Disney busy in autumn

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Think autumn and you think colored leaves, apple-picking and chilly nights.

You don’t necessarily think Disney. But there’s plenty to do this fall at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.

The ninth annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival takes place Oct. 1-Nov. 14 at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring products from 100 wineries, guest chefs, wine schools and seminars, beer tastings and dinners.

For little ones too timid to embrace the creepy side of Halloween, check out the Magic Kingdom’s “Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” offered on 13 evenings. The events include a parade, fireworks and trick-or-treating. For tickets, call (407) W-DISNEY.

And here’s some freaky Halloween news: The gardeners at Disney have figured out a way to grow pumpkins shaped like Mickey Mouse heads, with orange lobes protruding on either side of the pumpkin ball like ears. Don’t worry; they’re not doing genetic manipulation in a spooky lab somewhere — they’re just growing the pumpkins in special molds to resemble Mickey’s silhouette. You can see them — and some Disney characters including Donald Duck — at the Land pavilion at Epcot.

Give innkeeping a try

North Hampton, N.H. — Ever dream of running a charming old inn in a quiet village?

Now you can test-drive your fantasy. The New England Inns & Resorts Assn.’s Innkeeper for a Day program allows visitors to combine a vacation with a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes.

The program grew out of an increasing number of requests from people looking for information on how to start a country inn. It offers many options for would-be hoteliers, from a $500 two-day stay at a 15-room B&B to a $2,500 four-day program at a luxury resort.

For more information on the innkeeper program, visit www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com.