Top Thanksgiving In Orlando

Typically, Thanksgiving is celebrated inside our homes, surrounded by family and friends and enjoying a home-cooked dinner. But if you’re looking for a way to freshen up this old tradition, there are lots of Thanksgiving events and celebrations that take place in Orlando, Florida.

Though these events shift and change each year, one thing doesn’t: all of these Thanksgiving activities are fun, exciting, and enthralling for the whole family. So, if you’re planning to take your Thanksgiving celebration on the road and ditch the usual dinner preparation, here’s your guide to what goes down in the city and how theme parks operate during this annual event:

if you want to start your Thanksgiving with something special and a touch of tradition, this event is something you shouldn’t miss. It is one of the largest parades in the world that offers plenty of fun and exciting activities for the kids, including balloon twisting, face painting, craft stations, and a lot more. Your family will have a great time bonding with other families who are also looking for a way to celebrate their Thanksgiving in a non-traditional way.

If you’re feeling the Christmas spirit early in November, join the Leu House Museum as it welcomes local interior designers to create a gorgeous and vintage Christmas themed event on Thanksgiving Day. This 11-room home will be decorated in a way that will depict how old-fashioned Christmas was celebrated. 

If you’re curious about how Harry Potter celebrates his Christmas, then head over to Universal Orlando with your family. On Thanksgiving Day, the streets of these areas will be embellished with Christmas decorations, as well as alive with entertainment. After sundown, a projection will cover the building with a bedazzling holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving dinner in Orlando can be celebrated in various ways, whether your family wants a casual or a premium dining experience or even a dinner show, you can have it your way. Theme parks and restaurants offer special holiday dining experiences and holiday feasts during Thanksgiving. Families love to eat and relax during this annual event.

However, with the hectic preparation and clean up for your dinner, relaxation is often sacrificed. This is one big reason that more and more people are visiting Orlando during Thanksgiving. Enjoy a scrumptious meal without the need to worry about cleaning up, not to mention all the holiday fun available.

Don’t overlook the special dining opportunities and events offered up in the theme parks. The littles ones are sure to have a holiday experience to remember!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Visit the Valley of Mo’ara in Pandora Park and enjoy a special Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the fictional Na’vi people that consists of wood-grilled roasted turkey breast with sage stuffing, apple, and others. You can also visit the Satu’li Canteen.

Visit the Valley of Mo’ara in Pandora Park and enjoy a special Thanksgiving dinner prepared by the fictional Na’vi people that consists of wood-grilled roasted turkey breast with sage stuffing, apple, and others. You can also visit the Satu’li Canteen.

Magic Kingdom
Kids will definitely enjoy Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale this Thanksgiving. You can then visit the Inn & Café for some relaxing meals with all the traditional fare.

On this special holiday occasion, allow one of Orlando’s many restaurants to serve you and your family. From intimate to family-friendly, you can select the kind of Thanksgiving meal that suits you and your gang. Here’s a rundown of some of the best restaurants to spend your Thanksgiving in Orlando, Fl.

• The Alfond Inn at Rollins – a premium dining experience that serves food sourced from classic and local ingredients.
• Art Smith’s Homecoming Kitchen – the ultimate brunch spot in Disney Springs that serves delicious comfort food.
• The Capital Grille – exceptional fine dining place that offers premium dry-aged steaks and world-class wine selection.
• Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House – an upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant.
• The Edison – an industrial gothic restaurant with an entertaining dining experience.
• LakeHouse –serves a broad array of menu choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Hemingway’s – local dining gem with family-style and plated menu.
• Paddlefish – an iconic seafood restaurant with a modern yacht feel.

For a more friendly experience, try some of these casual and affordable spots.

Business Hours: 11:00 am-9:30 pm
The Classic Thanksgiving tradition is hyped by the restaurant’s staple menu. Make your reservations in advance if you want to spend your Thanksgiving dinner in Cooper’s Hawk and save room to sample some of their spiced pumpkin cheesecake and mirthful cocktail.

Business Hours: 11:00 am-9:00pm
Savor a Thanksgiving buffet while being entertained by South Pacific. You can also score a meet and greet from the characters of Universal Orlando Resort. Children ages 3 to 9 are $26 for every person and adults are $58 for every person. Reservations are recommended if you are looking forward to spending your Thanksgiving at Island’s Dining Room.

Business Hours: 5:00 pm-10:00 pm
You can select from a Thanksgiving dinner worth $39.95 per person or $59.95 for two complimentary glasses of wine per person. You can also opt for their traditional Prix fixe menu that comes with entrees, appetizers, and various desserts.

Business Hours: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and 5:00 to 10:00 pm
At The Kitchen, Thanksgiving dinner is served in buffet style along with entertainment from the characters of Universal Orlando Resort. It’s a sweet treat for the kids and kids at heart this Thanksgiving.

Business Hours: Noon-11:00 pm
Tony Roma’s serve a special 3-course Thanksgiving meal that features mouth-watering and delicious ribs. Adults are $29 per person and kids are $16 per person.

Business Hours: 11:00 am-9:00 pm
Celebrate your Thanksgiving in Orlando with a dinner in Amatista Cookhouse. Their Caribbean-inspired buffet will be a celebration in your mouth. Universal Orlando Resort characters together with face painters, balloon artists, and more will also entertain your children during this special holiday event. Adults are $58 per person and kids are $26 per person, children aged below three years old are free. To place your reservations, you can contact 407-503-DINE (3463).

Business Hours: Dinner Reservations Only
A savory Thanksgiving dinner with an Irish twist from Raglan Road Irish Pub awaits diners every year in Disney Springs. $14 per child and $28 per adult. Other food selections are available for purchase too, in case you wanted to bring home their signature dishes.

A Thanksgiving getaway only gets better when a shopping spree is included. It is, after all, Black Friday! Along with Black Friday sales at outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets and other upscale malls, together with specialty stores and boutiques, shopping in Orlando is going to be at its best. Take advantage of Black Friday and kick off your holiday shopping over Thanksgiving weekend.

• It’s Black Friday! Shop ‘til you drop. Visit the many malls and outlet stores to score some of the biggest sales.
• Kick-off the Christmas season – Theme parks will be decked out in full holiday regalia and more magical than ever.
• Turkey Trot -- Bring your running shoes and join the Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving-themed charity fund-raising fun runs now in its 30th year.
• Gobble ‘Til You Wobble -- Check out this virtual run comprising of 1 mile, 5k, 10k, a quarter marathon and a half-marathon. Run from anywhere you are, and the medal will be shipped to you afterward.

In Orlando, the official kickoff day for Christmas also happens to be Thanksgiving. You can jump-start your Christmas spirit and start the holiday right by going to any of the amazing Orlando Theme Parks where festivities are in full swing. You can visit LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, or the world-famous Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World. Remember, it’s always better if you buy tickets in advance so you spend less time waiting.

A Thanksgiving weekend in Orlando is a great idea but if you have no idea where to stay, this can add unnecessary stress. Happily, there are a lot of resorts to choose from that offer different amenities and even special Thanksgiving meals.

Discover a well-kept secret and try out a luxurious villa rental, one of the best options if you’re looking to amp up your Thanksgiving traditions. Villas are spacious and cost-effective and come with everything that you need to make your stay in Orlando feel like you’re at your ‘home away from home.’

A sleek, contemporary, and fully-furnished kitchen will allow you to whip up your own Thanksgiving dinner or you can order from a premier restaurant and have it sent in your villa. Watch the Macy’s Day Parade and relax over an afternoon of football. An evening or morning dip is a must in your private and lavish swimming pool.

Some of the top luxury rental communities in Orlando are Windsor Hills Resorts, Solara Resort, Solterra Resort, and Reunion Resort.

With all the amazing and exciting activities happening in Orlando, plan your Thanksgiving vacation, enjoy an amazing Thanksgiving in Orlando, FL and kick off the holiday season in style!