiving

Staying close to Walt Disney World makes it easier to combine busy park days with time together over Thanksgiving.

Our villas near Disney World include homes for families and large groups, with selected properties featuring private pools, games rooms, home theaters, themed bedrooms and large kitchens and dining areas.

For homes specifically suited to the holiday, explore our Orlando Thanksgiving villas. Large kitchens and dining spaces make it easier to prepare Thanksgiving dinner at home, while private pools and entertainment spaces give everyone plenty to do away from the parks.

You can also browse our wider collection of Orlando vacation rentals.