If your idea of Thanksgiving Day is spending time in Orlando with family at a Universal Orlando Resort, then you’ve chosen the perfect place.
You may be wondering, Does Universal Studios do anything special for Thanksgiving?
Among the coasters, magic, and fairy-tales are some of the best fall festival feasts right here in the theme park capital of the world and we’re going to go through ALL OF THEM today!
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Visiting the Universal Orlando for Thanksgiving Day at a Glance:
- Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort will take place daily from November 17th to December 31, 2023!
- Enjoy one of the Thanksgiving Day Buffets at Universal Orlando
- Be sure to check out The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle
- Explore all of the magical Universal Orlando Christmas decorations that are sure to lift your spirits this season.
- Get a photo with the Grinch during Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure
- Join in the festive spirit as your favorite characters come alive in their holiday outfits.
- Enjoy the majestic floats of Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
- Capture the most incredible photo with a group of your beloved Universal Orlando Hipster Friends all decked out in their festive holiday attire!
- Upgrade your day with Universal’s Holiday Tour
- Eat your way through the holiday treats (my favorite thing to do)!
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer this Universal Orlando holiday event like a pro!
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Where to Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner at Universal Orlando Resort
I’m so excited to be back in the parks this year to enjoy all of the holiday festivities! This year many of the Universal Orlando Resorts will be offering a Thanksgiving feast for you to enjoy as well!
I recommend that you book your reservations before your trip on OpenTable or call 407-503-DINE (3463).
Be sure to read the full guide to know how to conquer your day at Universal Studios on Thanksgiving. Now, let’s take a look at some of the options that you’ll be able to enjoy this year.
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Hard Rock Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet in Avalon Ballroom
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Price: $29 for adults and $16 for children ages 3 – 9
The Hard Rock Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Buffet at The Kitchen
The Kitchen Thanksgiving Buffet will have an acoustic guitar player providing you will live entertainment in this family feast style buffet dinner.
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Location: The Kitchen in the Hard Rock Hotel
- Price: $75 for adults and $35 for children ages 3 – 9
- Read full menu here.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet in Jake’s American Bar
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Price: $27 for adults and $16 for children ages 3 – 9
- Upgrade: all-you-care-to enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for just $21 more
Loews Royal Pacific Resort: Islands Dining Room – Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Enjoy a mixture of Asian inspired dishes combined with Island flare for a unique Thanksgiving dining experience at the Universal Orlando Resort.
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Price: $75 for adults and $35 for children ages 3 – 9
- Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for just $21 more.
- Read the full menu here.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Thanksgiving Day Breakfast in Amatista Cookhouse
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Price: $29 for adults and $16 for children
- Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort: Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Amatista Cookhouse
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Price: $75 for adults and $35 for children ages 3 – 9
- Adults (ages 21+) can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for just $21 more.
- Read the full menu here.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Tuscan Ballroom
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Price: $80 for adults and $35 for children ages 3–9
- Entertainment: Live music and additional entertainment
- Read the full menu here.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel: Thanksgiving Menu in Mama Della’s Ristorante
At Mama Della’s Ristorante, you’ll be able to feast on a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal in celebration of the holiday.
- Date: Thursday, November 24, 2023
- Time: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Price: $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 3–9
- Entertainment: Opera singers and strolling musicians
Recommended: 17 Easy Steps to the Best Universal Studios Itinerary
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort: Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Bayliner Diner
Enjoy a Thanksgiving special at Bayliner Diner with traditional fall festival favorites including turkey, stuffing, cranberry compote, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied yams and biscuits.
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: Noon – 11 p.m.
- Price: $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for child ages 3 – 9
- What’s Included: Turkey, stuffing, cranberry compote, broccoli, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuit. You can ADD pecan or pumpkin pie for $5.50 more per person.
- Read full menu here
You’ll also be able to enjoy some fun holiday activities at Cabana Bay only on Thanksgiving Day such as:
Watching the Thanksgiving Day Parades in Bayliner Diner
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 9 a.m.
- Price: Complimentary
Going Bowling for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowling in Galaxy Bowl
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: Noon to Close
- Price: Call (407) 503-4230 to find out price.
Universal’s Aventura Hotel: Thanksgiving Day Meal Special in Urban Pantry
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Price: $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for children ages 3 – 9
- What’s Included: Herb roasted turkey with gravy, homemade stuffing, citrus cranberry sauce, almond green beans, dinner roll. Plus you can ADD pecan or pumpkin pie for $5.50 more per person.
Endless Summer: Surfside Inn and Suites – Thanksgiving Day Meal at Beach Break Cafe
Here you’ll enjoy another traditional Thanksgiving Day meal before or after your Universal Orlando theme park visit.
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Price: $17.50 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 – 9
- What’s Included: Oven roasted turkey with house-made cranberry compote, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and roll
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites – Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Dockside’s Pier 8 Market
- Date: Thursday, November 23, 2023
- Time: 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- Price: $17.50 for adults and $8 for children ages 3 – 9
- What’s Included: Oven roasted turkey with house-made cranberry compote, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and roll
*Please remember that tax and gratuity is not included in the prices. You can make your Thanksgiving reservations at Universal Orlando Resort by calling 407-503-DINE.
Listen to Full Podcast Episode 58 of Thanksgiving at Universal Orlando Below
Your Thanksgiving Day at Universal Studios Itinerary for 2023
Now that you know all of the holiday happenings at Universal Orlando Resort, it’s time to jump into your Thanksgiving Day itinerary.
- Purchase Express Passes Before Thanksgiving Day
- Have Thanksgiving Day Breakfast at One of the Resort Hotels
- Head to Universal Studios
- Ride Despicable Me and Villain-Con Minion Mayhem
- Party on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster
- Join the Cause and Ride Transformers the Ride 3:D
- Dive deep into the Revenge of the Mummy Ride
- Ride Fast & Furious Supercharged
- Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Diagon Alley
- Ride Men in Black Alien Attack
- Explore Springfield
- Snack Time: Grab a Chicken and Waffle sandwich from Cletus’ Chicken Shack
- Ride the Classic E.T. Adventure
- Experience Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show
- Enjoy the Holiday Roadside Entertainment throughout Universal Studios
- Do some Christmas shopping at the Holiday Tribute Store
- Ride Jimmy Fallon’s Race Through New York
- Have some Holiday Treats!
- Head over to Islands of Adventure and hangout with The Grinch
- Watch Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
- Have Thanksgiving Day dinner at one of the Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
- End the evening at Islands of Adventure for the Hogwarts Christmas Show (if you have time)
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
What to Know Before Going to Universal Studios on Thanksgiving in 2023
Now that you know what food to eat and how to plan your day, let’s go though a few tips and reminders to help you plan out your visit on Thanksgiving Day at Universal Studios.
How Crowded is it at Universal on Thanksgiving Day?
Holiday peaks, crowd sizes, weather, and a few other factors have a lot to do with your Universal Orlando experience, including how long you’ll be waiting in line for your favorite rides.
Because of this, expect high crowds both on Thanksgiving Day and the weekend following the holiday. Since this will be a major holiday, I recommend purchasing the Express Pass.
Depending on the time of year you go, you’ll may want to think about getting an Express Pass. Universal Studios has some of the most innovative rides with wait times to prove it.
Are the Universal Express Passes worth it?
It depends on a few factors.
For instance, if you’re only going to be at Universal Studios for a day and you came on a crowded day, then I’d say definitely get the Express Pass.
On those peak days, it gets extremely hard to do and see each attraction available at the park.
If you’re not into the whole ride thing and you’re just fine doing a ride here-and-there, then pass on the Express Pass and spend that money on some theme park food and merchandise.
Hipster Power Tip: A cool Universal Orlando Express Pass hack is to check pricing online before your trip. Based on the price of the Pass, you can predict the crowd level of your day. The higher the price, the higher the crowd level expectation.
Where Should I Stay at When Visiting Universal Orlando Resort for Thanksgiving Weekend?
If you can make it work, then I recommend staying at a Universal Orlando Resort during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Not only can you enter the parks early, but if you stay in a higher cost resort, you’ll be able to use your room key as an Express Pass.
Be sure to play with your budget to see if this tip can work in your favor.
My Final Thoughts on Spending Thanksgiving Day at Universal Orlando
Overall, you’re going to have an incredible Thanksgiving holiday at Universal Orlando Resort.
Just make sure that you book your Thanksgiving dining reservations in advance by calling 407-503-DINE or visiting Open Table’s website.
Overall, these are the Top 15 Things to Do at Universal Orlando Resort for Thanksgiving Day:
- Do a foodie tour in CityWalk
- Eat at the Hard Rock Hotel for Thanksgiving Day breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Dine at Portofino Bay Resort
- Check out the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cabana Bay Beach Resort (will happen on Friday, November 24, 2023)
- Do a Holiday Tour at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
- Eat at the Royal Pacific Resort
- Discover all of the Festive Holiday Decor
- Enjoy mimosas or Cubanitas at Sapphire Falls Resort
- Meet Santa Claus at Universal Studios
- Dine at Aventura Resort for Thanksgiving Day
- Bowl and watch Thanksgiving Day parades at Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Have a Thanksgiving Day meal at Endless Summer: Surfside Inn and Suites and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites
- Visit the Holiday Tribute Store in Universal Studios Florida (if it returns)
- Hang out with the Grinch in Seuss Land at Islands of Adventure
- Enjoy the Universal Orlando Resort holiday festivities such as the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
What are your Thanksgiving Day plans? Let me know in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love these:
- Universal Orlando Holiday FULL Guide
- First Timer Solo Tips for Universal Orlando Resort
- Universal Studios One-Day Itinerary
- Islands of Adventure One-Day Itinerary
- Best Photo Spots at Islands of Adventure
- Diagon Alley Complete Guide
- Best Photo Spots at Universal Studios
- A Celebration of Harry Potter Tips and Tricks
- 7 Ways to Enjoy The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hogsmeade
Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original article date November 2016/Update November 4, 2023)