Via Napoli - never been and need some outside perspectives

[Sandurz]

So for my upcoming December trip I initially wanted only 3-4 ADRs for our 7 day trip and gradually added some more to end up with one a day with one day of doubling up. Now, this day is currently booked as Via Napoli for lunch with Kona Cafe for dinner.

Never been to either, but Kona has me way more excited menu-wise. And ideally, I'd like to not double up on ADRs and leave at least one meal a day open.

I do love pizza, but is it worth doing the whole sit-down affair and doubling up for the day for? And is it possible for two people who don't eat a ton to leave with no leftovers?

 

[Mukta]

I like sit down meals a lot and I prefer to have 2 a day. If it feels like too much food, we just split entrees at the place we are not as interested in.

Via Napoli is good. I have eaten there 3 times and I like it. Some people rave about it and I don't.
I like Kona far more. I happily eat at Kona for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

To answer your question, I would keep both. At worst, have just a salad and the aracini at Via Napoli. It is nice to sit down and relax for a bit and a TS meal is a great way to do that.

 

[lostpro9het]

We've been to VN every year for the past 5 years and it was better then than it is now, IMO. While they have been lax, we still go there and even have an ADR set for Christmas week, the DD likes going there since it kind of a tradition now. Kona, on the other hand, does have an exciting dinner menu and we've tried it twice and were not impressed. Kona Breakfast, on the other hand, is where its at! We love Kona for breakfast. I think you should try both if you've never had them though just for the experience.

 

[Sandurz]

I like sit down meals a lot and I prefer to have 2 a day. If it feels like too much food, we just split entrees at the place we are not as interested in.

Via Napoli is good. I have eaten there 3 times and I like it. Some people rave about it and I don't.
I like Kona far more. I happily eat at Kona for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

To answer your question, I would keep both. At worst, have just a salad and the aracini at Via Napoli. It is nice to sit down and relax for a bit and a TS meal is a great way to do that.

'

Yes! Definitely going to be splitting entrees a lot that's our usual MO about half the time anyway. This trip we're doing out of pocket instead of the DDP and are looking forward to being able to do so instead of being totally stuffed all the time. Some good points! I think I'll keep it.

We've been to VN every year for the past 5 years and it was better then than it is now, IMO. While they have been lax, we still go there and even have an ADR set for Christmas week, the DD likes going there since it kind of a tradition now. Kona, on the other hand, does have an exciting dinner menu and we've tried it twice and were not impressed. Kona Breakfast, on the other hand, is where its at! We love Kona for breakfast. I think you should try both if you've never had them though just for the experience.

I think you're right! Both of them it is. Kona for breakfast I was curious about what with the Tonga Toast and all but we're not huge on breakfast so I ended up grabbing a dinner instead. What'd you have that left you less than impressed?

 

[lostpro9het]

'
What'd you have that left you less than impressed?

This is our most recent experience in July. The food was just "ok" to us. The pot stickers seemed like they came from a frozen bag and the sushi was average. My noodles were more green beans than anything else. I will say this, though, the steamed pork buns were amazing! I'd definitely get those again but one good app is not enough to make us go back for dinner.

EDIT:
Here is our most recent VN experience in May.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

I've eaten at VN a couple different times and enjoyed it both times. The last time I was there, my wife and I split a pizza and were quite pleased. It was really nice before when they had the QS window and you could walk up and buy a slice and move on...but as others have said...it's also nice to sit down and relax a bit.

 

[Disney4family]

We have always enjoyed VN - until this past trip in August. It was a rushed but friendly experience. It's WDW. It's summer. We can let some stuff slide. The food, however, was very lacking in appearance and flavor. One adult pepperoni pizza had 3 pepperonis on what would be considered a slice. Someone threw a handful on the pie and shoved it in the oven. Honestly, for the price, we will not be back for awhile. Maybe it'll bounce back in a few years to what it was.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As an Italian American, I was not crazy about it. But I would say that about most Italian restaurants. Why can't we just pack my Grandma and bring her everywhere?

 

[Hockey89]

I have read mix reviews... People either love the pizza or not.... We did not....Could not believe how poor it was compared to local places in New E... Just not good... Service was poor...Loud... Not our cup of tea, but clearly many people do love it....So take it with a grain of salt.

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

We had dinner at Via Napoli about a month ago and loved it! The pizza was great, our server was very nice and helpful and we loved the atmosphere. It was a bit noisy, but not more than a lot of WDW restaurants, and we didn't mind it at all (our 4 year old son being noisier than a Wal Mart on Black Friday most of the time!!!).

 

[JohnD]

Two words: Quattro Formaggi.

 

[Sandurz]

I have read mix reviews... People either love the pizza or not.... We did not....Could not believe how poor it was compared to local places in New E... Just not good... Service was poor...Loud... Not our cup of tea, but clearly many people do love it....So take it with a grain of salt.

Yeah that was sort of why I was hestitant...like I have next level pizza around home that I love and the chances that they'll be on that level are slim. But also I eat and love all pizza hell I was at both a Gatti's and Cici's last week of my own volition and enjoyed myself. So I'm sure I'll be fine.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Yeah that was sort of why I was hestitant...like I have next level pizza around home that I love and the chances that they'll be on that level are slim. But also I eat and love all pizza hell I was at both a Gatti's and Cici's last week of my own volition and enjoyed myself. So I'm sure I'll be fine.

Cici's is a great "save money after splurging at Epcot" dinner LOL.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

It is the only restaurant in Disney that, when we left, we had no desire to give it a second chance. Even with a ressie, our wait was very long. The food was only okay. But, the main problem was the incredible noise. If noise doesn't bother you, then it's probably worth trying.

 

[Hockey89]

Yeah that was sort of why I was hestitant...like I have next level pizza around home that I love and the chances that they'll be on that level are slim. But also I eat and love all pizza hell I was at both a Gatti's and Cici's last week of my own volition and enjoyed myself. So I'm sure I'll be fine.

If you are low maintenance on food, than you should be ok.... If you have great local pizza, it will not be even close... I'm high maintenance with food and how loud places are, so it's probably the only Disney place I have been to that I will never go back..

 

[Hockey89]

It is the only restaurant in Disney that, when we left, we had no desire to give it a second chance. Even with a ressie, our wait was very long. The food was only okay. But, the main problem was the incredible noise. If noise doesn't bother you, then it's probably worth trying.

Same with us....

 

[Pete256]

Pizza is good, but like any other Disney dining due to the limited choices in a category, average, becomes very good. Biggest issue I had was made a reservation 180 days beforehand, confirmed it earlier in day and still waited 45 minutes to get a table. They have a massive amount of walk ins they try to accommodate and it turns into a mess.

 

[cjlyon]

I had a bad experience with Via Napoli and it started with them skipping my name and seating walk ins. Then are pizza had burnt edges an unevenly put on toppings. What bothered me the most is they knew we were upset customers because the manager brought us our meal and they did nothing to make us happy. We won't be back again.

 

[Big Mac]

Yeah that was sort of why I was hestitant...like I have next level pizza around home that I love and the chances that they'll be on that level are slim. But also I eat and love all pizza hell I was at both a Gatti's and Cici's last week of my own volition and enjoyed myself. So I'm sure I'll be fine.

If you like Cici's you will be fine!

 

[jengrey]

My husband and I dined there a couple of weeks ago and thought it was great. We just got the pepperoni pizza and the salad. Pizza was just how we like it: thin crust, not a ton of cheese...it was very crowded but the service was quick and our server was wonderful. I got the strawberry aqua fresco to drink, which was amazing.