Best Italian (Disney owned)

[rentayenta]

Hi all. Wondering what experiences have been regarding the best Italian food at WDW. Caveat, Disney owned Italian restaurants. Planning on Il Mulino but now that we opted against the TiW card in leu of DH’s CM discount, I would like to take advantage of as many money saving options as possible.

Having said that, if no where is comparable, we will stick with Il Mulino.

Thanks!

 

[smcabee]

Maybe Maria and Enzos? Havent tried it yet but early reviews are positive. Personally I would just eat at Il Mulino discount or not.

 

[purple figment]

Are you asking about Italian restaurants that are specifically owned/operated by Disney (e.g. Tony's) or all the ones that accept the dining plan which includes a number of third party restaurants (e.g. Via Napoli, Tutto)?

 

[rentayenta]

Maybe Maria and Enzos? Havent tried it yet but early reviews are positive. Personally I would just eat at Il Mulino discount or not.

That’s what I am leaning towards but if there is a viable comp, I’d be willing to change.

Are you asking about Italian restaurants that are specifically owned/operated by Disney (e.g. Tony's) or all the ones that accept the dining plan which includes a number of third party restaurants (e.g. Via Napoli, Tutto)?

I guess I should have been more specific. I’ll look at his options for a discount and post them. I am guessing the latter though. The list was fairly inclusive.

 

[heath92681]

Not sure if this falls under his discount, but we enjoyed our dinner at Trattoria al Forno. It was our best meal last trip, second only to Ohana.

 

[rentayenta]

Not sure if this falls under his discount, but we enjoyed our dinner at Trattoria al Forno. It was our best meal last trip, second only to Ohana.

Yes it’s on the list! I’ll check out the menu.


The list is fairly long.....and raindomly we get 50% off Hoop De Doo before on the 4::30 and after 8 pm times. Not Italian but just saw it. Not good for an anniversary trip.

 

[CynBeth]

We love Tutto Italia.

 

[rentayenta]

We love Tutto Italia.

Is that in Epcot? If so I’m not seeing it on his list.



I don’t see California Grill either but no way are we not doing that brunch!

 

[CynBeth]

Is that in Epcot? If so I’m not seeing it on his list.



I don’t see California Grill either but no way are we not doing that brunch!

Yes it is in Epcot.

 

[rentayenta]

Yes it is in Epcot.

Yup it’s not on the list. The Epcot list is limited but the resort options are awesome aside from no Il Mulino. There’s Yachtmans, Jiko, etc.....

 

[NYCgrrl]

Alright.....I'll give the stereotypical urban/suburban North-easterner response and say I weally don't go to Disney for Italian since ahh.. whadda yanno? I can eat that at home, right?
That being said there are only 2 restaurants I've had experiences with at Disney and 3 I know of in general on property ( I include DS as property for the purposes of this post).
Il Mulino, I've eaten at in NYC...does the experience translate? Dunno but many sing it's praises.
VN, my family has eaten not only pizza but appetizers and pasta entrees at this venue and were happy. As far as pasta entrees it's been the lasagne and meatballs and spaghetti.
The meatballs were quite tender, the pasta was not "shocked" back to life, and the sauce was obviously made on site.
The lasagna was quite credible and devoured by the man. He did say the Bolognese meat sauce wasn't as good as mine (this could be why we are probably still together almost 30 odd years since he knows when to heap praise). We've had no appetizers that don't meet the grade.

Pizza Ponte is just fast and good without a decided adult atmosphere but I keep hearing good of it's sister restaurant, Enzo and Maria's, altho we haven't eaten there.

I'm convinced I would never like Tony's Place and I've no first hand knowledge of either of the "Tutto"s.

 

[purple figment]

Via Napoli and Tutto Italia (in Epcot) are owned by the Patina Group which also owns Naples Ristorante in DTD at Disneyland. Via Napoli has the same style of thin crust wood fired pizza which we really like. Also good appetizers (arancini, calamari) and desserts (amarena cherry and gelato sundae). The main drawback is the restaurant is very very noisy. The walk up window outside of Via Napoli is NOT the same pizza, but rather the typical Disney quick service pizza.

Tutto is focused more on Italian entrees which are also very good. Attentive service and it's quieter than VN.

Tony's in the MK is not a restaurant that we would go back to. While the Lady and the Tramp theming is cute that's about the only positive I can think of. The food was disappointing with mushy and flavorless pasta.

 

[gharter]

For Italian, nothing is close to Il Mulino. Tutto Italia is good, we enjoyed our meal, really enjoyed sitting outside. Have not tried Trattoria al Forno.
Via Napoli is a very good pizza place, crowded and noisy.
Do not eat at Tonys.

 

[yaksack]

We enjoyed Tutto Italia.

 

[piratepride]

We LOVE the pizza at Via Napoli! We've had good experiences at Tutto and Tony's too though.

 

[rentayenta]

Alright.....I'll give the stereotypical urban/suburban North-easterner response and say I weally don't go to Disney for Italian since ahh.. whadda yanno? I can eat that at home, right?
That being said there are only 2 restaurants I've had experiences with at Disney and 3 I know of in general on property ( I include DS as property for the purposes of this post).
Il Mulino, I've eaten at in NYC...does the experience translate? Dunno but many sing it's praises.
VN, my family has eaten not only pizza but appetizers and pasta entrees at this venue and were happy. As far as pasta entrees it's been the lasagne and meatballs and spaghetti.
The meatballs were quite tender, the pasta was not "shocked" back to life, and the sauce was obviously made on site.
The lasagna was quite credible and devoured by the man. He did say the Bolognese meat sauce wasn't as good as mine (this could be why we are probably still together almost 30 odd years since he knows when to heap praise). We've had no appetizers that don't meet the grade.

Pizza Ponte is just fast and good without a decided adult atmosphere but I keep hearing good of it's sister restaurant, Enzo and Maria's, altho we haven't eaten there.

I'm convinced I would never like Tony's Place and I've no first hand knowledge of either of the "Tutto"s.

Thanks for all the insights! DH made bolognese last night, he's the cook in the family, and I have yet to have any restaurant's that rivals his. That and his risotto. I won't order either anywhere as the times I have I have been disappointed. Smart fella you have there.

I think Via Napoli is owned by the same folks that own Naples in DTD at the Disneyland Resort. We like their pizza too but for a kidless trip, I don't think it fits the bill.

We ate at Ton'y when the kids were little. It was fine for the basics, spaghetti and meatballs etc. It was years ago but I recall hating it. LOL.

Via Napoli and Tutto Italia (in Epcot) are owned by the Patina Group which also owns Naples Ristorante in DTD at Disneyland. Via Napoli has the same style of thin crust wood fired pizza which we really like. Also good appetizers (arancini, calamari) and desserts (amarena cherry and gelato sundae). The main drawback is the restaurant is very very noisy. The walk up window outside of Via Napoli is NOT the same pizza, but rather the typical Disney quick service pizza.

Tutto is focused more on Italian entrees which are also very good. Attentive service and it's quieter than VN.

Tony's in the MK is not a restaurant that we would go back to. While the Lady and the Tramp theming is cute that's about the only positive I can think of. The food was disappointing with mushy and flavorless pasta.

Yes, thanks, you confirmed my above thought about Naples being owned by the same folks as Via Napoli. The actual plates are the same which had me wondering. Tutto is not on DH's discount list but it does sound worth giving it a go.

For Italian, nothing is close to Il Mulino. Tutto Italia is good, we enjoyed our meal, really enjoyed sitting outside. Have not tried Trattoria al Forno.
Via Napoli is a very good pizza place, crowded and noisy.
Do not eat at Tonys.

I have been looking at the other Italian menus and Il Mulino is winning, discount or not.

We LOVE the pizza at Via Napoli! We've had good experiences at Tutto and Tony's too though.

We like Naples pizza too both Patina I just learend) and its not a bad deal when you order the bigger'! I love the little pepperonis.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I find Tutto Italia to be the best Italian on WDW property. Pete has even raved about the restaurant on the podcast over the past few years. I love the olives they give you at the beginning. My favorite dish there is the lasagna.

My family is from Brooklyn so I know good pizza. The pizza at Via Napoli is alright but I’ve only had it once. I didn't feel the need to go back.

If I’m going to EPCOT, I’ll always have Tutto Italia on my ADR list. It’s a solid experience.

 

[sjrec]

I think for an anniversary Tutto Italia or Il Mulino are the best choices-both have good food and date night kind of places.

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks for all the feedback; were sticking with Il Mulino. Can’t wait!