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| image=MexicopyramidMexicopyramid2.jpg| caption='''A MesoAmerican Mesoamerican pyramid serves as the center point centerpiece of the Mexico pavilion'''

| custom_value_2= Four5}}Mexico is a pavilion located within World Showcase at [[Epcot]]. It is located between the World Showcase entrance and [[Norway]].

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 pavilion's conception was finished in time plans for it to open with the rest of World Showcase, Disney originally wanted Mexico pavilion boat ride were initially going to push be pushed back it's opening until to [[EPCOT Center]]’s “Phase Two”, and be built at a later date <ref name= "Phase Twomartin" of Epcot/>. When plans for an Africa pavilion were cancelledAt this point in the pavilion’s development, and the attractions set 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 and ]]’s Rhine River Cruise attraction was cancelled along with the Japan pavilion's Meet the World show. Compounded by the fact that the plans for an Equatorial Africa pavilion were cancelledalso shelved, Disney had a problemcapacity issue. Without the With no other attractions, rides in World Showcase , the area would not be able have enough attractions to meet the demands of its expected guest capacity<ref name= "martin"/>. To resolve As a remedy for this problemsituation, Disney decided that the to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico pavilion, with it's large boat ride an opening day attraction would be built on time, changing the attraction’s name to El Rio del Tiempo. In order to complete the attraction (and pavilion ) on time however Disney had to rush it's construction , the rides length was shortened by 40% and shorten the boat ridemoved completely inside <ref name= "martin"/>.

After a lot Despite the late starting point of workthe project, the Mexico pavilion opened with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982 <ref> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/epcotgrandopening.html </ref>. Unlike the other World Showcase pavilions, Mexico was ready for opening daydesigned to be enclosed within a single building (aside from the small lakeside cantina). When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, two shops one proper shop, and one attraction. The centerpiece of the pavilion was is a large MesoAmerican Mesoamerican pyramid(early plans for a glass walled "old-meets-new" pavilion had been altered early on) <ref name="video"/>, which was based on designs form from the 3rd century AD. The inside interior of the pyramidwas designed to look like a Mexican village, houses Mexico's boat ride (then called 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) as well as , the restaurant San Angel Inn. From Mesoamerican pyramid also housed the [[San Angel Inn]] restaurant, guests an look out over a river where they can see another MesoAmerican pyramid and smoking volcano. The restaurant is which was based on a Mexican restaurant in Mexico City (of the same name), which that opened in 1692<ref name= "martin"/>. The interior of Also within the pyramid was designed to look like a Mexican village (based on Texaco) at twilightwere various stalls and stands in the Festival Marketplace <ref name= "martin"/> which sold different souvenirs. Two shops are located on either side Outside of the village, with one of their facades hiding San Angel Inn's kitchen. Also located in pyramid is the Mexico pavilion is the pavilion’s aforementioned lakeside restaurant, - [[Cantina de San Ángel.[[Image:mexicoupdate.jpg|thumb|The Three Caballeros now star in Mexico's attraction, The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballero.]]Since it's opening in 1982, the Mexico Pavilion has seen a relativity small number of changes. Besides some of the shopping stalls changing, and the addition of more lights inside the pyramid, Mexico stayed the same until 2007. On January 2, 2007 Mexico's original attraction, El Rio Del Tiempo closed. The attraction was updated and renamed The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. The new attraction used many of the scenes from El Rio Del Tiempo, but characters from the 1944 movie The Three Caballeros were added. On the Gran Fiesta Tour, guests watch HD screens depicting José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles look around Mexico for Donald. In 2010, La Hacienda de San Angel a new Mexican restaurant opened. The counter service restaurant specializes in tacos, as is located outside of the main pyramid.

==Current Attractions=='''[[The Image:ElRiotoGranFiesta.jpg|400px|thumb|El Rio Del Tiempo became the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballerosin 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 added to the marketplace <ref name= "martin"/>. Furthermore, in the mid 1990s, a second store was added to the pavilion's interior <ref name="martin"/>. The most substantial change to the pavilion 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--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 this indoor boat ridethe Gran Fiesta Tour, guests can travel through many of the same scenes as El Rio del Tiempo, however they now feature HD screens which allow guests to follow Panchito and José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) as they search all of around Mexico for Donald Duck. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo in 2007.

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 expansion of the [[Norway]] pavilion in 2015/2016. ==Current Attractions=='''Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure[[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]'''- On this interactive adventureindoor boat ride, guests can grab a communicator follow Panchito Pistoles and travel around World Showcase to help Kim and Ron save José Carioca (from the world! 1944 Disney movie The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure takes place in every one Three Caballeros) as they search all of the World Showcase countriesMexico for Donald Duck. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo in 2007.

'''[[El Rio Del Tiempo]]'''- On this indoor boat ride, guests could take a relaxing tour and to see both the history and the diverse culture of Mexico. The attraction El Rio Del Tiempo opened with Epcot the rest of the pavilion on October 1, 1982 and it closed on January 2, 2007. El Rio Del Tiempo was replaced by the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the The Three Caballeros, which uses many of it's predecessors the same scenesas its predecessor.

The '''[[San Angel Inn]]'''- Located inside of Mexico pavilion 's Mesoamerican pyramid, the San Angel Inn is home to four different dining optionsa table service restaurant. All for restaurants serve Mexican cuisineFrom 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 Angel InnÁngel]]'''- Located inside of MexicoSpecializing in tacos, Cantina de San Ángel opened with the pavilion in 1982. The counter service restaurant is located on World Showcase Lagoon, across from the pavilion's MesoAmerican pyramid. In 2010, the San Angel Inn is a table counter service restaurantclosed for refurbishment and the original building was demolished. From their table which is set When the establishment reopened in eternal twilighta new, guests can see parts of larger building, it was divided into two restaurants. One was still called Cantina de San Ángel and remained a counter service restaurant, while the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballerosother was named La Hacienda de San Ángel which provides a table service meal.

'''Cantina de San Ángel'''- Specializing in Tacos, Cantina de San Ángel opened with the pavilion in 1982. This counter service restaurant is located on the lagoon and across from the pyramid. [[Image:Sanangel.jpg|thumb|The Angel Inn, located next to the Gran Fiesta Tour, within Mexico's pyramid.]]'''La Hacienda de San Ángel]]'''- Located on the World Showcase lagoonLagoon, La Hacienda de San Ángel offers guests an indoor, table service restaurant with great views of World Showcase. La Hacienda de San Ángel became Mexico’s newest dining option when it opened in 2010.

'''[[La Cava Del del Tequila]]'''- A tequila bar, where guests can talk to tequila "tequila connoisseurs", as they try various tequilas, margaritas, and Mexican appetizers. '''[[Choza de Margarita]]'''- This outdoor stand specializes in margaritas.

'''Festival MarketplaceLa Tienda Encantada'''- Located within Mexico’s MesoAmerican pyramid, the Festival Marketplace is home to all sorts of authentic Mexican merchandise. Various stands are set up throughout the marketplace, allowing guests so see a wide variety of merchandise. Guests can also find Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros Merchandise here. ==Characters=='''Donald Duck'''- Donald Duck can often be found outside in the Mexico pavilion. He is usually dressed in Mexican attire. (Common) '''José Carioca'''- Jose Caricoa, one of the Three Caballeros and sometimes be found in the Mexico pavilion. He is sometimes joined by his band mates, Panchito Pistoles and Donald Duck, although in recent years both José this shop sells clothing and Panchito have become very rareaccessories. (Rare)

'''Panchito PistolesLa Princesa de Cristal'''- The third member of Located within the Three CaballerosFestival Marketplace, Panchito can sometimes be found in the Mexico Pavilion (along with his band mates). In recent years however both Panchito this Arribas Brothers shop sells crystal and José have become very rareglassware. (Rare)

* 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>.

* Inside the pavilions large MesoAmerican pyramidAt one time, guests can see a Sun Stone (an Aztec calendar)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"/>.

* In Vice President of Walt Disney World (and eventual Disney Legend) Bob Allen dedicated the Mexico pavilion's original concept, the large pyramid was going to have glazed windows and the attractions boat ride would also go outsidein 1982.

* The steps of the Mesoamerican pyramid are guarded by serpents!is modeled after the Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl found at Teotihuacan.

* The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at Quetzalcoatl, the top Aztec God of Mexico's pyramidpriesthood, learning and knowledge, is represented by the serpent heads which are found on the pyramid’s exterior.

==References==http://vimeo* The carving located at the bottom of the pavilion’s stairs is called a stele.com/2702430

http://www* The entry way to the interior of the Mesoamerican pyramid is designed to look like a Mayan Ceremonial Hall.yesterlandHere, various art exhibits are displayed.com/worldshowcase.html

http://www* Inside the pyramid, guests can see a Sun Stone (an Aztec calendar).wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epws-mexico.htm

http://disneyworld* The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at the top of Mexico's pyramid.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/mexico- * The interior of the pyramid is designed so that guests feel as if they are exiting the mayor's residence as the enter the Plaza del Los Amigo (which houses the pavilion's Festival Marketplace, the Gran Fiesta Tour entrance and the San Angel Inn <ref name="Martin"/>. ==References==