EPCOT’s World Showcase has long been one of the most popular areas in any Disney theme park, thanks to its pavilions recreating the charms of several countries around the world with architecture, design, souvenirs, and, of course, food!

One of the most popular pavilions is the one themed after Italy, which features Venetian, Florentine, and Roman architecture, including recreations of St Mark’s Campanile, the La Gemma Elegante shop representing a replica of the Doge’s Palace, and other hallmarks of Italian architecture, such as the Columns of San Marco and San Todaro, the Ponte della Pagli. In addition, the pavilion’s Neptune Fountain is reminiscent of Rome’s Trevi Fountain. With all that being said, what do Italian guests actually think of the pavilion, and what rules do they follow? Well, we asked around.

Don’t Try and Ride the Gondola

So, the Italy pavilion is one of the World Showcase pavilions that doesn’t feature a ride or attraction. Now, there IS a gondola in the water outside the pavilion, with placemaking elements reminiscent of Venice. However, the boat is just a placemaking prop, not something that guests can ride or even get in.

Eat Pizza at Via Napoli

While theme park pizza can be… hit or miss, offerings from Via Napoli definitely fall into the former category.  These traditional Neapolitan pizzas are made with “fresh mozzarella cheese, San Marzano tomatoes, and real Caputo flour imported from Southern Italy. Water for the dough is even sourced from a spring similar to Italy’s Campania region. Pizzas are then cooked in wood-burning ovens named after the 3 active volcanoes in Italy—Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.” In short, they’re as good as they get!

Don’t Fake an Italian Accent or Other Gestures

This should go across the board for any World Showcase pavilions. Just don’t do it, period.

Don’t Eat at the Italy Festival Booths

As good a reputation as some of the pavilion’s food has — see the aforementioned Via Napoli — the festival booths in the pavilion generally don’t live up to that hype. Whether it’s Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, Festival of the Holidays, or Flower & Garden, they’re usually close to the bottom of most rankings, including ours.

As we wrote in our review of the 2005 Food & Wine booth, “Italy has so much potential, but it seems like it just often gets wasted, and we end up with food that’s okay, but nothing remarkable. This year seems to be the same, and we really wish Italy would just get it together. Maybe someday…”

Skip the Gelato…

So, let’s be clear: The gelato at La Gelateria Toscana is delicious. However, is it worth the price? Not for some. They instead choose frozen treats from other World Showcase countries, like the ice cream from France’s L’Artisan des Glaces. They argue that the portions feel more substantial, and the experience stands out more.

…Get an Espresso Martini

However, many guests NEVER skip sipping on a delicious and authentic espresso martini. The drinks can be found at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar.

Next time you’re heading to EPCOT’s Italy Pavilion, make sure to keep these rules in mind. Stay tuned to DFB for more deep looks into EPCOT’s pavilions.

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What’s your favorite EPCOT pavilion? Let us know in the comments below.