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A Mexican pavilion was planned for World Showcase since Epcot's conceptionthe area’s initial development, although early plans show Mexico situated across the lagoon (where the [[Canada]] pavilion sits today) from the plot it would eventually be built on <ref name= "video"> http://www. The martinsvids.net/?p=963 </ref>. At the outset, the planned pavilion was two to include two restaurants and an an attraction, known during planning as "Las well as an attraction named “Las Tres Culturasde Mexico” <ref name= "martin"> https://vimeo.com/2702430 </ref>. Although well developed, the plans for the Mexico pavilion boat ride were initially going to be pushed back to [[EPCOT Center]]’s “Phase Two”, and be built at a later date <ref name= "martin"/>. At this point in the pavilion’s development, the load area and lagoon were to be constructed, with the idea that the ride itself would be built in the future <ref name= "martin"/>. These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s Rhine River Cruise attraction was cancelled along with the Japan pavilion's conception was finished Meet the World show. 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 time World Showcase, the area would not have enough attractions to meet its expected guest capacity <ref name= "martin"/>. As a remedy for it this situation, Disney decided to open 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"/>.  Despite the late starting point of the project, the Mexico pavilion opened with the rest of World Showcaseon October 1, Disney originally wanted 1982 <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/epcotgrandopening.html </ref>. Unlike the other World Showcase pavilions, Mexico was designed to push back be enclosed within a single building (aside from the small lakeside cantina). When the pavilion was complete, it's opening until "Phase Two" consisted of Epcottwo restaurants, one proper shop, and one attraction. When The centerpiece of the pavilion is a large Mesoamerican pyramid (early plans for an Africa a glass walled "old-meets-new" pavilion were cancelledhad been altered early on) <ref name="video"/>, and which was based on designs from the attractions set 3rd century AD. The interior of the pyramid was designed to be built look like a Mexican village, based on Taxco de Alarcón, at twilight <ref name= "Spence"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/walt_disney_world/theme_parks/epcot/mexico/ </ref>. Besides initially housing El Rio Del Tiempo, the Mesoamerican pyramid also housed the [[San Angel Inn]] restaurant, which was based on a restaurant in Germany Mexico City (of the same name), that opened in 1692 <ref name= "martin"/>. Also within the pyramid were various stalls and Japan stands in the Festival Marketplace <ref name= "martin"/> which sold different souvenirs. Outside of the pyramid is the Mexico pavilion’s aforementioned lakeside restaurant- [[Cantina de San Ángel]].  [[Image:ElRiotoGranFiesta.jpg|400px|thumb|El Rio Del Tiempo became the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in 2007.]]Following its opening in 1982, for a number of years the Mexico Pavilion saw a relativity small number of changes. Throughout its history, the shopping stalls located within the pyramid have changed, and more lights were cancelledadded to the marketplace <ref name= "martin"/>. Furthermore, in the mid 1990s, Disney had a problemsecond store was added to the pavilion's interior <ref name="martin"/>. Without The most substantial change to the other attractionspavilion however, came on January 2, 2007 when Mexico's only attraction El Rio Del Tiempo closed <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/344/Walt-Disney-World /Epcot/World-Showcase would not be able --Mexico/El-Rio-del-Tiempo </ref>. The attraction was updated and renamed, eventually reopening as the [[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]] on April 6 <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/gran-fiesta-tour-starring-the-three-caballeros.htm </ref>. On the Gran Fiesta Tour, guests travel through many of the same scenes as El Rio del Tiempo, however they now feature HD screens which allow guests to follow José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) as they search around Mexico for Donald Duck.  On August 31, 2009, La Cava del Tequila, a a tequila bar opened inside the Mexico pavilion <ref> https://d23.com/a-to-z/la-cava-del-tequila/ </ref>. Subsequently, in 2010 [[Cantina de San Ángel]] closed for refurbishment. At this time, the original 1982 building was demolished, and a larger building was constructed in its place <ref name= "video"/>. When the establishment reopened, it consisted of two restaurants, the table service Cantina, and the new table service restaurant [[La Hacienda de San Ángel]] <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/09/la_hacienda_de_san_angel_la_ca.html </ref>. Also in 2010, a new Donald Duck meet and greet was added to the Mexico pavilion <ref> https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/mexico/news/12jul2010-donald-duck-meet-and-greet-at-the-mexico-pavilion-construction-now-complete.htm </ref>. On November 12, 2017, [[Choza de Margarita]] opened in the Mexico pavilion <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/choza-tequila/news/13nov2017-choza-de-margarita-now-open-at-epcots-mexico-pavilion.htm </ref>. The outdoor margarita stand replaces the former stand that was removed during the demands expansion of guest capacitythe [[Norway]] pavilion in 2015/2016. To resolve  ==Current Attractions=='''[[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]'''- On this problemindoor boat ride, guests follow Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca (from the 1944 Disney decided that movie The Three Caballeros) as they search all of Mexico for Donald Duck. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo in 2007. ==Former Attractions=='''[[El Rio Del Tiempo]]'''- On this indoor boat ride, guests could take a relaxing tour to see both the history and the diverse culture of Mexico . El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the rest of the pavilionon October 1, with 1982 and itclosed on January 2, 2007. El Rio Del Tiempo was replaced by the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, which uses many of the same scenes as its predecessor. ==Restaurants==[[Image:InsideMexicopavilion.jpg|400px|thumb|The Festival Marketplace inside the Mexico pavilion. Photo Credit: Harshlight.]] The Mexico pavilion is home to five different dining options. All five restaurants serve Mexican cuisine and drinks. '''[[San Angel Inn]]'''- Located inside of Mexico's large boat ride attraction would be built Mesoamerican pyramid, the San Angel Inn is a table service restaurant. From their table (which is set in eternal twilight) guests can see parts of the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. '''[[La Cantina de San Ángel]]'''- Specializing in tacos, Cantina de San Ángel opened with the pavilion in 1982. The counter service restaurant is located on timeWorld Showcase Lagoon, across from the pavilion's pyramid. In order 2010, the counter service restaurant closed for refurbishment and the original building was demolished. When the establishment reopened in a new, larger building, it was divided into two restaurants. One was still called Cantina de San Ángel and remained a counter service restaurant, while the other was named La Hacienda de San Ángel which provides a table service meal. '''[[La Hacienda de San Ángel]]'''- Located on the World Showcase Lagoon, La Hacienda de San Ángel offers guests an indoor, table service restaurant with great views of World Showcase.  '''[[La Cava del Tequila]]'''- A tequila bar where guests can talk to complete "tequila connoisseurs" as they try various tequilas, margaritas, and Mexican appetizers. '''[[Choza de Margarita]]'''- This outdoor stand specializes in margaritas. ==Shopping=='''Festival Marketplace'''- Located within Mexico’s Mesoamerican pyramid, the Festival Marketplace is home to all sorts of stands which sell authentic Mexican merchandise. Guests can also find [[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]] merchandise here. ''' La Tienda Encantada'''- Located within the Festival Marketplace, this shop sells clothing and accessories. '''La Princesa de Cristal'''- Located within the Festival Marketplace, this Arribas Brothers shop sells crystal and glassware. ==Live Entertainment== '''Mariachi Cobre'''- This authentic mariachi band can often be found playing outside in the Mexico pavilion on . ==Fun Facts and Trivia==* A Ring Carver stand is located within the Mexico pavilion <ref> http://www.wdwthemeparks.com/details/epcot/world-showcase/mexico-pavilion/ring-carvers </ref>.  * Both the Moctezuma Brewery and the San Angel Inn contributed money to the construction of the Mexico pavilion <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html </ref>. * At one time however , flamingos could be found near the bridge in the Mexico pavilion. They have since been removed <ref> http://www.disneypix.com/EPCOT/WorldShowcase_OLD/1989b/WS1189-13.htm </ref> <ref name= "Spence"/>. * Vice President of Walt Disney had World (and eventual Disney Legend) Bob Allen dedicated the Mexico pavilion in 1982.  ===The Mesoamerican Pyramid <ref name= "Spence"/>=== * The Mesoamerican pyramid is modeled after the Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl found at Teotihuacan.  * Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec God of priesthood, learning and knowledge, is represented by the serpent heads which are found on the pyramid’s exterior.  * The carving located at the bottom of the pavilion’s stairs is called a stele.  * The entry way to rush itthe interior of the Mesoamerican pyramid is designed to look like a Mayan Ceremonial Hall. Here, various art exhibits are displayed.  * Inside the pyramid, guests can see a Sun Stone (an Aztec calendar). * The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at the top of Mexico's construction and shorten the boat ridepyramid.

After a lot of work, the Mexico pavilion was ready for opening day. When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, two shops and one attraction. * The centerpiece interior of the pavilion was a large MesoAmerican pyramid, which was based on designs form is designed so that guests feel as if they are exiting the 3rd century AD. The inside of the pyramid, houses Mexicomayor's boat ride (then called El Rio Del Tiempo) as well residence as the restaurant San Angel Inn. From enter the San Angel Inn, guests an look out over a river where they can see another MesoAmerican pyramid and smoking volcano. The restaurant is based on a Mexican City of Plaza del Los Amigo (which houses the same namepavilion's Festival Marketplace, which opened in 1692. The interior of the pyramid was designed to look like a Mexican village (based on Texaco) at twilight. Two shops are located on either side of Gran Fiesta Tour entrance and the village, with one of their facades hiding San Angel Inn's kitchen. Also located in the Mexico pavilion is the lakeside restaurant, Cantina de San Ángel<ref name="Martin"/>.