Dissappointment Reigned at new pizza place in Epcot

[WheelCEO]

Or if you know the difference between coal-fired pizza and wood-fired pizza... then I suppose you might enjoy it as well.

Sorry for not being technical enough.. I never said the pizza was "bad", but for the rave reviews it gets on the boards (like every other restaurant) it was nothing special that you couldn't have locally for 1/3 the price.

Maybe I'm just fortunate to be able to afford to eat at "good" restaurants on a daily basis

 

[AllyBri]

If you live under a rock, then Via Napoli MAY impress you. As I posted in another thread, it has hit me that the majority of users on this site live under rocks, enjoy subpar food, never leave their homes or all of the above.

Via Napoli is no more than an overpriced bad version of every coal fire pizza place out there. We ordered the pizza that serves "5", 5 what? infants? We wound up going to eat a 2nd dinner because no one in our group was even remotely "full" (Ages: 22,24,25,70,65).. and our bill was still $50+ for 1 pizza + 3 sodas (not including tip).

If you are on the DDP then maybe it's worth it.. but if you are paying OOP, I'm sure there are better choices out there.. like chewing on some rocks

One pie for 5 adults and you're wondering why no one was full.

 

[cymbaldiva]

If you live under a rock, then Via Napoli MAY impress you. As I posted in another thread, it has hit me that the majority of users on this site live under rocks, enjoy subpar food, never leave their homes or all of the above.

Via Napoli is no more than an overpriced bad version of every coal fire pizza place out there. We ordered the pizza that serves "5", 5 what? infants? We wound up going to eat a 2nd dinner because no one in our group was even remotely "full" (Ages: 22,24,25,70,65).. and our bill was still $50+ for 1 pizza + 3 sodas (not including tip).

If you are on the DDP then maybe it's worth it.. but if you are paying OOP, I'm sure there are better choices out there.. like chewing on some rocks

Wow....really?

I know taste is subjective and I pretty much NEVER defend Disney pricing, but for you I will make an exception.

Your first paragraph is just blatantly rude - I know this is a discussion board but really, if you don't have anything nice to say....

On to the next point - so you're not happy that the pizza that is listed as serving 3 to 5 was not large enough to stuff 5 adults? Maybe you under-ordered for your party....just a thought?

And finally on to paragraph 3 - the value? If you can please tell me where else in a Disney theme park you are going to dine at a table service restaurant for $10 per person I'm sure we'd all love to hear where... your numbers make it sound like Via Napoli is the place to go for OOP, but perhaps you know of a hidden gem we're not aware of?

Just my .02

 

[CHIPSTER]

I know it's Disney and it is a resort but $97 for 2 pizzas -- come on folks. I have a car that my late grandmother only used on Sundays to go to church I would like to sell you.

After reading reviews on Via Napoli I will stick with Wolfgang Pucks Express margherita pizza - More than enough for 1 and it's more reasonably priced.

 

[tkitna]

Yeah, 97$ for a couple of pizzas is more than ridiculous no matter where your at. Does anybody realize how much decent pizza 97$ would buy?

 

[havoc315]

Yeah, 97$ for a couple of pizzas is more than ridiculous no matter where your at. Does anybody realize how much decent pizza 97$ would buy?

There are so many things wrong with that statement..

First off, I don't know where this $97 number comes from... According to the menus posted online, the most expensive pizzas at Via Napoli are $39, and that's for a massive 12-slice pie. That's under $3.50 per slice. While slightly more than most neighborhood pizza parlors, it's hardly ridiculous.

But it shouldn't be compared to neighborhood pizza parlors, and other "decent pizza."
That's like saying.. Why should I pay $50 for a steak from a great steak house... do you know how many decent fast food hamburgers that would buy?

Apples need to be compared to apples. Via Napoli is not trying to serve your typical neighborhood pizza. Instead, they are trying to use strict Neapolitan standards, using the best imported ingredients, made in wood burning ovens.

There are only a few places I know of, where you can get similar pizzas. And guess what.. the prices are similar!
At Via Napoli, most of the small-4-slice pizzas are about $15, the large-8-slice pizzas are about $25, ,and the extra-large-12-slice pizzas are about $36.

My favorite similar place for pizza is Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, NY. They only serve individual/appetizer sized pizzas. These small pizzas are priced between $11-$18-- About the same price as the small pizzas at Via Napoli.

In Washington, DC, the best wood-fired pizzas are publicized to come from Ella's pizza -- Small individual pizzas are $11-$14, and large 16" pizzas are $21-$28.

So if you really want to complain that the prices at Via Napoli are outrageous (I expect all Disney prices to be a bit inflated), then I ask you to name another place that serves wood-fired pizza with imported ingredients, for a significantly lower price?

 

[CHIPSTER]

The $97 came from the original poster and what he was charged for 2 pizzas. I can name several wood burning pizza restaurants - we even have one in my little home town of Northampton. Granted the mozzarella may not be imported but it is better because they make it on site. To die for.

 

[havoc315]

The $97 came from the original poster and what he was charged for 2 pizzas. I can name several wood burning pizza restaurants - we even have one in my little home town of Northampton. Granted the mozzarella may not be imported but it is better because they make it on site. To die for.

The $97 must have included tip and tax.
Depending on the size of the pie, Via Napoli runs about 3-3.50 per slice, using imported ingredients.
I'm sure your local place is perfectly decent - maybe even better than decent.

But certain things do cost a premium, including authentic Neopolitan pizza. In fact, in Naples, they have strict standards to determine which places can get an "official" designation.

To compare it to wine -- you can get a bottle of Cabernet for $10, you can get a bottle for $500 or more. Some people can't tell the difference. Some people actually prefer the cheaper bottle. Some people can tell the difference, but prefer to compromise and save money with the decent cheaper product. But some people appreciate the difference and are willing to pay for the higher quality.

On true Neapolitan pizza:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodandd...n-pizza-wins-official-protection-from-EU.html

 

[MandM22]

So sorry about your experience at VN, we ate there three times last month and each time the food was amazing and the service was top notch. We did tell them we were not on the DDP but didnt tell them about our TIW until they brought the check

Do you find it better to wait until they bring the check to tell them about your TIW? We always stated it upfront on our last trip 11/27 - 12/04 at all of our dinners. The reaction we seemed to get was always positive. The service was always great. Not sure if it was because of the guranteed tip or not having to deal with what we could or couldn't order.. anyway Glad to hear you liked VN ... We have that tagged for a visit on our next trip.

 

[AquaDame]

Sorry for not being technical enough.. I never said the pizza was "bad", but for the rave reviews it gets on the boards (like every other restaurant) it was nothing special that you couldn't have locally for 1/3 the price.

Maybe I'm just fortunate to be able to afford to eat at "good" restaurants on a daily basis

It entirely depends on where your 'local' is. Tons of Americans live in areas where good restaurants of every variety are not available. Also keep in mind that many people are on the 'free' dining plan - they likely did not pay 3x the cost for that pie if that's the case or else they did not FEEL like they did since it was 'free'.
I can understand your thought that paying more there than locally is a waste of money - I am also lucky enough to live in an urban center when I can have tasty & authentic anything I want for comparatively cheap - but then I also think that paying to eat at a "good" restaurant every day is a waste of money. My favorite and cheapest place that is always open and serving exactly what I want exactly the way I want it is my kitchen and THAT is 1/3 of your cost I'm sure.

 

[Belle5]

In Washington, DC, the best wood-fired pizzas are publicized to come from Ella's pizza -- Small individual pizzas are $11-$14, and large 16" pizzas are $21-$28.

I am really looking forward to our meal at Via Napoli, so please, please tell me it's much, much better than Ella's in DC! I have never felt so ripped-off in my life than after our meal at Ella's! I wrote a scathing review of that tourist-trap on Tripadvisor after our return...

 

[disneybound31]

In Washington, DC, the best wood-fired pizzas are publicized to come from Ella's pizza -- Small individual pizzas are $11-$14, and large 16" pizzas are $21-$28.

Hey! How cool! I took my daughter, Ella, to eat at Ella's pizza last summer...it WAS really good pizza- really good atmosphere- and the proprietor/manager was super friendly when we asked if SHE was THE Ella of 'Ella's pizza' because DD8 was ELLA, too as she stood there and smiled up at the lady with her toothy grin.

The place was named after the owners daughter and is packed with neighborhood locals constantly. They gave us magnets and menus and all sorts of keepsakes and DD was THRILLED! We will go back next year with the whole family just so they can experience it as well...

Was is the BEST pizza we ever had- nope- but to each his own. All tastes are different.

 

[jlcw14]

DH and I went there on 11/18/10, and it was "OK". DH really liked the pizza; I thought it could have used a little more "oompf", but I like really seasoned food and have only had my socks knocked off in one place at WDW (Flame Tree BBQ at AK). The salad (the one you get with the pizza for $4 per person) was NOT a hit - but I don't like the woody sprigs you get in a spring mix, and that's what it is. Our waiter was not that interested in us either, and really could have benefitted from a stronger anti-perspirent, but the bus boy who was helping him was way attentive and picked up where the other one slacked.
We asked in the beginning how big the "individual" sized pizza is, and he brought us the pan over to show us. It was the perfect size for the two of us.
We were also seated at the large family-style dining table that runs the length of the restaurant. If we ever go back, I will ask for a small table. A couple of young guys with less than stellar dining manners were seated across from us, and we got to enjoy watching one of them chew with his mouth open through our dinner. Besides, I don't like having to turn to speak to my dining companion the whole time.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We didint think Via Napoli was worth the money either. My review is about the same. Next time we will go to Tutto again.

If we just want pizza we will go to WPE in DTD. We have yet to try the Boardwalk Pizza window.

 

[ZenMickey]

In regards to pizza cost, I just saw the menu for the now-closed Pizza Ow Mow Mow at DCA and a full pie was $31.99! Check out reviews for this eatery, and the consensus was it was one of the worst pizzas on any Disney property.

 

[TDC Nala]

This is the first I've heard an allegation of a party being treated badly because they were NOT on the dining plan.

I know the price sounds enormous. But Disney is expensive. EVERYTHING at Disney is expensive.

Of course you can get the same thing at home for 1/3 to 1/2 the price. But you're not at home, you're at Disney World. You're a captive audience in a tourist destination. If you want the same prices as home, rent a car and drive outside of the tourist destinations. (You then have to factor the cost of the car plus gas into your vacation budget, and the time necessary to clear the tourist areas)

There are probably also a lot of Americans that don't want a "gourmet" pizza experience. They don't care about toppings like basil, eggplant and artichokes, fresh mozzarella, or what kind of water is used to make the crust. To many, "pizza" should be a cheap, easy comfort food that kids are guaranteed to eat.

 

[Bozni]

I am really looking forward to our meal at Via Napoli, so please, please tell me it's much, much better than Ella's in DC! I have never felt so ripped-off in my life than after our meal at Ella's! I wrote a scathing review of that tourist-trap on Tripadvisor after our return...

For the best wood-fired pizza in DC go to Pizzaria Paradiso. The prices are what you would expect to pay for wood-fired authentic style pizza: ~$10-15 for individual and $20-30 for large. Well worth it though!

 

[EKW]

Are you kidding me? $45 for a PIZZA! No way in Hades! I don't care if it had black and white truffels and gold flakes on it...there is no pizza worth that!

To those who say Disney has you captive...that is falling into Disney-think. They WANT you to surrender and open your wallets at their decree!

Last trip we did meals at Tusker House (breakfast), San Angel Inn (lunch), Sci-Fi Cafe (early dinner) and Whispering Canyon Cafe (dinner). It was a 7 day trip! We ended up severely regretting the San Angel Inn meal. The most expensive meal was Tusker House. The rest ended up costing me between $40 -60. On the three days that we didn't do table meals our food for the day cost me about $50 total!

Even if you stay at the Values you can get good food...for much lower prices...at your resort. One of the best meals I've ever had at Disney was the salmon and rice at the Movies Food Court! We ate breakfast in our room 4 days...I let the boys have 2 days of Mickey Waffles. For two days we only ate two meals, with a snack in place of the third meal.

When I plan our meals I look for quality and value. Neither were in play at San Angel, thus, we would never go back there again!

I would always encourage people to look at the current menu, follow the dining reviews here, and approach WDW dining as an opportunity to rest and refuel rather than an opportunity to explore the world of gourmet dining.

 

[Swalphin]

This is the first I've heard an allegation of a party being treated badly because they were NOT on the dining plan.

I know the price sounds enormous. But Disney is expensive. EVERYTHING at Disney is expensive.

Of course you can get the same thing at home for 1/3 to 1/2 the price. But you're not at home, you're at Disney World. You're a captive audience in a tourist destination. If you want the same prices as home, rent a car and drive outside of the tourist destinations. (You then have to factor the cost of the car plus gas into your vacation budget, and the time necessary to clear the tourist areas)

There are probably also a lot of Americans that don't want a "gourmet" pizza experience. They don't care about toppings like basil, eggplant and artichokes, fresh mozzarella, or what kind of water is used to make the crust. To many, "pizza" should be a cheap, easy comfort food that kids are guaranteed to eat.

, to the above post.
I live in Atlanta and there are none, zero good pizza places in this town. The pizza here is horrible. For me I am happy to pay the price at Via Napoli, for what I think is really good pizza.

 

[Swalphin]

We didint think Via Napoli was worth the money either. My review is about the same. Next time we will go to Tutto again.

If we just want pizza we will go to WPE in DTD. We have yet to try the Boardwalk Pizza window.

IMOP, Boardwalk Pizza window for a slice was terrible. It smells great, the air from the oven, but the taste was yuck.