The Morocco Pavilion is a cultural area in Epcot theme park where Guests of all ages can enter a distant land designed after a Moroccan city. A realistic Koutoubia Minaret leads the way into this faraway land of traditional belly dancers, intricate Moroccan architecture and swirling mosaics made by native craftsmen. The Morocco Pavilion has 2 fascinating sections: the Ville Nouvelle (new city) and the Medina (old city). Discover a bustling plaza with a variety of shops and be on the lookout for some familiar Arabian Disney friends throughout the day.
The Moroccan Pavilion, designed to look like a Moroccan city with a realistic Minaret, features the only pavilion in which the country's government aided in the design. Guests to the pavilion gain insight on the lifestyle and culture of the Moroccan people through the Gallery of Arts and History. The Fes House shows guests the typical Moroccan house. Inside the pavilion, North African plants including citrus trees, date palms, and olive trees, and fountains. The courtyard plays hosts to entertainment, including a belly dancing show in the evening. Restaurant Marrakesh, along with the Tangierine Cafe, serve Moroccan fare, including roast lamb in Tajine, Couscous, and Harira soup. Six shops adorn the pavilion, selling patrons everything from rugs to leather goods, and traditional Moroccan clothing. Some of the major defining structures of the pavilion include Chellah, a replication of the necropolis in Rabat, and the Koutoubia, a replica of the minaret of the same name in Marrakesh. A replica of Bab Boujeloud, the gateway to the Fez medina leads you to a Bazaar area.
Guarding the entrance to the Moroccan pavilion is a reproduction of the Koutoubia Minaret of Marrakesh, a prayer tower of the 12th century mosque. The intricately carved tower reflects the pride in the craftsmanship that the native artisans took when assisting in the construction of the Moroccan pavilion. More native craftsmen were used in building this pavilion than in any other in all of the World Showcase. This is evident in the supreme quality of the geometric patterns and mosaic art found throughout Morocco.
The warm terra cotta tiles and carved plaster buildings topped with green roofs amidst the winding alleys and stuccoed archways add to the charm of the "jewel of North Africa". More of the exquisite craftsmanship is found in the gate to the Medina (the old city) in a replica of the Bab Boujouloud gate. In the Medina, you will find the bustling marketplace or bazaar. The Ville Nouvelle (new city) has the Royal Gallery and the Moroccan National Tourist Office where you can see a three-screen slide show of the lifestyles and landscape of Morocco.
The flower filled courtyard surrounded by citrus and olive trees, date palms and banana plants, includes a fountain inspired by the Nejjarine fountain Fez. In this area, you can hear Moroccan musicians, watch the exotic belly dancers perform or marvel at the incredible acrobatics of the Houzali Troupe. Check the park guide map for performance times. In the Gallery of Arts and History, you can enjoy the ever-changing exhibits of Moroccan arts, artifacts and costumes. Early architecture is showcased in the Fez House.
Attractions
The Treasures of Morocco - A free tour available throughout the day for those interested in learning more about Morocco. This 45-minute tour is extremely educational and well worth the time spent. You will learn about the culture, history, and people of Morocco, as well as the basis for the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot, with visits to the food market and Fez House.
Gallery of Arts and History - This is a wonderful display of the science, music and technology of Morocco. From the outside, the door looks like an ordinary heavy wood door. However once you enter the Gallery and look back through the door to the outside, you will see the beautiful stained glass.
Moroccan Style: The Art of Personal Adornment - Located in the first building on the left as you enter the country. The exhibit features clothing and jewelry from this North African country. When you enter the museum, you are greeted by a large display of an ornately costumed gentleman and his steed.
Fez House - To the right of the Gallery is the Fez House which represents a typical Moroccan home. There are beautiful mosaic tiles, carvings, and artifacts from daily life.
Touring Tips
- Listen to the incredible world music of Mo'Rockin' or enjoy beautiful belly dancers during dinner at Restaurant Marrakesh.
- Aladdin and Princess Jasmine appear daily in the Morocco Pavilion.
- A walking tour of Morocco, "The Treasures of Morocco" is offered daily.
Dining
Restaurant Marrakesh - The "Restaurant Marrakesh" offers visitors a chance to sample the exotic cuisine of Morocco whilst enjoying Morocco entertaining. Bastilla appetizers (meat or seafood baked in a thin pastry with vegetables or almonds), traditional coucous, a number of lamb dishes, chicken brochettes and shisk kabobs are some of the culinary delights offered here.
Tangerine Cafe - Counter Service restaurant featuring wonderful Mediterranean specialties, salads and desserts.
Shopping
Tangier Trades - Sells jewelry, Moroccan clothing and shoes, mirrors made from camel bones, and daggers. Moroccan fine jewelry, traditional clothing and shoes, Camel bone mirrors, and handmade daggers are found in the "Tangier Traders".
Brass Baazar - The "Brass Bazaar" features mosaic fountains, Thuya wood, and brass or silver decorative plates and mirrors. This shop also has an Outdoor Bazaar where ceramic tiles, native instruments, and handmade baskets can be found. Mosaic fountains and brass and silver plates and mirrors.
Outdoor Baazar - extension of the Brass Baazar. Items include decorative ceramic tiles and vases, Moroccan instruments, and handmade baskets.
Medina Arts - The "Medina Arts" offers Moroccan crafts such as the traditional ceramic Tajne and beautifully designed ceramic plates.
Casablanca Carpets - Find hand knotted carpets and rugs in "Casablanca Carpets" as well as glass lanterns and the Marrakesh wall sconces. Offers Moroccan-made rugs, lanterns, and sconces.
Souk-Al-Magreb - Directly across from the main pavilion there is a shop called Souk-Al-Magreb. They offer some of the same items found in the other stores of Morocco. The couscous pot can be found here along with Sadaf brand couscous. Fez hats, wind chimes, Henna Lamps, rose water, and an instructional DVD for belly dancing are also available.
Facts
- Morocco was added to World Showcase in 1984.
- King Hassan II actually sent Moroccan artisans to design and create the many mosaics. Due to Islamic religious beliefs on the content of art, the mosaics contain no representations of people. The government also sponsors the pavilion, while a corporation holds sponsoring rights on every other pavilion.
- The Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studios is seen at an angle from the Moroccan pavilion, and the top of the Tower is designed so it blends in with the Moroccan architecture.
- Morocco is the only country in the World Showcase in which the government was actually involved in the design and construction of the pavilion.
- Morocco and the United States have a very long relationship dating back to the 1700s. Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States as a separate nation. In the lobby of Restaurant Marrakesh there are letters from George Washington and the Moroccan King.
- Holidays from Around the World features storytellers in each country. In Morocco, Taarji explains the Feast of Ashoora.
- The Islamic religion prohibits artistic depiction of live objects; therefore, Moslem artists have developed a unique style of abstract design. Rather than plants, animals and people often found in Western art, Islamic decoration consists of detailed geometric patters represented in the tile walls and carved plaster of the buildings.
- The prayer tower, at the entrance of the pavilion, is a detailed replica of the Katoubia Minaret that stands in Marrakesh.
Hidden Mickey
- On the outside wall of the gift shop there are three baskets in the shape of a Mickey.