Are your halls decked? Are your presents wrapped? Are you bursting with anticipation as you’re getting ready to celebrate the HOLIDAYS?!?

Because it’s the Most Wonderful — and Delicious! — Time of the Year at Walt Disney World! And we’re taking a tour around the Parks, Disney Springs, and several Disney Resorts to find out What’s New for this most festive season!

Resort Gingerbread Displays

It’s GINGERBREAD TIME!  A wonderful tradition across several Deluxe Disney World Resorts each year are over-the-top, larger-than-life Gingerbread Displays. Last month, we caught glimpses of the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resort’s displays in progress, and since that time we’ve been back to see them up and running!

Of course, the Grand Floridian’s display is not only a gorgeous Gingerbread House…

… it’s also a fully functioning treat spot!

My personal favorite — the Gingerbread Carousel — is back at the Beach Club.

The horses on the Carousel are uniquely themed each year. Now, who does this year’s fleet remind you of 🙂 ?

The BoardWalk Inn is trying something new this year. Rather than one large Gingerbread Display (last year, it was Ginger’s Bread & Cookie Shoppe), the Resort’s Pastry Chefs have created individual Gingerbread Creations, reflecting a theme and inspiration of their choosing.

Feeling inspired by the displays? Then you can attend a Bakery Activity — or the Gingerbread Academy — to try your own hand!

Be sure to check out our full photo tour and review on this year’s Gingerbread spots and snacks!

Epcot

Happy Holidays Around the World from Epcot!

This annual celebration of the season as it’s celebrated around the globe is back… only this time, it’s been enhanced with seven Marketplace Booths featuring regional and global cuisine.

And, BOY, did they bring in some GOODIES!

The event is still running through December 30th, so be sure to check out our very favorite items — like the Cheese Fondue at Alpine Haus, and the Slow-Roasted Turkey Dinner at American Holiday Table — before you go!

You can also see pictures of EVERY SINGLE FOOD ITEM here!

But maybe you’re not going to get the chance to attend this particularly festive festival.  Well, don’t worry… because a brand new Festival will follow shortly after, when the Festival of the Arts makes its debut in January 2017!

It will be followed promptly by the Flower & Garden Festival (which will feature two new Outdoor Kitchens) in the Spring… but we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Because in the meantime, we’ve got bigger things to conquer.

And I do mean BIG. Get a load of the new JUMBO Pretzel in the Germany Pavilion!

This baby is GIGANTIC. It’s also 10 BUCKS. Seeing as it’s a “snack” that two can easily share, that brings things to $5 apiece…

Stop by the Popcorn Cart in the Canada Pavilion for a Chilled Maple Cafe, which will hopefully remain around for the cooler weather that lingers beyond Holidays Around the World.

It features Joffrey’s Le Cellier Blend Coffee with Brown Jug Maple Bourbon Cream Liqueur and topped with ExlPure MAPLE COTTON CANDY!

And though these are not exclusive to Epcot, that’s where we first spotted the current Joffrey’s Seasonal Drinks: the Gingerbread Cookie Latte, the Wintery White Latte, and the Peppermint Mocha Latte.

Look for them at any of the Joffrey’s Espresso and Pastry kiosks around Disney World, for at least the next few weeks!

Magic Kingdom

Everyone in Magic Kingdom is excited to celebrate the season!

Just a few menu changes to let you know about here, but they are rather small in comparison to the BIG news that four more Magic Kingdom Table Service restaurants (in addition to Be Our Guest Restaurant) will begin serving wine and beer very soon.

These include Liberty Tree Tavern, Cinderella’s Royal Table, the Jungle Skipper Canteen, and Tony’s Town Square.

To learn more — including why this change is so surprising — click here.

Now back to those menu changes we mentioned, starting with a new Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.

If you are traveling to Magic Kingdom as the holiday traffic picks up, you’ll have more of a chance to find seasonal locations in operation like Tortuga Tavern and Golden Oak Outpost. Also included on that list is Tomorrowland Terrace.

Here, a Strawberry Shortcake has replaced the Coconut Tres Leches Cake for dessert.

These aren’t the only menu updates at the Magic Kingdom.

It seems the Jungle Cruise Skippers have a special holiday menu to look forward to as the Jingle Cruise sails on throughout the rest of the season!

Seems like a nice change of pace from the usual…

But maybe that’s just me 😉 .

Hollywood Studios

Just a few weeks ago, we said “Welcome” to Rizzo the Rat and his new dining establishment, PizzeRizzo!

Read our first review from this new Counter Service eatery!

But while we say “Hello” to that new spot, we’re VERY happy to say “Welcome Back” to an old favorite… the Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel is back at Hollywood Studios at select Pretzel Carts!

We’ve been hoping for this since this classic snack found its way back to Magic Kingdom a few months ago.

You’ve still got a couple weeks left to catch the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular…

… and all the festive food and drink at Sunshine Day Cafe to go along with it!

They’ve also added German Pretzels to the seasonal offerings, and you can add a souvenir Christmas Light Glow Cube to any beverage for $3.50.

This year’s Chocolate and Candy Cane Holiday Cupcake can now be found at Counter Service spots all over the Studios, including The Trolley Car Café and Starring Rolls.

Anaheim Produce has brought back the Candy Cane Kah-lada for the season.

And the Winter Berry Margarita and Twinkling Twilight are available once again at the Pop-Up Bars around the park.

Sweet Spells has added Pumpkin to its Whoopie Pie selections!

If you’re looking for more than snacks and drinks, though, you may want to try out the new “fast-casual” dinner at ABC Commissary.

They’re switching it up from the typical Counter Service setup (which still exists for lunch) to a new system where you order and pay for your dinner at the counter, then go to a table and wait for it to be delivered right to you.

Drinks are likewise refilled for you by a Cast Member. Read more about it here, and look for a review soon!

Stop by Mama Melrose’s to try the new Wood-Grilled Chicken and Penne Pasta, or the Seasonally Inspired Chef’s Selection (which is currently Osso Buco).

Animal Kingdom

Jambo — and Season’s Greetings! — from Animal Kingdom!

Further construction at Flame Tree Barbecue has been completed, and the result is expanded seating in a lovely new dining gazebo along with a covered walkway.

The Halibut dish at Tiffins has been replaced by a Hoisin Glazed Grouper.

And the current coffee brew at the Anandapur Royal Tea Company is the Kenya Muranga Blend.

Disney Springs

Marketplace

Merry Christmas from the Christmas Tree Trail in Disney Springs!

Fifteen trees themed to Disney characters and films can be found in the Marketplace. Here’s a quick glimpse at just a few…

You know what else can now be found at the Marketplace? Dole Whip!

Grab yours — under the name Pineapple Soft-Serve — at Marketplace Snacks.

For other sweet treats, you’ll want to check out Goofy’s Candy Co. where some new additions to the seasonal standards include this adorable Mickey Holiday Sugar Cookie (with just a hint of almond flavor).

And a CARAMEL POP. Woo!

At B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., the Bratwurst and Cheese Spatzle has replaced the Portuguese Sausage.

Remember the Holiday Turkey Poutine that showed up at The Daily Poutine (thick-cut fries all topped with turkey and Thanksgiving trimmings)?

Well, we were pumped to learn it will remain around for the remainder of the holiday season!

It’s GOOD, folks.

So good, in fact, that it’s the one Thanksgiving guest you’ll be glad extended its stay 😉 . Hey-OH!!

Town Center

Winding into the Town Center, you’ll spot news signs at the future home of The Polite Pig, coming in Spring 2017!

It will be just steps away from Amorette’s Patisserie where they are decking the halls with these beautiful Lemon Chiffon Ornament Dome Cakes and Red Velvet Snowballs. Read our review here!

These are in addition to pieces like the mini Mickey Mousse Chocolate Chiffon Cakes, and the Goofy Dome Cake.

Mickey Peanut Butter Blondie Cookies are new in the Patisserie, joining the Savory and Sweet Crepes that hit the scene last month.

More seasonal sweet treats are available at Sprinkles, where they are serving up Gingerbread Cupcakes.

And a Bacon and Bleu Burger is now on the menu at D-Luxe Burger.

The Landing

Yes, Virginia, it DOES get cold in Florida… occasionally 😉 . And Joffrey’s Tea Trader’s Cafe is prepared with a seasonal selection of Winter Warmers.

Raglan Road still has until Fall of 2017 to welcome its future next door neighbor, Wine Bar George, but groundbreaking has occurred and construction is underway!

Meanwhile, directly on Raglan Road’s other side at Cookes of Dublin, we were surprised to see that the menu has been rather significantly downsized.

I already miss you, Vintage Bacon and Cheese Dip! Maybe — if we’re all REALLY GOOD — Santa will see fit to bring you back one of these days… . (FYI — AJ stopped in and voiced a sincere complaint on this one.)

A few Disney Princesses have received a place of honor on their very own Chocolate Bars at The Ganachery.

These Chocolate and Nut Trees are just around for the season!

And seasonal selections of ganache include Apple Pear and Amaretto.

Stop by Morimoto Asia for a Winter Wonderland.

It’s made with White Chocolate Godiva, Vodka, and Peppermint Schnapps.

Just across the way at Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, Moonshine Flights have been added to the drink options!

Choose any three Moonshine flavors and receive a pickle juice chaser and candied pecans along with them.

Also, you can now find Braised Short Ribs served with sweet mashed potatoes and broccolini and a new Apple Pie a la Mode Cocktail on the menu.

Follow things up with… more cocktails 😉 at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar!

Or perhaps you’d prefer a small bite to eat. The current seasonal food menu features a Matterhorn Rosti and Pork Belly Sliders.

And for dessert?

Stop by Vivoli il Gelato for one of the seasonal flavor options.

Pumpkin Spice, Amaretto, and Maple Pecan make up the holiday offerings.

Resorts

Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

has reopened from its lengthy refurbishment to debut a new look.

AND new food items!

Check it all out here!

Wilderness Lodge

Though Wilderness Lodge doesn’t feature a Gingerbread Display, that doesn’t mean that guests there will be missing out on some Seasonal Snacks!

And Territory Lounge is currently serving coffee and pastries once again from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm daily.

Find out about the Wilderness Bark Latte — one of the featured beverages on the Specialty Menu — here.

Roaring Fork has a cute Raspberry Seasonal Cupcake up for grabs.

And outside at Trout Pass Bar, some festive holiday beverages made their debut.

DFB Reader Chelsea B. kindly shared her photo of the Elf Elixir (Godiva White Chocolate and Peppermint Schnapps) with us. A Snowball Martini (Godiva White Chocolate and vanilla) and Smoky Mountain Cider (Cider with Apple Moonshine) are also available.

Read her review here!

Contemporary Resort

In addition to the Gingerbread Treats mentioned earlier, an Egg Nog Spiced Cupcake has found its way to Contempo Cafe for the season.

Look for a Gingerbread Santa Hat Cupcake from December 23rd through 25th, too!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

The fast, casual breakfast option at Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge — the Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast — has passed its trial run, and can now be considered a regular option for your breakfast choices!

It’s available daily from 7:00 – 10:00 am.

Find out more about this new option here.

Polynesian Village Resort

Following in the footsteps of Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Island Grill and the Contemporary’s Contempo Cafe, the procedure for receiving your food order at Captain Cook’s has changed.

Place your order and then, when it’s ready, a Cast Member will deliver your food directly to your table.

We’d like to thank our good friend Daniel (@danielstaten on Instagram) for the info… and the pic of the Seared Chicken Breast with pineapple sambal, red quinoa and edamame salad (His thoughts on the dish? “So good!”).

Boardwalk Inn

Before we wrap (a few more presents…), I’m guessing we could all use a little Yule Fuel right about now. Wanna know where you can get some?

At Big River Grille and Brewing Works! It’s their current seasonal brew.

MANY THANKS to you for joining us on all of our trips Around the World in 2016! We hope you enjoyed them, and we can’t wait to take you along for more fun-filled food adventures in the year to come.

Until then, we’d like to wish you a VERY Happy Holiday!

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