Finally, a good pizza at Disney World!

[WVParkfan]

On Wednesday afternoon in Epcot, we stumbled upon the new Via Napoli restaurant in the Italy Pavilion. I had read about it on the DIS, but didn't really think we would get a chance to go. Plus, I hadn't made ADR's.

My wife thought it would be a good idea to check it out. Epcot was NOT crowded, and we walked straight in and were seated immediately. Our server was from a small town in Italy and was really fun to talk to. He made a few recommendations, and we had an enjoyable lunch.

We chose the Arancini (fried saffron risotto meatballs) as an appetizer, and had the 1/2 meter Pepperoni Pizza. It looks huge, and sounds like too much to eat. But, it is not. The crust is paper-thin, and it was nothing for our family of 4 to eat the entire pizza. And it was delicious.

My wife and I shared a pitcher of beer. I don't know what the brand was, but it was unique. It was a dark beer, but it was sweet like wine. At first, we weren't too fond of it, but as our server noted, it went perfectly with the pizza.

It was expensive (the pizza alone was $35), but it was good. And I'm thrilled that there is FINALLY some good pizza in Disney World. We'll definitely go back again on our next visit.

 

[mom2travel]

Thanks for the review! We are trying Via Napoli in Sept and are looking forward to it

 

[RMulieri]

Great review..We are looking forward to trying this next trip

 

[Connears]

Thanks for the review!! I already have adr for lunch on 12/27 for our xmas trip...can't wait it sounds great!
Connears

 

[indyyogi]

i hear its bc of the water, very much liek the water in italy used to make the authentic pizza

 

[bluejasmine]

I cant wait for my ADR next month!! Thanks for the review! Here in the south we have NO good pizza places, Im stuck with dominos or papa johns so Im excited!

 

[Hallowishes]

so glad to hear it was good! i made an ADR for next month and had no problem getting the date and time i wanted ... which made me unsure! coz all the great rest. seem to be imposssible to get in to! i printed out their menu and everything sounds terrific!

 

[WVParkfan]

i hear its bc of the water, very much liek the water in italy used to make the authentic pizza

That's what our waiter told us. He said that the flower was flown in from Italy, and that the other products (like the cheese) had to meet certain specs. He also said that they filtered the water to make it meet the same taste standards as in certain parts of Italy.

Frankly, I think the secret was the fact that it comes from a wood-fired brick oven. You can do a lot to improve the taste of bread/ dough by baking it in a brick oven. Plus, the toppings were good. Outstanding cheese and large chunks of tomatoes and spices.

 

[vcgirl925]

Sounds like actual pizza from Italy! Exciting!

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

After looking over this menu, we may change our minds and go here instead of Tutto Italia next summer. DD14 wanted an Italian restaurant and this one sounds good. It even has my favorite - Tiramisu!!!

 

[MishyMouse]

Great to hear! We have a ressie for our February trip and I can't wait.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

I'm glad to read that you were able to walk into Via Napoli so easily. We'll be there in 10 days and are hoping to stop by for a lunch or dinner at some point in our trip. We have a local restaurant with the big wood-fired oven and the pizza is VERY good - light crust and not a lot of toppings - and it's supposed to be "authentic". Should be interesting to compare to Via Napoli.

 

[willturner]

Thanks for posting this. I'm not sure if we are going to Epcot this time around but this is the type of dining experience my family likes.

 

[MHSweb79]

i hear its bc of the water, very much like the water in italy used to make the authentic pizza

Yeah the water- THAT'S why all that other Disney pizza is so bad ...

No, I agree that good pizza is very welcome and way overdue at WDW.

 

[Sassagoula Billy]

Yeah the water- THAT'S why all that other Disney pizza is so bad ...

Well, that's a large part of it. No joke!

 

[LilyWDW]

It was expensive (the pizza alone was $35), but it was good. And I'm thrilled that there is FINALLY some good pizza in Disney World. We'll definitely go back again on our next visit.

Though, it you think about it, the cost of the pizza is split 4 ways (in your case). Which means, each person cost $8.75 for the pizza. That doesn't seem to bad to me!

 

[wheredreamsbegin]

My family LOVES pizza! It is the one food that everyone can agree on. I am thrilled to hear that your experience was so positive. It will be wonderful to get a good pizza while at WDW. Hopefully we'll be able to try it when we return to the World in March.

 

[basketlacey]

I can't wait to go in November! I LOVE pizza, especially good pizza. I have no doubt my family of 5 could put away the 1/2 meter but since we are on the dining plan, we will probably order individual ones.

 

[WVParkfan]

Though, it you think about it, the cost of the pizza is split 4 ways (in your case). Which means, each person cost $8.75 for the pizza. That doesn't seem to bad to me!

Here in Morgantown, we can get a NY style 18" pizza for $10 to share. (The benefits of living in a college town!). That's why the $35 seemed so high to us.

 

[LilyWDW]

Here in Morgantown, we can get a NY style 18" pizza for $10 to share. (The benefits of living in a college town!). That's why the $35 seemed so high to us.

Yea, I am thinking for for Disney that it's a good price. $8.75 is close to or about the same cost as a CS would be per person. So, it IS a good price when talking about food at Disney.