Disney World Extends Operating Hours for Thanksgiving Week

Guests visiting Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving week will have extra hours to enjoy the parks

Walt Disney World has announced an exciting update for visitors planning to spend their Thanksgiving week at the renowned theme parks. In anticipation of the holiday crowds and to ensure guests have the most festive and memorable experience, the park hours at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have been extended! Guests will now have extra time to enjoy the plethora of attractions, parades, and seasonal festivities that Disney has to offer.

Related: Jingle Cruise Returns to the Magic Kingdom for the Holiday Season

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At Magic Kingdom, the park will open at 8:00 AM from the 19th through the 23rd, and 9am on the 24th and 25th. On nights when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is not scheduled, the park closing hours have been extended with some nights staying open as late as midnight!

  • Sunday, November 19 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Monday, November 20 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early); closing at midnight (3 hours later)
  • Tuesday, November 21 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Wednesday, November 22 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Thursday, November 23 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early); closing at midnight (3 hours later)
  • Friday, November 24 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early); closing at 11:00 pm (2 hours later)
  • Saturday, November 25 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early); closing at 10:00 pm (1 hour later)
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open at 8:30 am throughout the week of the 19th through the 25th (1/2 hour earlier); the closing time for each day remains the same.


Related: 2023 Holiday Food and Beverage Offerings Coming to Disney Springs

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom has a list of earlier opening and closing during Thanksgiving week. The opening and closing hours vary day to day, so you will want to keep a close eye on the park calendar as you plan your itinerary:

  • Sunday, November 19 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Monday, November 20 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Tuesday, November 21 – Opening at 8:30 a.m. (1/2 hour early); Closing at 8 p.m. (1 hour later)
  • Wednesday, November 22 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early); Closing at 8 p.m. (1 hour later), resulting in Extended Evening hours being pushed to 8 p.m. through 10 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 23 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Friday, November 24 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)
  • Saturday, November 25 – Opening at 8 a.m. (1 hour early)

Are you visiting Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving week? If so what do you think of the extended park hours? Leave us a comment to let us know!


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Chris is a Pennsylvania native who escaped the cold and relocated to the Orlando area. Our resident Universal expert, Chris has been visiting the Universal Orlando Resort since the 1990s. Chris is a Universal and Walt Disney World Passholder, and can often be found exploring the parks taking in the sites (and finding new things to write about!).
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