Showing posts with label World Showcase. Show all posts

September 25, 2014

Tapestry of Nations

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

Here’s a look at Hammerman in front of a Millennium-themed Spaceship Earth in September 1999.

June 11, 2013

June 26, 2012

May 1, 2012

Tutto Italia at Epcot Reopens Today

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

Tutto Italia in the Italy Pavilion at Epcot reopens its doors today after a major renovation, along with the new Tutto Gusto wine cellar next door.

Festivities Begin as Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto Open at Epcot

For reservations at Tutto Italia, call 407-WDW-DINE. Tutto Gusto does not take reservations.

"The makeover gives Tutto Italia a more expansive feel, with covered outdoor seating for 45 with ceiling fans and lighting, and pretty new carpet, dark-wood booths and spacious banquettes replacing some of the tables in the dining room. The lovely wall murals and elegant chandeliers remain.

Just to the right of the restaurant is Tutto Gusto, accessible through Tutto Italia or through its own entrance. The décor is rustic, with wood-beam ceiling, brick arches and stone flooring, reminiscent of a traditional Italian wine cellar. A long bar is the centerpiece of the room, with wall sconces, a fireplace, and other classic touches."

- Disney

August 6, 2011

A Grand Opening for Via Napoli

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

posted at the Official Disney Parks blog on August 6th, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

Cue a horse-drawn carriage with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in festive Italian attire … a comical Italian grape-stomping … a fanciful ribbon cutting … Thursday’s celebration made for fun to officially open the doors of Via Napoli, the newest Epcot restaurant located in the Italy Pavilion.

On hand were Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot; Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group (PRG), which operates Via Napoli; and Chef Joachim Splichal, founder of PRG and one of the most talented chefs on the American culinary scene. Among guests we sighted Paul Bocuse, the legendary French chef who opened Les Chefs de France at the Epcot France Pavilion. Architects, designers and others who created the light-filled restaurant were celebrating en masse.

You can make reservations calling (407-WDW-DINE).

Pizzas were flying as news cameras roamed the restaurant to record the happy occasion. Here are some photos shot by our own Disney crew:

Via Napoli at Epcot – Now Thazza Pizza

posted on August 3rd, 2010 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer

The lively, 300-seat restaurant that is operated by Patina Restaurant Group is full of energy with an open kitchen and three wood-burning pizza ovens that represent Italy’s three active volcanoes (Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli). Those ovens were cranked up to 700°F with oak wood, and we got a kick out of the Disney touch: each of the ovens is ornamented with an open-mouthed face, waiting to “swallow” the mouth-watering pizzas.

Elizabetta, our young server from Terni, Italy, walked us through the menu while we sipped Acqua Frescas, the house-made seasonal fruit juice coolers (the blood orange trumped the limonata). If you’re hungry or have at least four gathered for lunch or dinner, try the fritto misto, an enormous platter of fried mozzarella, calamari, eggplant, asparagus, zucchini, artichoke hearts and arancini (rice balls) – delicioso! dipped in the spicy red sauce. We also shared the beautiful insalata del contadino (farmer salad), a colorful plate of greens, fennel, radish and tomatoes in a light vinaigrette that was one of my favorite tastes.

Four of us each tried a different entrée: the tortino di melanzane (baked eggplant with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses); the lasagna verde with spinach, Parmesan, béchamel sauce and a generous flourish of nutmeg; mafaldine Amatriciana (ribbon pasta with guanciale pork, a light tomato sauce and pecorino cheese); and, of course, a wood-fired margherita pizza. Every dish was well prepared and we debated what tasted best (I think the rich eggplant and pizza tied).

Oh, those pies. Via Napoli Executive Chef Charlie Restivo shared the secret combo: the oven, the mixer and the ingredients. The mozzarella is flown in from Italy, the water from a source in the U.S. that is similar to the alkaline of the water in Naples, and San Marzano tomatoes – absolutely no substitutions for a “certified” Vera Pizza Napolitana, with specific rules, including hand stretching the dough. The crust is blistered and slightly charred to seal in the flavors, says Chef Restivo. The gargantuan “1/2 meter” to share is rolled to the table on a stainless steel cart.

Sweet endings are not an afterthought. We indulged with the hot, crisp zeppole di Catarina, ricotta cheese fritters with chocolate sauce and whipped cream; traditional tiramisù; pistachio gelato; and the over-the-top coppa di brutti ma buoni, a vanilla gelato with Amarena cherries and “ugly but good” cookies. Worth an extra lap around World Showcase.

July 29, 2011

Friendship Boat [Epcot]

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

July 18, 2011

World Showcase Base's Torch at Epcot

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

July 8, 2011

Germany at Night [Epcot]

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

From AllEars.net:

Fantasy, folklore and festivity abound as you step into a German village where the sounds of Oktoberfest fill the air. In the center of the square is a statue of St. George and the dragon, which, according to legend, he slayed while on a pilgrimage to the Middle East. Monuments to St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, are common throughout Bavaria. The Biergarten reflects the 16th century town of Rothenberg.

June 3, 2011

Sculpture outside Mexico Pavilion at Epcot

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

May 30, 2011

Germany at Epcot World Showcase [Lagoon View]

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

May 11, 2011

Norway Legends

Picture Posted by johnny_kc

Walt Disney World Picture of the Day for 05.011.11 by Knell StudioWorks

Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knell-StudioWorks/203799483486

April 18, 2011

The Towers at Epcot World Showcase

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

Walt Disney World - Epcot - World Showcase - The Towers [Gift Shop]

This is how we call the twin stores located as soon as you pass the rose bridge!

April 5, 2011

Mexico Pavilion at Epcot - Pyramid in HDR

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

Modeled after an Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan, known as the "City of the Gods."

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfurbush/5209901327/

March 23, 2011

Aladdin Topiary - Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival 2011

Picture Posted by Marcio Disney

1992 American Animated Adventure film is the 31st animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. Aladdin was the most successful film of 1998 with the highest gross for an animated film until The Lion King two years later.