I NEVER Skip This EPCOT Pavilion…and If You Do, You’re Missing Out

EPCOT’s World Showcase has long been one of Walt Disney World’s most popular attractions, with guests drawn to its recreations of various nations, including architecture, food, drinks, snacks, and goods. However, not every World Showcase Pavilion is created equal.

I’ve been visiting EPCOT and World Showcase for well over 30 years. During that time, one pavilion has stood above the rest as my favorite: Mexico. Now don’t get me wrong, I love elements of all of EPCOT’s World Showcase pavilions, but the area’s natural starting point (Yeah, I said it) provides unique elements not seen anywhere else in the park.

To understand what’s so special about the Mexico pavilion, we need to begin with its most unique element: the fact that it’s (almost) entirely indoors. While the World Showcase’s other pavilions are outdoor experiences, nearly all of Mexico (outside of a waterside dining area) is housed within a 36-foot-tall, pre-Columbian MesoAmerican Pyramid that dominates the World Showcase skyline.

When entering the pyramid, guests first pass through a gallery of Mexican artwork…

… before entering onto a recreation of a Mexican village marketplace, the  Plaza de los Amigos.

The indoor setting allows the pavilion’s environment to be perpetual — and climate-controlled, a boon for Central Florida — twilight, with a looming volcano and pyramid in the distance (sit tight, we’ll get back there).

This set environment gives the whole pavilion an elevated feeling when compared to the rest of World Showcase, whose pavilions — as beautiful as they are — are affected by climate issues, including shifting temperatures and rain.

Beyond its setting, the pavilion features one of my favorite World Showcase restaurants: The San Angel Inn Restaurante, which takes advantage of the design to provide a faux-outdoor dining experience all day long…

… and of course, I can’t mention Mexico without mentioning La Cava del Tequila. Offering over 200 tequilas, cocktails, Mexican beer, and wine, as well as light fare like guacamole and queso with corn chips have made the spot a favorite of guests since it opened.

At the back of the pavilion sits the Gran Fiesta Tour. While the current version of this boat ride, which passes just under the volcano (told you we’d get there), has starred the Three Caballeros since 2007, it retains many elements of the opening day attraction, El Rio del Tiempo.

In fact, the ride is one of only three EPCOT opening day attractions (along with Spaceship Earth and Living With the Land) to remain in anything close to its original form, and the only one in World Showcase.

While EPCOT’s World Showcase features some of Walt Disney World’s best environments, the unique setting and offerings in the park’s Mexico Pavilion make it the one I’ll never skip if I can help it. Stay tuned to AllEar for more on Disney’s best environments.

This World Showcase Pavilion Is ALWAYS Confusing People in EPCOT, And We Know Why

What’s your “never-skip” World Showcase pavilion? Let us know in the comments below.

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