No Passport Needed: A Visitor's Guide to Mexico Pavilion at Epcot

I have visited Mexico several times and it's always gorgeous and tropical with warm temps and warm people. Visiting Epcot at Walt Disney World gives my family a taste of all of these benefits and, from the food to the live entertainment and family-friendly boat ride, the pavilion highlights the best of the country- without ever having to pull your passport out of storage.

Here's a quick and easy rundown that will give you exactly what you need to know about Mexico Pavilion at Epcot World Showcase.

Dining

La Cava del Tequila- A tequila bar offering a huge selection of the popular liquor and light appetizers. The bar offers tequila specialists that circulate with the guests. Location: Near San Ángel Inn Restaurante

San Ángel Inn Restaurante- A sit-down style restaurant that's the sister property of a dining spot in Mexico City. If you're on the Disney Dining Plan, you'll need one table service credit for each dining party member.  If you want a gorgeous view of the indoor pyramid and smoking volcano, ask for a spot near the railing and lagoon. 

Cantana de San Ángel- Counter service location near the World Showcase Lagoon. 1 counter service credit per diner. Tip: If you're staying for Illuminations and hit the timing just right, you can watch the laser/fireworks show from the restaurant. 

La Hacienda de San Ángel- Also located on World Showcase Lagoon, La Hacienda is an indoor, sit-down style restaurant. 1 table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. 

Entertainment and Artwork

Mariachi Cobre is the traditional mariachi band filling the air around Mexico Pavilion with beautiful music. They perform daily and they're schedule varies, but if you are lucky enough to catch them perform, you're in for a fabulous performance. Here's what I love about the band: they cater they're music to guests, sing birthday songs, and are so much fun!

After you check out Mariachi Cobre, head inside the Mesoamerican pyramid and check out the gorgeous artwork displays in the gallery. "Animales Fantásticos" will teach you all about prominent animals in Mexican culture and the exquisite pieces will have you wanting a few in your own home.

Speaking of shopping...

Shopping

If you're looking for handmade, authentic Mexican goods and wares, Plaza de los Amigos is the place to make a beeline for! The indoor plaza has the look and feel of an outdoor plaza and the vendors are selling their goodies all around a fountain. 

Tip: Love collecting pressed pennies? There's a Mexico Pavilion pressed penny maker in Plaza de los Amigos.

Rides 

World Showcase only offers two rides right now and Mexico Pavilion has a fun one- Gran Fiesta tour Starring The Three Caballeros. The slow-moving boat ride lasts right around seven minutes, has a fun Three Caballeros theme, and showcases  Panchito and Jose Carioca while they go on a whirlwind chase through popular cites in Mexico looking for Donald Duck. 

The ride does offer a FastPass+ selection, but unless you're visiting on a high crowd day, we never have a problem with the standby queue. 

Meet and Greets

Outside to the left of Mexico Pavilion, Donald Duck has meet and greets throughout the day. He's a very popular character and long lines tend to form very quickly, so if you're adamant about getting his autograph, check the meet and greet times and jump in line early. 

Mexico Pavilion Fun Facts

• The control room for Illuminations is at the top of the Mexico Pavilion Mesoamerican pyramid
• The pavilion is the first stop you'll make when visiting the World Showcase and that was intentional- it's to celebrate our friendly neighbor to the south. 
• The Mexico Pavilion opened the day Epcot opened- October 1, 1982
• Several folks try to climb the pyramid's exterior every year. Please don't try this! Not only is it dangerous, but you can get booted from the park by doing so.