Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Arrive at Magic Kingdom Park around 7:30 AM, or 45–60 minutes before the officially posted opening time if the park opens earlier or later. Thanksgiving week is one of Orlando’s busiest periods, so allow extra time for security, the ferryboat or monorail, and the entrance queue. Buy park admission in advance and check the 2026 operating calendar, parade schedule, seasonal entertainment, and any reservation requirements before travelling.
From opening until about 12:15 PM, prioritise your must-do attractions while queues are usually more manageable. Keep your reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant for approximately 12:30–1:30 PM; arrive promptly because Disney dining reservations are tightly managed. Allow about $40–$70 per person, plus tax and gratuity, and reserve through the official Disney dining system as far ahead as possible.
After lunch, continue exploring the themed lands, castle hub, and Main Street, U.S.A. until roughly 4:30 PM. Wear comfortable shoes, carry a refillable water bottle and portable charger, and leave a little flexibility for parades, seasonal entertainment, and unexpected waits. Standard theme-park parking is typically around $35–$40 if you drive, though rates and policies can change.
Leave the Magic Kingdom area at about 4:30 PM and take a rideshare or taxi to Universal CityWalk, allowing roughly 25–40 minutes in normal traffic. Add extra time during Thanksgiving week and around park closing periods; this transfer is approximate rather than a guaranteed arrival time.
Spend the evening strolling the promenade, browsing shops, and choosing a casual dinner or drinks. Dinner will generally run about $20–$45 per person before drinks, depending on the venue and order. Universal CityWalk is free to enter, although individual restaurants, entertainment, and parking charges vary. Two to three hours is enough to enjoy the atmosphere without making the evening too rushed; keep the bowling outing for the following day.
Aim to leave Downtown Orlando around 8:30–9:00 AM, using Church Street or LYNX Central station for SunRail to Winter Park. The train ride is roughly 15–20 minutes, but allow another 20–30 minutes for walking or rideshare access to the station, buying a fare, and waiting. SunRail mainly operates on weekdays, so confirm that it runs on this day and check the return timetable before setting out; the fare is roughly $2 each way.
From Winter Park station, walk or take a short rideshare to the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour, allowing approximately 10–15 minutes for the transfer. Target a 10:00 AM departure, arrive 20–30 minutes early, and book ahead for Thanksgiving week because boat capacity can be limited. The narrated cruise lasts about an hour and generally costs approximately $20–$30 per adult, subject to the current fare and schedule.
After the boat ride, spend 11:15 AM–1:30 PM around Park Avenue and Central Park. Browse the shops and galleries, take a relaxed walk, and stop for coffee or lunch; a casual lunch will usually be about $15–$30 per person. Keep this period flexible rather than trying to fill every minute, since the lakeside area is pleasant for wandering.
If you want the cocktail stop, take a rideshare from Winter Park to The Courtesy in Downtown Orlando around 1:30 PM, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Stay for about an hour from 2:00–3:00 PM and budget approximately $15–$25 per person for drinks. This is optional: skipping it gives you more time on Park Avenue and avoids an extra downtown detour.
Leave Downtown Orlando around 3:45 PM for The Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes by rideshare or car. Plan dinner for 4:30–6:00 PM, with approximately $50–$90 per person before tax and tip. Reserve in advance for Thanksgiving week and confirm the restaurant’s current service hours.
After dinner, allow around 25–35 minutes to reach Main Event Orlando on International Drive, depending on traffic and parking. A 7:00–9:00 PM bowling reservation gives you time for check-in, shoe rental, and a full game or two, with arcade games available afterward. Confirm the current lane rates and reservation terms when booking. Rideshare is easiest if you plan to drink; otherwise, driving provides more flexibility, though evening traffic and parking can add time.
No packing list attached yet.