World Showcase - Mexico

[Disney Vacation Planner]

Mexico is the first country encountered if heading around the World Showcase in a clockwise direction, or the last in an anti-clockwise direction.

As with the Canadian pavillion at the opposite end of the World Showcase, the entrance to the main area of the Mexican pavillion is up a short flight of steps. Guests that use a wheelchair or ECV, or are pushing a stroller can bypass the stairs via a small path that enters and exits just to the right of the main pavillion entrance.

Mexico is dominated by a spectacular stepped pyramid which was inspired by various examples of Meso-American architecture from around the 3rd century. Reproductions of ancient carvings adorn the pyramid, including a serpent head representing the ancient god Quetzalcoatl.

Mexico's various shops and attractions including the El Rio del Tiempo boat ride (Mexican for the "River of Time") are all located within the pyramid itself, which is fully air conditioned and a good place to head for when the daytime temperature starts to rise.

Also within the Mexico pavillion is the Plaza de Los Amigos, which contains a number of small shops ranging from quite exclusive through to comparatively tacky.

Mexican artwork is featured in the Art of Mexico exhibition.

Mexican food is served at two restaurants. The San Angel Inn Restaurant inside the pyramid is a romantically dimly lit full service restaurant, offering traditional Mexican food, whilst at the edge of the lagoon, the Cantina de San Angel is a burger and fast food counter serving amongst other things tacos and chili.

The Cantina is an excellent place to watch the nightly Illuminations firework display held on the World Showcase Lagoon.

As with all of the World Showcase pavillions, Mexico has it's fair share of live entertainment at various times throughout the day. You're most likely to encounter it in the form of a Rhythmic percussion ensemble playing to passers by at the base of the pyramid.

Note: that Epcot's only first-aid station is located at the Odyssey Center in Future World, close to Mexico, so, if you need medical attention and are on the other side of the World Showcase you will have a considerable distance to walk.

The various shops, restaurants, the El Rio de Tiempo ride and the street entertainment are all closed for business until 11:00am.

Norway follows Mexico on the clockwise tour around the World Showcase Lagoon, but in between the two pavillions is a small mail-drop box on a lamp-post in case you want to send some last minute postcards.