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| image=MexicopyramidMexicopyramid2.jpg| caption='''A MesoAmerican Mesoamerican pyramid serves as the center piece 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 early on in the 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, as well as an attraction named “Las Tres Culturas de Mexico”<ref name= "martin"> https://vimeo.com/2702430 </ref>. Although well developed, the plans for the Mexico’s Mexico pavilion boat ride were initially going to be pushed back to [[EPCOT Center’s 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 lagoon were to be constructed, with the idea that the ride itself would be built at a late datein the future <ref name= "martin"/>. These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s planned Rhine River boat ride Cruise attraction was cancelledalong with the Japan pavilion's 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 World Showcase, the area would not have enough attraction’s attractions to meet its planned expected guest capacity<ref name= "martin"/>. As a remedy for this situation, Disney decided to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico and an opening day attraction, changing the attraction’s name to El Rio del Tiempo. The Mexico pavilion opened with In order to complete the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982. When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, two shops, attraction (and one attraction. The centerpiece of the pavilion is a large MesoAmerican pyramid, which was based on designs form the 3rd century AD. The interior of the pyramid was designed to look like a Mexican village (based on Texaco) at twilight. Besides initially housing El Rio Del Tiempo, the MesoAmerican pyramid also housed the San Angel Inn restaurant, which was designed based on a restaurant in Mexico City (with the same name) which opened in 1692. Two shops were also located on either side of the villagetime, with one of their facades hiding San Angel Inn's kitchen. Outside of the pyramid is the Mexico pavilion’s lakeside restaurant- Cantina de San Ángel. Nearby, guests can also meet Donald Duck in his Mexican outfit.[[Image:mexicoupdate.jpg|thumb|The Three Caballeros now star in Mexico's attraction, The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballero.]]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 lights were added in the marketplace. The most substantial change to the pavilion came on January 2, 2007 when Mexico's only attraction El Rio Del Tiempo closed. The attraction rides length was updated shortened by 40% and renamed The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. On the Gran Fiesta Tour, guests travel through many of the same scenes as El Rio del Tiempo, however they now feature HD screens depicting José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) looking around Mexico for Donald Duck. 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 pyramidmoved completely inside <ref name= "martin"/>.

==Current Attractions=='''[[The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]'''- On this indoor boat rideDespite the late starting point of the project, guests follow Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca 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 designed to be enclosed within a single building (aside from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballerossmall lakeside cantina) as they search all . When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of Mexico two restaurants, one proper shop, and one attraction. The centerpiece of the pavilion is a large Mesoamerican pyramid (early plans for Donald Ducka glass walled "old-meets-new" pavilion had been altered early on) <ref name="video"/>, which was based on designs from the 3rd century AD. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced interior of the pyramid was designed to 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 2007Mexico City (of the same name), that opened in 1692 <ref name= "martin"/>. Also within the pyramid were various stalls and 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]].

'''Disney Phineas and Ferb[[Image: Agent PElRiotoGranFiesta.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 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 Adventure'''- -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 interactive adventurethe Gran Fiesta Tour, guests use 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= "Fvideo"/>.O 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.Nallears.Enet/blogs/jackspence/2010/09/la_hacienda_de_san_angel_la_ca." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) html </ref>. Also in 2010, a new Donald Duck meet and greet was added to help Agent Pthe Mexico pavilion <ref> https://www. stop Drwdwmagic. Doofesnshmirtzcom/attractions/mexico/news/12jul2010-donald-duck-meet-and-greet-at-the-mexico-pavilion-construction-now-complete.htm </ref>. On November 12, by looking for clues throughout World Showcase2017, [[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 adventure is based on outdoor margarita stand replaces the former stand that was removed during the expansion of the [[Norway]] pavilion in 2015/2016. ==Current Attractions=='''[[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros]]'''- On this indoor boat ride, guests follow Panchito Pistoles and José Carioca (from the 1944 Disney cartoon Phineas an Ferbmovie The Three Caballeros) as they search all of Mexico 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 to see both the history and the diverse culture of Mexico. El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the rest of EPCOT Center 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 Three Caballeros, which uses many of the same scenes as its predecessor.

The '''[[San Angel Inn]]'''- Located inside of Mexico pavilion 's Mesoamerican pyramid, the San Angel Inn is home to three 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 twilight) guests can see parts of 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 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 Lagoon, 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 Princesa de Cristal'''- 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 herethis Arribas Brothers shop sells crystal and glassware.

* 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 Mesoameric 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==