Actor/Comedian Steve Harvey poses with Mickey Mouse at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Harvey is at Walt Disney World for the third annual “Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey,” which took place Feb. 11-14. During this years event, 100 high school students from across the nation participate in a career-inspiration program that includes interactive workshops, motivational seminars, hands-on creative experiences and fun at Walt Disney World Resort. (Kent Phillips, photographer)

THE FUN OF THE FORCE: “Star Wars” creator George Lucas meets Jedi Mickey Mouse, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Goofy and the lovable Disney droid R2-MK, Aug. 14, 2010 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The legendary filmmaker attended a special event at the theme park in honor of the “Star Wars”-themed thrill attraction, Star Tours. (Todd Anderson, photographer)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Patina Restaurant Group has opened a new casual pizzeria, called Via Napoli, adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, its restaurant in the Italy pavilion in Epcot World Showcase at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. This becomes the first authentic Italian pizzeria to ever open in the park.

Restaurateur and longtime Patina Restaurant Group CEO Nick Valenti created the Via Napoli concept, based upon his travels in Southern Italy and his time developing and overseeing the successful Naples 45 Ristorante e Pizzeria in New York which was awarded the coveted certification of “La Vera Pizza Napoletana.” While in Naples, Valenti spent time studying the art of dough, crust, sauce and oven temperatures at the famous pizzerias Da Michele and Trianon.  At Da Ettore, he discovered the art of pagnotiello, a folded round of pizza dough filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.

“I have always loved the beauty of a simple Neapolitan pizza,” Valenti says.  “It’s a perfect food, something beloved by both Italians and Americans. At Via Napoli we will make pizza the traditional Neapolitan way: with a textured, soft and charred crust. I look forward to bringing it to Walt Disney World, where it should be a welcome addition to guests visiting Epcot.”

Via Napoli features a selection of classical Neapolitan pizzas, ranging from pizza bianca, quattro stagioni, piccante, ortolano and a traditional margherita. Famed Pizzaiolo Charlie Restivo serves as executive chef at Via Napoli, where he crafts the pies using simple and delicious Italian ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, Caputo flour, handmade fresh mozzarella, Parma Cotto, crumbled sausage and water calibrated specifically to the pH found in Naples.

“We’re excited to be working with the Patina Restaurant Group once again on this significant expansion project,” said Dan Cockerell, vice president of Epcot. “Via Napoli will certainly enhance the guest experience and the architectural landscape of World Showcase just in time for our 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival.”

A unique feature at Via Napoli is the wood-burning ovens, which are named after the three active volcanoes in Italy – Mount Etna, Mount Vesuvius and Stromboli.  Each oven is sculpted with the “face of the volcano” — reflecting the gods whose mythology surrounds each volcano’s history.

The architecture and design of the new pizzeria is based on a mix of traditional Italian styles, with the Florentine architect Stefano Nardini (of Magris & Partners) working in conjunction with Rick Swisher Architect to build it.

POP PRINCESS: Teen pop star Jessica Jarrell poses Aug. 3, 2010 with Minnie Mouse at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For the occasion, Minnie Mouse even traded in her signature polka-dotted dress for one adorned with hearts. Jarrell, currently one of the opening acts on Justin Bieber’s “My World” tour, visited the Walt Disney World Resort with friends and family. (Gene Duncan, photographer)