Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest stretches of the Disney World year, and 2026 has a twist: four of the nine days from Sat, Nov 21 to Sun, Nov 29 close Magic Kingdom at 6 PM for the Christmas party, and Black Friday is one of them. Disney extended several November days on Oct 30, so here's the current picture: every park's hours, which evenings end early, where to get a turkey dinner, what's closed, what starts that week and the room deals that cover these dates. Every source is linked.
Thanksgiving week 2026 park hours
Posted hours from Disney's park calendar as of Oct 31 (Disney park calendars ↗; we pull them daily for our park hours calendar). Disney resort guests get Early Theme Park Entry 30 minutes before every park opens. On Oct 30 Disney added hours to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for Nov 15 – 21 (WDWMAGIC ↗), and it often adds more closer to the date (Parks Magic ↗), so treat these as a floor.
| Day | Magic Kingdom | EPCOT | Hollywood Studios | Animal Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 21 | 9 AM – 11 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8:30 AM – 7 PM Jollywood Nights 7:30 PM | 8 AM – 7 PM |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 9 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Mon, Nov 23 | 9 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM Deluxe extended 9 PM – 11 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM Jollywood Nights 7:30 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Tue, Nov 24 | 9 AM – 6 PM party 7 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Wed, Nov 25 | 9 AM – 6 PM party 7 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM Deluxe extended 6 PM – 8 PM |
| Thu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving) | 9 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Fri, Nov 27 (Black Friday) | 9 AM – 6 PM party 7 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Sat, Nov 28 | 9 AM – 10 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 7 PM Jollywood Nights 7:30 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
| Sun, Nov 29 | 9 AM – 6 PM party 7 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 9 AM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 6 PM |
The early closures to plan around
- Magic Kingdom closes at 6 PM on Nov 24, 25, 27 (Black Friday) and 29 for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which runs 7 PM to midnight. As of Oct 31, every Thanksgiving-week party night is sold out except Sun, Nov 29 ($214 plus tax for adults, $10 less for kids 3 to 9), per WDWMAGIC's daily tracker ↗. Our party first-timer guide covers what's included.
- Hollywood Studios closes at 7 PM on Nov 21, 23 and 28 for Disney Jollywood Nights, the after-hours holiday party (7:30 PM – 12:30 AM, separate ticket; WDWMAGIC ↗). Nov 23 tickets were listed at $194 plus tax (WDWMAGIC ↗).
- Want a full Magic Kingdom evening without a party ticket? Pick Sat, Nov 21 (open until 11 PM), Sun, Nov 22, Mon, Nov 23, Thanksgiving Day or Sat, Nov 28 (all until 10 PM).
Where to get Thanksgiving dinner
Disney's own planDisney panel points to two Magic Kingdom restaurants that share one all-you-care-to-enjoy menu: Liberty Tree Tavern (the Patriot's Platter) and The Diamond Horseshoe (the Saloon Feast). Expect roast turkey, pot roast, smoked pork loin, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, seasonal vegetables and mac and cheese, with Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake for dessert (planDisney ↗). Both are in high demand on Thanksgiving. Disney opens dining reservations 60 days ahead, so the first wave for Nov 26 is long gone: check the My Disney Experience app for cancellations in the mornings, and remember Thanksgiving Day is a 10 PM night at Magic Kingdom, so a late seating still leaves time for the park.
What's new, and what's closed, that week
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays starts Fri, Nov 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and runs to Dec 30: Holiday Kitchens, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, World Showcase storytellers and the Candlelight Processional (Disney Parks Blog ↗). If your EPCOT day is flexible, Nov 27 or 28 gets you the festival.
- Jingle Cruise is running at Magic Kingdom from Nov 3 (WDWMAGIC ↗).
- Disney Springs: Santa is at Santa's Marketplace from Nov 11 by virtual queue only (joins open at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM and 5 PM in the app; WDWMAGIC ↗), and the free Christmas Tree Stroll map activity runs from Nov 11 (WDWMAGIC ↗). planDisney warns Disney Springs gets especially busy the day after Thanksgiving.
- Closed: Tiana's Bayou Adventure (Nov 2 to an expected Dec 18 return; WDWMAGIC ↗) and Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress (until late spring 2027; WDWMAGIC ↗). The full list is on our Disney World closures page.
Doing Universal that week instead?
Universal's holiday season is already on from Nov 14, with Grinchmas, Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's and Christmas in all three Wizarding World areas (Universal ↗). Earl the Squirrel debuts as a balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Nov 26 and joins the Universal parade after that (Parks Magic ↗). Volcano Bay is closed until spring 2027. Our Universal holidays guide and Universal closures page have the details.
Room deals that cover Thanksgiving week
- Florida residents: up to 25% off select Disney Resorts Collection rooms on most nights Nov 15 – 28, 2026 (Disney ↗).
- Disney+ Perks: a free Park Hopper and up to 25% off rooms with a 4-night, 4-day package for stays Nov 15 – 28 (Wandering in Disney ↗).
- Everyone: up to 20% off select rooms on select nights through Dec 24, depending on the hotel and the nights of the week (Disney Food Blog ↗). Annual Passholders get up to 30% off select nights (Wandering in Disney ↗).
Discounts are limited and vary by night. Already booked? Ask whether a newer offer can be applied to your reservation. See all current offers on our Disney deals page and the deal finder. Cruising over the holiday instead? Someone on r/Cruise ↗ asked this week whether Black Friday or last-minute is cheaper. Our price-drop guide covers how to get a lower fare after you book.
Quick answers
What are Disney World's hours on Thanksgiving Day 2026?
Thursday, Nov 26, 2026: Magic Kingdom 9 AM – 10 PM, EPCOT 9 AM – 9 PM, Hollywood Studios 9 AM – 9 PM and Animal Kingdom 8 AM – 6 PM, with Early Theme Park Entry for Disney resort guests 30 minutes before each park opens. These are Disney's posted hours as of Oct 31, 2026, and Disney often extends hours closer to the date.
Is Magic Kingdom open late on Black Friday 2026?
No, not for regular tickets. On Friday, Nov 27, 2026, Magic Kingdom closes to day guests at 6 PM because Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts at 7 PM, and that party night is sold out. Magic Kingdom also closes at 6 PM on Nov 24, 25 and 29 for the party.
Which Thanksgiving week days are best for a full evening at Magic Kingdom?
Saturday, Nov 21 (open until 11 PM), Sunday, Nov 22 and Monday, Nov 23 (until 10 PM), Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26 (until 10 PM) and Saturday, Nov 28 (until 10 PM). Nov 24, 25, 27 and 29 end at 6 PM for regular guests because of the Christmas party.
Where can I get Thanksgiving dinner at Disney World?
Disney's planDisney panel points to Liberty Tree Tavern and The Diamond Horseshoe at Magic Kingdom, which share an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu with roast turkey, pot roast, smoked pork loin, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing and mac and cheese. Both are in high demand on Thanksgiving, and Disney opens dining reservations 60 days ahead, so keep checking for cancellations.
When does EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays start in 2026?
Friday, Nov 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, and it runs through Dec 30, 2026, per the Disney Parks Blog. It brings Holiday Kitchens, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, World Showcase storytellers and the Candlelight Processional.
Can I still get Very Merry Christmas Party tickets for Thanksgiving week?
Only for Sunday, Nov 29. As of Oct 31, 2026, WDWMAGIC's daily tracker shows Nov 20, 24, 25 and 27 sold out, with Nov 29 on sale at $214 plus tax for adults. Nights have been selling out about six weeks ahead.
Planning more of the season? See Disney World's 2026 holiday season and New Year's Eve 2026.
