The Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT has suffered some serious setbacks due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, including the permanent closure of the Tangerine Cafe as well as Restaurant Marrakesh. And now it looks like Disney will officially be assuming operations of all of the Morocco Pavilion, including dining and merchandise locations. A joint statement released by Jacquee Wahler, VP Communications Walt Disney World Resort, and Rashid Choufani and Rachid Lyazidi, Operating Participants Morocco Pavilion was provided to the Disney Food Blog, which confirms the change:
“After many years of working together, we have a mutually agreed arrangement to begin the process of transitioning operations of the Morocco pavilion to Disney. By the end of the year, Disney will assume operations of this important part of EPCOT and under Disney’s operation, the pavilion will continue to honor the rich traditions and legacy it has since it opened.”
Though all merchandise and food locations will be operated by Disney rather than third parties, The Moroccan Embassy and Morocco Tourism Board will still involved with the pavilion, and hopefully this pavilion will continue to represent its home country well even though ownership has changed. Right now much of this pavilion remains closed, with only Spice Road Table, a few shops, and the pavilion’s museum currently open. However, once Disney assumes full control we expect that to change in the months ahead.
What do you think of this change of ownership? Do you think this will ultimately be a good thing for this pavilion?
