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| image=Granfiestaentrancemexicoupdate2.jpg| caption='''The entrance to the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros'''.

| type=Interior Boat Ride

| custom_value_1 = El Rio Del Tiempo(1982-2008)|custom_label_2= Disney Genie +|custom_value_2= No}}The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is an attraction located in the [[Mexico]] pavilion at [[Epcot]].

===El Rio Del Tiempo===The attraction that would one day be known as The the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, began as a planned attraction an idea for the unbuilt Mexico pavilion known as . 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. The ride was going to be an lostepcot.com/worldshowcase.html </ref>. This indoor/outdoor boat ride, which took guests through the history was to take gusts on a tour of three distinct periods of Mexico's history. Las Tes 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 El Rio Del Teimpo Les Tres Cultras de Mexico was fully designed far along in time for Epcot's opening dayits development, Disney initially wanted to push decided that the attractions construction attraction would be pushed back until December 1, 1982to EPCOT Center's Phase II<ref name="Martin"/>. The plans were for According to these plan's the attraction's lagoon and load area to would be built, with a space left open for the attraction boat ride itselfto be constructed at a later date. When other World Showcase attractions were put on hold, including the of the These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s planned Japan Rhine River Cruise attraction and Germanywas cancelled along with the Japan pavilion's Rhine River cruiseMeet the World show<ref name="Martin"/>. Compounded by the fact that the plans for an Equatorial Africa pavilion were also shelved, Disney realized that they did had a capacity issue. With no other rides in World Showcase, the area would not have enough attractions for the parks to meet its expected guest capacity<ref name= "Martin"/>. EventuallyAs a remedy for this situation, they Disney decided that they would need to construct the make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico an opening day attraction, which was now known as changing the attraction’s name to El Rio Del del Tiempo, due . In order to complete the ride’s high guest capacityattraction (and pavilion) on time, the rides length was shortened by 40% and moved completely inside <ref name= "Martin"/>.

With both time and money running outFollowing a very quick construction, various cuts were made 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. In fact, if Imagineers had created El Rio Del Tiempo according to its original design, the ride would have been 40% larger than the final version. El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the rest of Epcot [[EPCOT Center]] on October 1, 19811982 <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 it’s its opening, its 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. When ; however when El Rio Del Tiempo closed for refurbishment in 1999 however, 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. When the ride reopened on April 6, 2007wdwmagic.com/attractions/el-rio-del-tiempo.htm </ref>. At this time, it featured was decided that the attraction would recieve a brand new storyline. The Disney characters Josefeaturing José Carioca, PanchitoPistoles, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros were added . According to the attractiondirector George Scribner:[[Image:FietaDonald. Large screens located within each scene in jpg|350px|thumb|Donald Duck touring Mexico on the attractionGran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]{{Quotation|"When I started at Walt Disney Imagineering, now tell the story of 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 as they searched all over would have to find him through Mexico for Donaldand that would take us to different places. Since it’s ' Once we got the inclusion of the Three CaballerosOK, we went to Mexico to film the attraction has seen no major changeslive-action footage that would be combined with Eric's animation<ref name= "Wade"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/8216/The_Three_Caballeros_Return </ref>.}}

==Plot=====Overall, the physical sets that had been featured in El Rio Del Tiempo===El Rio Del Tiempo began with guests boarding their boats, and heading off towards the large Mayan pyramidremained mostly intact. The boats then entered ancient ruinsIn fact, where the only set changes in the attraction narrator told guests that long ago a great civilization had flourished took place in Mexico. All around the roomride's final scene, guests could see various natives performing different ritualswhere the carousel was replaced with an outdoor stage. Some points of interest in this room included, Aztecs performing ritual dancesDuring the refurbishment, and a Mayan calendar. mural After passing through ancient times, guests arrived at Mexico’s colonizationwas also added to the load area <ref name= "Wade"/>.

[[Image:ElDancers.jpg|220px|thumb|Native dancers in While the El Rio Del Tiemposets remained in place, new screens were added throughout the attraction, featuring brand new animation of The Three Caballeros. Scribner and art director Eric Goldberg (who animated the characters) wanted this animation to have the same look and feel of the original Three Caballeros film, including the work done by Ward Kimball and Fred Moore <ref name= "Wade"/>. In addition to the new animation, new live-action scenes were filmed in Mexico, and a new soundtrack was written for the 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"/>.]]

In this room Audio Animatronic dolls danced and celebratedThe Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros officially opened to guests on April 6, as 2007 <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10926/Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </ref>. Furthermore, at this time the narrator told guests [[San Angel Inn]] was expanded into an area that Mexico’s ancient culture still thrived todaywas previously part of El Rio Del Tiempo <Ref name= "epcotbook">The Epcot Explorer's Encyclopedia: A Guide to Walt Disney World's Greatest Theme Park </ref>. During  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 dolls sang former [[Vistas De MexicoMagic Kingdom]] attraction the [[Mickey Mouse Revue]], although they had been absent from Walt Disney World for 35 years <ref name= "D23"/>. ==Plot=====El Rio Del Tiempo <ref name= "epcotbook"/>===[[Image:ElDancersskel.jpg|400px|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 song written by X Atencio large Mayan pyramid. The boats then entered ancient ruins. Here, a statue of a Mayan High Priest would come to life and Armando Corralspeak to the passing boats. Guests were also told that long ago a great civilization had flourished in Mexico. All around the room, one could see various natives performing different rituals. The first ritual, 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 festival, the dolls sang [[Vistas 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:

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 guests 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 In Fiesta de Mexico]] which carried on until guests reached the unloading area. Before disembarking the narrator would tell guests.

===The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros===[[Image:ThreeCaballerosfinale2.jpg|400px|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 long boatslongboats and sailing off towards a Mayan pyramid. As guests progress past the and the Mayan pyramid, they come across a screen which shows Panchito Pistoles and JoseJosé Carioca -two members of the famous Three Caballeros. The Guests learn that the trio are is supposed to be performing perform a concert in Mexico. UnfortunatelyCity, but unfortunately, Donald Duck (the third member of the badgroup) is nowhere to be found. In order to reunite the trio in time for the concert, so the duo decides to go find him aboard Jose and Panchito board their magic carpet Pepe. As Panchito and Jose fly high above Mexico, set off to find Donald Duck is shown below wearing souvenirs and taking photos. As guests enter the next scene, the see that Panchito and Jose are still searching for Donald. Other screens in the room show other 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 colonization next scene, they see that Panchito and Jose are still searching for Donald. Similar to [["it’s a small world"]] Other screens in the scene features various dolls dancing singing the attractions first song, Vistas De room show points of interest in Mexico. The colonization is essentially the same as it was when the ride was known as El Rio Del Tiempo. In fact, the only change to the scene during the attractions refurbishment, was the addition of including a Donald Duck pinataMayan pyramid and a gondola.

In At this point in the next roomattraction, guests see Donald chasing after a parasailing boat, which is driving away with his swimsuitenter the Festival 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). Continuing on, 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 only change to the scene being the addition of a roasted duck. Meanwhile, across the room Donald is shown attempting Duck piñata and changes to rock dive, with predictably disastrous resultsthe scene's soundtrack.

[[Image:ThreeCaballerosfinaleContinuing on, guests enter the next room where they see Donald chasing after a parasailing boat that is driving away with his swimsuit.jpg|220px|thumb|The Three Caballeros reunited at Overhead, Jose and Panchito leave a smoke message for Donald, which reads, “donde esta Donald?” (where is Donald). Moving forward, guests see that Jose and Panchito are now looking for Donald in a Mexican restaurant. When they ask a waiter if he has seen a duck, the end of man humorously shows them a roasted duck, causing them to flee (this scene rotates with other gags, and may vary). Meanwhile, across the Gran Fiesta Tourroom, Donald is shown attempting to rock dive, with predictably disastrous results.]]

As dusk sets in 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 dancenearby. 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 attractions attraction’s finale then takes place in Mexico City. As , as fireworks shoot overhead, Jose and Jose, Panchito , and Donald perform their signature song, “The Three Caballeros”. After witnessing the concert, guests return to the unloading arealoading 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

To see The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros or El Rio Del Tiempo, click play below.

===The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros===

* Animator Eric Goldberg, was responsible for animating the Three Caballeros for the attractionGran 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 <ref> http://www.disboards.com/threads/el-rio-del-tiempo-song-got-the-lyrics.637690/ </ref>.

* In the scene where all of the Audio Animatronic dolls are singing, guests can catch a glimpse of a Donald Duck pinatapiñata <ref>https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3445/3268057872_c50253fff1.jpg </ref>.