The gondolas that I have seen were docked outside of Italy I believe and were strictly for decoration. I think I read that they originally wanted a gondola ride at Italy but it did not work out.
At Epcot, there is the World Showcase and Future World. While there are not gondolas to take you from one side of the lagoon to the other, there are friendship taxis. They are boats. There are 2 docks in World Showcase and 2 near future world. It is a nice ride but sometimes walking is faster depending on the wait for a boat, the crowds on the walkway and how fast you can walk.
Hope this info is helpful.