Disney World Thanksgiving Week: Magic Kingdom Closes at 6 p.m. on Party Nights

Families visiting Walt Disney World during Thanksgiving week will find Magic Kingdom closed to regular daytime guests at 6 p.m. on three days, two Magic Kingdom rides shut, and EPCOT between festivals, according to Inside the Magic’s roundup of the resort’s schedule. Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 26.

Disney has also extended hours at three parks from Nov. 22 to 28, which adds time on some days.

What it means for Magic Kingdom days

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event that runs on select evenings through Dec. 22. On party nights, Magic Kingdom closes to guests with regular admission at 6 p.m., while party ticket holders can stay until midnight. During Thanksgiving week, the party takes place on Nov. 24, 25 and 27. Guests without party tickets cannot stay for the holiday fireworks.

The party also brings Christmas versions of Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. These are generally reserved for party guests. Jingle Cruise, with its holiday theming, runs during regular hours through the season.

Two attractions are closed. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure closed Nov. 2 for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen Dec. 18. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress closed July 6 for a refurbishment that is expected to continue into 2027.

Longer hours from Nov. 22 to 28

Disney extended hours at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom for that week. On Thanksgiving Day, Magic Kingdom will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Animal Kingdom stays open until 8 p.m. on Nov. 24, two hours more than the schedule announced earlier. Hollywood Studios opens earlier on some days and Magic Kingdom closes later on select dates. EPCOT’s hours are unchanged.

Hollywood Studios: evening event and a new ride overlay

Disney Jollywood Nights, a separately ticketed holiday event, runs from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 23 and 28 during Thanksgiving week. Regular daytime guests must leave when the park closes for it.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets added a holiday overlay on Nov. 4, with holiday music by The Electric Mayhem and changes in the queue and preshow. It is available during regular hours and is scheduled through Jan. 6, 2027.

EPCOT’s festival gap

The International Food & Wine Festival ends Nov. 21, and its Global Marketplaces and Eat to the Beat Concert Series end with it. The International Festival of the Holidays starts Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. That leaves five days between the two events. EPCOT’s permanent restaurants and attractions stay open.

Earlier in November: daytime Christmas parade

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 11 during regular Magic Kingdom hours. Festival of Fantasy Parade will not run on those dates. The performances coincide with filming preparations for Disney’s televised holiday programming, according to Inside the Magic.

Why it matters

Families paying standard admission have fewer evening hours at Magic Kingdom on the party nights and at Hollywood Studios on the Jollywood Nights dates. Visitors planning around EPCOT’s festivals have a window from Nov. 22 to 26 with neither one running. Hours and event dates can change, and the official Walt Disney World park calendar lists the current schedule.

Source: Inside the Magic