Mexico is a pavilion located within World Showcase at [[Epcot]]. It is located between the World Showcase entrance and [[Norway]]. {{Template:Infobox amusement park Disney ride || image=Magickingdom1Mexicopyramid3.jpg | caption=Cinderella Castle,'''A Mesoamerican pyramid serves as the icon centerpiece of the Magic KingdomMexico pavilion'''| themeCountry=FantasyMexico| opening_dateland=World Showcase| park= Epcot| opened=October 1st1, 19711982| homepagecustom_label_1 =[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?idNumber of Attractions| custom_value_1 =MKLandingPage Magic Kingdom Homepage]1| iconcustom_label_2 =Cinderella CastleNumber of Restaurants| custom_value_2= 4}}The Magic Kingdom is a theme park located in [[Walt Disney World]].
==History==
A Mexican pavilion was planned for World Showcase since early on in the area’s development. The planned pavilion was to 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 later date. These plans changed however when [[Germany]]’s planned Rhine River boat ride was cancelled along with Japan’s planned attraction. Due to plans for an Equestrian Africa pavilion 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. 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 construction crews had to work tirelessly to complete the project.
===Conception=== In 1959 Walt Disney Productions began to look for a place to build a second theme park. DisneylandDespite the late starting point of the project, which the Mexico pavilion opened in 1955with the rest of World Showcase on October 1, and 1982. When the pavilion was located in Anaheim Californiacomplete, was already a success however Walt Disney felt he could do better. Walt wanted to build a “Disneyland East”it consisted of two restaurants, two shops, and market research done by the Disney Company found that even though 75% one attraction. The centerpiece of the population pavilion is a large Mesoamerican pyramid, which was located east of based on designs form the Mississippi, only 5% 3rd century AD. The interior of Disneyland's guests were from the east. Walt wanted the people living in the Eastern United States pyramid was designed to be able to experience Disneylandlook like a Mexican village (based on Taxco de Alarcón) at twilight. Adding to Walt's frustrationBesides initially housing El Rio Del Tiempo, the area around Disneyland had become rundown by local business hoping to capitalize on Disneyland's successMesoamerican pyramid also housed the San Angel Inn restaurant, and Walt wanted to have control over much more land than he could in Disneyland. It which was with these goals designed based on a restaurant in mind that Walt and his planning team Mexico City (WED Enterpriseswith the same name) began to search for a location for their new theme park. By 1963 WED Enterprises had decided that the new park would be built , which opened in Florida1692. Florida was already Also within the top state in terms of tourism, pyramid were various shops and the Florida climate would allow the new theme park to be open year round. Walt Disney himself flew over one of the potential sites, Orlando, stands in November 1963. Disney decided Orlando was the perfect location for his new park. The well-developed road system including the already planned Interstate 4 and Florida's Turnpike further added to the appeal of the area. After much research WED Enterprises and Walt eventually selected a centrally-located site near Bay Lake for construction of their new parkFestival Marketplace.
The purchasing Outside of land for the new park (now called pyramid is the Florida Project) began Mexico pavilion’s lakeside restaurant- Cantina de San Ángel. Nearby, guests can also now meet Donald Duck in 1964his Mexican outfit. To avoid an increase [[Image:mexicoupdate.jpg|thumb|The Three Caballeros now star in land pricesMexico's attraction, Disney used various dummy corporations to purchase the landThe Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. All ]]Following its opening in all Disney bought 271982,443 acres in land from more than 100 property owners. The total coast for a number of years the land was nearly 5Mexico Pavilion saw a relativity small number of changes.5 million (about 200 dollars per acre)Throughout its history, the shopping stalls located within the pyramid have changed, and more lights were added to the marketplace. Walt Disney announced his plans for The Florida Project most substantial change to the public pavilion came on November 16January 2, 19652007 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 which allow guests to follow José Carioca and Panchito Pistoles (from the 1944 Disney movie The Three Caballeros) as they look around Mexico for Donald Duck.
===Construction=== One year after Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966, The Walt Disney Company began construction on the Florida ProjectIn 2010 Cantina de San Ángel closed for refurbishment. Walt's brother Roy took charge of the project and carried on his brother’s dream. Although Walt had died before construction had even started. his influence on the park was apparent. One of the major problems that Walt had with Disneyland was that guests were exposed to the day to day operations of the parks. Walt told When the story that one day in Tomorrowland he saw a cowboy from Frontierland walking byestablishment reopened, heading to the costume room. Walt felt that this ruined the magic of the futuristic Tomorrowland and wanted to do better with the Florida Project. A second problem that Walt had hoped to avoid was that guests in Disneyland were exposed to the world outside the park. Walt said he once saw a family leave because they could see that traffic was getting congested while riding the Skyway. Because it consisted of these issuestwo restaurants, it was decided that the first floor of what was now called the “Magic Kingdom” would be a series of tunnels, called utilidoors. Due of Florida's water tableservice Cantina, the utilidoors could not be built underground. Instead, Disney Engineers decided to make the utilidoors the first story of the park, with the actual Magic Kingdom the second (meaning that the park itself is actually 14 feet above ground). The utilidoors allow cast members to move freely though out the park without being seen by the guests above. With the utilidoors, it only takes cast members about 10 minutes to walk from one side of the park to the other. The utilidoors also allowed the everyday functions of the park to be hidden from guests. Food, garbage and costumes could all be transferred around while keeping the illusion of the lands intact. Besides everyday operations the utilidoors also house the operating systems for the park, as well as offices and cafeterias for the Cast Members. Another upgrade to the Magic Kingdom was the Avac Systems, which were devolved in Sweden. This trash collecting system which allows garbage to be suctioned away through a series tubes, to a centralized dumping point. This allows cast members to keep the trash under control and out of the view of the guests. Walt's influence could also be seen in the design of the park. Like Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom followed the hub and spoke layout, and the majority of the lands were carbon copies of the ones in Diseyland. Construction on the Magic Kingdom finished in August 1971new table service restaurant La Hacienda de San Ángel.
===Opening=Current Attractions=='''[[Image:Openingroy.jpg|thumb|Roy O. Disney giving the dedication speech on the Magic Kingdom's opening day.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.
The Magic Kingdom had soft openings starting on Labor Day 1971, with '''Disney employees, construction workers Phineas and local leaders being invited to the openings until September 31. Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure'''- On October 1this interactive adventure, 1971, The Magic Kingdom opened its gates and welcomed its first guestsuse a "F. 10,000 people showed up on October 1, O.N.E." (Field Operative Notification Equipment) to visit Disney’s newest parkhelp Agent P. Unlike Disneyland which had been overwhelmed on its opening day, Walt Disney World’s opening ran smoothly, and any issues were quickly resolvedstop Dr. Before the opening of Disney WorldDoofesnshmirtz, Florida State Troopers issued a warning saying that a potential 300,000 people could show up on opening day. This possibility created a fear that the park was going to be overwhelmed by the number of guests and may have led to the lower than expected attendence. Some pundits began to predict that Disney looking for clues throughout World would be a failure; however by the end of 1971 400,000 people had attended the park (including an astonishing 50,000 on November 26th)Showcase. The climax of adventure is based on the grand opening happened between October 23 Disney cartoon Phineas and October 25, 1971 when the Magic Kingdom was officially dedicated. Roy O Disney, with Mickey Mouse by his side gave the dedication speechFerb.
{{Quotation|"Walt Disney World is ==Former Attractions=='''[[El Rio Del Tiempo]]'''- On this indoor boat ride, guests could take a tribute relaxing tour to see both the philosophy history and life the diverse culture of Walt Elias Disney Mexico. . . and to the talents, the dedication and El Rio Del Tiempo opened with the loyalty rest of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy pavilion on October 1, 1982 and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place it closed on January 2, 2007. . . a Magic Kingdom where El Rio Del Tiempo was replaced by the young at heart Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, which uses many of all ages can laugh and play and learn -- together."| Dedication this 25th day of October, 1971, Roy Othe same scenes as its predecessor. Disney}}
Also on hand for the event was the 60-nation World Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Arthur Fiedler. NBC taped a program called “The Grand Opening of Walt Disney World,” which aired October 29th. Taking part in the televised opening were Julie Andrews, Glen Campbell, Buddy Hackett, Jonathan Winters, Bob Hope, Rock Hudson, Annette Funicello and Fred MacMurray. Other prominent figures in business, government and industry were also on hand.==Restaurants==
===After the Grand Opening===The first major expansion Mexico pavilion is home to the Magic Kingdom came in 1988 when Mickey's Birthdayland was builtfour different dining options. The land was built in celebration of Mickey Mouse's 60th birthday. Mickey’s Birthdayland consisted of the fictional town of Duckburg, and allowed guests to tour Mickey's house. The land also featured Minnie's Surprise Party, which was a show dedicated to Mickey's birthday. A train station was built in Mickey's Birthdayland so that the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] would be able to drop guests off in the new area. Although originally intended to be temporary, Mickey’s Birthdayland was so popular with gueststhat Disney decided to make the land permanent, renaming it Mickey's Starland in 1990. Minnie's Surprise Party was re-themed and became Mickey's Magical TV World. The new show featured characters from the popular Disney Afternoon cartoon showsAll four restaurants serve Mexican cuisine.
In 1996, the once temporary land was again re-themed. Now called Mickey's Toontown Fair, the new land took place in the fictional Toontown. Toontown was larger than Mickey's Birthdayland, although it did carry over the Mickey's house attraction. Added to Toontown were DonaldSan Angel Inn''s Boat, The Barnstormer at Goofy'- Located inside of Mexico's Wiseacre FarmMesoamerican pyramid, and the Judges Tent where San Angel Inn is a table service restaurant. From their table (which is set in eternal twilight) guests could meet various Disney characters. In 2011 Mickey's Toontown fair was closed to make way for can see parts of the Fantasyland ExpansionGran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.
==Lands=='''Cantina de San Ángel'''- Specializing in tacos, Cantina de San Ángel opened with the pavilion in 1982. The counter service restaurant is located on the lagoon and across from the pyramid. In 2010, the original counter service restaurant closed for refurbishment. When the establishment reopened, it was divided into two restaurants. One was still called Cantina de San Ángel and remained a counter service restaurant, while the other was named La Hacienda de San Ángel which provides a table service meal.[[Image:Sanangel.jpg|thumb|The San Angel Inn is set in eternal twilight.]]
===Main Street USA===Main Article: [[Main Street USA]]'''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.
Main Street USA is the first land that '''La Cava del Tequila'''- A tequila bar where guests see upon entering the Magic Kingdom. Located at the front of the park, Main Street is modeled after a small, turn of the century, American town. Main Street gets its architecture from different regions in the United States including Boston and Missouri. The change in architecture is easiest can talk to see when at the four corners of the land. Main Street begins when guests emerge from under the Walt Disney World Railroad, and ends when “tequila connoisseurs" as they reach the base of Cinderella Castle. Although Main Street does not have “rides” like the rest of the landstry various tequilas, margaritas, it does have its own unique attractions including the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] and the [[Main Street Vehicles]]Mexican appetizers. Also on Main Street are individual shops and restaurants which add to its small town appeal.[[Image:MKmap2014.jpg|thumb|350px|The 2014 Magic Kingdom map (click to enlarge)]]
===Frontierland=Shopping==Main Article: [[Frontierland]]'''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 The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros merchandise here.
Located in the Northwest Corner of the park, Frontierland allows guests to visit the Wild West. The land features many Old West styled buildings, including the [[Frontierland Shootin' Arcade]],[[ Pecos Bill's Tall Tale Inn and Café]], and the Frontierland Trading Post. The land also hosts some of the Magic Kingdom's biggest thrill rides – [[Splash Mountain]] and [[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]]. Also included in Frontierland is La Tienda Encantada'''- Located within the [[Country Bear Jamboree]] and the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]]Festival Marketplace, this shop sells clothing and guests board rafts From Frontierland, to cross the Rivers of America and explore Tom Sawyer's Islandaccessories.
'''La Princesa de Cristal'''- Located within the Festival Marketplace, this Arribas Brothers shop sells crystal and glassware. ==Live Entertainment=Adventureland=== Main Article: [[Adventureland]]
Located in the Southwest corner of the Magic Kingdom, Adventureland represents the 1950's view of exotic places. Taking its inspiration from jungles of Asia, Africa, and South America (as well as The Middle East and the South Pacific) Adventureland is full of lush plants and exotic scenery. Parts of Adventureland also take guests to tropical Polynesia and the great deserts of Arabia, where they ''Mariachi Cobre'''- This authentic mariachi band can ride on a [[flying carpet]]. Adventureland is home to classic Disney attractions, such as the [[Jungle Cruise]], [[Pirates of the Caribbean]], [[Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room]], and often be found playing outside in the [[Swiss Family Treehouse]]Mexico pavilion.
===Fantasyland=Fun Facts and Trivia==Main Article: [[Fantasyland]]* A Ring Carver stand is located within the Mexico pavilion.
Fantasyland is * Both the land that is dedicated, “to the young Moctezuma Brewery and those young at heart.” Located at the exit of Cinderella Castle, Fantasyland takes its inspiration from the Disney movies themselves, allowing guests San Angel Inn contributed money to “ride through” different classic films. Attractions such as [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]], [[Peter Pan's Flight]] and, “[[it's a small world]]” can all be found in Fantasyland. In total, Fantasyland is home to seven major attractions and five dining opportunities, including Cinderella's Royal Table which gives guests construction of the opportunity to eat inside Cinderella CastleMexico pavilion.
===Tomorrowland===Main Article: [[Tomorrowland]]* At one time flamingos could be found near the bridge in the Mexico pavilion. They have since been removed.
Billed as the future that never was, Tomorrowland lets guests visit the tomorrow * Vice President of Julius Verne Walt Disney World (and H.G. Wells. Tomorrowland also serves as an intergalactic convention center, where aliens and humans alike can come, meet, and see the promise of tomorrow. Originally built to give guests a view of what the future would be like, it quickly became evident to the eventual Disney that they would not be able to continuously update Legend) Bob Allen dedicated the land as technology changed. Instead, they decided to give the park a retro-futuristic feel. Fan favorite attractions such as [[Space Mountain]] and [[Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin]] can be found Mexico pavilion in Tomorrowland1982.
===Liberty SquareThe Mesoamerican Pyramid===Main Article: [[Liberty Square]]
Themed * The Mesoamerican pyramid is modeled after colonial America, Liberty Square gives guest the opportunity to go back and see America as it grewan Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl found at Teotihuacan. Starting at Quetzalcoatl is the [[Haunted Mansion]] in the 1670s Aztec God of priesthood, learning and ending at the entrance to Frontierland (1880s)knowledge, Liberty Square gives guests and is represented by the feeling that they serpent heads which are watching America expand and unite. At found on the central hub of the land, the flags of the 13 original colonies fly along with the American flag. Liberty Square is unique in that it has only lost one opening day attraction, The Mike Fink Keel Boatspyramid’s exterior.
==Former Lands=====Mickey's Birthdayland/Mickey's Starland===Main Article: [[Mickey's Starland]]* The carving located at the bottom of the pavilion’s stairs is called a stele.
Mickey's Birthdayland opened as a temporary land in 1988, in celebration of Mickey Mouses' 60th Birthday. * The land was set in entry to the fictional town interior of Duckburg, and a new train station was built so that the [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] could drop off guests there. Mickey’s Birthdayland featured the attraction Minnie's Surprise Party (which was Mesoamerican pyramid is designed to look like a show about Mickey's birthday) and guests could also tour Mickey's House or visit Grandmas Duck’s farm (which was a petting zoo)Mayan Ceremonial Hall. The star of Grandma Duck’s farm was Minnie Moo, a cow who had what appeared to be a Mickey head on the side of her bodyHere various art exhibits are displayed.
Although originally intended as a temporary park, Mickey's Birthdayland was very popular. Due to this popularity, * Inside the land was renamed Mickey's Starland and it was upgraded to a permanent land in 1990. Due to the change in theme, Minnie's Surprise Party was closed. When it reopened it was called Mickey's Magical TV World Showpavilions large Mesoamerican pyramid, guests can see a new show which featured characters from the popular Disney Afternoon cartoons including: Darkwing Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, Baloo, Louie, and Chip and Dale. Mickey's Starland closed in 1996, and was given buildings that look more permanent. When the land re-opened it was named Mickey's Toontown FairSun Stone (an Aztec calendar).
===Mickey's Toontown Fair===Main Article: [[Mickey's Toontown Fair]] Mickey's Toontown Fair opened in 1996, and closed in 2011. The land was set in Toontown- the place where Disney's most famous cartoon characters lived. Toontown Fair, which replaced Mickey's Starland, took its inspiration from the 1989 movie ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'' and featured a more permanent look. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale could all be found in the Judges Tent, as well as other surprise characters who would pop in from time to time. Other attractions in Toontown Fair included Mickey's Country House and Minnie's Country House (where guests could see how Mickey and Minnie lived) and Donald’s Boat (a water play area). Although Mickey's Toontown Fair was full of areas for kids to play, the only real “ride” in the land was The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, a tame roller coaster aimed at younger kids. Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed in 2011 to make room for the new [[Fantasyland]] expansion. ==Fun Facts and Trivia==* Cinderella Castle is not made of a single brick - it is made of steel and fiberglass.* There are 1100 Audio-Animatronic figures in the Magic Kingdom.* The Magic Kingdom Illuminations firework show is about 107 acres. * There were about 5,000 performers on opening day actually controlled out of the Magic Kingdom, not including the 5000 doves that were released.* The Magic Kingdom can hold up to 100,000 people.* When The Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, adult admission cost just $3.50, a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost $4.75 and an 11-ride attraction ticket book cost only $5.75. * The opening day attractions still operating as of February 2013 are: the Walt Disney World Railroad, the Main Street Vehicles, the Country Bear Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Mad Tea Party, Cinderella's Golden Carousel (Renamed Prince Charming Regal Carrousel), it's a small world, office located at the Hall top of Presidents, the Haunted Mansion, the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Walt DisneyMexico's Enchanted Tiki Room, the Jungle Cruise, and the Swiss Family Treehouse.*When the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, it was the first theme park to have continuously playing ambient music on pathways between attractions.*William Windsor, Jr. and his family were officially first visitors to visit the Magic Kingdom.*According to a sign near the entrance to [[Main Street USA]], the population of the Magic Kingdom is 600,000,000. The sign was added in 1998, when the Magic Kingdom welcomed its 600 millionth guestpyramid.
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