Epcot (Experimental Planned Community of Tomorrow) is the second theme park to open at Walt Disney World, focusing on future technology and world cultures. The back half of Epcot is World Showcase, which deals with cultures of eleven different nations.
The Italy showcase is based on Venice and its famed St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). Although I cannot hire a gondolier here, I can eat some pasta and buy an Italian soccer jersey.
At this point, I had yet to visit Italy, but about 20 months later, I would finally make my first visit to Italy, and Venice would indeed become my destination.