Difference between revisions of "Italy"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | + | 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 which would 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. | |
| − | + | Like other early plans for World Showcase (such as Germany's Rhine River Cruise) plans for the Southern Italy section of the 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: | |
| − | + | ||
| − | The | + | {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> |
| + | |||
| + | In a sense, 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 Roman ruins – may not be completed until 1983."| Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow (1982)}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Unfortunately for the Italy pavilion, the money that was originally designated for the Southern Italy expansion was eventually used for the construction of [[Horizons]], [[Journey Into Imagination]], and [[Morocco]] as well as early work on [[The Living Seas]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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). When the pavilion opened, it housed one restaurant “L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante” and two shops “La Gemma Elegante” and “Il Belle Cristallo”. The pavilion is also home to the Theatre al Fresco where various street performers have been found over the years. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. Although the restaurant was very popular, Disney chose not to renew the dining contract with the restaurant’s owner Alfredo the Original of Rome Inc. 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. Disney wanted the second restaurant in order to meet the dining demand in World Showcase. With no second restaurant built, and the initial contract now up, Disney decided to instead award the sponsorship to a new company- The Patina Restaurant Group. Following Alfredo’s closure On August 31, 2007, the restaurant was replaced by a new restaurant “Tutto Italia”. Following the change in sponsorship, in 2010 Italy finally got a second restaurant “Via Nopoli”. This was followed by the opening of Tutto Gusto (a wine bar) which opened in 2012. | ||
==Attractions== | ==Attractions== | ||
Revision as of 20:46, 1 August 2014
Italy is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between the Germany pavilion and The American Adventure pavilion.
| Italy | |
| |
| The Italy pavilion as seen from across the World Showcase Lagoon. | |
| Epcot | |
| Land | World Showcase |
|---|---|
| Opening date | October 1, 1982 |
| Number of Attractions | Zero |
| Number of Restaurants | Two |
|
| |
History
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 which would 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.
Like other early plans for World Showcase (such as Germany's Rhine River Cruise) plans for the Southern Italy section of the 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.
In a sense, 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 Roman ruins – may not be completed until 1983."| Walt Disney's Epcot Center: Creating the New World of Tomorrow (1982)}}
Unfortunately for the Italy pavilion, the money that was originally designated for the Southern Italy expansion was eventually used for the construction of Horizons, Journey Into Imagination, and Morocco as well as early work on The Living Seas.
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). When the pavilion opened, it housed one restaurant “L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante” and two shops “La Gemma Elegante” and “Il Belle Cristallo”. The pavilion is also home to the Theatre al Fresco where various street performers have been found over the years.
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. Although the restaurant was very popular, Disney chose not to renew the dining contract with the restaurant’s owner Alfredo the Original of Rome Inc. 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. Disney wanted the second restaurant in order to meet the dining demand in World Showcase. With no second restaurant built, and the initial contract now up, Disney decided to instead award the sponsorship to a new company- The Patina Restaurant Group. Following Alfredo’s closure On August 31, 2007, the restaurant was replaced by a new restaurant “Tutto Italia”. Following the change in sponsorship, in 2010 Italy finally got a second restaurant “Via Nopoli”. This was followed by the opening of Tutto Gusto (a wine bar) which opened in 2012.
Attractions
Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure- On this interactive adventure, 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 Ferb.
Restaurants
Tutto Ilalia- This table service restaurant offers guests a traditional Italian meal. The restaurant replaced Italy's original restaurant L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante.
Via Nopoli- The newest dining option in Italy, Via Nopoli is a table service restaurant. The restaurant specializes in pizza and is located near the back of the Italy pavilion.
Shopping
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
- The entrance to the Italy Pavilion is marked by two columns. On top of the column on the right is a statue of Saint Theodore of Amasea slaying a dragon. On top of the column on the left, is a winged lion.
- Il Bel Cristallo's facade was themed to look like the exterior of the Sistine Chapel.
References
http://progresscityusa.com/2009/03/01/neverworlds-epcots-italy-pavilion-phase-ii/
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/12/italy_pavilion_part_two_1.html
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/tutto-italia-ristorante/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=579
