Carnevale Di Venezia at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

Carnevale Di Venezia, translates to Carnival of Venice, and is an annual festival held in Venice, Italy running prior to the beginning of  Lent.  The Italy Pavilion in Epcot, hosts it’s own Carnevale which began on February 8, and will run for two weeks until the day before Ash Wednesday also known as Fat Tuesday for those Mardi Gras fans.

Earliest accounts have this holiday beginning around 1300, and running in some form or another until early 1800′s when it was banned. Seen mainly as a children’s party after that, civic leaders turned things around in 1980 when formal celebrations including food, mimes and music concerts were held throughout the city, concluding with an elaborate ball held at the Piazzo San Marco (map).

Masks have always been a popular part of the festival.  Though there are various styles, one thing is the same, the mask must allow the wearer to remain anonymous, while providing  freedom to eat, drink and flirt.

Running through February 16, Epcot’s version of the famed Carnival, features a chef-inspired lunch and dinner menu at Tutto Italia Ristorante (map), with servers wearing beautiful handmade Venetian masks and costumes.  Guests will also be serenaded by a trio of strolling musicians, Viva Venizia. 

 The menu for the event includes appetizer, entree and dessert and is $19.00 for lunch served (11:30 -3:30 pm) and $29.00  for dinner served (4:30 -8:45 pm).  For more information or to make reservations call 407-WDW-DINE. 

One of the dinner entrees will be Halibut in Pomegranate Sauce.  For those of us not lucky enough to attend Carnevale Di Venezia in Epcot, our friends at Disney Parks Blog have provided us with the recipe.  Eat, drink, and flirt away while you have a carnival at home, masks optional.

Photo Selection: WDW News