Epcot’s Via Napoli Ristorante to open during August 2010

Via Napoli (Artist's renderering: Walt Disney World)
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is scheduled to open during August 2010. Located in the Italy Pavillion at Epcot, this 300 seat restaurant expands the dining options at this multicultural part of Walt Disney World.
The Patina Restaurant Group’s CEO Nick Valenti created the authentic menu based on his travels in Southern Italy. A feature at Via Napoli is its three wood-burning ovens which are named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.
The Walt Disney World blog gave a sneak peek at the new menu which includes
Appetizers
- Sicilian eggplant with olives and raisins
- Salad of lettuce, fagiolini (string beans), fennel and tomatoes; arancini (fried saffron risotto balls) with meat ragù, mozzarella and pomodoro sauce
- Corn-crusted fried calamari
- Minestrone with basil pesto
- A plate of arancini, mozzarella, calamari, portobella mushrooms, asparagus, zucchini and carciofi (artichokes).
Main course salads
- Manzo (filet of beef) with greens, red onion, gorgonzola, apple and cucumber with a red wine-mustard vinaigrette;
- Chopped salad with lemon chicken, greens, cantaloupe, cucumber, red pepper, green beans, onions, almonds and pasta crisps with honey-citrus vinaigrette;
- Calamari with arugula, carrots and fennel with orange vinaigrette.
- Pastas: candele (long, tube-shaped pasta) with sausage ragù; linguine with seafood; malfadine (ribbon pasta) with guanciale (unsmoked Italian bacon) and pomodoro sauce; lasagna verde.
- Piatti alla Parmigiana: (dishes topped with Parmesan and mozzarella gratinée): veal, chicken and eggplant
Wood-fired pizzas
The pizzas will be made with caputo flour imported from Southern Italy, San Marzano tomatoes, handmade mozzarella and water from a local spring just like in Italy’s Campania region – 10-inch, 20-inch or 1/2 meter to share: a dozen choices include
- Margherita with tomato, mozzarella and basil
- Arciofi with artichoke, potato, pecorino cheese, prosciutto and cantaloupe.
Deserts
- Tiramisù
- Zeppole di ricotta (ricotta cheese-fried dough, whipped cream and chocolate sauce)
- Apple cake with almond sorbetti
- Gelatie
- Vanilla gelato with almond cookies and amarena cherries
Yum!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Epcot Food & Wine Festival Special Event Reservations Open July 20
Guests can call 407/WDW-FEST (939-3378) for information and to make reservations for special events and programs. Festival details will be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine before reservations open July 20.
Eat to the Beat! Concert Series Welcomes Seven New Acts During 15th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
- Sugar Ray (Oct. 6-8) “Fly”
- Air Supply (Oct. 11-12) “Lost in Love”
- Howard Jones (Oct. 16-17) “No One Is to Blame”
- 38 Special (Oct. 20-21) “Hold on Loosely”
- Roger Hodgson formerly of Supertramp (Nov. 4-5) “Give a Little Bit”
- Hanson (Nov. 8-9) “Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’”
- Rick Springfield (Nov. 10-11) “Jessie’s Girl”
Additional information about the Eat to the Beat! concert series will be available at www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine.
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Makes July Evenings Nightastic!
- Through Aug. 14 at Magic Kingdom, thousands of tiny lights illuminate the return of the beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and the elaborate new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular”paints the night sky more brightly than ever.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror adds new effects – and a summer-only drop sequence – to the mix for guests daring to step into the attraction’s infamous service elevator for a ride into the “fifth dimension.” And on Hollywood Boulevard, in the shadow of the 122-foot-tall Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat icon, guests are invited to the Rock n’ Glow Dance Party, where a DJ and live rock band keep popular tunes coming five nights a week.
Walt Disney World Fireworks on July 4
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Guests can enjoy all the regular attractions and shows on July 4 from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Captain EO’ 3-D Spectacular Returns to Epcot July 2
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Just in time to add more joyous, uproarious fun to the Fourth of July weekend, “Captain EO” begins a reprise at Walt Disney World Resort July 2. The classic musical spectacular that thrilled Epcot guests from 1986-1994 will provide new Epcot audiences the opportunity to experience the original 3-D production for the very first time – and give longtime fans a nostalgic look back to see Michael Jackson in a rare performance created for the big screen.
Disney Institute Leisure Tours Offer Unique Opportunities to See Walt Disney World Resort
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., June 21 /PRNewswire/ — Disney guests interested in going behind the scenes at the Walt Disney World Resort now have new leisure tour options from Disney Institute. The professional development and training arm of The Walt Disney Company is offering guests the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at all four Walt Disney World theme parks and get an insider’s look at the operations.
“Disney Institute leisure tours are unique because we take our guests to multiple parks and visit different locations throughout the resort,” said Jeff James, vice president, Disney Institute. ”These tours are wonderful opportunities for anyone interested in learning how our company operates.”
Disney Institute offers four tours: Backstage Magic, Inspiration: Through Walt’s Eyes, Holiday D-Lights and Yuletide Fantasy. Backstage Magic and Inspiration: Through Walt’s Eyes are offered year-round, while Holiday D-Lights and Yuletide Fantasy are seasonal tours.
With the Backstage Magic tour, participants see how Disney brings innovative special effects, world-class entertainment and elaborate attractions to life. Beginning at Epcot and concluding at Disney’s Animal Kingdom with an up-close look at Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade, the tour explores the art, horticulture, landscaping and costume design that work together to create an immersive and magical experience for guests.
Inspiration: Through Walt’s Eyes follows the story of The Walt Disney Company from Walt’s perspective. The tour details how Walt was inspired to pursue his dreams and how his desire to succeed influenced those around him. From Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom, participants learn about the pivotal moments in Walt’s life that helped him create everything from innovative animation techniques to new ideas in family entertainment.
The Holiday D-Lights tour visits Epcot, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with stops for guests to marvel at each location’s interpretation of holiday lighting, while the Yuletide Fantasy tour helps guests uncover the secrets behind Disney’s stunning holiday decorations. Guests on this tour will travel through the culturally diverse celebrations of World Showcase at Epcot and get an up-close look at the bows and bells lining Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom.
All Disney Institute tours are facilitated by Disney cast members with years of Disney experience. The tours are open to anyone ages 16 years or older. All participants must present a valid government-issued photo ID. For more information or to book a Disney Institute leisure tour please call, (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (407) 939-8687 end_of_the_skype_highlighting, or visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/.
About Disney Institute
Disney Institute was created to showcase Disney best practices that easily adapt to other organizations. One of the most recognized names in professional development, Disney Institute travels the world offering engaging seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as fully customized programming. Immersive learning experiences are also offered at Disney destinations in the Americas, Europe and Asia, enabling participants to go behind the scenes and see firsthand how business theory drives operational excellence. The Disney Institute client roster includes Fortune 500 companies as well as a wide range of small businesses, non-profits and government agencies. To learn more about Disney Institute, please visit www.disneyinstitute.com, follow at www.twitter.com/disneyinstitute, or call 321-939-4600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 321-939-4600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
SOURCE Disney Institute
Captain EO returns to EPCOT at Walt Disney World
Following on from the successful return of Captain EO to Disneyland, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have announced that Captain EO will return to Walt Disney World this summer. It will also open in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland.
Captain EO will debut on July 2nd at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT. It will replace “Honey I shrunk the audience”
Originally showing from 1986 - 1994, Captain EO is a 17 minute musical sci-fi adventure in 4D.
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Flower Power Concert Series at EPCOT
As part of the 2010 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World, the Flower Power Concerts are popular with visitors. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 p.m artists play at the America Gardens Theatre. These shows are free with admission to the park.
This is the current lineup (Entertainment is subject to change without notice):
March 5-7 – Jose Feliciano
March 12-14 – Paul Revere & The Raiders
March 19-21 – David Cassidy
March 26-28 – Starship featuring Mickey Thomas
April 2-4 – Tony Orlando
April 9-11 – Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 16-18 – Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring the Nelsons
April 23-25 – Atlanta Rhythm Section
April 30-May 2 –Fran Cosmo (Former lead singer of Boston)
May 7-9 –Davy Jones
May 14 – 16 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
Something for everyone!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com
Carnival of Venice
Tutto Italia in EPCOT will be having a Carnival of Venice celebration beginning February 8th 2010 through to February 16th 2010. This special celebration includes an appetizer, entree and desert. Prices are $19 for lunch and $29 for dinner. Servers will be wearing amazing handmade Venetian masks and costumes. Dinner will also feature the strolling musical trio “Viva Venezia”
The chef inspired menu also features Fileto Di Pesce Al Melograno (Halibut with Pomegranate Sauce) at dinner.
http://bit.ly/CarnivalofVenice
Call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for reservations.
FILETO DI PESCE AL MELOGRANO (HALIBUT WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE)
Serves 4
Halibut
1 3/4 pounds halibut fillet (1 1/2 inches thick), cut into 4 even portions
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Pomegranate Sauce
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup pure pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon butter
For the halibut:
1. Season the halibut with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat until just starting to smoke.
3. Carefully place the halibut in the oil and cook for 4minutes each side, turning once, until golden brown on each side.
For the pomegranate sauce:
1. Boil wine and shallots over medium-high heat in heavy small saucepan for approximately 2 minutes or until most of wine has evaporated.
2. Add heavy cream and pomegranate juice and bring to a boil for approximately 5 minutes or until reduced to 3/4 cup.
3. Whisk in butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon sauce over halibut before service.
Sounds delicious!
–Kay
- Providing special vacation home rentals and advice for over 5 years to families and friends wanting to make the most of their time and money while visiting Walt Disney World.
- Windsor Palms Resort Vacation Rental http://www.windsorpalmsorlando.com
- Emerald Island Resort Vacation Rental http://www.emeraldislandorlando.com

