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===El Rio Del Tiempo===The attraction that would one day be known as The the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The the Three Caballeros, began as a planned attraction an idea for the unbuilt Mexico pavilion . Initially, Disney's plans called for the pavilion to feature an attraction titled "Las Tres Culturas de Mexico" (The Three Cultures of Mexico) <ref> http://www.lostepcot.com/worldshowcase.html </ref> . The ride was going to be an This indoor/outdoor boat ride, which took guests through the history was to take gusts on a tour of three distinct periods of Mexico, showcasing its diverse culture's history. Las Tres Culturas de Beginning with pre-colombian Mexico took its ride structure from [["it, the attraction would then travel through the country's a small world"]]colonial period, and even used a similar, repetitive theme songbefore arriving in modern Mexico. The attraction’s ride's storyline came from a Mayan myth which told about the Gods 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 Wings]], the attraction would feature rear projected film screens in physical sets. 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"/>. Compounded by 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. ===Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros===On January 2, 2007, El Rio Del Tiempo was closed for a major refurbishment <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo.htm </ref>. At this time, it was decided that the attraction would recieve a new storyline featuring José Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros. According to director George Scribner:[[Image:FietaDonald.jpg|350px|thumb|Donald Duck touring Mexico on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]{{Quotation|"When I started at Walt Disney Imagineering, vice president Tom Fitzgerald had this idea," George Scribner said. "So I said, 'What if it's a concert they're going to perform but Donald gets lost? Jose and Panchito would have to find him through Mexico and that would take us to different places.' Once we got the OK, we went to Mexico to film the live-action footage that would be combined with Eric's animation<ref name= "Wade"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/8216/The_Three_Caballeros_Return </ref>.}}

Although Las Tres Culturas de Mexico was fully designed in time for EPCOT Center’s opening dayOverall, Disney initially wanted to push the attraction’s construction back until December 1, 1982physical sets that had been featured in El Rio Del Tiempo remained mostly intact. According to these plansIn fact, the attraction’s lagoon and load area were to be built first, with space left open for only set changes in the attraction took place in the boat ride itself to be constructed at the later date. When other World Showcase attractions were put on hold (including the planned Japan attraction and Germany's Rhine River cruise) howeverfinal scene, Disney realized that they did not have enough attractions for where the parks expected capacitycarousel was replaced with an outdoor stage. Eventually, Disney decided that they would need to construct During the Mexico attractionrefurbishment, which a mural was now called El Rio Del Tiempo, in order to help meet capacity. With both time and money running out, various cuts were made also added to the original designs for El Rio Del Tiempo. The whole attraction was moved indoors, and it was decided that the ride’s track would need to be shortened by 40%load area <ref name= "Wade"/>.

Following a very quick construction, While the El Rio Del Tiempo opened with sets remained in place, new screens were added throughout the rest of EPCOT Center on October 1attraction, 1982featuring brand new animation of The Three Caballeros. Although Scribner and art director Eric Goldberg (who animated the attraction had been quite popular at characters) wanted this animation to have the time same look and feel of its opening, attendance began to drop during the 1990s. During this timeoriginal Three Caballeros film, rumors were prevalent that including the attraction would be replaced work done by a new Donald Duck attraction; however when El Rio Del Tiempo closed for refurbishment in 1999 no such change took place Ward Kimball and Fred Moore <ref> http:name= "Wade"//www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo/news/27jul1999-el-rio-del-tiempo-refurbishment-update.htm </ref>. In addition to Instead, at this time the attraction was cleaned up and given new paintanimation, just new live-action scenes were filmed in time Mexico, and a new soundtrack was written for Epcot’s Millennium Celebrationthe attraction. This soundtrack included not only the song "The Three Caballeros" from the original film, but also a new theme titled "Paso Doble" written by Richard Bellis<ref name= "Wade"/>.

On January 2, 2007, El Rio Del Tiempo was closed for a major refurbishment <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo.htm </ref>. When the ride reopened on April 6, it featured a brand new storyline and was renamed The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros officially opened to guests on April 6, 2007 <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10926/Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </ref>. True to its nameFurthermore, at this time the Disney characters José Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros were added to the attraction and the plot [[San Angel Inn]] was changed so expanded into an area that Jose and Panchito now searched throughout Mexico for Donald. In order to tell the new story, HD screens were added to many was previously part of the attraction’s scenes and a new soundtrack was given to the ride El Rio Del Tiempo <refRef name= "epcotbook"> httpsThe Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia://www.mouseplanet.com/10926/Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>.

On December 4, 2015 , Animatronics of the Three Caballeros were added to The Gran Fiesta Tour's finale <ref name= "D23"> https://d23.com/after-35-years-historic-three-caballeros-figures-return-to-walt-disney-world-resort/ </ref>. The figures had previously appeared in the former [[Magic Kingdom]] attraction the [[Mickey Mouse Revue]]. The figures , although they had been absent from Walt Disney World for 35 years <ref name= "D23"/>.

===El Rio Del Tiempo<ref name= "epcotbook"/>===[[Image:ElDancersskel.jpg|300px400px|thumb|The mariachi skeletons in Festival of the Children scene in El Rio Del Tiempo]]El Rio Del Tiempo began with guests boarding their boats and heading off towards a large Mayan pyramid. The boats then entered ancient ruins. Here, a statue of a Mayan High Priest would come to life and speak to the passing boats. The attraction’s narrator Guests were also told guests that long ago a great civilization had flourished in Mexico. All around the room, guests one could see various natives performing different rituals. The first ritual that guests saw , was an elaborate dance titled "Nature and Science". This dance spoke to the native's understanding of man's relationship with the universe. The second ritual performed was titled "Mathematics and Astronomy". This dance highlighted the advanced understanding that the Mayan people had about these subjects (including their understanding of absolute zero). Finally, the third ritual shown was titled "Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca". This dance spoke of the native's views on the never ending struggle between good and evil, as personified in a battle between the feathered serpent of light and the tiger god of darkness. Before exiting ancient Mexico, guests would see Aztec King Moctezuma II (who would lose his kingdom to Spain) predicting the subjugation of his people.

After passing through ancient times, guests arrived at a scene titled Festival of the Children, which represented Mexico’s period of colonization. In the this scene, Audio Animatronic dolls danced and celebrated, as the narrator told guests that Mexico’s ancient culture still thrived. During the Festivalfestival, the dolls sang [[Vistas De de Mexico]], a song written by X Atencio and Armando Corral. After exiting the colonization scene, guests entered modern times. Screens in this room featured:

* A parasailing boat, by a lakeside resort

Following these sights, guests entered a city where two rival merchants attempted to sell their goods. The merchants would follow guests along the river, until the boats reached the attractions attraction's finale. The end of El Rio Del Tiempo featured a large fiesta inside the city. On their left, guests could see marionettes riding a carousel, as fireworks went off in the night sky. The dolls in this room sang [[Fiestas De Fiesta de Mexico]] which carried on until guests reached the unloading area. Before disembarking the narrator would tell guests.

[[Image:ThreeCaballerosfinale2.jpg|350px400px|thumb|The Three Caballeros reunited at the end of the Gran Fiesta Tour. Photo: D23]]The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros also begins with guests boarding longboats and sailing of off towards a Mayan pyramid. As guests progress past the pyramid, they come across a screen which shows Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca -two members of the famous Three Caballeros. Guests learn that the trio is supposed to perform a concert in Mexico City, but unfortunately, Donald Duck (the third member of the group) is nowhere to be found. In order to reunite the trio in time for the concert, Jose and Panchito board their magic carpet Pepe and set off to find Donald. As Panchito and Jose fly high above Mexico, Donald Duck is shown below wearing souvenirs and taking photos. As guests enter the next scene, they see that Panchito and Jose are still searching for Donald. Other screens in the room show points of interest in Mexico, including a Mayan pyramid and a gondola.

At this point in the attractionAs Panchito and Jose fly high above Mexico, Donald Duck is shown below wearing souvenirs and taking photos. As guests enter the Mexico’s Colonization next scene. Similar to [[it’s a small world]] the scene features various dolls dancing , they see that Panchito and singingJose are still searching for Donald. The colonization is essentially Other screens in the same as it was when the ride was known as El Rio Del Tiemporoom show points of interest in Mexico, with the only change to the scene being the addition of including a Donald Duck piñataMayan pyramid and a gondola.

Continuing onAt this point in the attraction, guests enter the next room where they see Donald chasing after a parasailing boat, which is driving away with his swimsuitFestival of the Children scene. Overhead, Jose and Panchito leave Similar to [[it’s a smoke message for Donaldsmall world]], which reads, “donde esta Donald?” (where is Donald). Moving forward, guests see that Jose the scene features various dolls dancing and Panchito are now looking for Donald in a Mexican restaurantsinging. When they ask a waiter if he has seen a duckThe Festival of the Children is essentially the same as it was when the ride was known as El Rio Del Tiempo, with the man humorously shows them a roasted duck, causing them only change to flee. Meanwhile, across the room, scene being the addition of a Donald is shown attempting Duck piñata and changes to rock dive, with predictably disastrous resultsthe scene's soundtrack.

As dusk sets Continuing on Mexico, Panchito and Jose continue to search for Donald in the air. Unknown to them however, Donald is actually scuba diving below. Exasperated, Jose proclaims that the show is about to start. As guests enter the next room, where they see Donald chasing after a mariachi band playing as women danceparasailing boat that is driving away with his swimsuit. Overhead, Jose and Panchito are finally able to find leave a smoke message for Donald, and although they need to pull him away from the womenwhich reads, the trio “donde esta Donald?” (where is eventually able to make it to their concertDonald). The attraction’s finale then takes place in Mexico CityMoving forward, as fireworks shoot overhead and guests see that Jose, and Panchitoare now looking for Donald in a Mexican restaurant. When they ask a waiter if he has seen a duck, the man humorously shows them a roasted duck, causing them to flee (this scene rotates with other gags, and Donald perform their signature songmay vary). Meanwhile, “The Three Caballeros”. After witnessing across the concertroom, guests return Donald is shown attempting to the loading dockrock dive, with predictably disastrous results.

As dusk sets on Mexico, Panchito and Jose continue to search for Donald in the air. Unknown to them however, Donald is actually scuba diving below. Exasperated, Jose proclaims that the show is about to start. As guests enter the next room, they see a mariachi band playing as women dance nearby. Jose and Panchito are finally able to find Donald, and although they need to pull him away from the women, the trio is eventually able to make it to their concert. The attraction’s finale then takes place in Mexico City, as fireworks shoot overhead and Jose, Panchito, and Donald perform their signature song, “The Three Caballeros”. After witnessing the concert, guests return to the loading dock. ==Castand Crew <Ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/8216/The_Three_Caballeros_Return </ref>==

'''Panchito Pistoles'''-Carlos Alazraqui<Ref> http://www.wdwradio.com/2014/09/disney-twenty-something-gran-fiesta-tour-starring-three-caballeros/ </ref> '''Director'''-George Scribner '''Animation Director'''- Eric Goldberg '''Art Direction (Animation)'''- Susan Goldberg '''Musical Director'''- John Dennis '''Music Arrangement'''- Richard Bellis '''Senior Show Producer'''- Lori Coltrin

* Animator Eric Goldberg was responsible for animating The the Three Caballeros for the Gran Fiesta Tour <ref> http://www.chuckjones.com/artists/eric-goldberg/ </ref> <ref> http://www.mainstgazette.com/2012/03/el-rio-del-tiempo.html </ref>.

* X Atencio and Armando Corral wrote the music for El Rio Del Tiempo, some of which is reused in The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros <ref> http://www.disboards.com/threads/el-rio-del-tiempo-song-got-the-lyrics.637690/ </ref>.