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I know I’m a few days late, but today’s Saturday Matinee is one of the Unknown Magics that is offered in Epcot, that stays with the theme of a Mexican Celebration!
Category: Mariachi Cobre
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These are some of my favorite sights from around Epcot’s World Showcase, Enjoy.
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My son told us that he needs cookies for Tuesday. His class is celebrating the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It’s his Spanish Class. I think it’s pretty cool that in 10th grade they are learning about the culture of another country by celebrating what they celebrate. It got me to thinking about The Mexico Pavilion in Epcot. The reason is, because while you are on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros, you pass by a scene where they are celebrating Día de los Muertos. This entire ride is fun and entertaining, but then again so is the Mexico Pavilion itself. So I present to you today, The Unknown Magic within the Mexico Pavilion.
When you first enter the World Showcase, if you go to the left, you come to Mexico first. The building itself is an Aztec Pyramid that according to Disney is “inspired by third century Meso-American structures.” As you first enter the Temple, you see Mexican Artwork and handmade treasures from the country. Once you walk in further, you come to an “open air market under the stars” inside the building. Once you walk down the ramp, you actually feel as if you are in a Mexican Market Place as twilight is coming upon the country, what a Magical Experience this is. There are some stands in the middle of the courtyard that sell different Mexican goods, such as sombreros and blankets. There are also stands that sell tequilas and food, all in the shadow of a very pretty fountain. There are a few actual stores in the pavilion also, they sell clothing and jewelry.
Also located in the Pavilion/temple are two neat places to eat. The one is La Cava del Tequila. This is basically a Tequila Bar that serves 70 varieties of authentic Mexican tequila. You can enjoy margaritas made with fresh tropical fruits and they serve Fresh Made guacamole, warm corn chips and salsas. They also have a “tequila ambassador” that is there to teach the history of this Mexican Specialty.
The other place to get something to eat inside the Mexican Pavilion is the San Angel Inn. We have found the food in the San Angel Inn good and have always enjoyed our meals there. But the great thing about eating here is the Atmosphere. You are eating in an “outdoor” Cantina under the stars. Every now and again, the volcano off in the distance will rumble. You can also see the boats floating by on the river below.
The boats that float by on the river as you are eating are part of the Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros. This ride is a fun and entertaining journey through the history and country of Mexico. It is hosted by Panchito, who is a Mexican rooster, José Carioca, a Brazilian parrot, and Donald Duck; the stars of Disney’s 1944 movie, The Three Caballeros. The idea behind the ride is that the hosts start off showing you Mexico while you are in a boat and Donald gets lost. The other two, Panchito and Jose’ go looking for him, always a little behind until the very end of your boat ride. It is a very neat ride and the graphics and presentation as you are riding through El Río del Tiempo, The River of Time is great.
This Pavilion is one of my favorite places in Epcot. The atmosphere in the Pavilion is just as exciting as the Mariachi Cobre that plays at the Pavilion. The Mariachi Cobre is a traditional twelve piece Mariachi band that performs daily.
So, now you know, The Mexico Pavilion is a Magical Experience that presents the customs and culture of Mexico in a fun and exciting place. So, when you are in Epcot and entering the World Showcase, Go Left for the Flavors of Mexico.
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Last month I wrote about my experience in Epcot at the Innoventions’ game show “What’s your Problem?” (http://tinyurl.com/253khml) I really enjoyed being part of the show, as a teacher, this is something I do all day long, entertain. There are others out there like me, that like to be part of things. In Walt Disney World, there are Unknown Magics for people like us. These Unknown Magics will create Magical Experiences for you and your family members. They are the Unknown Magic of Being Part of the Show.
As I showed in the article I was Loopy, You can be part of the show at Innoventions. But there are other places in Walt Disney World that you can be Part of the Showalso. Most of the time, they ask for volunteers, so if you want to be one, just let them know you would like to be Part of the Show. Sometimes though, you are chosen to be Part of the Show and you don’t have any choice. But don’t worry, the cast members never try to embarrass you they just have fun with you.
One of the places where you they ask for audience participation is in Disney Hollywood Studios at the Indiana Jones’ Epic Stunt Spectacular. Before they start the show they will ask for a few people to be part of a crowd scene during the show. Over in the Animal Kingdom, they have audience members help them at Flights of Wonder. You can also be Part of the Show at the Spirit of Aloha Luau Dinner Show, because they ask you to come up on stage and learn how to do a Polynesian Dance.
Throughout Epcot, they also have guests help to put on the street shows that happen around the World Showcase. There are many different characters that turn up and create Magical Experiences with their skits and performances. The last time we were there, the Mariachi Cobre, had two women from Mexico singing with them. They had stopped them as they were walking by and had them help out with the performance. And of course Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot is a great place for the kids to have a Magical Experience, be part of the show and interact with Crush from Finding Nemo.
A place where you can be part of the show, but you have to approach them is in Disney Hollywood Studios’ American Idol Experience. This gives you the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, who will vote on your performance and if you are the winner of the day’s finale show, you will get the chance to perform in front of a real American Idol representative at a regional audition for the TV show.
The silliest show that you can be a part of though is in the Magic Kingdom. It is at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. Here you don’t really get a choice if you are going to be in the show, they choose you. The show is an interactive comedy show, kind of like Crush’s Turtle Talk, but this one is more about having fun, than learning. The show is hosted by Mike Wazowski and other Monsters. Throughout the show though, they spot light people in the audience to either prove a point or ask 
questions. During our last visit, we went here with the friends we were traveling with and my friend Mark was sitting with their baby daughter on his lap and they highlighted him to ask a question. They said they wanted to talk to “The Two headed Human.” But that they would “talk to the big head the little one was plugged up,” because she had a pacifier in her mouth. It was very funny and we all enjoyed the Magical Experience it created for us.So, now you know, Magical Experiences can be created not just by going to the show, but maybe by being in them. So, next time you go to show, by volunteering, auditioning or just being lucky, maybe you can be, Part of the Show.
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In a recent post, I spoke of the JAMMitors, the custodial band that plays in Future world in Epcot. The JAMMitors are good, but they are not the only musical group that plays in Epcot. There are Musicians of Epcot that are fun to see, and are great musicians. They can be found all around the World Showcase. Many People don’t take the time to stop and watch a show or listen to the Music in the World Showcase, they think it is just there to add to the culture of each pavilion, but if you take the time to sit and listen, or stop and watch, you may just enjoy an Unknown Magic.
If you enter the World Showcase from Future World, and start around to your left, the first Pavilion you come to is Mexico. At different times throughout the day, the Mariachi Cobre comes out to play. This 12-piece Mexican Mariachi band plays on the steps of the Mexican Pavilion (and sometimes inside) every day. They play Mexican Folklore music, and put on a great show. They have been playing in Epcot since 1982, and although the members have changed over the years, many of the players have been with the group for quite some time.
As you continue walking, After Norway, you will come to the China Pavilion. In this Pavilion you will find the Zheng musicians. The Zheng is an instrument resembling a table zither and Si Xian is the name of the harp-like music played on it. The sound that comes from the Zheng, is a very natural sound, that will remind you of a waterfall or even the wind.
Continuing on your trip around the World Showcase, you will come to Germany after the Outpost. Germany is host daily to the Oktoberfest. Here you will find the Oktoberfest Musikanten. They play traditional Bavarian Music, wear lederhosen, yodel and make sure you have an enjoyable time while eating and drinking at a traditional German Buffet.
You may have noticed I skipped over Norway earlier and I am going to skip over Italy now. Not because I don’t like them, it’s just that, like France, there isn’t any Musical group that sings or plays there. The Spirit of America Fife & Drum Corps does play at the American Adventure Pavilion though. As they March through, this group dressed as Colonials, from around the time of the Revolution, Play Patriotic American Music.
If you are lucky enough to be passing by Japan when the Matsuriza are playing, you will feel as if your heart beat is being controlled by the musicians. This Taiko drumming group performs for about 15 minutes each show and the beats and the movements they make are unbelievable.
In the Morocco and Canada, there are bands that perform on a stage set out next on the walk-way of the World Showcase. The group in Morocco is called Mo’Rockin. They combine Middle Eastern, African and Spanish sounds. They also have a Belly Dancer on stage with them as the play. The band outside of Canada is called Off Kilter. Described by Disney as “kilt-wearing, bagpipe-playing Celtic rock group”, they play rock and roll with “traditional Celtic instruments with more modern electronics.” They are a fun group to watch, not only do they play good music, but they have a great time doing it, which in turn helps you have a great time watching.
The last, but certainly not the least group that plays in Epcot is The British Invasion. The British Invasion plays British pop hits from the 1960’s. If you close your eyes, you might believe that you are actually listening to the Fab Four. They are that good. And the shows seem to change from one performance to another.
All of these shows are very good and greatly entertaining. And any or all of them could provide you with a Magical Experience. So, now that you know, check the Epcot Times Guide, and find yourself some Unknown Magic.
unknownmagicwithinwaltdisneyworld 