A Detailed Look at Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion
Epcot is one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks. It’s currently made up of two areas: World Showcase and Future World. World Showcase has 11 pavilions representing 11 countries from around the world. Each of these pavilions is positioned around Epcot’s lagoon. Each pavilion has a dining experience, or two, entertainment, and buildings to place guests directly in the country represented. Each of these pavilions can be easily passed through, which can cause guests to miss delicious food, attractions, and shopping. Today’s post is going to hone in on all the details of the Mexico pavilion so you can be sure that you are not missing a thing when you visit Epcot. Mexico is the first pavilion when you’re making your way around World Showcase East to West. Mexico is before Norway and opens at 11am.
Dining
Choza de Margarita
This little hut is found on your left as you’re entering Mexico. Here you can grab a frozen drink or grab some nachos, tacos or guacamole. A great spot to begin your drinking around the world. This hut opens at 11am and stays open until park close.
La Cantina de San Angel
Your spot to grab a quick-service meal in Mexico, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite if you love Mexican food. Open from 10am until park close, La Cantina is a counter service spot, with a few tables outside for diners to enjoy their meal. There’s a variety of tacos, salads and nachos.
La Hacienda de San Angel
This table service restaurant is a fantastic spot to grab dinner during the nighttime entertainment. The dining room’s windows overlook World Showcase’s lagoon. La Hacienda de San Angel is only open for dinner, 4pm until park close. This is known to be the better of the two Mexico table service restaurants. The restaurant requires one table service meal credit for those on the dining plan. This restaurant is semi popular. You can get a reservation here for most meal times 2 months before.
La Cava de Tequila
This is a must stop for any adult looking to explore the lounges in Epcot. Found in the Mexico pavilion building, La Cava de Tequila is a must visit for its huge selection of Tequila and for it’s unique design. In this lounge you’ll feel like you’re in a cellar. There’s brick walls all over, and the walls and the ceiling curve together into these amazing archways. This super cool lounge is open from noon until park close.
San Angel Inn Restaurante
San Angel Inn is the other table service restaurant found in the Mexican pavilion. It’s the restaurant that’s found inside the Mexico pavilion building. The restaurant puts diners in a nighttime Mexican scene. Boats float by, as guests head into the Gran Fiesta Tour, big lanterns light the scene. San Angel is open for lunch and dinner and of course serves Mexican fare. San Angel is popular, so you’ll want to secure a reservation as early as possible or try a lunch reservation. One table service meal credit is required for those on the dining plan.
Character Experience
Meet Donald
Here you’ll meet Donald dressed from his film The Three Caballeros. With his sombrero and sarape, Donald is ready to give you his autograph and take a picture with you. You’ll find Donald on the outskirts of Mexico before entering the Norway pavilion. He’s found here in the afternoons and into the early evening.
Attractions
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
One of only two rides found at World Showcase, Gran Fiesta Tour is found in the Mexico pavilion building and is hidden from many visitors. You have to walk all the way into the temple building to find this water boat ride. Walk down the many stairs into the Mexican market, Gran Fiesta Tour is at the very back. The boat ride takes you through scenes from The Three Caballeros. It’s a simple ride for the whole family. It’s open from 11am until 9pm and doesn’t have a FastPass. This attraction is a great break from the heat.
Mexico Folk Art Gallery
Walk into the Mexican temple and check out the art. Here you’ll find paintings, sculptures and more. All highlighting Mexico’s rich culture. Be sure to look closely if you’re visiting during the Festival of the Arts.
Shopping
La Princesca de Cristal
Found inside the main Mexico pavilion building, La Princess de Cristal has beautiful crystals of all sorts of styles. Find something to display in your home or to wear around your neck. With this wide variety you’ll certainly find something to suit your desire.
Plaza de los Amigos
Open from 11am until park close, Plaza de los Amigos is a large marketplace filled with items that will make people think you actually visited Mexico. You’ll find maracas, sombreros, and sarapes. The Plaza is found inside the pavilions main building. Walk in and down the main steps to find this colourful shop.
La Tienda Encantada Kiosk
Found inside the main building at the Mexican pavilion, La Tienda Encantada Kiosk has colourful accessories, leather belts, and other great souvenirs to remind you of your time at Epcot’s Mexico. The shop is open from 11am until park close.
Entertainment
Music of Mexico
Starting at 11am, and appearing every 30 minutes until 4:15pm, you can find a few different entertainers in the Mexican pavilion. You can find a Mariachi Band, Marimba de les Americas and a retelling of the tale of Coco. Each of these performances are outside, on the water side of the pavilion. Take time to stop and enjoy these entertainers. Watch the masterful pupetering in the Coco performance or dance along with the Marimba de les Americas.
If you have young ones, you can check out the Kidcot Fun Stop where they can colour a picture or create a craft. Stop at each of the Fun Stops found around World Showcase and fill up your passport full of stamps.
For more information on Epcot, check out these previous posts:
Movies to watch before your day at Epcot
Where to have breakfast at Epcot
