Naples is coming to Downtown Disney

October 13, 1999

A taste of Naples comes to The Disneyland Resort. For a destination that's all about fun, families and enjoying great times with friends, there couldn't be a more ideal way of eating than Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria. Already an enormous success in New York, Naples brings the authentic taste of Southern Italy to Downtown Disney - the retail, dining and entertainment district of the expanded Disneyland Resort, set to open in 2001.

Naples is positioned to make it a "must-do" destination for visitors to Downtown Disney. The handsome building will feature an outdoor terrace, landscaped grounds and two bocce courts for guests to use. Friends and families, siblings and spouses can compete against each other pitching the balls in this time-honored game. There will be room for a hundred and fifty guests to sit here and eat al fresco, or they can have their pizzas to go.

Inside, surrounded by contemporary Italian decor with picturesque touches, there will be room for another hundred guests at the wood-topped tables. There they can see the lively action in the open kitchen where skilful pizzaiole - pizza chefs - work at marble slabs hand-patting the balls of dough and adding the fresh toppings such as imported vine-ripened plum tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella and extra virgin olive oil.

They can also watch the flames as pizzas are slid into the wood-burning ovens to bake at 700 degrees for just three minutes and emerge sizzling on the wooden pizza shovel. They come in two sizes, individual and al metro, a meter long and ideal for sharing.

In addition to the pizzas, there's also a selection of piccoli piatti. These small salads, similar to tapas, are offered on individual plates and include meats, seafood and vegetables. The little dishes are referred to in the local Neapolitan dialect as sfiziosita'. The menu also has a choice of hearty pastas, al forno (from the oven) and made-to-order, plus other dishes prepared in the traditional Neapolitan way born of the sea and seafarers and known as cucina marinara.

Main course selections feature whole fish baked in the wood-burning oven, chicken and other meats and seafood. Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria also features Pagnottelle: Neapolitan style, twice-baked sandwiches made from pizza dough. A wide selection of wines including many hard-to-find Italian labels, plus beers, sodas and specialty fruit drinks will be offered. Desserts introduce diners to delights previously confined to Southern Italian shores and of course the ice cream and gelati will be something to remember longingly until your next visit. To finish a memorable meal the coffee bar offers Espresso, Cappuccino, Caffe Latte ann Macchiato.

Naples is going to be busy morning, noon and night, seven days a week. In addition to the 250 ground floor seats, upstairs there will be seating for 110 guests indoors plus 125 seats along the outdoor terrace that overlooks the excitement below. Wherever you're sitting you can be sure that there will be fun, laughter and the sound of good times all around you.

Located in the heart of The Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney will be an entertainment mecca of themed shopping, dining, nightclubs and other entertainment venues, all within walking distance for guests, conventioneers and local residents. Downtown Disney will become a unique gathering place, connecting two theme parks - the all-new Disney's California Adventure and Disneyland - along with The Disneyland Resort Hotels.