Eataly Eats Disneyland

In less than 3 weeks Fico Eataly World, which promises to be the "world's largest agri-food park," will open on November 15 in Bologna, Italy.

Of course the Bologna complex will include Italian restaurants and Italian products for sale. But, according to Eater, Fico Eataly World will go beyond simply selling Italy’s wares to cover the entire breadth of the country’s culinary landscape, “from the field to the fork.”  

The park is large, more than 20 acres full of fields and farmland will include 40 farming factories where visitors can see how farmers process meat, cheese, pasta, and other Italian goods; 40 restaurants and refreshment stations; and, six “educational rides.” The park will hosts daily food classes and events and Eataly hopes it to become a destination for conferences; which is very likely. I’ll make my pilgrimage in a few weeks.

Eater reported last year, more than 2,000 companies are participating in the $106 million project, which will create 3,000 jobs where they hope to attract 10 million visitors per year. For comparison, Disneyworld in Orlando, the number one theme park in the world hosts just over 19 million a year. But there is a huge difference – admission to Fico Eataly World is free.