Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros: A Fun Feathered Adventure Through Mexico!
The Three Caballeros is classic Disney. We’re talking 1940s-Technicolor-starring-Sterling Holloway-classic! Disney’s seventh full-length film. This movie follows the adventures of Donald Duck and his friends – Panchito, the Mexican charro rooster, and José Carioca, the Brazilian parrot – through South America using a blend of both animation and live action.
Today, this fun little flick lives on in the form of the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride at EPCOT. Part of the Mexico Pavilion, Donald and his amigos fit right in with this part of the World Showcase!
Now, we all know Donald has a penchant for getting into trouble, so it makes sense to take some precautions before riding. We’ll fill you in on the feathered frenzy, so it’ll be smooth sailing for your own Mexican adventure!
¡Vamos!
¡Bienvenido a Mexico!
An impressive pyramid bids you an architectural welcome to the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT. Modeled after an Aztec temple, you’ll see nods to Quetzalcoatl (a dragon-esque Aztec deity) in the serpent heads lining the skyward staircase. Sprouting up around the temple is a lush jungle, and inside the pavilion, you’ll discover the Plaza de los Amigos. It’s always twilight in the plaza, and a volcano simmers menacingly on the horizon. However, that doesn’t seem to bother the locals, as this “open-air” market is always bustling!
You’ll see several nods to the movie Coco throughout the pavilion (so fun!), Mexican artifacts, and a folk art gallery. The Mariachi Cobre band has several performances throughout the day and is considered staple entertainment for the World Showcase. Mariachi Cobre is an experience in live artistry as the musicians not only play wonderful songs, but a puppeteer also brings Miguel from Coco to life while Folklórico dancers twirl in time to the twang of his guitar strings! It’s a feast for the eyes and ears.
But to get a real taste of Mexico, you’ll want to try one of the dining experiences at EPCOT! For truly authentic flavors, you’ll want to get a dinner reservation at La Hacienda de San Angel. With fresh tortillas, fresh salsa, and handcrafted margaritas, this restaurant is on the “fine dining” end of the spectrum. (Taco Bell, who?)
Both lunch and dinner are served at the San Angel Inn Restaurant (prices are a little cheaper than La Hacienda), and quick service bites like tacos and nachos can be found at La Cantina de San Angel.
From the food to the music to the setting, the Mexico Pavilion is definitely one you won’t want to miss marking down in your EPCOT passport!
Enter: The Three Caballeros!
Of course, no trip to the Mexico Pavilion is complete without experiencing the Gran Fiesta Tour at EPCOT! While Donald and his pals play a big part in the theme of the pavilion now, they haven’t always been the tour guides for this section of the World Showcase.
From 1982 to 2007, a boat ride called El Rio del Tiempo was the pavilion’s main attraction. Located inside the pyramid, this ride took guests back in time to the days of the Aztecs and eventually into the midst of a modern-day market in Mexico City. The finale was a lively festival celebrating Dias de los Muertos. With its very own theme song, the ride was essentially EPCOT‘s own It’s a Small World.
This ride was replaced by the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, which celebrates 16 years in the park this April! Although it’s always difficult to watch rides come go, much of the Gran Fiesta Tour was imported directly from El Rio del Tiempo. The style, track, and sets are practically the same, but Donald, Panchito, and José bring a fresh storyline, their sense of humor, and a classic Disney twist to the attraction.
The Gran Fiesta Tour Ride Experience
The Gran Fiesta Tour is a dark-ride, boat-ride combo, and as you sail along, you’ll get to take in the sights and sounds of Mexico. However, there’s also a tale to go along with the pretty scenery – Donald Duck is lost, and it’s up to his amigos, Panchito and José, to find him!
Projections of the animated birds are interspersed throughout the ride, and their shenanigans often overlay footage of real Mexican landmarks, combining cartoon and live action, just like in the original movie. There are also audio-animatronics throughout the 3D sets, further immersing guests in the world of The Three Caballeros.
We love that Donald, Panchito, and José audio-animatronically join our 3D world to serenade us during the gran finale of the ride!
“We’re happy amigos, no matter where he goes. The one, two, and three goes, we’re always together!”
~The Three Caballeros (theme song)
Although the Gran Fiesta Tour is a boat ride, you won’t get wet on this gentle seven-minute journey. However, you may get The Three Caballeros song stuck in your head! (“The Three Caballeros” is actually the title of that catchy theme tune!) Because of the ride’s relaxed nature and the fun antics of the adorable feathered friends, it’s an excellent family-friendly attraction.
Gran Fiesta Tour wait times are generally short (around 10 minutes), so it’s a perfect ride if you’re looking to kill a little time before lunch or simply escape the Florida heat. Gran Fiesta won’t give you an adrenaline rush, but it is supremely cute – and that’s worth checking out! If you’re a fan of It’s a Small World, The Enchanted Tiki Room, or just good old Donald Duck, then you’ll definitely love this EPCOT experience!
The Three Caballeros characters have been available for meet and greets in the past, though as of writing, Donald Duck (dressed in his fiesta best!) seems to be flying solo. You may also spot The Three Caballeros in topiary form during the EPCOT International Flower Garden Festival and, of course, find them gracing plenty of merchandise.
We love the various themes throughout the Mexico Pavilion, from an appreciation of music and family via Coco to the joys and loyalty of friendship with The Three Caballeros. There’s so much to enjoy in this slice of the World Showcase – including tacos! – and we hope you’ll have a great time if you decide to visit Donald and his pals!
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What’s your favorite part of the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT? Have you been on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros? Tell us all about it in the comments below!
¡Adios amigos!
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Featured photo: Steven Miller via Flickr
Gallery photos: UL Unsplash, UR Theme Park Tourist via Flickr, LL Tnarik Innael via Flickr, LR Pixabay
