Last fall, I stopped for lunch in Italy’s new Via Napoli restaurant which specializes in pizza. They even import water from Italy in the making of the crust. The atmosphere of the restaurant is lively and bright.
Each cast member expertly performed their tasks as I photographed each step in the pizza making process. The pizza crust gets carefully prepared before being passed over for the sauce and fresh toppings to be added per order. Then the pizza gets placed in one of the wood burning stoves named after an Italian volcano. For this pizza, it was Mount Vesuvius.
Making a Pizza at Via Napoli Restaurant.
After the pizza is cooked to perfection, young and energetic servers from Italy deliver it to a guest’s table like these three men you see below.
Young Italian servers who brought a pizza to a guest’s table in Italy’s Via Napoli restaurant.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/3.5, ISO 900, EV 0, 28mm focal length.
Each server was in a different stage of their time at Epcot. The one on the left was working his last day after spending two years at Walt Disney World. He was looking forward to returning home and celebrating his brother’s birthday. The one in the middle had just started his adventure at Epcot and was being trained to replace the one leaving. I felt he would do well as he was outgoing and very attentive to the guests. The one on the right is in the middle of his time at Epcot but was the most important member of the trio. It was he who brought the large mushroom pizza pie before you. Yes, it was as good as it looks if not better.
Cast members in Epcot’s World Showcase countries have fascinating stories about themselves and their homes. Next time you are enjoying a meal at one of the excellent restaurants in World Showcase, ask for more than what is on the menu and get to know a true Disney ambassador.
Weird question – I LOVE pizza, but I have an allergy to most cheeses, so have to get pizzas made up without the cheese on top. I really fancy trying a meal at Via Napoli when I’m next at Epcot. Would they make me a cheese-less pizza when I order from there?
Scott replies: Disney is famous for helping guests with food allergies. When making a reservation, note your allergy so they know about it. When checking in, make sure they got the information. Usually, a chef will come and talk to you to arrange something you can eat safely.
I keep reading mixed opinions about the pizza.
At 20 some bucks a pop it isn’t the most economical…..
Bottom line….is it worth it?
Scott replies: I ate there twice last fall. It is by far the best pizza at Walt Disney World. I like my pizza to have thick crust and Via Napoli’s thin crusted, wood oven cooked pizzas won me over. Is it worth it? For me it is.