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/* The Mesoamerican Pyramid */
A Mexican pavilion was planned for World Showcase since 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.martinsvids.net/?p=963 </ref>. At the outset, the planned pavilion was 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 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 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 attractions to meet its expected guest capacity <ref name= "martin"/>. As a remedy for this situation, Disney decided to 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 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 small lakeside cantina). When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, one proper shop, and one attraction. The centerpiece of the pavilion is a large 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 from the 3rd century AD. The 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 Mexico 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]].
[[Image:ElRiotoGranFiesta.jpg|400px|thumb|El Rio Del Tiempo became the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros in 2007.]]
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.
==Layout==
The Mexico pavilion is divided up into two main sections. On the lagoon side of the World Showcase Promenade, guests can find the counter service restaurant, [[La Cantina de San Angel]], and the table service [[La Hacienda de Sa Angel]], which are housed in the same structure. Nearby, the pavilion's signature band, Mariachi Cobra can also be seen performing. This outdoor section of the pavilion is also home to [[Choza de Margarita]].
Across World Showcase Promenade, guests can see the pavilion's main point of interest- a large Mesoamerican pyramid. Inside the pavilion, guests find themselves in the Plaza del los Amigos, which is designed to resemble Mexican village, based on Taxco de Alarcón, at twilight. In the Plaza del los Amigos, guests can find a series of shops, collectively known as the Festival Marketplace. Here, guests can visit La Tienda Encantada which sells clothing and other accessories, and La Princesa de Cristal, an Arribas Brother's crystal shop amongst other stands.
Behind the plaza, guests can board the Mexico pavilions only attraction- the [[Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros]]. Located on El Rio del Tiempo (the River of Time), this attraction takes guests on boat trip, as they help Jose Carioca and Panchito Pistoles search Mexico for Donald Duck. Next to the attraction, located on the shores of El Rio del Tiempo, guests can dine at the [[San Angel Inn]]. With another Mesoamerican pyramid looming in the distance, guests can enjoy a full service meal, set in eternal twilight, as they watch the Gran Fiesta Tour boats pass by.
==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 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==
==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 The Three Caballeros]] merchandise here.
''' La Tienda Encantada'''- Located within the Festival Marketplace, this shop sells clothing and accessories.
* Vice President of Walt Disney World (and eventual Disney Legend) Bob Allen dedicated the Mexico pavilion in 1982.
* The fountain found inside the Plaza de los Amigos is known as the Fuente de le Vida (the Fountain of Life) <ref name="Name"> https://www.disneydocs.net/_files/ugd/5db718_0b875a96406e4bc4a103b184e3d1dc11.pdf </ref>.
* The fountain near Cantina de San Angel is known as the Fuente del Chorrito (The Gentle Fountain) <ref name="Name"/>.
===The Mesoamerican Pyramid <ref name= "Spence"/>===
* The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at the top of Mexico's pyramid.
* 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="Martinvideo"/>.
==References==
