Florida Guide > Disney General
Epcot – World Showcase – Italy
For priority seating in L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante call 407 939 3463
There are 11 countries in the World Showcase, Italy is the 5th if you are going clockwise around the lagoon.
The inspiration for Italy at Epcot was Venice, with a miniature St Marks square and a reproduction of the Doges Palace. Although there are no canals, they do have Venetian bridges and gondolas moored in the Lagoon.
In true Disney style the “marble” used is actually fibreglass that has been painted using a special technique so that it resembles the real thing.
The bell tower is over 80 feet high and is a replica of the original campanile in St Mark’s Square. Disney have paid great attention to detail and even though it is so high that guests can barely see it, the angel on the top of the tower is covered with real gold leaf.
In the centre of the pavilion is a plaza area with a beautiful fountain, and you will often see street entertainers including singers and occasionally Imaginum will move into Italy from France. These amazing “stone statues” will suddenly move causing the unsuspecting guest to jump! If you stand next to the statues to take a photo they will interact with you and it makes for some really memorable shots for the family photo album.
The garden area of Italy is quite patio like with beautiful hanging baskets and containers filled with an abundance of colourful flowers, there are some lovely examples of Mediterranean trees including various citrus’ – orange, lemon and kumquat as well as olive trees, cypress and pine.
For the shopaholic there are several authentic looking little shops offering a wide variety of Italian goods from sweets and chocolate, to Benetton casual clothes and beautiful silk scarves and ties in “La Bottega Italiene”.
There are some stunning pieces of Venetian glass jewellery, as well as silver and gold items in the “La Gemma Elegante” or maybe you’d prefer some crystal or a porcelain figure from “Il Bel Cristallo”
L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante – this popular restaurant features classical Roman décor and was created by the direct descendants of Alfredo di Lelio, the inventor of Fettuccini Alfredo. As well as this classic dish you can also sample such favourites as Ribollita al Tartufo a hearty minestrone vegetable soup or my personal favourite Fettuccine alla Vodka con Gamberoni which is homemade fettuccine noodles in a traditional Italian tomato, cream and vodka sauce, served with jumbo shrimp.
While you’re waiting for your table you can look through a large window into the kitchen and watch the pasta being made, kept our kids fascinated!
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