Italy — World Showcase — Epcot
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Italy! As you enter St. Mark’s Square, you pass two massive free-standing columns. At the top of one is St. Theodore, a military leader who played an important role in early Venetian history. Atop the other column is a winged lion, the mythical guardian of Venice and the symbol of St. Mark.
The architecture is a reproduction of the Doges Palace in Venice. Since it would be virtually impossible to find an exact duplicate of the marble, the Disney Imagineers created their own. In this case, the marble is actually fiberglass (covering brick supports) that has been painted and specially treated to resemble the real thing.
ATTRACTIONS
The shops and architecture are the featured attractions in Italy. And that architecture, sculpture, and art are abundant!
Click here for a walking tour of Epcot’s Italy pavilion!
Find more to do with Epcot Attractions At A Glance!
DINING
There are several places to dine and snack in Italy. Tutto Italia is an Italian trattoria that features all the standards, from lasagna to cannoli. It is full service restaurant open for lunch and dinner.
Via Napoli – Italian pizzeria, serving up authentic pies made with imported flour and special water, as well as salads and sandwiches.
Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar is an atmospheric wine cellar serving wines, beers, sandwiches and small plates.
Italian Gelato Kiosk – serving various flavors of Italian gelato
Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World – Epcot
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets
ENTERTAINMENT
In early October, 2014 the Flag Wavers of Sansepolcro began performing in Italy. The tradition, which dates back to the late Middle Age, is the ancient art of flag waving. The group of flag wavers, drummers, and trumpeters perform several times a day.
TOURING TIPS
The Pavilion includes kumquat trees, olive trees and grapevines as well as several “container gardens.”
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival brings perennially adorable Lady and the Tramp topiaries to the pavilion!
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays features storytellers in each country. In Italy, La Befana makes appearances throughout the afternoon. La Befana is the good witch who brings gifts to children on the Epiphany, January 6.
KIDS AND CHARACTERS
Each of the World Showcase countries has a special “KIDCOT” area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.
Epcot Passports are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.
Epcot Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ!
SHOPPING
Il Bel Cristallo – Murano crystal, Capodimonte florals and figures, glassware, decorative items.
La Gemma Elegante – Find an array of Venetian masks in this shop at the back of La Bel Cristallo. You can even make your own mask!
La Bottega Italiano – Gourmet foods and cookware, pastries, wines.
INTERESTING FACTS
Via Napoli trucks in special water from the northeast that they feel best matches the mineral content of Naples, Italy so they can make the perfect pizza crust.
The statues on the Doges Palace are hollow and are held in place by steel rods which run through the base into the statues themselves.
The city of Venice was the inspiration for the Italian Pavilion.
A smaller version of Campanile includes an angel sculpted using a model of the original and covered in gold leaf.
The sea god Neptune is featured at the pavilion’s fountain.
The garden is more like a garden patio: blue, white and pink hanging baskets add color to the large buildings and garden walls. Citrus trees, such as orange and lemon, along with other Mediterranean trees, dominate the landscape. Flowering plants in authentic containers decorate the plaza.
L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante, rich in Florentine style, closed August 31, 2007 when the contract with Epcot ended. Alfredo’s was based on a famous Roman restaurant of the same name. Fettucine Alfredo was the restaurant specialty.
