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/* Fun Facts and Trivia */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| image=ItalypavilionItalypavilion2.jpg| caption='''The Italy pavilion as seen from across the World Showcase Lagoonat night.Photo by Don Sullivan<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/donsullivan/11763839655/in/photolist-iVwKFD-EhfX1-EhfWW-BzPDUe-C2A55n-BbPxRA-EgKqF-Bcyhkt-nDzbg8-BbX4ZB-C71YVW-5rXzha-cMT2SS-75hnje-hgkWHr-9tHzXt-4H7Hd5-5s2UGG-iPfQFW-bcLBFx-9shteQ-iiR4pz-TdS8AH-9e8cH5-9TfKb4-btUGC5-6ACfp6-2492UqC-23RBH3T-7c7npx-7cbdeC-77ufQW-7cbd9A-9uuzKq-9TyKP1-pys9jm-7cbdKL-eufdd-7hA3gF-7hA4BB-7hA4Kv-bCRiUJ-7hA4vX-9TvJkg-8d1AJh-6MqeEy-r5HWA-CfMHQ-6ACn88-EmrNrp</ref>'''
| Country=Italy
| land=World Showcase
Like many of the World Showcase pavilions, the Italy pavilion changed drastically from its early designs to its final construction. When the pavilion was initially being designed, Imagineers wanted to construct an area that would represent Southern Italy. This area would have include a dark ride attraction, where guests would board gondolas and travel through various Italian scenes. After riding the attraction, guests would be released into the middle of Roman ruins, which they could then walkthrough and explore <ref name= "Spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/12/italy_pavilion_part_two_1.html </ref>.
Similar to other early plans for World Showcase (such as [[Germany]]'s Rhine River Cruise) plans for the Southern Italy section of the Italy pavilion were pushed back until [[EPCOT Center]]'s Phase II. This delay was mentioned in Walt Disney's EPCOT: Creating the New World of Tomorrow:
{{Quotation|"Few buildings remain perfectly preserved as they were when new. Over the centuries, landlords change; one year they are prosperous, and they build on additions. The next year they’re a little short of funds, so they tear down part of the structure and sell the stones.<br>
Although without a feature attraction, Italy did open with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982. The pavilion was designed to feature Florentine, Venetian, and Roman architecture, including a 100 ft. recreation of St Mark's Campanile (a bell tower) <ref name= "Spence"/>. When the pavilion opened, it housed one restaurant “L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante” and two shops “La Gemma Elegante” and “Il Belle Cristallo” <ref name= "Spence"/>. The pavilion is also home to the Theatre al Fresco where various street performers have been found over the years<ref name= "Spence"/>.
Since its creation, the Italy pavilion has seen a relatively small number of changes. The only major change came in 2007, when L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante closed <Ref name= "Epcot"> The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. Although the restaurant was the most popular in [[Epcot]] }<ref> put Biz Journal reference herehttps://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2007/04/30/story2.html</ref>, Disney chose not to renew the dining contract with the restaurant’s operator Alfredo the Original of Rome Inc <Ref name= "Epcot"/>. Disney’s decision was due in part to the fact that Alfredo had initially promised to construct a second dining location in the pavilion in 1983 <Ref name= "Epcot"/>, which Disney felt was needed in order to meet the dining demand in World Showcase. After no second restaurant was built, and with the initial 25 year contract now up, Disney decided to award the management to a new company- The Patina Restaurant Group <Ref name= "Epcot"/>.
Following Alfredo's closure On August 31, 2007 <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/404/Walt-Disney-World//World-Showcase--Italy/LOriginale-Alfredo-di-Roma-Ristorante </ref>, the restaurant was replaced by a new restaurant [[Tutto Italia]], which opened on September 17, 2007 <ref name= "Yesterday"> http://www.yesterland.com/alfredo.html </ref>. Following the change in management, in 2010 , Italy finally got a second restaurant [[Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria]] <ref name= "Yesterday"/> . This was followed by the opening of Tutto Gusto (a wine bar) which opened in 2012 <ref> http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/05/01/review-the-new-tutto-gusto-wine-cellar-and-tutto-italia-restaurante/ </ref>.
==Attractions==
==Restaurants==
'''[[Tutto Italia Ristorante]]'''- This table service restaurant offers guests a traditional Italian meal. The restaurant replaced Italy's original restaurant L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante.
'''[[Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria]]'''- The newest dining option in Italy, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is a table service restaurant. The restaurant specializes specializing in pizza and is located near the back of the Italy pavilion.
'''[[Tutto Gusto]]-''' This wine bar, which opened in 2012, features over 200 bottles of Italian wines in addition to beer and a small plates menu.
'''La Gemma Elegante'''- This shop is famous for its Venetian masks. La Gemma Eleqante translates to "The Eloquent Gem" in English.
'''Il Belle Cristallo'''-This large store sells jewelry, leather goods , and clothing. Il Belle Cristallo translates to "The Beautiful Crystal" in English.
==Fun Facts and Trivia <ref name= "Spence"/>==
* The entire Italy pavilion faces one plaza (the "Pizza del Teatro") which features a raised platform(known as "Teatro al Fresco"). Originally the platform was going to be used for live entertainment, but such shows are now performed near the World Showcase Lagoon<ref name="name"> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>.
* The focal point of the pavilion is a recreation of the Dodge Palace in Venice.
* Near the edge of the Dodge Palace guests can see a statue of a grotesque face. Sculptures such as this were used by Italian citizens to complain about their neighbors or government.
* On top of the pavilion’s campanile , guests can see a statue of the Archangel Gabriel. * A statue of Neptune can also be found in the Italy pavilion, the sculpture is based on a statue found in Florence, and the Trevi Fountain in Rome. * The Italy pavilion features a replica of Venice's Doge Kneeling Before the Lion statue. *The Italy pavilion's Campanile di San Marcho (the bell tower of St. Mark's) is 1/5 the size of the original in Venice.
* A statue of Neptune can also be found in the The Italypavilion's garden is called Giardino del Fiori, which translates to Flower Garden <ref name= "name"/>The walkway from World Showcase Promenade into the sculpture Italy pavilion is based on a statue found in Florence and the Trevi Fountain in Rome.known as "Via Benvenuit" which literally translates to "welcome way" <ref name="name"/>
==References==
