When Disney first introduced Epcot’s World Showcase in 1982, only nine countries were participants. One of these Epcot originals was Mexico. This location offered one of the most visually interesting of all the pavilions and, in fact, anything else at the new Walt Disney World theme park. Over the years, Mexico has steadily improved its offerings and has become one of the go-to destinations at the World Showcase. Here are six reasons why you’ll love the Mexico Pavilion.
The style
Guests know that they’re approaching the Mexico Pavilion when they see the steps of the giant pyramid ahead. Technically styled as a Mesoamerican pyramid, it’s the type of structure that demands attention. The stairs are dramatic and steep, although no one is allowed to climb them. Instead, the presentation is all for show, a representation of the days of the ancient Aztecs, whose architecture still impacts Mexico’s buildings to this day.
Guests must enter the pyramid to see the equally impressive landscape inside the pavilion. The interior also captures the eye, again highlighting a pyramid off in the distance. Yes, the Mexico Pavilion hides a pyramid inside another pyramid. The backdrop of this construct is also inimitable. Dark blue skies surround the pyramid, giving the entire interior an odd blueish glow. While all of the World Showcase pavilions have distinct designs, nothing else can match the style of the Mexico Pavilion.
The food
Image: DisneyThe food goes hand in hand with the architecture here. While that may sound strange, the explanation is that Disney has taken a page straight out of the history books of Mexico. In 1692, some enterprising businessman turned a Carmelite monastery into a restaurant. That location is still in business today. Named the San Angel Inn Restaurante, it’s one of the most famous eating establishments in the world and an institution in the borough of Álvaro Obregón, just a few miles southwest of Mexico City.
In the years leading up to the debut of Epcot, Disney petitioned to recreate this facility. Shockingly, they received permission, and the happy output of this negotiation is San Angel Inn Restaurante, which I jokingly describe as “dinner at that Mel Gibson movie.” I offer an apology to those of you who haven’t seen Apocalypto and have no idea what this means.
Image: DisneyThe point is that among all 300 restaurants at Walt Disney World, NOTHING can match the pageantry of sitting down for a meal at San Angel Inn Restaurante. Anyone who has never eaten there should prioritize it for the next trip. It’s a table service meal where the view is of a giant pyramid set against a foreboding sky. The food is excellent Mexican cuisine, of course, so anyone who enjoys flour tortillas or caramel ice cream is in business. I especially recommend the Combinación Mexicana, the perfect sampler entrée.
Another popular eating establishment is La Hacienda de San Ángel, which comes in two versions. The sitdown side is an indoor table service restaurant that offers exceptional views of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. It’s also a wonderful escape during a scorching Florida afternoon. Nearby is an outdoor counter service version named Cantina de San Ángel that overlooks the adjoining World Showcase Lagoon. The views here are also tremendous, although it seems like the hottest place on planet Earth on sunny days.
Image: DisneyThe most interesting recent introduction to the Mexico Pavilion’s food and beverage offerings is Choza Tequila. It joins La Cava del Tequila. You can guess the favored offering at both establishments. These tequila bars are the preferred way to get sloppy at the World Showcase right now.
The ride
Image: Disney
Traversing the World Showcase can get rough after a while. That’s particularly true if you’re currently sloppy or have continually bumped into a lot of people who are sloppy. You need a break. The same is true on a hot day when you’ve made your way back from Future World but cannot walk any longer. These are the times when a nice, slow, air-conditioned attraction is your best friend.
Realizing this need/desire, Imagineers constructed a ride for the debut of the Mexico Pavilion. Called El Rio del Tiempo, it told the story of Mexican history in a semi-charming way. Actually, it worked a lot like the version of the attraction that everyone knows and likes (not loves). The difference is that in 1982, Disney cast Mexican actors to act silly in a way that would make Bumblebee Man think, “Have some pride, man.” Well, he’d think that in Spanish, but you get the point. El Rio del Tiempo was horribly dated only a few years after its debut.
Thankfully, Disney updated the ride to a more modern version 25 years after the introduction of the original. Yes, in the days before Frozen Ever After, Imagineers had already rebooted an existing World Showcase attraction. In 2007, they repurposed El Rio del Tiempo to dial up the fun while lowering the vibe of travelogue history lesson.
The replacement, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, isn’t the greatest ride at Walt Disney World. It’s not even an original one. The attraction is basically It’s a Small World with Mexico as the exclusive focus. And yet it works perfectly.
The explanation is that Donald Duck is one of The Three Caballeros, and most of the entertainment on this ride comes at his expense. As always, Donald is the comic foil for hijinks and shenanigans, taking a beating from start to finish. It’s a warm hug of remembrance for people who grew up watching Disney television. Plus, it’s a lot more politically correct to have a cartoon duck engage in the over the top comedic adventures than for real people to do basically the same stuff.
Image: DisneyThe fact that all the hilarious instances of cartoon violence happen on a slow, cool ride is a happy bonus on those scalding summer days. Disney experts view Gran Fiesta Tour as one of the great escapes. It’s a seven minute ride that almost never has a wait. To wit, we recently stood in line for it on a 100-degree day. Several of the people standing in line behind us angrily grumbled that they’d never seen such a long line. The official wait at that point was…10 minutes. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros is equal parts satisfying to ride and welcome as a respite from the heat.
The character
Only one character has a consistent schedule of character meet and greets. Fortunately, the one is in the top tier of Disney characters. As you’ve likely guessed, it’s Donald Duck, and his outfit for the Mexico Pavilion is spectacular. He wears a massive sombrero and stylish poncho. He also has a fantastic backdrop of Mexican stonework, which leads to some unforgettable pictures. Have cellphone in hand as you approach Donald. This particular character greeting is satisfying enough to fill an entire scrapbook.
The shopping
Image: DisneyThe Mexico Pavilion offers some marvelous options for trinkets and more. Basically, if you are traveling with someone who is a hoarder, you should redirect them away from this pavilion. Otherwise, they’ll fill up a suitcase with new baubles and keepsakes.
The Plaza de los Amigos is basically an open, indoor bazaar, although not an authentic one. For that, you’d have to walk over to the Morocco Pavilion. At Mexico’s version, guests can buy glassware, pottery, and silverware. Plenty of authentic Mexican children’s toys are also up for grabs. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the blankets available here, and I don’t know anyone who leaves the plaza without buying at least some tequila and/or candy. This place is impulse buyer’s heaven.
The art gallery
Finally, the most engrossing part of the pavilion is the Mexico Folk Art Gallery. Here, a person can walk through several galleries. Each of them reveals the dense culture of Mexico. You can understand much of the country’s history by spending only a half hour in the gallery. Much of the work is hand-made by Oaxacan wood carvers. The breathtaking craftsmanship will leave you in awe.
The Mexico Pavilion is one of the original Epcot pavilions yet it still feels fresh and engaging after more than 35 years. It’s visually engaging, even from a distance, and the interior is equally stimulating. The food is spectacular, and the tequila lives up to the hype. This is my favorite get out of the sun locale in all of the World Showcase, and it’s top three in shopping, too.
