The Halloween decorations are up and the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is ON! It MUST BE FALL in Walt Disney World!

So please join us for a very pumpkin-spiced edition of What’s New 😉 !

All Things Halloween

It’s always fun to see the pumpkins, scarecrows, and autumn wreaths return to Magic Kingdom for the fall season…

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has kicked into high gear (and the super fun decorations can be enjoyed by every Magic Kingdom guest)!

Halloween merchandise has, of course, crept into merchandise locations all around Disney World. There are popular returning items along with new pieces; some are food-related, and some not-so-much 🙂 .

I always love it when the Mickey Krispy Treats get their fall makeovers!

Cauldron of Cocoa, anyone?

I thought my favorite item was the “Boo to You” mug…

… until I saw the Hitchhiking Ghosts Hoodie, that is!

Minnie and Mickey and the rest of the gang are in their spiffy new Halloween costumes for Minnie’s Seasonal Dine at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios!

They’ll be in this hauntingly cute garb through November 6th, after which Minnie’s Holiday Seasonal Dine will begin in full festive force!

All Around the World

The current Seasonal Beverages at Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosks all over Disney World are a Harvest Latte, a Pumpkin Pie Chai, and a Pumpkin Pie Latte.

And a Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew option can be found at some stops… since it’s still quite warm here, you know 😉 .

Congratulations to Princess Elena of Avalor who has been added to the Disney Character Lollipop Hall of Fame!

Pirate Mickey has a new Tutti Frutti Lollipop, too.

We’ve got a couple of updates on the Refillable Popcorn Buckets that hit the scene this summer. Not only has the program been extended beyond its original end date of September 1st (now rumored to run through October 31st), but the Buckets are now eligible for refills through “Length of Stay.”

Get the full scoop here!

This line of Working Day Mugs might add a little extra fun to the office…

And we spotted a new line of Pure Growth Organic Snacks including these Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Bars at Hollywood Studios, and will be keeping an eye out at other merchandise and snack spots around the World.

Epcot

The 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival has begun!! And it’s running for a record 62 days (until November 14th) this year.

So be sure to check out The Best of Fest to plan your Festival food picks! Here’s a small peek at just a couple of standouts for 2016, starting with Spicy Hummus Fries at the Morocco Booth:

France continues to bring its A-Game when it comes to Grownup Ice Pops. Don’t miss this year’s Frozen Daiquiri Ice Pop!

Sweet seekers will want to head to The Chew Collective Booth (located in Future World) for the Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Mousse.

It takes a LOT of energy to check out everything the Festival has to offer.

Fortunately, the new Mocha Brownie at Fountain View is infused with caffeine (it’s made with espresso beans for a little pick-me-up)!

Have you seen the terrific merchandise line dedicated to the Biergarten Restaurant in the Germany Pavilion?

And check out this fun find in the Japan Pavilion: the little outdoor frozen treat kiosk is where you can now find mini Frozen Jello Cups. (These are also available at room temperature inside the Mitsukoshi shop.)

Select Lobby Beverages are currently available in Le Cellier.

And L’Artisan des Glaces is proudly serving its newest creation!

It’s Candied Peanuts with Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream.

Animal Kingdom

Stop by Zuri’s Sweets Shop for some Pumpkin Spice Fudge (you might spot it in other confection cases around Disney World, too).

Zuri’s is also now serving Frozen Slushes in Lemonade and Strawberry.

All options at Pizzafari are now actually Flabreads, save for the regular Cheese Pizza (because what would PIZZAfari be without at least ONE pizza?).

Of note among the recent additions are the Mediterranean and the Cheeseburger Flatbreads, and all are now served with a Tomato and Cucumber Salad.

The Dirt & Worms Cupcake is now available at Creature Comforts. Hi, Pumbaa!

And the Grilled Chicken Sandwich at Restaurantosaurus has received a slight update to the Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwich.

Magic Kingdom

Main Street Confectionery

is confectionery case-free… for a time, at least 😉 .

The confectionery case is closed for a six week refurbishment, but the store is still open for business!

We got pretty darn excited when we saw Queso Blanco available for a buck at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.

But, turns out it’s just a prepackaged option. Nothing super special… but it can be paired with a $3.99 side of chips (though we’d recommend loading up at the Fixin’s Bar instead).

At Table Service restaurants, keep your eyes peeled for autumnal and Halloween additions for desserts like this assortment from the buffet at Crystal Palace.

Many thanks to DFB Reader Jackie C. for the picture!

And over at Be Our Guest Restaurant, the Grey Stuff has gotten a little holiday makeover…

Hollywood Studios

Pumpkin Scones

and Muffins are back for the season at The Trolley Car Cafe.

But the Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Cupcake and the Peanut Butter Crunch Cookie are all new.

At both the Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant and Lounge, a Carrot and Ginger Soup is on the menu.

And a new (well, new to this area) Pop-up Bar has hit the Studios. It’s located near Toy Story Mania, and on our visit it was in operation from 12 – 6 pm.

Even though it can easily be moved, we think this Pop-up Bar will stay in its current home on Pixar Place, since three of the cocktails are Toy Story-themed.

We’ll have a review of the Deep Space Odyssey (pictured above) for you here soon!

Funnel Cakes are back at Oasis Canteen!

All sorts of super fun signage has been added to the future site of PizzeRizzo (former home of Toy Story Pizza Planet) in preparation for a late fall opening.

Loving this nod to the ol’ Pizza Planet!

You’ll even spy signs for Gonzo’s Royal Flush (Ha!) at the nearby restrooms. They’re also under refurbishment in the recently renamed Muppets Courtyard area of the park.

Darth Vader finds your lack of chocolate disturbing, so you can remedy that right quick with a new box of Star Wars Dark Chocolate Caramel Truffles.

Disney Springs

Town Center

A stop at Amorette’s Patisserie always reveals some beautiful new creations.

Take the new Raspberry Lemonade Pastry, for instance (it’s raspberry mousse, lemon curd, and lemon chiffon cake).

Eclairs are now available individually or in an Assortment Box (flavors include Lemon Meringue, Pistachio, Raspberry,and Salted Caramel).

Coffee or Tea? Take your pick! The Petit “Coffee Time” Cake is a flourless chocolate cake with dark chocolate mousse and coffee buttercream.

The Petit “Tea Time” Cake, on the other hand, is a lemon and green tea chiffon cake with citrus curd, Italian buttercream, lemon pate de fruit jelly, and passion fruit fondant.

And don’t forget to look for special seasonal creations!

These include one more Petit Cake: this Fall Time Petit Cake — available through November 10th — looks like a birch tree (carved with an “A” for Amorette’s). We’ll have a full review for you soon!

Layers are baked apple, salted caramel, milk jam, and spiced chiffon cake.

Stop by Sprinkles for the perfect tribute to Back-to-School season.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream is available throughout September!

But is your Town Center visit too early in the day for ice cream? Well, even though we’d argue “Never” 😉 , there IS a terrific new breakfast option waiting for you at The Daily Poutine: Breakfast Poutine!

Read about this all-day breakfast dish here.

The Landing

A Wine and Chocolate option is now on offer at The Ganachery, featuring a glass of sparkling Rosa Regale paired with a passion fruit ganache square.

Seasonal ganache flavors are Pumpkin Spice Latte and Cinnamon Apple.

Even more new flavors include Dark Chocolate Coconut and Creamy Peanut Butter Ganache.

West Side

Celebrate Oktoberfest at House of Blues through October 9th!

Special menu items for the celebration include Pork Schnitzel, Grilled Beer Bratwurst, a big ol’ Oktoberfest Pretzel, and Apple Strudel.

Find Mojito Lemonade at the Wetzel’s Pretzels stand.

Note that it’s actually a No-jito, since it’s non-alcoholic.

Wolfgang Puck Cafe is serving a fall twist on the classic Manhattan cocktail.

It’s an autumnal Cinnamon Apple Manhattan.

Resorts

Grand Floridian Resort

You know how we’ve seen a lot Table Service restaurants around Disney World combining Lunch and Dinner menus over the past several months? (For a case in point, check out our review of the revised all-day menu for Epcot’s Chefs de France).

Well, the Grand Floridian Cafe has put their own spin on the trend, instead offering a newly combined Breakfast and Lunch menu.

It’s available until 2:00 pm, then Dinner begins at 5:00 pm.

Remember, the Gone Mad Party is still happening at the Grand Floridian Resort just outside Gasparilla Island Grill.

What’s that? You haven’t heard about this free (with snacks available for purchase) Wishes Viewing Party? Read all about it here!

If you have an Advance Dining Reservation for 1900 Park Fare, please take note that the entrance has moved.

Though previously it was located just off the main lobby near one of the resort check-in counters, it’s now next to the Grand Floridian Cafe (just past the lobby and to the left).

Contemporary Resort

Current Contempo Cafe Cupcakes are Candy Apple and Candy Bar.

We’ll have a review of the Candy Apple Cupcake here for you soon (including a Caramel Sauce snack hack!).

Wilderness Lodge

Whispering Canyon Cafe

has joined the Gigantic Ice Cream Dessert Game (think Beaches and Cream’s Kitchen Sink or Ghirardelli’s Earthquake Sundae)!

Introducing… the 10-Gallon Challenge.

You won’t see it on the menu, as it’s still currently in “testing phase.” But in the meantime, you can read all about it here!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Two new Flatbreads are listed under Appetizers at Jiko: an Heirloom Tomato Flatbread and a Mozambican Chicken Flatbread. (YAY for flatbreads returning to the menu!)

Under Entrees, the Oak-grilled Dibi Rack of Lamb has replaced the Lamb Shank, and Peri Peri Green Circle Chicken replaced the Harissa Chicken.

Art of Animation Resort

The Dinoco Oil Can Sippers may look familiar to Disneyland guests, as that’s where they made their debut.

But Landscape of Flavors is carrying them now, along with the Crush Souvenir Sipper.

All Start Movies

CHEERS to World Premiere Food Court for offering two Adult Milkshakes on the menu…

The Rialto Station is now serving the Curtain Call (a Chocolate Milkshake with Knob Creek Bourbon and candied bacon) and the Velvet Ropes (a Vanilla Milkshake with strawberries, sprinkles, and Frangelico).

Well, that’s it for all the Fall Fun this time!

We can’t wait to bring more to you in October! In the meantime, 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!