
Thanksgiving in Orlando: 2026 Guide
Spend Thanksgiving in Orlando 2026 with 15 top restaurants, Disney and Universal holiday events, Turkey Trots, shopping and luxury villas.

About Thanksgiving in Orlando: Your 2026 Guide
Orlando offers far more than a change of scenery for Thanksgiving. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are already transformed for Christmas by Thanksgiving week, restaurants across the city create special holiday menus, and events such as Orlando's Turkey Trot and FusionFest add something different to the long weekend.
Dining is one of the biggest reasons to visit. Orlando's luxury resorts serve elaborate Thanksgiving buffets with carving stations, seafood, seasonal sides and large dessert displays, while Disney offers family-style comfort food and Kissimmee adds everything from Caribbean-inspired Thanksgiving menus to dinner shows.
You can also celebrate at home in one of our Orlando Thanksgiving villas. Spacious kitchens, large dining tables and open living areas make it easy to gather the whole family, while selected homes add private pools, outdoor kitchens, BBQ areas, game rooms, home theaters and themed children's bedrooms.
Popular Thanksgiving Vacation Rentals in Orlando








15 Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner in Orlando
1. Liberty Tree Tavern
Location: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort. Best For: Traditional Thanksgiving dinner, families, Disney days. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; Magic Kingdom admission required.
Few park restaurants feel more naturally suited to Thanksgiving than Liberty Tree Tavern. Set in Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square, the Colonial-inspired restaurant serves one of the best Thanksgiving dinners in Orlando! Tuck into an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal centered around roasted turkey, pot roast and smoked pork loin.
The current Patriot's Platter comes with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, herbed stuffing and macaroni and cheese, followed by the restaurant's popular Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake. There is also a plant-based family-style feast.
Unlike restaurants that introduce Thanksgiving food for just one day, Liberty Tree Tavern serves this homestyle menu throughout the year, making it one of the most reliable choices for visitors who want a recognizable Thanksgiving-style meal inside a Disney theme park.
Insider tip: Thanksgiving reservations at Magic Kingdom are highly sought after, so book as soon as your Disney dining window opens.

2. Ravello at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Location: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Best For: Luxury Thanksgiving buffets, families, celebrations. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$$; $170 adults, $58 children for Thanksgiving 2026.
Ravello hosts one of Orlando's most extensive Thanksgiving Day buffets on November 26, 2026, with service from 1 PM to 8 PM.
The spread includes a sushi and raw bar, charcuterie, cheeses, antipasti and autumn salads before moving on to the carving stations. Traditional roast turkey is served with gravy, cranberry relish and cornbread, sausage and sage stuffing, alongside fire-roasted New York strip loin with a house-made rub and Chianti sauce.
Dessert and gelato stations finish the feast with seasonal pies and sweets. Families can also start Thanksgiving morning at Ravello's separate Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & His Pals character breakfast.
Insider tip: this is a good choice for groups who want a celebration that feels special without needing admission to a Disney theme park.
3. Plancha at Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Location: Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando. Best For: Lakeside dining, families, couples, relaxed luxury. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$$; $150 adults, $58 children for Thanksgiving 2026.
Plancha offers a slightly more relaxed Four Seasons Thanksgiving beside the resort's golf course, with its 2026 buffet running from noon until 7 PM.
Traditional roast turkey and Thanksgiving accompaniments are joined by seasonal salads and soups, a seafood station and Brazilian-style picanha with chimichurri, farofa and plantains. The dessert selection includes holiday pies alongside sweets such as pumpkin macarons and spiced pumpkin custard.
The combination of familiar Thanksgiving dishes and Latin-American influences makes Plancha particularly appealing if your family wants something beyond a completely traditional turkey dinner.
Insider tip: Plancha is the less expensive of the two main Four Seasons Thanksgiving buffets, while still offering a substantial holiday spread.

4. Garden Grove at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Location: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Best For: Families, Disney-area dining, Thanksgiving buffets. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–2.5 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; Thanksgiving buffet pricing varies.
Garden Grove returns specifically for its annual Thanksgiving buffet in 2026, making it a useful option for visitors who want to remain close to the Disney parks without needing theme park admission for dinner.
The Swan and Dolphin has confirmed Thanksgiving Day holiday dining across the resort, with Garden Grove acting as its principal family-friendly buffet experience. Its location between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios also makes it convenient if Thanksgiving Day is part of a wider Disney vacation.
Other Swan and Dolphin restaurants offer seasonal menus around the holiday period, providing additional choices for families who prefer something less traditional.
Insider tip: book Garden Grove rather than assuming you can walk in; the restaurant operates seasonally and Thanksgiving is one of its headline opening dates.
5. Twin View at Evermore Orlando Resort
Location: Evermore Orlando Resort, Lake Buena Vista. Best For: Families, groups, waterfront views. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; $115 adults, $35 children under 10.
Twin View's 2026 Thanksgiving Supper combines a family-style meal with floor-to-ceiling views across Evermore Bay and the resort's golf course.
The Thanksgiving menu includes herb-roasted turkey, citrus-glazed ham, seasonal side dishes, freshly baked breads, roasted harvest salad and a collection of holiday desserts. Rather than navigating a huge buffet, guests share the meal around the table, making the experience feel closer to a traditional family Thanksgiving.
Evermore is also hosting Thanksgiving-weekend activities around the resort, so the restaurant works particularly well for families who want to turn dinner into a wider seasonal day out.
Insider tip: Twin View takes reservations for Thanksgiving parties of up to 12, making it a useful choice for extended-family groups.
Thanksgiving Buffets at Orlando Resorts
6. Café Gauguin at Rosen Centre
Location: International Drive. Best For: Families, value, large Thanksgiving buffets. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; $79.95 adults, $39.95 children ages 4–12.
Café Gauguin serves its Thanksgiving buffet from 11 AM to 6 PM on November 26, 2026, offering one of the better-value large resort buffets around International Drive.
Traditional dishes include turkey, mashed potatoes, cornbread stuffing and seasonal accompaniments, alongside soups, salads and a broad selection of additional dishes. Pumpkin pie, pecan pie and other seasonal desserts give guests plenty of reasons to save room for a final trip to the buffet.
Complimentary Champagne and mimosas are included for guests aged 21 and over, and self-parking is complimentary. Tax and the resort's service charge are additional.
Insider tip: Café Gauguin is particularly convenient if your Thanksgiving vacation is centered around Universal Orlando or International Drive.

7. Cala Bella at Rosen Shingle Creek
Location: Rosen Shingle Creek, Universal/International Drive area. Best For: Luxury buffets, seafood, celebrations, large groups. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$$; $157.95 adults, $65.95 children ages 4–11.
Cala Bella hosts one of Orlando's most indulgent Thanksgiving celebrations from noon until 7 PM on November 26, 2026.
The menu stretches well beyond turkey and stuffing, with hand-carved heritage turkey sharing the buffet with beef Wellington, butter-poached Maine lobster, seafood, house-made pasta and an extensive range of seasonal sides.
Desserts include pumpkin-inspired sweets, crème brûlée, tarts, cheesecakes and other miniature pastries. Adults aged 21 and over also receive unlimited Champagne, mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys.
Insider tip: choose Cala Bella when the variety of the buffet matters as much as having a traditional Thanksgiving plate — this is designed as a long, celebratory meal rather than a quick holiday lunch.
8. Highball & Harvest
Location: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Best For: Families, Southern flavors, upscale resort dining. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $–$$; Thanksgiving buffet pricing varies.
Highball & Harvest hosts its Thanksgiving buffet from 2 PM to 8 PM on November 26, 2026.
The restaurant's Southern influence fits naturally with Thanksgiving, and the confirmed holiday buffet combines turkey, stuffing and other traditional favorites with seafood, fresh salads and additional seasonal dishes.
The wider Grande Lakes resort also begins its festive programming around Thanksgiving, giving families the option to combine their meal with resort activities. Thanksgiving morning brings the Ritz-Carlton Gobbler 5K and Master Yoga Class for anyone hoping to work up an appetite first.
Insider tip: this is one of the best pairings for families who want both a traditional Thanksgiving meal and a full resort experience.
9. Citron
Location: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Best For: Families, mixed-age groups, resort buffets. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; current Thanksgiving pricing should be confirmed when booking.
Citron at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes has confirmed its Thanksgiving Day buffet for November 26, 2026, running from 2 PM until 7 PM.
The family-friendly buffet is built around seasonal Thanksgiving favorites, making it a straightforward option for groups who want plenty of choice without committing to a formal multi-course fine-dining experience.
Because JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton sit within the same Grande Lakes destination, visitors can also make use of the resort's wider Thanksgiving-weekend activities.
Insider tip: Citron is a particularly useful choice for multigenerational groups because the buffet format lets everyone build a plate around their own preferences.
10. Primo
Location: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Best For: Couples, adult families, upscale Thanksgiving dinners. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$$; 2026 holiday pricing varies.
Primo provides a more restaurant-focused alternative to the large Thanksgiving buffets at Grande Lakes. The JW Marriott has confirmed a dedicated Primo Thanksgiving Dinner for November 26, 2026.
The restaurant is known for Italian-inspired, farm-to-table cooking, including ingredients grown at the resort's own Whisper Creek Farm. That makes it a good choice for guests who want a seasonal dinner in a more intimate setting rather than repeated trips to a buffet.
Detailed 2026 Thanksgiving pricing and the complete special menu can change as the holiday approaches, so check the restaurant's current reservation information when booking.
Insider tip: choose Primo for an evening meal after a relaxed Thanksgiving morning rather than trying to fit it between multiple theme park attractions.

11. The Venetian Chop House
Location: Caribe Royale Orlando. Best For: Seafood, steak, families, generous buffets. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; $78 adults, $25 children ages 4–10.
The Venetian Chop House at Caribe Royale offers one of the strongest-value premium Thanksgiving buffets in Orlando in 2026, running from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Its menu includes roast turkey roulade with giblet gravy, cranberry sauce and sage-and-raisin dressing, alongside picanha, salmon, chicken, pasta and an extensive chilled seafood selection with shrimp, sushi, mussels and calamari salad.
Seasonal sides and a large dessert table add everything from pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake to pecan desserts and autumn-inspired chocolates.
Insider tip: this is a strong option for families who want seafood and steaks alongside traditional Thanksgiving dishes without paying some of the higher luxury-resort buffet prices.
12. Delaney's Tavern
Location: SoDo, Downtown Orlando. Best For: Thanksgiving brunch, couples, groups, downtown dining. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–2.5 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; $79 adults, $20 children ages 4–12.
Delaney's Tavern is serving an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving brunch on November 26, 2026, with seatings from 10 AM to 3 PM.
The holiday experience mixes the restaurant's chef-inspired brunch dishes with a festive buffet of Thanksgiving classics and seasonal specialties. Adults can also add bottomless mimosas for an additional charge.
An earlier Thanksgiving meal works well if you want to keep the evening open for Orlando's holiday attractions, Disney Springs or a relaxed night back at your vacation home.
Insider tip: Delaney's will only serve its Thanksgiving brunch menu during the event, so don't plan on ordering from the normal à la carte menu that day.
13. Aurora at The Celeste Hotel
Location: University of Central Florida area. Best For: Thanksgiving brunch, families, visitors exploring beyond the tourism district. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; $89 adults, $30 children 12 and under.
Aurora's Thanksgiving Day brunch buffet runs from 11 AM to 2:30 PM on November 26, 2026.
The buffet combines traditional Thanksgiving favorites with seasonal specialties and desserts, offering another option for visitors who would rather eat earlier in the day and keep their evening free.
Its location near UCF also takes you away from the busiest Disney and International Drive corridors, which may appeal to returning Orlando visitors looking to discover another part of the city.
Insider tip: children aged four and under currently dine free, making Aurora worth considering for families travelling with preschoolers.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Kissimmee
14. Sajoma Latin Fusion – La Mesa de Familia
Location: Kissimmee. Best For: Caribbean flavors, families, something different from traditional turkey. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $; special-menu pricing should be confirmed when reserving.
Experience Kissimmee has confirmed La Mesa de Familia at Sajoma Latin Fusion for November 26, 2026.
Rather than reproducing a conventional American Thanksgiving dinner, the celebration brings families, friends and visitors together over authentic Caribbean flavors. A specially curated Thanksgiving menu is planned, including traditional arroz dulce.
Sajoma normally specializes in contemporary Dominican and wider Latin-Caribbean dishes, from mofongo and seafood to slow-cooked sancocho and shared paellas, giving Thanksgiving a distinctly local Kissimmee twist.
Insider tip: choose Sajoma if your group wants to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving while trying something very different from another turkey-and-stuffing buffet.
15. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Location: Kissimmee. Best For: Families, children, dinner and entertainment. Estimated Time Needed: Around 2 hours. Cost / Entry: $$$; show admission includes dinner.
For families who are less concerned about having a traditional restaurant Thanksgiving, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament offers a memorable holiday alternative.
The experience combines a four-course feast with horseback riding, jousting, sword fighting and a live medieval tournament inside the Kissimmee castle. It effectively turns Thanksgiving dinner into the evening's entertainment too, which can be particularly useful for families with children. This is more about creating a fun vacation memory than recreating Thanksgiving at home, making it one of the most distinctive dining choices on the list.
Insider tip: Thanksgiving-week performances can fill quickly, so reserve your preferred show time rather than assuming tickets will be available on the day.

More Thanksgiving Dining in Kissimmee
Experience Kissimmee also currently recommends Celebration Town Tavern, El Tapatio and Zen as options for families who want to dine out rather than cook on Thanksgiving. Celebration Town Tavern is particularly convenient if you want to combine lunch or dinner with a stroll around Celebration.
For even more dining inspiration, see our guide to the best Thanksgiving dinners in Orlando.
Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World
Thanksgiving Day falls right in the middle of Walt Disney World's Christmas season in 2026. Holiday celebrations begin across the resort from November 13, so Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Disney Springs will already feature festive decorations and seasonal entertainment when Thanksgiving arrives.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party takes place on selected Magic Kingdom nights between November 8 and December 22. There is no party scheduled for Thanksgiving Day itself on November 26, but events take place on November 24, 25 and 27, making it easy to add the party to a Thanksgiving vacation.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins the following day, November 27, and continues through December 30. Thanksgiving weekend is therefore a particularly useful time to experience the transition from fall dining into Disney's full Christmas program.
Expect Thanksgiving week to be busy. Reserve table-service restaurants early, arrive at the parks near opening and decide which headline attractions matter most rather than trying to fit everything into one day.
For more detailed planning, see our Disney World Thanksgiving guide.

Thanksgiving at Universal Orlando
Universal Orlando's holiday celebrations run from November 14, 2026 through January 3, 2027, so Thanksgiving visitors arrive when the resort is already fully decorated for Christmas.
Seasonal highlights include Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure, Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's. In 2026, Christmas celebrations also extend across Epic Universe, including seasonal experiences in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Thanksgiving Day itself can be busy at the parks, so treat Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Epic Universe as substantial individual experiences rather than attempting to rush between all three.
If your Thanksgiving vacation continues into the weekend, the Universal Holiday Tour also operates on selected dates throughout the festive season.

Things to Do in Orlando on Thanksgiving Weekend
Run the Seniors First Turkey Trot
Location: Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando. Best For: Families, runners, walkers, Thanksgiving traditions. Estimated Time Needed: 2–3 hours. Cost / Entry: $; advance race registration applies.
Start Thanksgiving morning with Orlando's long-running Seniors First Turkey Trot. The 37th annual event takes place on November 26, 2026, with the 5K beginning at 8 AM at Lake Eola Park.
More than 5,000 runners, joggers and walkers traditionally take part, with Thanksgiving costumes and turkey hats adding to the atmosphere. A costume contest and Turkey Call competition take place before the race, while younger children can join the free Tot Trot afterwards. Proceeds support Seniors First programs including Meals on Wheels.
Insider tip: an early Thanksgiving run leaves plenty of time to return to your villa, shower and still make an afternoon restaurant reservation.
Spend Thanksgiving weekend at FusionFest
Location: Loch Haven Cultural Park, Orlando. Best For: Families, food, culture, free events. Estimated Time Needed: Half day. Cost / Entry: Free; food and purchases extra.
FusionFest takes place on November 28–29, 2026, making it an excellent post-Thanksgiving activity.
The free two-day festival celebrates more than 110 cultures through international food, music, dance, visual arts, performances, crafts and a global marketplace. After a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, FusionFest is an opportunity to spend the weekend tasting completely different flavors and experiencing another side of Orlando beyond the theme parks.
Insider tip: arrive hungry — global food is one of the main reasons to visit.
Visit the Morse Museum for Thanksgiving weekend
Location: Winter Park. Best For: Couples, families, art, quieter activities. Estimated Time Needed: 1.5–3 hours. Cost / Entry: Free during the Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art offers free admission across Thanksgiving weekend from November 27–29, 2026.
The museum is best known for its extensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including stained glass, jewelry, decorative objects and architectural elements from Laurelton Hall. Friday also features extended evening hours and live music, giving visitors a relaxed cultural alternative to the major theme parks and Black Friday shopping.
Insider tip: combine the museum with lunch and a walk along nearby Park Avenue for an easy half-day in Winter Park.
Go Black Friday shopping
Location: Across Orlando. Best For: Shopping, families, bargain hunting. Estimated Time Needed: Half day to full day. Cost / Entry: Free; shopping extra.
Thanksgiving weekend marks the start of Orlando's busiest festive shopping period. Orlando International Premium Outlets and Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets are among the best-known options for outlet discounts, while The Mall at Millenia combines major international brands with luxury shopping. Disney Springs is another good option when you want to combine Christmas shopping with restaurants and entertainment rather than spending the entire day inside a mall.
Insider tip: confirm individual opening hours and Black Friday offers before travelling, as retailers can operate different schedules across the holiday weekend.

Celebrate Thanksgiving in an Orlando Vacation Home
For larger families, celebrating at your vacation rental can be just as memorable as eating at an Orlando restaurant. Our Orlando Thanksgiving vacation homes offer large kitchens, generous dining spaces and comfortable living rooms where everyone can gather without being split between multiple hotel rooms.
Many of our Orlando Thanksgiving villas are designed with groups in mind, with properties ranging from intimate family homes to huge mansions with enough bedrooms and dining space for multigenerational reunions.
If you enjoy cooking, pre-arrival grocery delivery can make preparing Thanksgiving dinner much easier. If you would rather stay out of the kitchen, Top Villas Concierge can arrange a private chef to prepare your holiday meal in the villa, giving you the privacy of dining at home without spending the day cooking and cleaning.
Private pools, hot tubs, game rooms and home theaters also mean children and adults have plenty to do before and after the meal.

Plan your Thanksgiving trip
Where to stay for Thanksgiving in Orlando







