Tour Epcot’s Italy Pavilion
Benvenuti amici! How many of you have strolled along Epcot’s World Showcase, glanced in at the courtyard, and continued meandering? Arresto!! I often hear grumblings that there are no attractions or films in this locale, and therefore it is not a worthy stop. However, if you know and love this Southern European country, allow the authentic details of Italia transport you. (Or do you dream of visiting the real Venice, Florence, or Rome in the future?) Welcome to la dolce vita… Here’s a virtual tour of Epcot’s Italy pavilion.
Architecture
One of the nine original World Showcase Pavilions that opened in 1982, this stop on our tour is modeled after the coastal city of Venice. The pink and white “marble” buildings surrounding Plaza del Teatro are as authentic and committed to detail as you would expect from a Disney endeavor. It was not until our second trip to Italy that I fully appreciated the Walt Disney World “primer.”
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Venice 2014- Doge’s Palace, Campanile di San Marco (The real thing!)
 Notice the near-exact replica of the palace, bell tower, and the two massive columns framing the “square.” Atop one is the winged lion, the guardian of Venice and symbol of St. Mark. On the other, sits St. Theodore, the first patron saint of Venice. What unsuspecting Guests don’t know is that this mirrors the spot for local Venetian executions. Therefore, it is thought to be a bad omen if you pass between them. Gee, that makes it hard to feel good about that pizza!
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| Venetian gondola (See the striped moorings pictured above!!) |
Elements of Rome are present in the plaza’s “Fontana de Netunno”, which is fashioned after Bernini’s masterpiece in the Trevi Fountain. The Florentine style is evident in the newest restaurant, Via Napoli.
Florence’s architects Stefano Nardini and Raffaella Melucci designed this venue for the Patina Restaurant Group. Its wood-burning pizza ovens are named for the three active Italian volcanoes and designed to portray their designated gods: Etna, Vesuvio, and Stromboli.
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| Via Napoli’s open kitchen |
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| Via Napoli chandeliers are imported from the island of Murano off the Venetian coast. |
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| Italian gelato served out of an authentic donkey cart. This is the same mode of transportation used for centuries in the rugged Italian hillside. |
Cuisine
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| Tutto Italia |
Tutto Italia
Lasagna alla Bolognese. That’s all I need to say. We most enjoy sitting outside on the patio in temperate weather. (Think people watching- Italian style.) On rainy and HOT days, sit inside in the main dining room, or the enclosed “sun room.” This table service restaurant serves lunch and dinner. DO NOT forget to make your Advance Dining Reservations.
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| Via Napoli |
Via Napoli
The pizza here is as authentic as you will find in the States. And to guarantee that fact, the water used to make the dough is shipped in from… Pennsylvania! (Evidently, testing shows that it mimics the water found in Naples. Who knew??) San Marzano tomatoes and hand-rolled mozzarella complete the product, and a dozen other toppings are available. The menu includes salads and pasta dishes, but the pizza is delicioso!
Vino
No Tour of Epcot’s Italy Pavilion would be complete without the fruit of the vine.
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
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| An Italian wine cellar selling wine, small plates, AND items from the Tutto Italia menu! A great alternative if you can’t secure a reservation at the other two restaurants on the plaza. |
Enoteca Castello
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| Purchase Banfi wines by the glass. |
Epcot World Showcase Wine Walk
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| Italy’s wine offerings, enjoyed in its piazza. |
Shopping
Il Belle Christallo (Murano glassware and Venetian glass jewelry, accessories, and perfumes. It’s where my boys buy their cologne. Exclusively!)
La Bottega Italiano (Apparel, Venetian masks, Italian foods)
Entertainment
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Now Epcot Forever, and a brand-new show coming in 2020!)
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| A premier viewing spot for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Many private parties are hosted there! |
Sergio the mime/juggler
The Flag Wavers of Sansepolcro (A tradition from the Middle Ages)
Special Events
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
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| Ravioli alla Caprese and Chianti Classico, Placido |
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
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| Lady and the Tramp Topiary |
(During Epcot Festival of the Holidays)
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| La Befana, the Italian good witch who brings presents to children on the Epiphany. |
That completes your tour of Epcot’s Italy pavilion. For a touch of amore, a Renaissance history lesson, a good chianti, and a GREAT meal, be sure to wander into the piazza on your next loop around World Showcase. It’s an offer you can’t (shouldn’t) refuse!!
Italy pavilion is very pretty. I will definitely try the pizza during my next visit! Thanks for whetting my appetite.
Didi, I absolutely love Via Napoli! That was the restaurant Sophie chose in 2014 for her 13th Birthday dinner, and we ate there with incredible friends from our home in Raleigh, NC and friends that flew in from California to celebrate with us. We even ordered a gluten-free cake for dessert so that all of us could enjoy Sophie's birthday. What a memory that night was, thanks for sharing your love of this incredible pavilion!
Didi, you know my feelings about this pavilion. Truth is, I hate Italian food in Disney and I hate pizza in Disney. There's one huge exception, and that's this pavilion. I love it so much. The food is just perfect, the buildings are perfect and the shopping is perfect. Tutto Gusto is probably my favorite place in the World Showcase now. Great stuff, thanks for sharing!
One word for this pavilion is YUM!
I love this pavilion. It takes me back to my childhood when my family had opportunity to live in Italy for 5 months. I just love soaking in the atmosphere and being transported back. Personally, though, I was disappointed in the pizza at Via Napoli. That lasagna looks good though!
I have to agree! I thought I was the only person in the world who wasn't impressed with Via Napoli! 🙂 I'm so jealous too, I was only in Rome for a month and think about returning to Italy (all over, and for as long as possible) absolutely all the time!
This is one of my favorite pavilions. My family loves the pizza at Via Napoli. It is a great spot to watch Illumnations even the back of pavilion is a great viewing spot for those who don't like the noise of the fireworks.
This pavilion is so beautiful! I have to visit the fountain every time.
I have to admit, I'm one of those who often passes this pavilion by. I will have to give it another look. Thanks for sharing!
Now I really wish I was having dinner at Via Napoli. 🙂 We don't really spend too much time here but I plan to on our next trip. You've shown me the light!
Man, I never really tour this country when I'm at Epcot… I really wish I'd taken the time out to explore it more. I'm really missing out! – Jerusha, TheDisneyChef.com
Via Napoli is on my must do list for my next visit! I can't wait to try their pizza!
My husband loves this pavilion for the food but for me it is the wine. I have had the most expensive glass of wine at Disney in Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar (definitely a splurge only locations). But Enoteca Castello at the front of th pavilion is one of my favorite stops. Prices are decent, cast members are wonderful and the pours are generous. 😉
The attention to detail in the Italy Pavilion is simply incredible.
I'm craving the Prosciuto and Melon pizza from Via Napoli now… S