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|custom_label_2= FastPass Disney Genie +

===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= "MartinvidMartin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?cat=10&paged=3 </ref>.

Although Las Les Tres Culturas Cultras de Mexico was fully designed far along in time for EPCOT Center’s opening dayits development, Disney initially wanted to push decided that the attraction’s construction attraction would be pushed back until to EPCOT Center's Phase II <ref name= "MartinvidMartin"/>. According to these plans, plan's the attraction’s attraction's lagoon and load area were to would be built first, with a space left open for the boat ride itself to be constructed at the 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= "MartinvidMartin"/> . When 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 attractions were put on hold (including the planned Japan attraction and Germany's Rhine River cruise) however, Disney realized that they did the area would not have enough attractions for the parks expected capacity. Eventually, Disney decided that they would need to construct the Mexico attraction, which was now called El Rio Del Tiempo, in order to help meet its expected guest capacity <ref name= "MartinvidMartin"/> . With both time and money running outAs a remedy for this situation, various cuts were made Disney decided to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico an opening day attraction, changing the original designs for attraction’s name to El Rio Del del Tiempo. The whole In order to complete the attraction (and pavilion) on time, the rides length was shortened by 40% and moved indoors completely inside <ref name= "MartinvidMartin"/> , and it was decided that the ride’s track would need to be shortened by 40%.

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>. When the ride reopened on April 6At this time, it featured was decided that the attraction would recieve a brand new storyline and was renamed The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10926/Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </ref>. True to its name, the Disney characters featuring José Carioca, Panchito Pistoles, and Donald Duck, from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros were added . According to director George Scribner:[[Image:FietaDonald.jpg|350px|thumb|Donald Duck touring Mexico on the attraction and the plot was changed so that 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 now searched throughout would have to find him through Mexico for Donaldand that would take us to different places. In order to tell ' Once we got the new storyOK, HD screens were added we went to many of the attraction’s scenes and a new soundtrack was given Mexico to film the ride live-action footage that would be combined with Eric's animation<refname= "Wade"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/109268216/Remembering_the_Magic_El_Rio_del_Tiempo__Gran_Fiesta_Tour_Starring_The_Three_Caballeros </ref>. At this time the San Angel Inn was expanded into an area that was 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 The_Three_Caballeros_Return </ref>. }}

Overall, the physical sets that had been featured in El Rio Del Tiempo remained mostly intact. In fact, the only set changes in the attraction took place in the ride's final scene, where the carousel was replaced with an outdoor stage. During the refurbishment, a mural was also added to the load area <ref name= "Wade"/>.  While the El Rio Del Tiempo sets 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"/>.  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>. Furthermore, at this time the [[San Angel Inn]] was expanded into an area that was 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>.  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]], and although they had been absent from Walt Disney World for 35 years <ref name= "D23"/>.

[[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. 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 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:

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 Festival of the Children 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 Festival Other screens in the room show points of the Children is essentially the same as it was when the ride was known as El Rio Del Tiempointerest in Mexico, with the only change to the scene being the addition of including a Donald Duck piñata Mayan pyramid and changes to the attraction's soundtracka gondola.

Continuing onAt this point in the attraction, guests enter the next room where they see Donald chasing after a parasailing boat that 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. ==Cast and Crew <refRef> httphttps://www.wdwradiomouseplanet.com/2014/09/disney-twenty-something-gran-fiesta-tour-starring-three-caballeros8216/ 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>.