Magical Mousecapades’s Blog

The Countries of World Showcase-Part 5: Italy

Ciao, and welcome to Italy! We are on the 5th stop of our trip around World Showcase. Italy is a beautiful pavilion, filled with the beautiful architecture of Venice. Stroll the Italian piazza and take in the eateries, the shops, the jugglers, music and more. The attention to detail in this pavilion is stunning. You’ll find it in the bridges, gondolas, colorful barber poles, the Neptune fountain in the central Plaza de Teatro, and a stunning 83-foot version of the bell tower, Campanile of St. Mark’s Square. The detail is so great in the Tower, there is even an angel atop the tower covered in real gold leaf. The scaled-down campanile was sculpted on model of the original, right down to the curls on the back of the head. Other statues in the relatively small pavilion, including the sea God, Neptune, are similarly exact.

The Italy pavilion even has an island, like Venice. The seawall is stained with “age” plus there are moorings that look like barber poles with Venetian-like gondolas tied to them. St. Mark the Evangelist is also remembered along with the lion that is the saint’s companion and Venice’s guardian. He can be seen atop two massive columns that flank the arched footbridge that connects the island to the mainland. The only deviation from Venetian reality is the alteration of the site of Doge’s Palace in reference to the real St. Mark’s square.

Italy is a horticultural-lover’s dream. On the island, you will find Kumquat trees, citrus plants typical of the Mediterranean. There are also a couple of olive trees originally located in Sacramento, California. The trees were transported to Orlando on a flat-bed truck. They actually arrived smaller than they were when they left California. As they were in Arizona, border inspectors mandated they be trimmed to the 10-foot length required by state law. They were actually shorned en route. The scars from their traumatic travel remain. The darker bark you see would be from the original and the lighter bark you see would be the new growth. You will also find in the pavilion tall column-like trees that are called Italian cypresses.

Shopping in the Italian pavilion is reminiscent of real-life Italy. At Enoteca Castello, located at the edge of the piaza, you will find red and white Italian wines, chocolate, espresso, cookbooks, and decorative bottle toppers. At Il Bel Cristallo, you will find an abundance of sports-themed apparel and accessories plus purses, wallets, bags, scarves, ties, fragrances, and jewelry. One of my favorite World Showcase shops is La Bottega Italiana. This beautiful little shop is an eclectic blend of decorative ceramics and glassware along with handcrafted Venetian masks, ranging in price from $30 to $500.

Dining in the Italy pavilion is pretty limited, but there is more coming! The table-service restaurant in Italy is called Tutto Italia. This is one of the most popular restaurants in Epcot. Recently, they expanded the outdoor seating area, which makes for one of the best people-watching spot in all of Epcot. Tutto Italia serves traditional appetizers like fried calamari, fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and basil and Caesar salad. Entrees include fresh pastas, fish, pork, chicken, and paninis at lunch. New on the horizon is Via Napoli, an authentic Italian-style pizzeria! This new restaurant is set to open in 2010. The menu will feature several Neapolitan pizzas, such as pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, and traditional Margherita pizza. Famed Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo will serve as the restaurant’s executive chef.  The water at Via Napoli will even be calibrated specially to the pH found in Naples to make for an even more authentic pizza experience. For more on Via Napoli, go to Disney Food Blog.

While one of the smaller pavilions, Italy is among the more authentic and a true delight. Take your time while exploring, and take in the sights, sounds and smells. And make sure while you are there, you search for Sergio, the Italian clown juggler!

The Italy pavilion, with the author's daughter in the corner.