The Mexico pavilion at World Showcase is housed almost entirely within an enormous pyramid which combines styles from several pre-Colombian civilizations, representing the cultural heritage of Mexico. The pyramid is impressive from the promenade, but is actually intended to be approached from a path to the right. Follow this trail, and the Aztec edifice slowly reveals itself, rising out of the jungle.
Once inside, we find ourselves on the balcony of a prominent residence, looking out over the Plaza de los Amigos in the center of town. It's nighttime in the Plaza, because this is the time when the city and its marketplace come alive. Activity is everywhere, from the Spanish colonial shop buildings framing the square to the bustling street vendors hawking their wares.
With everything going on around us, there must be something special happening tonight. As it turns out, there is!
The famous Three Caballeros are putting on a concert tonight in nearby Mexico City. It's the latest stop on their Gran Fiesta Tour, reuniting El Pato Donald with his costars from Disney's 1945 animated feature, Jose Carioca and Panchito.
Everyone in town is excited for the main event. Special decorations have even been made, incorporating images of the Three Caballeros into the colorful flags adorning the town.
We head down to the docks and board a boat taking us past nearby Mayan ruins and off to the concert. Before long, though, we learn that there's a problem. It seems Donald Duck has gone missing, and the remaining dos caballeros desperately need to find him in time for the big show.
It turns out Donald's just playing tourist. As we track him down, we get to take in some of the sights of Mexico ourselves, from Chichen Itza to Acapulco. Ultimately, we all make it to Mexico City, where the three stars perform a lively rendition of their signature number.
Hidden Disney Note: One of the breakout characters from The Three Caballeros, the Aracuan Bird, actually makes a cameo appearance in the Gran Fiesta Tour attraction. In the first big room of the ride, pay attention to the screen on the right on which Donald is snapping pictures and wearing a towering stack of hats. Periodically, the hats tilt down and toward the boats. There, hanging from the top is the Aracuan. You have to be quick to catch him, and he doesn't appear in every cycle of the animation, which may require multiple boat trips. Listen for his familiar chattering, though, and you'll be rewarded with a glimpse of the rarest of the Aves Raras.
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