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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: Mexico Pavilion
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Last summer, I bought a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Margarita Machine. It was a nice addition to our Tiki Bar. It is pretty nice. It is a three step machine that adds the ice automatically for you and mixes all your ingredients. The problem I have with it is that I’m not big into Margaritas. I use it to make other frozen drinks, mudslides, for example, and I can drink the Margaritas, but I’m not a big Tequila drinker. My wife likes a good Margarita though, so when we are in Disney, we visit the little stand outside the Mexico Pavilion and we grab a Margarita to wander with. Of course inside the Mexico Pavilion there is also a good place to get a Margarita. Once a few years back, when we were eating in the San Angel Inn, we had some pretty good Margaritas! We enjoyed them very much! It even gave our son the opportunity to buy a Sombrero that was huge, and a lot of silliness ensued, but that is another story. Today’s story is about Tequila and where you can find it in Disney World.
Most people don’t think of Disney World as a place to get a drink, but there are some specialty places in Disney that are all about the tequila. Our Big Hat adventure in Epcot took place quite a few years back. Now, the San Angel Inn is sharing the Mexico Pavilion with another bar. This isn’t any bar though, La Cava del Tequila, is a specialty shop that sells and tells about Tequila. They actually have a Tequila Ambassador, someone to help you learn about the history and process of Tequila making and about different types of Tequila. There are about 30 seats in the shop and they serve light Mexican fare, but they are mainly here to sell you Tequila. They offer a variety of Margaritas and they have 70 different types of Tequila ranging from stuff you may have heard of, too very rare $50 a glass specialty Tequila.
La Cava del Tequila is open from around noon until Epcot’s closing. If you want some Tequila and you don’t happen to be in Epcot, you can always head over to Downtown Disney. This is where you will find Paradiso 37. This is a newer restaurant/bar on the West Side that was being added before they decided to change Pleasure Island. It is still there and is a great place to get a Margarita.
Paradiso 37 is a “high-energy restaurant and bar that serves up unique cuisine inspired by the Taste of the Americas.” It not only offers an international Wine list, but a Tequila Tower and 37 different types of Tequila. They also offer 10 different types of Margaritas for your enjoyment. Paradiso 37 also offers live music and the menu is rather extensive. They open at 11 AM and offer specialty coffees and a lunch menu that is almost as big as the dinner menu. They both offer Appetizers, soups and salads, as well as a Main course and Desert. The restaurant is pretty large and is a non-smoking establishment.
So now you know, there are a couple of Unknown places in Disney World where you can get a Margarita, try some different Tequila and maybe some new food as well. Just remember too much Tequila and an eleven year old who wants a rather large sombrero may be a problem, when you try to figure out how to get that Big Hat home on the plane.
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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.
unknownmagicwithinwaltdisneyworld 