Mexico Pavilion – World Showcase – Epcot

INTRODUCTION

As you enter World Showcase past Test Track and near the Odyssey pavilion, the Pyramid of the Mexico pavilion creates an impressive skyline. It is modeled after an Aztec Temple of Quetzalcoatl (the god of life) at Teotihuacan. Quetzalcoatl is represented by large serpent heads along the entrance stairs.

Mexico Pavilion

As impressive as the pyramid is, the inside of the pavilion also wows. Guests first encounter a gallery of artifacts from various periods of Mexican history (with some references to Coco thrown in!). After passing through formal, Mexican-style portico, guests enter the colonial-inspired Plaza de los Amigo, where they experience a festive marketplace beneath a starlit sky. It is truly magical.

Plaza de Los Amigos in the Mexico pavilion.

ATTRACTIONS

Mexican Folk Art Gallery

The Mexican Folk Art Gallery is one of a number of galleries with rotating exhibits that are featured in World Showcase pavilions. It is located in the upper level of the Mexico pyramid, right when you walk in. The current exhibit in the Mexico pavilion is “‘Remember Me!” La Celebración del Día de Muertos, a colorful exhibit featuring the work of prominent Mexican and Mexican-American artists.

Coco-inspired gallery inside the Mexico pavilion

The exhibit opened in Fall 2017, just prior to debut of the Disney-Pixar film Coco. Día de Muertos, better-known as the Day of the Dead in the U.S., is a two-day celebration that honors the deceased — a powerful theme from the film. This exhibit captures the essence of this event with a variety of art, including:

  • Papel picado, sugar skulls and paper sculptures
  • Pre-Hispanic art pieces on loan from various museums that showcase the early history of this celebration
  • Four featured pieces of modern artwork — along with details about the artists’ unique processes and inspiration

Among the featured artwork is a dramatic sculpture group with the centerpiece of the gallery: Bridal Couple. The sculptures were created by a father and son in Mexico City whose family has been hand-making this type of celebratory art for more than 300 years.

Bride and Groom inside the Mexico pavilion

There is also a new addition to the Mexican Folk Art Gallery. The new Mirror de los Muertos allows you to turn yourself into a “Day of the Dead” skeleton-like creature, just like those featured in Coco.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

“Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!” opened April 6, 2007; replacing El Rio del Tiempo. Gentle boat ride remains the same but with a new storyline and film featuring Donald Duck, José Carioca (the parrot), and Panchito (the Mexican charro rooster) from the 1944 Disney film “The Three Caballeros.”

See more Epcot Attractions here!

DINING

The Mexico pavilion is a fabulous spot to grab a bite of eat inspired by the flavors and regions of Mexico!

San Angel Inn – Located in the back of the pyramid’s lower level, you can dine in the shadows of an ancient volcano. San Angel Inn is overflowing with atmosphere, as the dining room is also adjacent to the ‘open-air’ marketplace where guests will be browsing and shopping.

San Angel Inn

Hacienda de San Angel This Table Service restaurant overlooks the water, across the way from the Mexican pyramid. It’s a great place to try for an Advance Dining Reservation to get a seat for Epcot’s nighttime spectacular.

La Hacienda de San Angel

Cantina de San Angel – The Quick Service restaurant, adjacent to the Hacienda, serves quick bites including tacos, empanadas, and churros. If your timing is right, you can also enjoy views of Epcot’s nighttime show from here.

La Cantina

La Cava del Tequila – La Cava (The Cave) is on your right after you descend the stairs inside the Mexico pavilion, on the site of a former jewelry shop. It’s beautifully decorated and very atmospheric — dark terra cotta hues and soft lighting lend the space an appropriate cave-like feel.

La Cava del Tequila

Choza de Margarita – This outdoor kiosk specializes in margaritas and is located to the left of the entrance of the Mexican pyramid. Grab a drink (or two) and a small snack to fuel up for your walk around World Showcase!

Choza de Margarita

Note that during Epcot’s four festivals, Mexico typically has a food booth offering specialty eats and drinks that are usually fantastic.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – Tropical is the theme for Mexico with beautiful orchids and brightly colored bougainvillea displays. The bougainvillea is brought in special for the Flower and Garden Festival.

Three Caballeros Topiary during Flower & Garden

Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays features storytellers in each country.

Mexico’s Story during Festival of the Holidays

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival usually includes a food booth with specialties from Mexico’s extensive and diverse cuisines.

Food and Wine Booth

Epcot International Festival of the Arts features a photo opp inspired by artist Frida Kahlo and a food booth with flavorful dishes and drinks.

Frida Kahlo Photo Opp and Gallery

Epcot Restaurant Ratings and Reviews
Epcot Restaurants At A Glance
Menus From Around the World
Vegetarian and Other Special Diets

ENTERTAINMENT

Mariachi CobreThis 12-piece band entertains with exhilarating rhythms and classic Mexican melodies. Members play violins, guitars, trumpets and more. The group entertains outside unless the weather is bad, and then you can typically find them inside.

The group now performs a special show, “Mariachi Cobre Presents the Story of Coco,” several times a day.

For more information on Epcot Live Entertainment, visit Steve Soares WDW Entertainment Website.

TOURING TIPS

 

To the right of the Mexico pavilion outside is a semi-circular path that is the home to beautiful orchids and other tropical plants. Exit the pavilion through the door to your left as you leave the Gallery in order to access this hidden gem.

Epcot’s Garden

Inside the Festival Marketplace, wheelchair touring becomes difficult even with 36 inches between carts. It is tricky to navigate.

There is very dim lighting in the festival marketplace and San Angel Inn restaurant.

Mexico pavilion marketplace

Donald KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Donald Duck, dressed in his Mexican attire from the 1944 Disney film “The Three Caballeros,” makes appearances the pavilion in a special area to the right of the main entrance to the pyramid.

Each of the World Showcase Countries has a special “KIDCOT” area that provides an opportunity for your child to interact with a native of the country you are visiting.

Epcot Passports are great fun for kids as they have them stamped at each pavilion around World Showcase.

The Festival Marketplace has very low lighting and also many items to distract your children. Keep a close eye on them here!

Epcot Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ

SHOPPING

Find fine crystal arts from Arribas Brothers at La Princesa de Cristal.

La Princesa de Cristal

La Tienda Encantada sells jewelry and accessories in a small, well-lit shop.

La Tienda Encantada

El Ranchito Del Norte – A changing collection highlighting the various stores in the plaza.

Plaza De Los Amigos – Carts selling clothing, blankets, crafts, toys, leather wallets and handbags, candy, tequila, and more.

Marketplace

INTERESTING FACTS

There are two major areas represented in the Mexico showcase. A portrayal of the arid desert regions of Mexico can be seen at the Cantina de San Angel, while the Mexican tropics are represented as a Mayan temple rising out of the Yucatan jungle. The Mayan pyramid is reflective of the pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico.

San Angel Inn’s pyramid

El Rio del Tiempo – The River of Timeclosed on January 2, 2007, and reopened as “Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros!” on April 6, 2007. The short but pleasant boat ride was sometimes called the Mexican “it’s a small world” because of its upbeat, repetitive theme song and small Audio-Animatronic dolls.

Gran Fiesta Tour

The dances seen on the film in the pre-Columbian section of the El Rio del Tiempo boat ride illustrated a time when Mexican Indians prevailed in areas of the sciences and arts. The dances represented Nature and Science, Mathematics and Astronomy, Quetzalcoatl and Texcatlipoca, Aztec Warriors, an Aztec Marketplace, and Moctezuma’s Palace.