Recently, Disney Parks Blog put out a promotional piece linking with the Hulu streaming service show declaring the not-at-all-definitive best pizza options in Disney domestic parks. When I saw this list, I drew back in horror at first. I could name at least ten better pizza options than the ones listed just on Walt Disney World property. That would not even include the California parks. However, that blog says in the Disney Parks—not on Disney property.  With that very narrow range of choices, only one place qualifies as good pizza within the domestic Disney theme parks. In that blog, at least they got that correct. If you are just looking for pizza to fill your stomach so you can keep going, Disney Parks have plenty of that. Yet, the quality rates as below average most of the time.

If you have read many of my theme park food reviews, you know how I feel about pizza and burgers in Orlando area theme park resorts. For transparency, if you were to check my mobile phone for fast food apps, you would find many burger places on it. I enjoy burgers. I recommend burgers often—just not the counter service ones at Walt Disney World. Also, in fairness, I love pizza. However, at this stage of life, I do not want to spend large amounts of money on below-average pizza. Walt Disney World offers a significant amount of sub-par pizza. We can debate the water use or the dough as the culprit. However, I avoid paying about $10 for a below-average slice of pizza at any of the Orlando area theme parks.

This begs the question: “Where do you find decent pizza inside Walt Disney World Resort?” You could visit Disney Springs for counter-service pizza at Pizza Ponte. The price point will not destroy your budget. Still, that pizza will not change your life either. Several of the Italian options at Walt Disney World offer pizza. I recently visited Terralina Crafted Italian. That pizza experience went well (with their burger) there. However, Walt Disney World veterans continually insist that Via Napoli Ristorante offers the best pizza on the property. Though I might dispute that claim, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in Epcot easily wins the battle of in-park pizza options. Remember, the blog focused only on in-park pizza options.

I must advise you that this recommendation tends to overlook the high price point for this Epcot table service dining option. For example, an individually portioned pizza here costs around $25. In fairness, the individual-sized pizza would not be the correct decision here anyway.

The pizzas here magically appear from a wood-fired oven. Some guests find watching the chefs work on these pizzas very entertaining. Some find themselves amused by the faces featured in these ovens. Still, the quick preparation process involving these ovens does create a consistent appearance and texture.

As the recent Disney Parks Blog wrote: “It comes as no surprise that the traditional Neapolitan pizza of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is on this list. Nestled into the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT, a trip to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria will transport you across the boot, with Venetian architecture from the North to Sicilian artwork from the South. This pizza is crafted with San Marzano tomatoes and real Caputo flour imported straight from Southern Italy earning the stamp of approval from authentic Italians.” Once again, some of those words qualify as toeing the company line. Still, the pizza produced here exceeds the quality found elsewhere in the area theme parks.

The pizza comes in a thin-crust style. Yet, something magical happens when the pepperoni emerges from the wood-fired oven. The pepperoni curls up into cup fashion looking delicious and greasy, of course. Though some debate exists about the type of cheese being used on Via Napoli pizzas these days, the portion of cheese will excite most pizza fans. Of course, you can order a pizza without pepperoni. Still, that topping seems to work best here. The crust tastes light and crispy, The sauce tastes better than most commercial sauces and matches this type of pizza well.

The largest drawback of pizza here would be the price. The best way to play the price game here would be to order a “Metro Mezzo” size pizza. This half-meter pizza should feed three to four people. Even at $50 or so, dividing that among three or four people make a reasonable value for table service dining in Epcot. However, if you have been settling for counter-service pizza, then this pizza will taste incredible. I have heard some people complain that the pizza crust is so thin that even this size pizza will not satisfy three or four people.

If dining here, expect slower than normal service. This place continues to be popular and busy. Also, depending on where you find yourself seated, this place generates a large amount of noise. In addition, if you were planning to order a larger pizza than you need intending to take some back to your room, they rarely have boxes for to-go pizza here.

Despite some of these potential negatives, Walt Disney World fans adore Via Napoli. Pizza plays the role of the star of the show. If craving good pizza while in the theme parks, Via Napoli reigns as the best, if not only good option. Though this would be classified as the toughest place to get an advance dining reservation in Epcot, these reservation slots will go quickly. If you want to dine here, be ready 60 days in advance and consider setting an alert at MouseDining.com. As always, eat like you mean it!