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| 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>'''

Although Like many of the Italy pavilion was ready for opening dayWorld Showcase pavilions, the Italy pavilion that opened was much different then changed drastically from its early designs to its final construction. When the one originality planned. The pavilion was going initially being designed, Imagineers wanted to include construct an area which was to that would represent Southern Italy. Here, guests This area would be able to go on an have include a dark ride attraction, which where guests would be a gondola ride board gondolas and travel through various Italian scenes. Ever getting off After riding the rideattraction, guests would be deposited released into a Roman Ruin walkthrough attraction. After three years of construction however, Epcot was over budget. Disney executives eventually decided to push back the creation middle of four attractionsRoman ruins, including the Italy ones. The original plans was for the attractions to reopen with which they could then walkthrough and explore <ref name= "Phase IISpence" of Epcot, shortly after the park opened> http://land. Unfortunately The money that was set to be used for Phase II, was instead put towards the opening of Horizons, the [[Journey Into Imagination]] attraction, the [[Morocco]] pavilion, and the creation of the [[Living Seas]]allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/12/italy_pavilion_part_two_1.html </ref>.

When Italy did open, it featured a restaurant Similar to other early plans for World Showcase (Lsuch as [[Germany]]'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorantes Rhine River Cruise), as well as two shops (La Gemma Elegante and Il Belle Cristallo). The entire pavilion faces one plaza, which features a raised platform. Originally the platform was going to be used plans for live entertainers, but such shows are now performed near the lagoon. The focal point of the pavilion is a recreation of the Dodge Palace in Venice. Both Southern Italy section of the Italy pavilionwere pushed back until [[EPCOT Center]]'s shops can be found within the palacePhase II. Located at This delay was mentioned in Walt Disney's EPCOT: Creating the end New World of Tomorrow: {{Quotation|"Few buildings remain perfectly preserved as they were when new. Over the Dodge Palacecenturies, is landlords change; one year they are prosperous, and they build on additions. The next year they’re a statue little short of a grotesque face. Such sculptures were used in Italy by citizensfunds, to complain about their neighbors or their governmentso they tear down part of the structure and sell the stones. The pavilion also features <br> In a 100 foot tall campanile (or bell tower)sense, which the Italy pavilion itself is a victim of this cycle of fortune; the area which was to represent Southern Italy – not to mention a splendid replica of one found in Saint MarkRoman ruins – may not be completed until 1983."| Walt Disney's Square. On top of Epcot Center: Creating the campanile is the Archangel Gabriel. One New World of the most popular photo opportunities in Tomorrow (1982) <ref> Beard, Richard R. Walt Disney 's Epcot Center: Creating the New Worldof Tomorrow. New York: Harry N. Abrams, the Neptune statue, can also be found in Publ., 1982. Print. </ref>}} Unfortunately for the Italy pavilion. The statue is based on two sculptures found in Italy, the original Neptune statue in Florence and money that was originally designated for the Trevi Fountain RomeSouthern Italy expansion was eventually used for the construction of [[Horizons]], [[Journey Into Imagination]], and [[Morocco]] as well as early work on [[The Living Seas]] <ref> http://progresscityusa.com/2009/03/01/neverworlds-epcots-italy-pavilion-phase-ii/ </ref>. [[Image:NeptuneeItalypanorama.jpg|200px500px|thumb|The Neptune statue located in A panorama of the Italy pavilion.by Michael Gray]]The first major change came to the Although without a feature attraction, Italy did open with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982. The pavilion in 2007was designed to feature Florentine, when ItalyVenetian, and Roman architecture, including a 100 ft. recreation of St Mark's original Campanile (and onlya 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'orignale Originale Alfredo di Roma Risorante Ristorante closed. <Ref name= "Epcot"> The building Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. Although the restaurant was purchased by the most popular in [[Epcot]}<ref>https://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>, and the restaurant was renamed replaced by a new restaurant [[Tutto Italia ]], which translates to opened on September 17, 2007 <ref name= "All ItalyYesterday"> http://www. Another change came to yesterland.com/alfredo.html </ref>. Following the pavilion on August 5change in management, in 2010 when a new resturant, Via Nopoli opened where Italy's dark ride attraction finally got a second restaurant [[Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria]] <ref name= "Yesterday"/> . This was to have beenfollowed 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>.

'''Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure'''- On At this interactive adventuretime, guests use a "F.O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofenshmirtz, by looking for clues throughout World Showcase. The adventure is based on the Disney cartoon Phineas and FerbItaly pavilion does not feature any attractions. 

'''[[Tutto IlaliaItalia Ristorante]]'''- This table service restaurant offers guests a traditional Italian meal. The restaurant replaced Italy's original restaurantL'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante.

'''[[Via NopoliNapoli Ristorante e Pizzeria]]'''- The newest dining option in Italy, Via Nopoli Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is a table service restaurant. The restaurant specializes specializing in pizza and is located near the back . '''[[Tutto Gusto]]-''' This wine bar, which opened in 2012, features over 200 bottles of the Italy pavilionItalian wines in addition to beer and a small plates menu.

'''La Gemma Elegante'''- This shop is famous for it's 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 entrance to the entire Italy Pavilion is marked by two columns. On top of pavilion faces one plaza (the column on the right is "Pizza del Teatro") which features a statue of Saint Theodore of Amasea slaying a dragonraised platform (known as "Teatro al Fresco"). On top of Originally the column on the leftplatform was going to be used for live entertainment, is a winged lionbut such shows are now performed near the World Showcase Lagoon <ref name="name"> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>.

* The Il Bel Cristallo's facade was themed to look like focal point of the exterior pavilion is a recreation of the Sistine ChapelDodge 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.

==References==http://progresscityusa* On top of the pavilion’s campanile, guests can see a statue of the Archangel Gabriel.com/2009/03/01/neverworlds-epcots-italy-pavilion-phase-ii/

http://land* 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.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/12/italy_pavilion_part_two_1.html

http://disneyworld* The Italy pavilion features a replica of Venice's Doge Kneeling Before the Lion statue.disney.go.com/dining/tutto-italia-ristorante/

http:/*The Italy pavilion's Campanile di San Marcho (the bell tower of St. Mark's) is 1/www5 the size of the original in Venice.wdwinfo.com * The Italy pavilion's garden is called Giardino del Fiori, which translates to Flower Garden <ref name= "name"/wdwinfo>The walkway from World Showcase Promenade into the Italy pavilion is known as "Via Benvenuit" which literally translates to "welcome way" <ref name="name"/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID> ==References==579