Thanksgiving at Universal Orlando: Holiday Vibes and Smart Planning

Elizabeth Kremer, owner of Magically Designed Vacations, visited Universal Orlando during Thanksgiving week — one of the busiest times of the year. Here’s how she navigated the parks, enjoyed the holiday magic, and avoided feeling overwhelmed.

Visiting Universal during Thanksgiving is a mix of festive fun and smart planning. The parks are buzzing with holiday energy — from twinkling decorations to seasonal treats — but with the right approach, you can enjoy it all without exhausting yourself.

Holiday Magic You Can’t Miss

Universal transforms the parks for the holidays every Thanksgiving. Seuss Landing is full of colorful lights and Whoville charm, and the Wizarding World areas have their own seasonal touches.

One of the highlights is the Macy’s Holiday Parade. We planned ahead and grabbed a seat at Mel’s Diner two hours before the parade. The diner sits right along the parade route — one side marks the start, the other the end. We prefer the end side, which puts your table closer to the street for a front-row view while enjoying your meal. Timing dinner this way lets you watch the parade fully energized and stress-free.

Pro tips:

• Make sure to stay until the end of the parade to see Santa — it’s a magical finish to the show.

• Don’t miss the holiday gift shops at the parks. Several are completely transformed for the season and add even more festive magic to your visit.

Planning Around Crowds

You don’t need to arrive at dawn or stay until closing to enjoy Thanksgiving week. Our goal was to see each park during the day and at night without overdoing it:

• Epic Universe — one day was enough to see the park at a relaxed pace.

• Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure — three days spread across both parks worked well. Staying at a resort with a water taxi made park-hopping effortless and saved energy.

Rides and Planning Tips 

• Arrive early for popular rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Early park admission, available to Universal resort guests, is a huge advantage.

• Prioritize the rides that matter most to you.

• Save rides with shorter waits for the afternoon, like those in Seuss Landing.

• Hogwarts Express gets busier in the afternoon. Riding late morning before lunch usually means shorter lines.

• Don’t miss the shows at the parks. Check showtimes in the afternoon so you can ride the big attractions in the morning when lines are shorter.

• Check the Universal app for ride wait times. It helps you plan your day and avoid long lines.

• Use the app for character meet-and-greets. With large crowds, try to show up early, because lines can get long fast.

Making Meals Work for You

Timing meals strategically can make a big difference:

• Eat lunch at 11 a.m. and dinner between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to avoid the crowds.

• Combining meals with parade viewing, like at Mel’s, gives you a front-row spot and a satisfying meal — a win-win!

Express Passes

Staying at Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific, or Hard Rock includes free unlimited Express Passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure — a huge advantage during Thanksgiving week.

If you can’t stay at these resorts and plan to spend multiple days at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, consider buying Express Passes for at least one day to make sure you hit the rides you want.

At Epic Universe, Express Passes are separate and pricey. If you skip them, plan carefully and take advantage of early park admission. Arriving early is key during Thanksgiving week, as lines back up quickly between security and ticket scanners.

Favorite Holiday Highlights

Even with the crowds, Thanksgiving week at Universal feels magical. From seasonal treats to sparkling lights and the festive Macy’s parade, the holiday touches make every visit feel special.

Bottom Line

Visiting Universal during Thanksgiving is doable and fun if you plan ahead. Decide what rides and shows matter most, time your meals wisely, and take advantage of resort perks.

Our Advisors at Magically Designed Vacations can help you choose the right resort, tickets, and schedule for your family — making your vacation less stressful and more memorable. Click here to meet our Advisors and start planning your Magically Designed Vacation.