Disney World Braces for Thanksgiving Crowds as Cold Front and Ride Closures Tighten the Squeeze

Overview

• About two million visitors are expected for Thanksgiving week, driving heavy congestion across Walt Disney World’s parks.
• Several attractions are unavailable, including Buzz Lightyear, Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat, and Big Thunder Mountain, which reduces overall capacity.
• Magic Kingdom’s Lightning Lane Premier is sold out through Nov. 28, and lower-tier skip-the-line options cost roughly $179 to $339 depending on the park and date.
• A strong cold front arrives late Wednesday night, bringing northerly winds gusting near 20 mph and Thanksgiving highs only in the upper 60s to low 70s.
• Black Friday and Saturday mornings could dip to the 40s northwest of I-4 and low 50s elsewhere, prompting advice to layer up, favor indoor attractions, rope drop, and tour late.