Changes

Although Les Tres Cultras de Mexico was far along in its development, Disney decided that the attraction would be pushed back to EPCOT Center's Phase II<ref name="Martin"/>. According to these plan's the attraction's lagoon and load area would be built, with a space left open for the boat ride itself, to be constructed at a later date. These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s planned Rhine River Cruise attraction was cancelled along with the Japan pavilion's Meet the World show<ref name="Martin"/>. Due to the fact that the plans for an Equatorial Africa pavilion were also shelved, Disney had a capacity issue. With no other rides in World Showcase, the area would not have enough attractions to meet its expected guest capacity <ref name= "Martin"/>. As a remedy for this situation, Disney decided to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico an opening day attraction, changing the attraction’s name to El Rio del Tiempo. In order to complete the attraction (and pavilion) on time, the rides length was shortened by 40% and moved completely inside <ref name= "Martin"/>.

Following a very quick construction, El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the rest of EPCOT Center on October 1, 1982 <Ref>https://d23.com/a-to-z/el-r%C3%ADo-del-tiempo/</ref>. Although the attraction had been quite popular at the time of its opening, attendance began to drop during the 1990s. During this time, rumors were prevalent that the attraction would be replaced by a new Donald Duck attraction; however when El Rio Del Tiempo closed for refurbishment in 1999 no such change took place <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo/news/27jul1999-el-rio-del-tiempo-refurbishment-update.htm </ref>. Instead, at this time, the attraction was cleaned up and given new paint, just in time for Epcot’s Millennium Celebration.