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It’s November, and that means Thanksgiving is approaching. And if you haven’t finalized your Thanksgiving plans yet, then why don’t you consider spending your Thanksgiving at the Universal Orlando Resort?
The Universal Orlando would be a great choice. First of all, the parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures) are already decorated for Christmas. And there are a lot of fun activities going on in both theme parks. One of those activities that would be truly special on Thanksgiving would be Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s. Because what screams Thanksgiving more than a Macy’s Parade?
Here’s a video of the parade from last year:
You can find out more about Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s and other holiday activities going on at the theme parks in this Universal Orlando Christmas Guide.
But there are other specific Thanksgiving festivities going on at the hotels, too.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort
My family and I love the retro theming of Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
You can see it for yourself in our video:
There are a lot of great meals and activities here for Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Day Meal Special in Bayliner Diner
Bayliner Diner, the great food court at Cabana Bay, has a special Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 24, 2022. It is available from noon to 11:00 PM. It costs $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for children ages three to nine.
The meal consists of:
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Cranberry compote
- Broccoli
- Mashed potatoes
- Gravy
- Biscuit
You can also add pumpkin pie or pecan pie for an extra $4.50 per person.
Watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Bayliner Diner
If you’ve been to Cabana Bay before, you right remember the large TV screen. Well, you can watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on that great TV at Bayliner Diner! It’s totally free, too! It starts at 9:00 AM. And you can take advantage of their delicious breakfast foods then, too, which we talk about here.
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Bowling in Galaxy Bowl
Another fun thing you can do at Cabana Bay on Thanksgiving is Turkey Day Bowling! It lasts from 1:00 PM to 10:30 PM. It costs $16.99 per person and that includes shoe rental. You get 45 minutes of lane time for 1 to 3 bowlers or 75 minutes for 4 to 6 bowlers.
Portofino Bay
Portofino Bay is a beautiful Italian-themed hotel at Universal Orlando. You can see how beautiful it is in our video:
They have a lot of great things going on at this hotel on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Trattoria del Porto
Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the hotel’s restaurant Trattoria del Porto takes place on Thursday, November 24, 2022, from noon to 9:00 PM. In addition to food you can enjoy live music. It is $80 for adults, $37 for children ages three years old to nine years old, and free for children under 3 years old.
Thanksgiving at Mama Della’s Ristorante
Mama Della’s Ristorante will have a special Thanksgiving menu on Thursday, November 24, 2022 (so you won’t be able to order from their regular menu). This is available from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. A special thing about this dinner is that your meal will be complemented by opera singers and strolling musicians! This meal is $65 for adults, $25 for children ages three years old to nine years old, and free for kids under the of three.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Loews Royal Pacific Resort is another favorite hotel of my family. We love the theming and beauty of the resort. You can read our full review here.
Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet in Jake’s American Bar
Jake’s American Bar is one of my family’s favorite restaurants. You can read our review of the restaurant here.
On Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 24, 2022), though, they have a special Thanksgiving buffet in the morning (from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM). It costs $27 for adults and $16 for children ages 3 to 9. If you are an adult ages 21 years old and older, you can also add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for $21 more.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Islands Dining Room
There is another Thanksgiving Day buffet taking at the Royal Pacific Resort. This time, it is in the Islands Dining Room, and it is available for lunch and dinner, or from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Like at Portofino Bay, this buffet also has special entertainment that fit the hotel’s theme. There are hula dancers, a musician, and even a balloon artist.
This costs $75 for adults and $35 for children ages 3 to 9. Once again, adults over the age of 21 can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Bloody Mary cocktails for $21 more.
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Loews Sapphire Falls Resort is another hotel my family really liked. There are Thanksgiving options available here, too.
Thanksgiving Day Buffets in Amatista Cookhouse
My family really likes Amatista Cookhouse. You can read our review of our dinner there here and a review of our breakfast buffet there here.
Speaking of a breakfast buffet, they have a special Thanksgiving breakfast buffet from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Thursday, Thanksgiving, November 24, 2022. It costs $27 for adults and $16 for children (which is a really good cost for a breakfast buffet at a theme park hotel in Orlando, by the way).
They also have a dinner buffet at Amatista Cookhouse. It takes place right after the breakfast buffet, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It is $75 for adults, $35 for children ages 3 to 9), and free for those under the age of 3. Adults ages 21 years old and older can add all-you-care-to-enjoy mimosa and Cubanita cocktails for $21 more.
Hard Rock Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel is a great hotel that’s a really short walk to the parks. They also have Thanksgiving menus at restaurants.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet in Avalon Ballroom
This Thanksgiving Day Buffet takes place in the morning, from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, on Thursday, November 24, 2022. It costs $27 for adults., $16 for kids ages 3 to 7, and free for kids under the age of 3.
Thanksgiving Day Buffet in The Kitchen
This Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 24, 2022) buffet takes place from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. It’s $75 for adults, $35 for kids ages 3 to 9, and free for kids under 3.
Surfside Inn
My family loves Surfside Inn! You can see our video of the hotel here:
Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Beach Break Cafe
Surfside Inn has a Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at their onsite restaurant, the Beach Break Cafe. It is on Thursday, November 24, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It is incredibly affordable for an Orlando theme park hotel, too, as it costs justs $17 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 9. You get oven-roasted turkey with house-made cranberry compote, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and a roll.
Dockside Inn
Dockside Inn is Universal Orlando’s newest hotel, and my family loves this hotel, too. You can read our review here.
Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at Dockside’s Pier 8 Market
Like Surfside Inn, a Thanksgiving Day Meal Special is available at Dockside Inn’s onsite Pier 8 Market. It is the same meal that’s available at Surfside Inn and (as you would expect) it is available for the same cost.
Aventura Hotel
Aventura Hotel is a great value option as far as Universal Orlando hotels are concerned.
Thanksgiving Day Meal Special in Urban Pantry
They have a Thanksgiving Day Meal Special at their onsite restaurant, Urban Pantry. It is available on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2022, starting at 4:00 PM until closing. This meal includes herb-roasted turkey with gravy, homemade stuffing, almond green beans, citrus cranberry sauce, and a dinner roll. You can also add pecan or pumpkin pie for $3.50 more per person. The meal itself is $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for children.
Universal Orlando Hotel & Ticket Discounts
After reading all this stuff, I’d be surprised if you didn’t consider a trip to the Universal Orlando Resort this Thanksgiving!
So if you are thinking of a Thanksgiving Universal Orlando trip, then you should book your tickets and hotel stay here. You can save money tickets, vacation packages, hotels, and Universal’s Express Pass.
