Italy

Italy Review

In WDW's Italy, the star is the architecture: reproductions of Venice's Piazza San Marco and Doge's Palace, accurate right down to the gold leaf on the ringlets of the angel perched 100 feet atop the Campanile; the seawall stained with age, with barbershop-stripe poles to which two gondolas are tethered; and the Romanesque columns, Byzantine mosaics, Gothic arches, and stone walls that have all been carefully antiqued. Mediterranean plants such as grapevines, kumquat, and olive trees add verisimilitude. Shops sell Venetian beads and glasswork, leather purses, perfumes, olive oils, pastas, and Perugina cookies and chocolate kisses.

At Tutto Italia Ristorante, cuisine is from several regions of Italy—Italian wines, handmade mozzarella, and freshly made breads are featured. Limited outdoor dining beneath umbrellas is lovely. The hot ticket these days is on the edge of the piazza: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is a casual 300-seat pizzeria with wood-burning ovens and an airy, noisy dining room. Chefs use Caputo flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and fresh, handmade mozzarella to craft some of the best margherita pizza outside of Naples!

The World Showcase Players comedy troupe and a clown-juggler bring crowds to the piazza several times each day. This is a great spot for viewing IllumiNations if you're in the vicinity as 9 approaches, and there's an outdoor Tutto Italia stand along the promenade where you can cap the evening with an Italian gelato or a refreshing Bellini.