8/6 Via Napoli Grand Opening / Dining Review

Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti and Epcot Vice President Dan Cockerell cut the ribbon in front of Epcot's Via Napoli restaurant yesterday, officially opening this new World Showcase restaurant in the Italy pavilion.  Via Napoli is the second restaurant in Italy, joining Tutto Italia (originally Alfredo's).

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We already had fully covered opening day, including 100 photos of the restaurant and a dining review!  If you are interested in a full dining experience and more photos inside the restaurant, that compliments this review and coverage of the opening day ceremony.  Thank you to Jeff Lange for taking the video and some of the photos!

 

When we arrived, Mickey and Minnie were waiting to make their entrance in a horse-drawn carriage:

 

 

 

Prior to the ceremony, streetmosphere cast members joined in the fun by stomping grapes (even pulling one guest up to the front):

 

 

Disney Ambassador, Clay Shoemaker welcomes the crowd:

 

 

 

Mickey and Minnie arrive:

 

 

Epcot Vice President, Dan Cockerell speaks to the crowd.  We have full video of the opening ceremony!!

 

 

 

Patina Restaurant Group CEO, Nick Valenti. I spoke with him later about the back story behind the restaurant, you can find my video here!  It turns out that much of what I was told about the story of the restaurant was correct, but the whole restaurant is actually supposed to be the former stables. The portion that was the villa is Tutto Italia (if you read my original article , then watch the video – it sums up the story!)

 

 

Ribbon cutting (included in our video!)