Go to Mexico without leaving the country at Epcot Center's Mexico Pavilion
Written: Apr 22 '05 (Updated May 26 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great theming, represents Mexico's diverse heritage well, good food, rarely crowded
Cons: Some will find the boat ride boring
The Bottom Line: This is a well executed exhibit that is enjoyable for the whole family.
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| chelledun's Full Review: Walt Disney World Epcot - Mexico |
Mexico is one of the countries represented in the World Showcase at Epcot Center. The ‘countries’ are located around a central lagoon. Each pavilion represents a different country, and contains a variety of shops, entertainment, and attractions. Mexico is the first pavilion encountered when proceeding to the left around the lagoon, and my personal favorite. The World Showcase area generally opens at 11, and is rarely crowded until shortly before Illuminations. I like to make my way over in the late afternoon and start with Mexico on my way around the lake.
General Atmosphere
The pavilion and surrounding area do a nice job of incorporating different parts of Mexican history. A very impressive pyramid houses much of the attraction, modeled after an Aztec temple. Across from the temple is a fun and spacious outdoor cantina, serving up margaritas and Mexican cuisine. The inside of the pyramid is an amazing marketplace atmosphere. The building is always lit so it appears to be night time, and the bright colors of the products in the marketplace are beautiful. I think this pavilion does the best job of really transporting guests into a different world.
Shopping
The Marketplace area inside the temple provides a great variety of Mexican goods. The center features a variety of carts, with products ranging from margarita mix to blankets. Off to the right is an open room which specializes in jewelry. The souvenir offerings here are a cheaper than some of the other countries. My favorite are the brightly colored piñatas of various sizes and shapes. Your child can get a pretty good sized one for under $10. My parents bought me one here as a child and I had it hanging in my room for many years. Sombreros are under $15, and can be worn around the park if you are not easily embarrassed. Another neat choice is a chocolate model of the temple, which was sold for $9 on my last visit. Even if you don’t buy anything, be sure to wonder around and take a picture with the brightly colored tissue paper flowers as a backdrop.
There is also a small souvenir store located outside the pavilion, near the cantina. It has mainly the basic souvenirs such as T-shirts, sombreros, and maracas. The inside selection is much more enjoyable for me.
El Rio De Tiempo
This is a boat ride attraction focusing on the history of Mexico. Almost everyone who rides it insists on referring to it as the Mexican version of it’s a small world. Granted, there is one scene of small children singing and dancing la,la,la,la,la, but the ride actually is quite educational about Mexican heritage and culture. Riders will see video of authentic dances performed by Mexico’s indigenous people and the familiar skeletons in sombreros which represent the celebration of the Day of the Dead. The narrator has a thick, rich voice and is enjoyable to listen to. This isn’t a thrilling or technologically advanced ride, but kids will enjoy it and adults will learn a thing or two about a very interesting and diverse culture.
La Cantina de San Angel
This counter service restaurant is located outside the building. There is lots of seating available in the fun, roofless cantina atmosphere, although it can get crowded prior to Illuminations. Selections include Tacos, Burritos, and my personal favorite, fried and crispy quesadillas. Warm, fresh, churros are available at all times. Try one of the rainbow colored Margaritas or large draft beers and sit by the lagoon to relax. Just watch out for pesky seagulls! Prices here range from $6-$8 for the various platters, and you get a lot of food so consider sharing to leave room for dessert.
San Angel Inn
One of my favorite places to dine at Disney World, this restaurant allows diners to eat “under the stars” while looking over a portion of the boat ride and Mayan Temple. The service is very good and servers are always talkative and friendly. The atmosphere is fairly quiet and peaceful compared to many other park restaurants. Something about the lovely atmosphere makes people lower their voices, I think. My favorite dish is the Mole Pablano, which is actually chicken with a chocolate sauce. There are also beef dishes and a variety of seafood. The food is pretty decent, but the atmosphere here is the real attraction. Much of the food is quite spicy, so ask your server for recommendations if you are sensitive to this. This isn’t a cheap place, expect to pay about $30 per person for an entrée and drink. Advance priority seating is always necessary for dinner, and I recommend it for lunch as well. For a detailed review and reservation information go here.
Other Fun Stuff
Be sure to take a minute to chat with some of theCast Members, all the employees in this pavilion are actually from Mexico and love to talk about their country. Immediately inside the building, showcases feature a frequently changing selection of Mexican Artwork. Much of the work is bright and colorful, and fun to explore if you aren’t in a big hurry. Inside the temple to the left there is also a Kidcot area. In each of the country pavilions, this is an area where young children can interact with cast members to do an art project. Outside the pavilion, you may encounter a Mariachi Band, if you particularly like this type of music you can find the exact time on the day’s performance schedule.
Overall…
The Mexico pavilion has excellent theming and a cheerful atmosphere. Children will enjoy the boat ride and adults will like learning about Mexico’s rich history. Be sure to make Mexico one of your stops on the way around the World Showcase lagoon, and try to come hungry to take advantage of the great food available here.
*More reviews on my very favorite place - DISNEY WORLD!
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Theme Parks
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Epcot Center's Hidden Treasures
Downtown Disney Marketplace
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
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