Mexico pavilion

Mexico is represented by one of Epcot's dominant landmarks, a huge building like a Mayan or Aztec pyramid overlooking the eastern shore of World Showcase.

Inside the Mexico pavilion, Walt Disney World visitors find a moonlit plaza surrounded by tile-roofed shops, one of Mexico City's most famous restaurants and a memorable boat cruise down El Rio del Tiempo.

The pyramid which serves as entranceway to the Mexico showcase is readily identified from across the lagoon with its five-tiered sloping walls fifty steps high. Ornate Indian "stone" sculpturing makes it a work of art.

A second pyramid, weathered and wrapped with jungle vines, overlooks the waterside restaurant and plaza of a typical Mexican pueblo inside the pavilion.

In the center of the plaza is Fuente de la Vida (the fountain of life), whose bubbling-water sounds mingle with the music of mariachis wandering from shop to shop.

Since the setting is contained within an 85,000-square-foot show building, the romantic moonlit effect is maintained day and night.

Just inside the pavilion, visitors see a rare display of hand-crafted Oaxacan wood sculptures.

Completing the circular layout of the pueblo and sitting at the edge of a meandering stream is the 150-seat San Angel Inn, a sister of the popular Mexico City restaurant of the same name and ownership.

The Inn serves Mexico City-style tacos, enchiladas and burritos, with especialidades that are more continental in nature, such as Mole Poblano -- chicken simmered in 20 Mexican spices and a hint of chocolate. Another specialty is Huachinango a la Veracruzana -- red snapper poached in wine, with onions, tomato and Mexican peppers.

Specially designed costumes are worn by the hosts and hostesses who represent the Mexican nation in order to present an authentic appearance.

The pavilion is staffed with Mexican-American and Mexican-born citizens, including several Mexican college students who participate in the World Showcase fellowship ambassador program. Along with similar groups from the ten other nations in World Showcase, the students spend a year studying management and operation in tourism and entertainment while working in their pavilion and meeting with fellow students in a true cultural exchange.

Landscaping of the Mexico pavilion represents two regions of the country: the jungle and the desert. Facing the Mayan temple, you see plants and flowers typical of the jungle surrounding the building. This section of the Mexico pavilion, with its several varieties of palm trees, is the most tropical area represented at Epcot. Heating systems hidden among the plants are used during the winter months to protect them from the cold and frost. One of the most notable plants in this area is the floss silk tree, located near the steps to the left of the temple. These showy trees present springtime blossoms and, in other seasons, an odd-shaped fruit hanging from its bare branches.

Epcot gardeners take great care to make this landscape look “unmaintained” as if it were a genuine jungle. “We wanted to steer clear of creating a ‘perfect’ landscape and use irregular spots of colorful flowers to give it a more exotic look,” says Eric Darden, Walt Disney World horticulturist.

Dining

Unlike most Mexican restaurants in the United States, you'll not find nachos, "Mexican pizza" or hard-shell tacos at the San Angel Inn in Epcot, because, says manager Richard Debler, they are not authentic Mexican dishes. And Debler was trained in his family's restaurant in Mexico City.

Chocolate may sound like an unorthodox ingredient to use with chicken, but the mole poblano prepared according to a San Angel Inn recipe combines chile ancho, chile passilla, green tomatoes, ground tortillas, coriander seed and 11 other spices with cocoa for a rich sauce in which chicken is simmered until tender. Fresh tortillas are made every day and served with beef, chicken and cheese fillings, as well as fresh salsa verde.

In the Cantina de San Angel, just outside the pyramid entrance to Mexico, quick entrees and snacks such as churros (donuts rolled in cinnamon and powdered sugar) are available, as well as Mexican beer.

Gran Fiesta Tour

"Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros" debuts at Epcot's Mexico pavilion (replacing "El Rio Del Tiempo") with a storyline and film featuring Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros."

It's an excursion by tour boat through vibrant, eye-filling sights accompanied by lively music. The people, culture, history and arts of Mexico are showcased, and guests catch a glimpse of some of Mexico's most famous cities, resorts and beaches, including locations such as Mexico City, Chichen Itza and Acapulco.

The "Gran Fiesta Tour" combines new live-action film shot on location in Mexico with an overlay of hand-drawn animation of the Three Caballeros. The custom animation is inspired by the original 1944 classic film and uses the same color palettes, stylistic design and graphic elements.

As the story goes, the caballeros have reunited for a grand performance in Mexico City. But along the way, Donald Duck disappears to take in the sights of the country, leaving José and Panchito to search for their missing friend. Their journey is a festive and colorful celebration of the beauty and culture of Mexico that is fun for guests of all ages.

Reuniting with their wandering amigo, the friends end their adventure with a grand fiesta celebration at sunset in Mexico City. Guests arrive at the new concert bandstand in Mexico City just in time to see -- and hear -- the much-anticipated Three Caballeros reunion concert.

To add to the fiesta experience, the Three Caballeros finale song has been re-scored and re-recorded. Throughout the attraction, props, set facades, lighting and the sound system also have been refurbished and enhanced.

Type - indoor boat ride

When to go - go in the morning or later in the day.

Duration - 7 mins

Restrictions
Guests must transfer from ECVs to available wheelchairs to experience the attraction.

Hidden Mickeys
Notice the arrangement of three clay pots in the marketplace scene.

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