The Mexico Pavilion is an indoor and outdoor cultural area within Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can savor the spice of Mexico. Enter a towering pyramid modeled after an actual Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl at Teotihuacan, Mexico and discover a gallery of artifacts from different periods in Mexican history. Continue into a colonial plaza for festive music and savory dining in a bustling marketplace. It's always twilight at the indoor Mexico Pavilion. Buenos Tardes!
As you turn into World Showcase, the Pyramid sits high in the skyline. It is modeled after an Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the god of life) at Teotihuacan. Quetzalcoatl is represented by large serpent heads along the entrance stairs. Upon entering the building, you see a gallery of artifacts from various periods of Mexican history. You walk into a formal portico and then a colonial plaza where you experience an evening at a festive marketplace. A pre-Colombian pyramid surrounded by lush landscaping fashioned after a Yucatan jungle is your first introduction to the Mexican pavilion. As you enter the Plaza de Los Amigos, you first notice the darkened interior. It's always twilight in Mexico, the perfect backdrop for the smoking volcano and the grand Mayan pyramid in the background. There are colorful carts and shops offering Mexican jewelry, Kahlua, pottery, clothing and leather goods. There's often a strolling mariachi band making this visit an authentic taste of Mexico.
The Mexico pavilion resembles a Mesoamerican pyramid. The nightly fireworks show "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" is controlled from a small office atop the building. The office's window is barely visible from street level, but can be seen at an angle. Visitors enter through a display of Mexican artwork, the "Animales Fantasticos" art collection. The main room is the home to a twilight-lit Mexican marketplace, Plaza de los Amigos. At the edge of the plaza, a restaurant, San angel Inn, overlooks an indoor lagoon. To the side of the plaza, a boarding area leads to a boat ride, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.
Attractions
Be sure to take the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, a delightful boat ride in a shady lagoon at the foot of a smoking volcano.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is a indoor Log flume and dark ride movie housed within the pyramid-shaped Mexico pavilion. The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros is a gentle boat ride through the pyramid-shaped Mexico Pavilion in Epcot theme park. This attraction, fun for all ages, stars the characters from the 1944 Disney film, The Three Caballeros: Donald Duck; Panchito, the Mexican rooster; and Jose Carioca, a Brazilian parrot. These 3 feathered friends are reuniting for a grand musical performance in Mexico City. Distracted by the sights of the city, Donald has disappeared. His friends go looking for him, but will they find him in time for the big show?
The attraction combines traditional animation superimposed over live-action film clips shot in such stunning locales as Acapulco, Chichen Itza, Manzanillo and Mexico City. These vibrant sights, accompanied by lively music, showcase the people, culture, history and arts of Mexico.
Casa Mexicana
Casa Mexicana offers an opportunity to "Discover Modern Mexico". Located just before the entrance to the Gran Fiesta, you'll find the home of the Pakatilchi family. As you walk into the first level, there is a large area for Mexico's Kidcot station that was filled with children making masks! Off to the left is an alcove where you can select one of four "adventures" and send home a video postcard. I was torn between the cliff diving and the puppet show video, and ended up selecting the puppet show. You have a few seconds to act out (there is no audio with the video) your "adventure" and then email it to yourself and someone back home.
As you reach the second level of the Casa, you'll find a dining room table all set for the family meal. The design and colors of the home are what you would expect to find in Mexico today, according to the Cast Member I spoke with. There is even a musical section with a number of guitars on display. There are two "windows into Mexico" in the Casa which are located above a map of the country. You push one of the buttons on the map representing one of X regions in Mexico and your window shows a short video representative of that area. You can select the Yucatan Peninsula, South and Gulf of Mexico, Central Mexico, Baja, Northern Mexico or the Pacific Coast. Casa Mexicana opened in March 2004.
Touring Tips
- To the right of the Mexico pavilion is a semi-circular path that is the home to beautiful orchids and other tropical plants.
- Inside the Festival Marketplace, wheelchair touring becomes difficult even with 36 inches between carts. It is difficult to navigate.
- There is very dim lighting in the festival marketplace and San Angel Inn restaurant.
- Donald Duck, Jose Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film "The Three Caballeros" make appearances outside the pavilion.
- Mariachi Cobre perform at different times throughout the day, so be sure to check the Times Guide at Epcot to know when they play.
Dining
San Angel Inn - At the San Angel Inn you'll be dining in perpetual twilight. The subdued lighting provides an intimate and romantic setting. There's a wrought iron rail along the rear of the restaurant which overlooks the water. When seated in this section, you can watch the boats from the Rio Del Tiempo attraction go by. Mexican tile floors and stucco walls add to the authentic atmosphere. While sipping your Margarita and enjoying your meal, you'll feel as if you're at a Hacienda. In accordance with the twilight scene of the plaza, the restaurant that overlooks the plaza and the boat ride is very dark and romantic with lanterns on the tables providing the light.
La Hacienda de San Angel - The newest table service dining option in Epcot. This 12,000 sq. ft. restaurant at the Mexico Pavilion will have 250 seats offering authentic Mexican cuisine with a stunning view of the World Showcase Lagoon.
La Cantina de San Angel - For lighter fare, La Cantina de San Angel, outside across the pathway serves such Mexican favorites as tacos, churros, tostados, Mexican beer and margaritas in the outdoor cafe. La Cantina originally opened in 1982 as a 3,500 square-foot, 288-seat quick service eatery, but is now combined with La Hacienda to boast 12,000 square feet, providing more seating capacity and a variety of new dining offerings.
La Cava del Tequila - A is a tequila bar with a vast collection of tequilas, specialty margaritas and light Mexican appetizers, hosted by tequila "connoisseurs" that interact with park guests. Taste authentic Mexican tequila and learn about its history and traditions. Tastings are held Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 3:00 PM. Cost is $35.00 per person plus tax. Gratuity is included.
Shopping
Artesanias Mexicanas - In the Artesanias La Familia Fashions you'll find casual Mexican styled clothing and jewelry for women and children. Home decor is the theme for this shop which includes pottery, glassware, and decorative gifts.
El Ranchito Del Norte - Souvenirs and gifts from Northern Mexico are found in El Ranchito del Norte. Discover a variety of authentic Mexican goods such as baskets, pottery, blankets, crafts, toys, clothing, leather wallets and handbags, silver jewelry, candy, tequila and more!
La Familia Fashions - Vendor's carts offer home decor gifts, silver jewelry and other Mexican souvenirs such as sombreros, pinatas, pottery and worry dolls.
Plaza De Los Amigos - The Plaza de Los Amigos offers some authentic Mexican souvenirs and treasures. Clothing, blankets, crafts, toys, leather wallets and handbags, candy, tequila, and more.
Entertainment
Mariachi Cobre - A 12-piece band entertaining with exhilarating rhythms and classic Mexican melodies. Members play violins, guitars, trumpets and more. The group entertains outside unless the weather is bad and then you can find them inside. Swing to the rousing sounds of Mariachi Cobre at the festive Plaza de los Amigos market inside the Mexico Pavilion or in front of the handsome Mayan exterior, and bask in the traditional musical musings of Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi Cobre includes 3 guitarists, 2 trumpet players and 7 violinists who combine to deliver the warm, rich rhythms of Mexican folkloric music that will sweep your entire family into a spirit of celebration. Originally formed in 1971, the line-up has changed over the years. But original founders Randy Carillo and his brother Stephen have been performing at the Mexico Pavilion since the opening of Epcot. And they've shared the stage with such luminaries as Linda Ronstadt, Julio Iglesias and Carlos Santana.
Facts
- Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In Mexico, Los Tres Reyes Magos make appearances throughout the afternoon.
- There are 2 major areas represented in the Mexico showcase. A portrayal of the arid desert regions of Mexico can be seen at the Cantina de San Angel, while the Mexican tropics are represented as a Mayan temple rising out of the Yucatan jungle. The Mayan pyramid is reflective of the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico.
- To create the tropical jungle, Disney horticulturists use a variety of plants including: Moreton bay fig, silver trumpet tree, Mexican fan palm, and a number of orchid trees. The arid desert at the Cantina is highlighted by a 250-year-old Yucca tree.
- The dances seen on the film in the pre-Columbian section of the El Rio del Tiempo boat ride illustrate a time when Mexican Indians prevailed in areas of the sciences and arts. The dances represent Nature and Science, Mathematics and Astronomy, Quetzalcoatl and Texcatlipoca, Aztec Warriors, an Aztec Marketplace, and Moctezuma's Palace.
- El Rio del Tiempo, The River of Time, Closed on January 2, 2007 and reopened as "Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!" on April 6, 2007. The short but pleasant boat ride, was sometimes called the Mexican It's A Small World because of its upbeat, repetitive theme song and small Audio-Animatronic dolls.
- San Angel Inn is the sibling to Mexico City's restaurant of the same name, which dates back to 1692.