Changes

The attraction that would one day be known as the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, began as an idea for the unbuilt Mexico pavilion. Initially, Disney plans called for the pavilion to feature an attraction titled "Las Tres Culturas de Mexico"<ref> http://www.lostepcot.com/worldshowcase.html </ref>. This indoor/outdoor boat ride was to take gusts on a tour of three distinct periods of Mexico's history. Beginning with pre-colombian Mexico, the attraction would then travel through the country's colonial period, before arriving in modern Mexico. The ride’s ride's storyline came from a Mayan myth which told about the gods taking the gift of music from the jealous sun, and giving it to the songless Earth <ref name="Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?p=963 </ref>. The myth concludes with the idea that "Life was all music from that time on”. The attraction's structure was influenced by two Magic Kingdom attractions. Like [[If You had Had Wings]], the attraction would feature rear projected film screens in physical sets. The Likewise, the attraction's "colonial scene" would feature singing dolls and a repetitive song in the same vein as [[it's a small world]]<ref name="Martin"/>.

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.