Mexico

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Mexico is a pavilion located within World Showcase in Epcot. It is located between the World Showcase entrance and Norway.

Mexico
Mexicopyramid.jpg
A MesoAmerican pyramid serves as the center point of the Mexico pavilion
Epcot
Land World Showcase
Opening date October 1, 1982
Number of Attractions 1
Number of Restaurants Four

History

A Mexican pavilion was planned for World Showcase since Epcot's conception. The pavilion was two include two restaurants and an an attraction, known during planning as "Las Tres Culturas". Although the pavilion's conception was finished in time for it to open with the rest of World Showcase, Disney originally wanted to push back it's opening until "Phase Two" of Epcot. When plans for an Africa pavilion were cancelled, and the attractions set to be built in Germany and Japan were cancelled, Disney had a problem. Without the other attractions, World Showcase would not be able to meet the demands of guest capacity. To resolve this problem, Disney decided that the Mexico pavilion, with it's large boat ride attraction would be built on time. In order to complete the pavilion on time however Disney had to rush it's construction and shorten the boat ride.

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 of the pavilion was a large MesoAmerican pyramid, which was based on designs form the 3rd century AD. The inside of the pyramid, houses Mexico's boat ride (then called El Rio Del Tiempo) as well as the restaurant San Angel Inn. From 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 the same name, 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 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.

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 Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Caballeros- On this indoor boat ride, guests can follow Panchito and José as they search all of Mexico for Donald Duck. The Gran Fiesta Tour replaced El Rio Del Tiempo in 2007.

Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure- On this interactive adventure, guests can grab a communicator and travel around World Showcase to help Kim and Ron save the world! The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure takes place in every one of the World Showcase countries.

Former Attractions

El Rio Del Tiempo- On this indoor boat ride, guests could take a relaxing tour and see the history of Mexico. The attraction opened with Epcot 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 it's predecessors scenes.

Restaurants

The Mexico pavilion is home to four different dining options. All for restaurants serve Mexican cuisine.

San Angel Inn- Located inside of Mexico's 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.

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.

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 Tequila- A tequila bar, where guests can talk to tequila "connoisseurs", as they try various tequilas, margaritas, and Mexican appetizers.

Shopping

Festival Marketplace- 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 and Panchito have become very rare. (Rare)

Panchito Pistoles- The third member of the Three Caballeros, Panchito can sometimes be found in the Mexico Pavilion (along with his band mates). In recent years however both Panchito and José have become very rare. (Rare)

Live Entertainment

Mariachi Cobre- This authentic mariachi band can often be found playing outside in the Mexico pavilion.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • Both Moctezuma Brewery and the San Angel Inn contributed money to the construction of the Mexico pavilion.
  • Inside the pavilions large MesoAmerican pyramid, guests can see a Sun Stone (an Aztec calendar).
  • In the pavilion's original concept, the large pyramid was going to have glazed windows and the attractions boat ride would also go outside.
  • In the lush forest outside of the MesoAmerican pyramid, guests can see a statue of Olmec, the mother culture of ancient Mexico.
  • The steps of the pyramid are guarded by serpents!
  • The Illuminations firework show is actually controlled out of a small office located at the top of Mexico's pyramid.

References

http://vimeo.com/2702430

http://www.yesterland.com/worldshowcase.html

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epws-mexico.htm

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/attractions/mexico-pavilion/