Mexico

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Mexico, is a pavilion located in World Showcase in Epcot.

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.

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.

Characters

Donald Duck- Donald Duck can often be found outside in the Mexico pavilion. He is usually dressed in Mexican attire. (Common)

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.