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    Disney World Thanksgiving Week 2026: New Extended Park Hours and a Day-by-Day Plan for Families

    By Dad at Disney • Published November 7, 2026

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Dad at Disney may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

    If you are heading to Walt Disney World for Thanksgiving week, good news: Disney just added hours at three parks for Sunday, November 22 through Saturday, November 28, 2026. Magic Kingdom is now open 8 AM to 11 PM on Thanksgiving Day. That is 15 hours of park time.

    Here is what changed, and how we would plan each day with kids.

    Thanksgiving Week 2026 Hours: What Changed

    DateParkNew hoursWasEarly Entry
    Sun Nov 22Magic Kingdom9 AM to 11 PM9 AM to 10 PM8:30 AM
    Sun Nov 22Animal Kingdom8 AM to 7 PM8 AM to 6 PM7:30 AM
    Mon Nov 23Magic Kingdom9 AM to 11 PM9 AM to 10 PM8:30 AM
    Mon Nov 23Hollywood Studios8:30 AM to 7 PM9 AM to 7 PM8 AM
    Tue Nov 24Magic Kingdom8 AM to 6 PM (Christmas Party night)9 AM to 6 PM7:30 AM
    Tue Nov 24Hollywood Studios8:30 AM to 9 PM9 AM to 9 PM8 AM
    Tue Nov 24Animal Kingdom8 AM to 8 PM8 AM to 6 PM7:30 AM
    Thu Nov 26 (Thanksgiving)Magic Kingdom8 AM to 11 PM9 AM to 10 PM7:30 AM
    Sat Nov 28Magic Kingdom9 AM to 11 PM9 AM to 10 PM8:30 AM

    EPCOT hours are not changing. Early Entry is for eligible Disney resort hotel guests.

    Magic Kingdom closes early on party nights. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is scheduled on Nov 24, 25 and 27 that week. On those dates Magic Kingdom closes to day guests at 6 PM, and the party runs 7 PM to midnight for party ticket holders.

    Hollywood Studios closes early on Jollywood nights. Disney Jollywood Nights is scheduled on Nov 23 and 28, so Hollywood Studios closes to day guests at 7 PM on those dates.

    Day-by-Day Family Plan

    Sunday, Nov 22: Animal Kingdom, then a late Magic Kingdom night (if you have Park Hopper). Rope drop Animal Kingdom with Early Entry, take a midday break, and enjoy the extra hour until 7 PM. Park hoppers can head to Magic Kingdom for the 11 PM close.

    Monday, Nov 23: Hollywood Studios morning, Magic Kingdom night. The 8:30 AM opening (8 AM Early Entry) is your best shot at short waits on Slinky Dog Dash and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Hollywood Studios closes at 7 PM for Jollywood Nights, so park hoppers can finish at Magic Kingdom, open until 11 PM.

    Tuesday, Nov 24: Magic Kingdom early, Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios late. Magic Kingdom opens at 8 AM and closes at 6 PM for the party. Do your must-dos early. In the evening, Animal Kingdom is open until 8 PM and Hollywood Studios until 9 PM.

    Wednesday, Nov 25: EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom closes early for the party again. A good day for EPCOT and a relaxed evening.

    Thursday, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving Day): The big Magic Kingdom day. Expect this to be one of the busiest days of the year. Arrive for Early Entry at 7:30 AM if you are eligible, ride the big headliners first, take a long afternoon break at the hotel, and come back for the evening. Fifteen hours is a lot for little legs, so plan the break.

    Friday, Nov 27 (Black Friday): Skip Magic Kingdom in the evening. It closes at 6 PM for the party. Plan an EPCOT or Hollywood Studios evening.

    Saturday, Nov 28: Magic Kingdom late night. Open until 11 PM. A great "last night" if you are flying home Sunday. Hollywood Studios closes at 7 PM for Jollywood Nights that day.

    Before You Go

    1. Re-check your dining reservations. If you booked around the old closing times, you may now have more room to fit in a late dinner.
    2. Re-check hours in the My Disney Experience app. Disney can change hours again.
    3. Lock in tickets early. Thanksgiving is a peak week. We use Undercover Tourist for discounted Disney tickets.
    4. Long days mean tired kids. A rental from Kingdom Strollers delivered to your hotel makes a 15-hour day a lot easier.
    5. Holiday travel is unpredictable. Compare travel insurance plans with InsureMyTrip before you fly.

    Sources

    Hours as reported Nov 6, 2026 and checked Nov 7, 2026. All hours are subject to change; always confirm in the My Disney Experience app or on Disney's official park hours calendar before you go.

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