Mexico

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

Mexico
Mexicopyramid.jpg
A MesoAmerican pyramid serves as the center piece 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 early on in the area’s development. The planned pavilion was two include two restaurants, as well as an attraction named “Las Tres Culturas de Mexico”. Although well developed, the plans for the Mexico’s boat ride were initially going to be pushed back to EPCOT Center’s “Phase Two”, and be built at a later date. 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 at a late date. These plans changed however when Germany’s planned Rhine River boat ride was cancelled, Disney had a capacity issue. With no other rides in World Showcase, the area would not have enough attraction’s to meet its planned guest capacity. As a remedy for this situation, Disney decided to make Las Tres Culturas de Mexico and opening day attraction, changing the attraction’s name to El Rio del Tiempo. The Mexico pavilion opened with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, 1982. When the pavilion was complete, it consisted of two restaurants, two shops, 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 village, 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.

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 was updated 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 pyramid.

Current Attractions

The 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.

Disney Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure- On this interactive adventure, guests use a "F.O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to help Agent P. stop Dr. Doofesnshmirtz, by looking for clues throughout World Showcase. The adventure is based on the Disney cartoon Phineas an Ferb.

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 EPCOT Center 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.

Restaurants

The Mexico pavilion is home to three 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.

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 Mesoameric 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/