2016-11-15

Hello, friends! Well, we’d be remiss if we didn’t start out this post by wishing THIS GUY a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!



Happy Birthday, Mickey!!

Mickey Mouse was presented to the world with the premiere of the animated short “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. And our favorite Mouse will be joining us all around the World today for our November edition of What’s New!

All Around the World

The Holiday Season is upon us!



Mickey and Minnie are ready to celebrate!

Or at least in Disney World, it sure is! Everywhere you look, snacks and merchandise are taking on festive hues of red and green at confectionery stops and shops all over the World.



Peppermint Bark Tin

Gingerbread Popcorn

Donald and Goofy Candy Bag

Mickey Ears Candy-filled Ornament

Holiday Plush

Holiday Minnie Mouse

Frosted Cookies

Mickey Santa Cupcake

Peppermint Bark

Keep an eye out at the confectionery spots like Big Top Treats, Sweet Spells, Main Street Confectionery and the like for the Sandy Claws Caramel Apple.

Sandy Claws Caramel Apple

And Counter Service locations are currently serving up drinks in this Jeff Granito-designed Walt Disney World-specific holiday cup (as opposed to the previous all Disney Parks version)!

Disney World Counter Service Holiday Cups

Ditto for the Popcorn Carts around the World, with the new holiday Popcorn Containers.

Disney World Holiday Popcorn Containers

The Refillable Popcorn Bucket program (which was most recently predicted to end on October 31st) has been extended yet again. We found this Holiday Design at Animal Kingdom!

Holiday Refillable Popcorn Bucket

Holiday Refillable Popcorn Bucket

These new Christmas Tree Tins not only contain a bunch of Mickey Mouse Shortbread Rounds — they also wind up, play music, and spin! We’ll have a post all about this one soon!

Shortbread Rounds Musical Tree Tin

If you are searching for a gift for that popcorn fan in your life, Main Street Popcorn is now also available in large Combo Tins.

Main Street Popcorn Combo Tin

They include Caramel, Kettle, and Cheddar Cheese Popcorn for $13.99.

And the pre-packaged Shortbread Character Cookies that have started popping up just about everywhere are now available in Princess versions, too.

Tiana Shortbread Cookie

Belle Shortbread Cookie

Magic Kingdom

Mickey in the Magic Kingdom!

Holiday Fun

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is in full swing on select dates in the Magic Kingdom!

Happy Holidays from Magic Kingdom

Special treats for the Party this year include the Holiday Wish Red Velvet and Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes, which you can find at Main Street Bakery (though sometimes the Bakery serves these all day on party days!).

Holiday Cupcake Sign

Peppermint and Holiday Wish Cupcakes

Read about all the Party-exclusive treats (including expanded complimentary cookie options for this year!) here.

Even if you aren’t attending the party, all park guests can enjoy the return of the gorgeous holiday decorations around the park.

Magic Kingdom Holiday Decor

Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree

Toy Soldiers

Toy Soldiers under Christmas Tree

Even the Beast is getting into the spirit with the BEAUTIFUL Christmas Tree inside his Castle at Be Our Guest Restaurant.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Christmas Tree

Mrs. Potts Ornament

Lumiere Ornament

And everyone can take a trip on the Jungle — I mean, JINGLE — Cruise, too, in…

Jingle Cruise sign

Adventureland

After your yuletide trip down those treacherous waters, you’ll have earned some rest and relaxation. So it might be a good time to take in a bite to eat at the Jungle Skipper Canteen, where some brand new Souvenir Mugs — filled with your choice of Schweitzer Slush or Punch Line Punch — have hit the scene!

©Disney

Liberty Square

Meanwhile, in Liberty Square, Turkey Legs can now be found — in place of Baked Potatoes — at Liberty Square Market.

Liberty Square Market

Liberty Square Market Menu

The Baked Potatoes can currently be found instead at the nearby Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, served with butter, sour cream, and shredded cheese on the side.

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments

Baked Potato sign

Read up on the recent changes to the Liberty Tree Tavern menu, where the All-You-Care-To-Eat Patriot’s Platter is now available for lunch as well as dinner, in addition to lunch-only a la carte items.

Liberty Tree Tavern Entrance

Liberty Tree Tavern

Seafood Macaroni and Cheese has returned in the form of Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese to Columbia Harbour House.

Columbia Harbour House

Baked Chicken Breast and Shrimp can also now be found on the menu.

Columbia Harbour House Menu

Tomorrowland

Going from the past into TOMORROW, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe has two new additions to the menu with the Grilled Chicken Club served with Macaroni and Cheese and Green Beans and the 1/2 Chicken and Pulled Pork Combo.

Cosmic Ray’s Menu

Fun additions to the Toppings Bar include Crispy Onions and Sriracha Aioli.

Cosmic Ray’s Toppings Bar options

Crispy Onions in Toppings Bar

Pump for Sriracha Spicy Aioli

Sriracha Spicy Aioli

And Sonny Eclispe has been joined by a fellow space pal…

BB-8 Souvenir Cup sign

… since the popular BB-8 Souvenir Cups typically available in Hollywood Studios can now be found at Cosmic Ray’s as well.

Fantasyland

In Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant, the Chicken Parmesan Pasta and Sandwich are now available for both lunch AND dinner.

Pinocchio Village Haus

Pinocchio Village Haus Menu

Main Street, U.S.A.

Returning to the very front of the park, a House Salad has replaced the Insalata Fresca at Tony’s Town Square, and an Italian Cheese Dip has joined the Appetizer list.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

New entrees include Baked Rigatoni, a Pork Chop and the Vegetarian Pizza.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant Menu

And keep an eye our for Olaf-themed Cotton Candy at the Main Street, U.S.A. Popcorn Cart, as well as other snacks stands around the park!

Olaf Cotton Candy

Hollywood Studios

Catch the Birthday Boy in his holiday finest with the return of Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine!

Mickey at Minnie’s Holiday Dine

His best gal Minnie, of course, is your Hostess (also joined by Donald, Daisy, and Santa Goofy).

Minnie Mouse Celebrates the Holidays at Hollywood and Vine

Read all about this yuletide version of Minnie’s Seasonal Dine here! Don’t they fit in perfectly with all the holiday decor at the Studios?

Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree

Hollywood Studios Decorations

Holiday Streetmosphere

Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! — the new holiday nighttime spectacular — made its debut on November 14th!

Jingle Bell Jingle BAM!

And all sorts of festive holiday eats have arrived just in time for the big show!

Holiday Cookies at Popcorn Stands

Hot Cocoa at Popcorn Stands

This is especially evident at Sunshine Day Cafe — located in Sunset Ranch Market — where a Seasonal Menu offering all sorts of festive goodies and drinks has hit the scene!

Sunshine Day Cafe Seasonal Menu

We’ll be taking a closer look at some of these options soon, but for now here’s a peek at a few!

Stollen Bites

Gingerbread Pop

Giant Gingerbread Men Kit

The main stage for the spectacular, by the way, is located not too far from the location of a new Food and Beverage Marketplace coming to the Studios.

Food and Beverage Marketplace under construction

You’ll also be able to find a NEW holiday cupcake at the Studios this season! This Chocolate Cupcake with Peppermint Bark can be yours at ABC Commissary.

©Disney

BUT Trolley Car Cafe has not yet forgotten we have a wee bit of autumn left , as evidenced by the Autumn Harvest Cupcake.

Autumn Harvest Cupcake

The menu at Fairfax Fare has received a fairly big update. Gone is the Tri-Tip Beef One-Pound Baked Potato and the previous Barbecue items.

Fairfax Fare

In their place are an Empanadas Platter, El Pastor Pulled Pork Sandwich, and a Fajita Combo Platter along with a few carryovers from the former menu.

Fairfax Fare Menu

And don’t forget that PizzeRizzo opens on November 18th… that’s THIS FRIDAY, folks!!

PizzeRizzo!

Be sure to read up on the menu — and some fun aspects of the new atmosphere — before your first visit! And in the meantime, check out what it looks like with the construction walls down!

PizzeRizzo

Quirky Muppets humor, of course, plays a huge part in the setting, with the signs and painted sentiments on the outside walls.

PizzeRizzo outdoor atmosphere

PizzeRizzo outdoor atmosphere

PizzeRizzo windows

The neon Pizza signs and curtains showing through the windows fit right in with the city-scape area that the recently dubbed Muppets Courtyard carries over from what used to be known as the Streets of America section of the park.

PizzeRizzo windows

PizzeRizzo windows

Oven “Fresh”

And, as promised, there is plenty of expanded seating outside (though we’re most curious regarding the indoor seating, where a wedding reception is said to be taking place…)

Outside PizzeRizzo

Outdoor Seating

Oh! And here is the full menu so you can start to consider your order in advance .

PizzeRizzo Menu

Of course, maybe you’ve had a chance to peruse it already. After all, according to the menu, PizzeRizzo has been “Giving You The Business Since 1908.”

Epcot

Hello from Mickey at Epcot’s Garden Grill!

Farmer Mickey

Holidays Around the World at Epcot starts the day after Thanksgiving, November 25th. Along with the return of Holiday Storytellers and the Candlelight Processional,  new additions are coming to the celebration in the form of MORE FOOD!

Passport for Holidays Around The World

Think something like the Epcot Food and Wine Festival with a seasonal twist when it comes to new booths on the way such as Alpine Haus, American Holiday Table, and Feast of the Three Kings.

Slow Roasted Turkey at American Holiday Table © Disney

Learn all about these — and more! — here.

And at long last, the full narrator list for the Candlelight Processional is complete. Anthony Mackie will narrate the presentation of the Christmas Story accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir on December 7th through 9th.

Candlelight Processional

Click here to find the complete list of narrators along with information on the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages for 2016.

Le Cellier Steakhouse is now offering a prix fixe lunch menu — along with standard a la carte options —  from 11:15 am – 2:30 pm daily. Your choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert include options such as the popular Cheddar Cheese Soup and a new Wagyu Beef Burger ‘Oscar’.

Le Cellier Prix Fixe Lunch on the Disney World website

And the Maple Creme Brûlée is one of the dessert options, too!

Animal Kingdom

Mickey says “Jambo!” from Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House Restaurant!

Mickey in Safari Costume at Tusker House

Seasonal items such as Gingerbread Loaf, the Cranberry Bliss Bar and Holiday Cake Pops can be spotted in the bakery case at Creature Comforts and other Starbucks locations throughout Disney World.

Creature Comforts Starbucks Entrance

Gingerbread Loaf

Cranberry Bliss Bar

Holiday Cake Pops

They’re now also serving the same Turtle Brownie that is a dessert and snack option at Restaurantosaurus.

Turtle Brownie

And for another sweet treat, a new option is now available at some of the park’s Ice Cream Carts: the Outshine brand Creamy Coconut Frozen Fruit Bar.

Creamy Coconut Fruit Bar on menu

Disney Springs

If you’re planning on doing some serious holiday shopping in Disney Springs, then you’ll also need some serious sustenance!

The Marketplace

Look for new options on the Rainforest Cafe menu to include a Mushroom and Spinach Flatbread, and a Parrilla Veggie Flatbread.

Rainforest Cafe menu

The Kale and Red Quinoa Salad is also new.

AristoCrepes has gone through a variety of updates over the past month.

AristoCrepes sign

Rather than a full menu dedicated to both sweet and savory crepes, currently a selection of just sweet crepes is available, including the S’mores Crepe and Strawberries and Cream Crepe (and — just for the season — a Gingerbread Cheesecake Crepe).

S’mores Crepe

The menu has also been expanded to include a few park staples (popcorn and soft pretzels among them), along with a selection of seasonal beverages which for now include flavored Hot Cocoas and Seasonal Brews.

Savory Crepes, on the other hand, can now be found in…

Town Center

Amorette’s Patisserie is the new home to Savory Crepes in Disney Springs, including Ham and Cheese and Caprese Crepes.

©Disney

©Disney

There is also a sweet option with the Banana and Hazelnut Crepe.

The Landing

Last month we mentioned the new Dim Sum Brunch at Morimoto Asia, and this month we got to experience it!

@morimotoasia Facebook

Show more