On my visit to Epcot today I saw a rather large structure going up in back of the Italy pavilion. I asked a number of people and was told that the building would house a new pizzeria called Napoli. Not sure if the restaurant will be called Pizzeria Napoli or Napoli Pizzeria. Also, I was told that the restaurant is scheduled to open September 1st of this year.
Here’s some pictures of the building under construction. At this point only the cinder blocks are going up, but as you can see it’s going to be a rather large building.
Looking into the pavilion you can see the scaffolding and cinder blocks going up.
As you can see the building stretches the length of the pavilion.
The following pictures give you more views and some close-ups of the construction. In some, you’ll see workers on the scaffolding working. It’s not often that you see workers and that kind of construction. Usually they have it well hidden.
The AllEars Team will keep you informed as we get more news about this exciting new addition to Italy.
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Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says “see ya real soon”…DizneyMike
It’s funny, durring the Food and Wine festival, the place that kept getting the worst of the worst reviews was the stand that offered pizza. I hope it’s not that!
DisneyMike replies: Dana, I’m pretty sure that the pizza will be much, much better than the one offered at the Food and Wine Festival….Mike
The pizza place in California’s DTD is awesome. It has table service and you can order pizza, pasta, salads, etc…. Different crusts, sauces, authentic Italian.
DizneyMike replies: Mandie, you’re making me hungry! I think this restaurant is going to be a favorite of mine….Mike
I think this is going to be a great addition to the Italy pavilion. I don’t even walk back there anymore-nothing to see or do.
I would LOVE to have a dish of Italian gelato with that pizza!
DizneyMike replies: Lynne, I bet you will get both the next time you visit. Enjoy….Mike
I too was in EPCOT this week, sadly I had to return to the Boston area. I asked about the new construction and was told it would be an authentic pizzeria with an open cafe style experience along with a bar with different types of wine. I think it’s a nice addition to the area and look forward to it on my next visit.
DizneyMike replies: Elizabeth, Hello fellow Bostonian! (Well, even though I live in Florida now I still consider Mass my home.) Thanks for the additional information regarding the pizzeria. The more I hear the more I can’t wait for it to open….Mike
I think that this will help to draw people into the Italy pavillion. In past visits, it seemed like most people only came back into the pavillion for dining. There are some pretty photo spots back there, though. I hope this addition will attract more people. Would be even better if it is great pizza, too!
DizneyMike replies: Amanda, I do believe that this restaurant will bring many more people back into the pavilion…Mike
Now, if only they will serve real home-made sorbet in addition to pizza, they’ll make money hand over fist (and some of it will definitely be mine)!
A.D. Johnson
-Littleton, CO
DizneyMike replies: A.D., well, I don’t know about the sorbet, however, they will have pizza. -:) And that’s where my money will be going….Mike
I am very excited by this news! Though we live in Florida, we went to Disneyland last November and ate at Napoli at DTD Anaheim. The food was excellent! Hope they have the same menu.
DizneyMike replies: Sharyn, I’m glad to hear that you really liked their pizza. I can’t wait to try it out myself…Mike
ooooh, i hope it is real italian pizza. It’s not like we can’t get the americanized version somewhere else in Disney. It would be nice to get the real thing at one place in WDW!Thanks for the pics! We will be there in December so it should have the kinks knocked out by then!
DizneyMike replies: Jeni, I’m sure by December the place will be in high gear. I hoping for an upgrade in the pizza as well. We’ll see….Mike
I was always disapointed that they didn’t have a film at the Italian pavilion like they do at the pavilion in France or China. They would be so many visions to see. Venice, or the vineyards in Tuscany, the amalfi coast, pompeii, coloseum, trevi fountain, the vatican. I think the space would be well suited for a film. Perhaps they could have used the space for a restaurant on the first floor, and a theater on the second floor. Sort of like the american pavilion where you have to walk up a ramp on the second floor.
DizneyMike replies: Sabrina, I must agree that the Italy pavilion lack some of the historical aspects found in other pavilions. No movie, no ride, no exhibits. Compared to other it’s pretty boring. Just my two cents….Mike
I wonder if there is ANY chance it might be like the pizza they make in Italy. That would be great. I haven’t had that in over thirty years, when we lived outside of Naples for a while. It is so diferent from American style, and took some getting used to, but now I crave it.
DizneyMike replies: Janet, my guess, and it’s only a guess, is that the pizza will be more Americanized….Mike
We so miss Alfredo’s! A good pizzeria sounds like a wonderful addition.
DizneyMike replies: Suzanne, I have eaten at Tutto Italia several times and have really enjoyed each meal. So, I’m happy with the change….Mike
When will this resturant be opening?
DizneyMike replies: Marisa, the tentative date for opening is September 1st of this year….Mike
I am not too enthused about the idea of the sit down…..I feel like I am at home with a new Italian restaurant opening every other month.
Some times it’s better just to KISS……keep it simple stupid.
Do they really need ANOTHER restaurant right next to an existing one?
DizneyMike replies: Mike, it’s all a matter of what suits your taste; and everyone’s taste is different. For me, Epcot can’t have enough restaurants. The more eating/dining options the better. Also, in my opinion, the Italy pavilion needed something back there. There was too much dead space. So, for me it will be a win win situation; as long as the pizza is good and doesn’t taste like frozen cardboard. Thanks for the comment, it’s much appreciated….Mike
We will be at Disney the second week in September…. yippy for me… I sure hope it IS open by then… I’ll check it out for sure!
DizneyMike replies: You might see me there; I can’t wait for the restaurant to open….Mike
Does anyone know if this will be a quick service or a table service restaurant?
Thanks!
DizneyMike replies: Hannah, I understand that it’s going to be a 300 seat restaurant. However, I don’t know whether it’s going to be full service or counter….Mike
Oh wow! Thanks for the info! That’s going to totally change the look of Italy. I can’t wait to see it. I am always happy to have a new place to sit down and enjoy a good meal.
DizneyMike replies: Jessica, yes, the look will change, but it sounds like they are going to do it right. I’m looking forward to this new restaurant….Mike
Yea! Finally!! It’s about time we got a counter service in Italy.
I, also, think it looks like it will be 2-story. I hope they install a “Pizza Window” where we can just step up for a quick slice-on-the-go for that in-between snack @ around 3:30 pm.
The price for a slice at the Boardwalk Pizza Window is $3.49 and $3.99 for pepperoni.
Even after all these years of walking past that window on the Boardwalk (I’ve been living in Central FL. longer than the Boardwalk has been there) I haven’t been able to bring myself to shell out 4 bucks for a slice (I’m originally from New York.)
Now…if the pizza they’ll be serving is like what Jennifer described they have at Downtown Disney in Cal. then I won’t have a problem paying $3.99 a slice.
I’ll check into things and see what I can find out while I’m there on Tues. & Wed. ~ If I learn anything further I’ll post it here when I get back on Thurs. ~~~ Johnny.
DizneyMike replies: Johnny, yes let me know if you find anything else….Mike
Thanks for the good information. We will be arriving in late August this year. Heard rumor that Tuto will be closing for make over, Hmm wondering if it will close shortly after this pizzeria opens? Take care, The Ziolkowski family
DizneyMike replies: Sue and Jerry, not sure about Tutto Italia closing for rehab. We’ll keep our ear to the ground and let you know if we hear anything….Mike
So when is this supposed to be finished? any idea? We are going there at the end of July and I am wondering if it will be done by then. LOVE EPCOT- Lisa
DizneyMike replies: Lisa, I’m told that it is supposed to open September 1st….Mike
It is hard to tell, but it looks like they have room for 2. The pizza place at California’s DTD is 2 story, with more simple food on the bottom level and dining on the top floor. Perhaps this will have 2 choices, counter service and dining. We’ll just have to see.
DizneyMike replies: Alpha, it does look like there’s going to be two floors, so maybe that’s what will happen….Mike
love the idea of a pizzeria but am always hoping for space like this to be used for rides or attractions. World Showcase needs more and originally there was the plan to put a Pinocchio ride in this space..I believe. Oh well. Pizza is good too. Scott
DizneyMike replies: Scott, I don’t know about a Pinocchio ride, but there is space in the World Showcase for more countries. Hopefully we’ll see that space filled one of these days. In the meantime I have a slice of pizza….Mike
I’d love to see a real brick-oven pizzeria open up there–if any food is poorly represented at WDW, it’s pizza. If this is just a dressed-up way to sell the usual high-school-cafeteria-quality Disney slice, I may weep.
DizneyMike replies: Jeff, I could be wrong, but I think that this pizzeria is going to be run by the same folks that operate the Tutto Italia restaurant. If so, I’m expecting really, really good pizza. Let’s hope I’m right, I don’t want to see you weeping…Mike
This is a GREAT addition to the food options in the World Showcase!!!
Will be curious to see the style of pizza that they serve. Classic Italian or Americanized.
DizneyMike replies: Mike, I’m hoping that they will serve Classic Italian pizza. It will be interesting to see the menu and prices…Mike
Thanks for the info Mike. Was in Epcot last week, and no one seemed to know what was going on but can clearly see the workers, and building equipment. A counter service pizza place should do great there! Will check it out next year!
DizneyMike replies: Suzanne, I agree, I think a pizzeria in Italy will do extremely well….Mike