Thanksgiving Dinner at Disney World

Are you spending the Thanksgiving holidays at Disney World this year, or thinking about heading there next year?  If so, there are a number of restaurants that serve a special Thanksgiving dinner – but I also have some other suggestions if you’re looking for a regular restaurant reservation!

For 2016, there were restaurants that served turkey on Thanksgiving day only, in addition to the regular menu:

Magic Kingdom:  Cinderella’s Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot:  Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Rose and Crown
Hollywood Studios:  Hollywood Brown Derby
Animal Kingdom:  Tusker House Restaurant
Resorts:  Boatwright’s, California Grill, Chef Mickey’s, the Wave, Cape May Cafe, Captain’s Grille, Grand Floridian Cafe, Narcoossee’s, Victoria and Albert’s, Flying Fish Cafe, Trattoria al Forno, Jiko, Trail’s End, Olivia’s Cafe, Sanaa, the Turf Club Bar and Grill, Whispering Canyon Cafe
Disney Springs:  Raglan Road, Wolfgang Puck Cafe

But if you’re looking for something different, or more than just a slice of turkey at one of these restaurants, here are my top choices of restaurants to have your Thanksgiving dinner!  Most of these places either have typical Thanksgiving-like food, are family style or buffet (because eating a lot is part of Thanksgiving!), or something to make Thanksgiving a little different.

Liberty Tree Tavern

One of the many plates served up at Liberty Tree Tavern.

If you want the traditional Thanksgiving meal, dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern is always going to be the top choice year round.  This family style, all you can eat meal includes turkey breast, prime rib, pork roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, stuffing, and mac and cheese.  Finish the meal with an All-American apple bread pudding with vanilla ice cream.

Diamond Horseshoe

A platter of meats at the Diamond horseshoe

This restaurant has been back and forth on whether it’s open seasonally or all the time, but if it is open I think you’ll find some good Thanksgiving style food.  Again served family style, you’ll get a salad, pulled pork, turkey breast, smoked sausage, braised beef, baked beans, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and a campfire brownie for dessert.  Read my review of it here.

Garden Grill

Farmer Mickey at the Garden Grill

Obviously I’m a fan of the family style concept for Thanksgiving!  It just seems to make sense.  Garden Grill would be great with it’s harvest style, fresh meal.  You’ll get turkey breast, filet of beef, veggies, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes, sausage with peppers and onions, mac and cheese, stuffing, and shortcake for dessert.  Plus, you get to visit with Farmer Mickey and friends!  I haven’t tried dinner there yet but you can read my review of breakfast here.

Nine Dragons

Shrimp and taro “lollipops” appetizer

It used to be that on holidays if you wanted to go out to eat, your choices were very limited – but Chinese food restaurants were often open since the owners didn’t celebrate American holidays.  If you have memories of this, or just want to enjoy something different on Thanksgiving, visit Nine Dragons!  You’ll find lots of traditional Chinese dishes, but I personally have enjoyed the shrimp and taro lollipops, kung pao chicken, fried rice, and the honey sesame chicken.

Hollywood and Vine

Daisy in her absolutely adorable Christmas dress!

If you’re one of those people who prefers to jump right to Christmas on Thanksgiving (I’m not condoning that personally, but I get it) then Hollywood and Vine is a great place to go.  Minnie and friends do a holiday themed dinner buffet with a little bit of everything, and you’ll meet them in adorable Christmas outfits.

Sanaa

Bread service with all 9 dipping sauces

If you really want to make Thanksgiving different than the norm, consider the flavors of Africa at Sanaa.  It’s probably my favorite Disney restaurant on property so I have to recommend it!  Enjoy the bread service family style and then try your own entrees.

Trattoria al Forno

Calamari

For some Italian families, having some good traditional Italian dishes at the holidays is a must.  If that’s the case for you (or you just happen to love Italian food, like me!) check out Trattoria al Forno.  Lots of great options for the meal and of course dessert.  You can read my review of my dinner at Trattoria al Forno here.

Earl of Sandwich

Photo from Earl of Sandwich

Perhaps you just want a casual approach to Thanksgiving dinner.  Earl of Sandwich, located in Disney Springs, is one of the most popular quick service locations in Disney – but even with a long line it goes quickly.  And if you’re still craving a taste of Thanksgiving, you can grab their Holiday turkey sandwich consisting of Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing, Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce and Mayonnaise!  Then head over to some of the shops to start that holiday shopping 😉

If you were in Disney World for Thanksgiving, where would you go for dinner?