We know, we know… Back-to-School time is fast approaching (and in some spots, it’s already arrived!). But the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer aren’t quite over just yet, so we’ve still got some summer celebrating to do!

And, hey, the coming of Fall isn’t so bad, anyway. Not when we’ve got our very favorite autumnal event coming to the first stop on our tour in a matter of weeks. That’s why we’re kicking things off at Epcot to see What’s New!

Epcot

Food & Wine Festival Coming Soon!

The 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival will be here before we know it! Sure signs of its return are starting to appear around the park…

… as in, like, literal signs 😉 . Even the Miniature Train display in the Germany Pavilion has received its annual decorations!

Have you checked out the full list of Booth Menus to start strategizing your noshing plans yet?! It’s never too soon… the Festival starts on September 14th!

Future World

The dessert case at Sunshine Seasons has some fun new treats tucked inside.

These include Lemon Berry Mousse, Mocha Roulade…

…and — our personal favorite — a Mickey Oreo Cheesecake!

There’s only a little time left to take part in the Refillable Popcorn Bucket program at the Disney World Parks, but it might be good to know that you can refill it with Specialty Flavors at the Gourmet Popcorn Stand in Future World before the program wraps on September 1st.

Cheddar Cheese, Buffalo Bleu Cheese, and Sour Cream and Chive are the extra yummy options here! And don’t forget that the cast members will likely mix the flavors for you if you’d like! Our favorite? Buffalo Bleu and Sour Cream and Chive mixed!!!

World Showcase

Visit the Gelato Stand in the Italy Pavilion to try the new Cannoli Cupcake.

It’s a beauty of a deconstructed cupcake topped with a mini cannoli!

Read all about it here!

Staying in Italy, the Truffled Fettuccine Carbonara has made it to main menu at Via Napoli.

There’s still a little time left to enjoy the August Special — a Zignum Tonic — in Mexico’s La Cava del Tequila.

Don’t forget that — with the debut of the Frozen Ever After attraction in the Norway Pavilion — Kringla Bakeri og Kafe now opens at 9:00 am.

Some of the more recent offerings for breakfast include an Egg and Leek Pastry and Jarlsberg and Onion Biscuit.

And though it’s not available just yet, here’s some advance notice that the terrific team at L’Artisan des Glaces is busy working on a new flavor. How does Vanilla with swirls of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanut Pralines sound to you 🙂 ?

‘Cuz I think I’m all in. While we wait for that ice cream creation to make its debut, why don’t we hop on the Monorail in the meantime over to…

Magic Kingdom

Adventureland

If you’re planning on paying a visit to the World Famous Jungle Cruise Skippers at the Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen, you’ll find a few new options on the menu.

Sustainable Fish Collar has been replaced by Shiriki Noodle Salad under the Appetizers.

For Entree choices, Whole Fried Fish is available as well (and there’s a new name for the Skip’s Mac and Cheese, which is now called Skip’s Beefy Baked Pasta).

You’ll find Quick Sand!!! (a Jasmine Rice Pudding dish) on the Dessert Menu, taking the place of the Sugar Crusted Congee Pudding. The biggest change, however, might be to the items under the Kids’ Entrees, where Chef Tandaji’s Crispy Chicken (sweet and sour chicken, essentially) can be found instead of Annie’s Housemade Arepas.

Fantasyland and New Fantasyland

Check out this simple but gorgeous Mickey Caramel Apple covered with Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt we found at Big Top Treats!

We also spotted Cast Members making the new Elliot Caramel Apples in honor of the release of the live-action film version of Pete’s Dragon.

He’s SO CUTE!! (But kiiiiiind of looks like a pig from Angry Birds?)

Sausage and Pepper Flatbread can now be found among the Flatbread Pizza options at Pinocchio Village Haus.

Liberty Square

Columbia Harbour House

is one of the select restaurants currently listing calorie counts on the menu.

Though you’ll only find the calorie counts in just a few spots while it’s in testing, here’s something you’ll see at Columbia Harbour House that you can also find in MANY other locations… the Crush Sipper Cup — take a closer look here!

We first saw him at The Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge, but he’s been seen at several Counter Service restaurants such as Art of Animation Resort’s Landscape of Flavors, and various nosh spots at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park… ‘cuz, you know, where else would a surfing sea turtle want to hang ten?

A Sausage and Cheddar-stuffed Pretzel is currently available at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.

Look for our review of this new Stuffed Pretzel option (it joins the Ham and Cheese-stuffed Pretzel) soon!

Tomorrowland

Hot on the heels of several new menu items at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe comes one more…

…and I must say I’m rather intrigued by the new Falafel Burger.

Frontierland

Aaaaand

for dessert, Red Velvet Cake is now available at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.

Next stop?

Animal Kingdom

Remember when the word came out that Animal Kingdom would no longer serve Turkey Legs? Well, that was true… for a time. But THEY’RE BACK!

Find Turkey Legs served with chips under the Entrees at Quality Beverages.

This is a fairly well hidden spot, by the way. Just head towards Local Food Cafes (the Yak & Yeti Counter Service option) in Asia, and find the understated express window tucked to the right to find your Turkey Leg!

Local Food Cafes has had a bit of a change-up of its own.

Keep an eye out for our review of the new American Kobe Beef Cheeseburger and American Kobe Beef Hot Dog on the menu!

New sips at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant include the Kiwi Kimono (Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Don Q Cristal Rum, banana liqueur and tropical fruit juices), the Rickshaw Rickie (Skyy Vodka, Cointreau, muddled oranges and limes with Sprite), and the Dalacini Mine Cart (Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, Disaronno, and lemonade with Monin Desert Pear Syrup).

And at Nomad Lounge you’ll now find a selection of Artisanal Cheeses on the menu along with the Tiffins Bread Service (which has been offered previously, but is now officially on the menu).

Have you visited this still-new lounge yet? It’s something of a stunner…

Our final park stop? It’s…

Hollywood Studios

So long, Toluca Legs Turkey Co.… Hello, Sunshine Day Cafe!

‘Tis true. Turkey Legs are no more at Hollywood Studios…. for now, at any rate. Replacing Toluca Legs Turkey Co. is the Sunshine Day Cafe. Like Toluca, it will remain a seasonal spot (operating on peak crowd days) kicking off the offerings at Sunset Ranch Market.

During our visit to Sunset Ranch Market, we tried the new Baked Potatoes at Fairfax Fare.

The Loaded Baked Potato you see on the right is somewhat eclipsed by the Fairfax ONE POUND Baked Potato.

It’s topped with a whole heap of Beef Tri-tip, brown gravy, and cheddar cheese. Check it out!

These are the things keeping us occupied at Hollywood Studios while we eagerly await PizzeRizzo. The concept art for this Muppet-themed pizzeria based on none other then Rizzo the Rat can now be seen on the construction walls surrounding what was formerly Toy Story Pizza Planet.

Look for PizzeRizzo to open later this year!

Disney Springs

Heads up, Earl of Sandwich fans! The Cannonballs Sandwich is back for a LIMITED TIME!

I know where I’m headed for lunch. How about you 🙂 ?

Although, maybe you’re in the mood for pizza instead. If so, be sure to stop by Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, which opened in the Town Center of Disney Springs on August 5th!

Check out our review of the newest Disney Springs dining joint here!

And don’t forget your S’more Pie!

But if by chance you do, you can pick up a box of S’mores Chocolates from The Ganachery.

The Boathouse has added a Pimento Cheese starter and the Boathouse Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger to the menu.

Morimoto Asia is now offering a prix fixe Lunch Set.

It includes Miso Soup and a House Salad with choice of a California Roll or white or brown rice, plus your choice of four select entrees accompanied by dumplings and pickled seasonal vegetables.

Stop by the Bongos Cuban Cafe Express window to check out two new Flatbreads — Cheese and Lechon (topped with sweet plantains drizzled with organic honey) or the new Cuban Roasted Pork Sandwich.

And I’m loving the option for the new Cuban Party Box, which includes a Ham Croquette, a Hand-breaded Stuffed Potato with Beef, a Mini Cuban Sandwich, and a Guava Pastry… all for $12.

After your meal at the Express, you can make a quick stop inside the Bongos Cuban Cafe retail store to pick up a bag of Estefan Kitchen Cuban Coffee to enjoy at home.

Before we leave Disney Springs, let’s take a Sneak Peek INSIDE the upcoming Paddlefish restaurant, thanks to the Paddlefish Twitter account.

They’re busy getting ready for a late November opening!

Resorts

Refillable Resort Mugs

Have you heard about the redesign of the Refillable Resort Mugs? They’re handle-free!

Though they haven’t yet hit all the shelves at all the Resort Counter Service restaurants, we’ve been informed that it’s highly likely that once the current supply of mugs with handles runs out, they will all be restocked with handle-free cups moving forward. Find out all about it here.

Disney’s BoardWalk

AlakaZAM! AbracadaBar has opened up on Disney’s BoardWalk!

It features Enchanting Elixirs such as Pepper’s Ghost and Curious Concoctions like the Seashore Sweet… all in a magical setting conjuring one of the coolest backstories of any bar in Disney World.

Curious? Find out more by clicking here.

You can walk directly from AbracadaBar into the recently reopened and refurbished Flying Fish where both the restaurant and the menu have received a pretty major makeover.

The Kurobuta Pork Belly, A Tour of the Coast, and the Ocean’s Bounty Sustainable Fish entree were just a few of the new dishes we tried.

Find out what else we ate — and what we think of the new digs and dishes — here!

And the final stop of our BoardWalk stroll is one of our favorite spots: the Boardwalk Bakery, where the Coconut Lime and Passion Fruit Cupcake is the current specialty offering.

Yacht and Beach Club

Enjoy your Soup of the Day or Clam Chowder at the Beach Club Marketplace in a Bread Bowl!

Click here to read our review of the Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl. 

And next door at the Yacht Club, the breakfast options at Ale & Compass Lounge have been amped up with the inclusion of a Breakfast Sandwich and Wrap, along with Mickey Waffles.

And don’t forget to indulge in the new specialty french fry dishes at Beaches and Cream!

Swan and Dolphin

Staying nearby at the Swan and Dolphin Resort? You may want to take home a 6-pack of the exclusive — and locally-brewed — Phins & Feathers Pale Ale, since you can only find it at the Swan and Dolphin!

Port Orleans Resorts — French Quarter and Riverside

Guests at Port Orleans French Quarter will continue to have access to the Temporary Quick Service option while Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory continues its refurbishment into the fall.

One bonus of the temp space? Coke Freestyle machines!

And French Quarter guests can also take the pleasant walk down the Sassagoula River to Port Orleans — Riverside, where a Bayou Burger topped with Chopped Braised Prime Rib, Abita Beer Fondue, and house-made pickles on an onion roll can be enjoyed at Riverside Mill Food Court. 

YUM!!!!

All Star Resorts

End Zone Food Court

at All Star Sports Resort is serving up Mickey Gelato Sundaes, which made their debut at the neighboring All Star Music when Intermission Food Court reopened after a refurbishment in 2014.

Two scoops of your choice of gelato and toppings paired up with a Mickey Waffle… SCORE!

And new to the bakery case are S’mores Bread Pudding and a Maple Bacon Cinnamon Roll.

The Create-Your-Own Burger option has been replaced with an American Classic Burger.

Personally, though, I would make my way next door to Intermission Food Court for the new Pub Burger.

It’s topped with onion strings, fried pickle, and house-made beer cheese served on a Pretzel Roll!

You can also find Red Wine Braised Short Ribs on the list for Dinner.

Oh, and if you’re missing the King Cupcake that used to be at Everything Pop as much as we are, you can find a version of it at All Star Music on DJ Wednesdays when they serve their own version!

Alas, no candied bacon, but they claim it’s a Peanut Butter and Banana Cupcake fit for a King!

Contemporary Resort

If you walk up to the bakery case at Contempo Cafe and DON’T spy any cupcakes inside… fret not!

It’s just because they’ve been given their very own ENTIRE REFRIGERATOR!

The Cupcake Fridge is where you’ll find the Turtle Cupcake — a caramel cupcake with chocolate pecan filling and caramel chocolate icing — through Aug 27th.

Say “Hi” to Squirt from us!

Wow! The summer fun never does stop around these parts, does it? But even if you’re next trip is still months away, no worries! After all, no matter when you return to Disney World, it’s just like the sign at Ample Hills Creamery reminds us:

As always, thanks for joining us! And until next time, Eat and Be Happy!

Have you spotted anything new during a recent trip around the World? We’d love to hear about it in a comment!