The Mouse-standing List: Mexico Pavilion

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! Got your Margaritas and chips & salsa on hand? Ok...then here we go.

Today, I'm gonna take a look at the Mexico Pavilion in Epot's World Showcase to find the most outstanding (or as I like to call it, Mouse-standing) things this fun area has to offer. (And hopefully, will continue the Mouse-standing List(s) as time goes on.)

The Mexico Pavilion is one of my favorites in all of World Showcase. It easily cracks Top 5 and I'd say it would probably be in the Top 3 of my favorite pavilions. I think it has a ton to offer guests, making it a full section to explore and enjoy.

So what are the Top 5 things that I think makes this area so Mouse-standing?

1. The Theme-no matter what the weather is outside, it's always nighttime in here. Which to me, is so cool. And what makes it even better, is when you step inside those doors of the pyramid, you enter into this "outside" Mexican Plaza, transporting you immediately to another place. This pavilion has some top notch details involved, so make sure you soak up the atmosphere. It's worth it.



2. The Gran Fiesta Tour - Donde Estas Donald? Ok, my Spanish may not be so good (thank gosh you can't hear me actually say it!)...but essentially, here you're looking for the one and only Donald Duck with his buddies from The Three Caballeros--Panchito and Jose. This boat ride is a tad bit hokey, but that's what I love about it. The hokeyness factor makes it all the better. And my favorite part probably has to be where you float past the San Angel Inn, peering up, seeing guests in the restaurant. That or the fireworks at the end!

3. The Cantina de San Angel....ok....I know...technically, it's not open right now. And of course, the whole area is changing, so we'll have to see what those potential changes are when it reopens in the Fall. However, that being said and going off what it was in the past, this is a great little counter service restaurant (though I hear it may be switching over to counter service for lunch, table service for dinner) that serves up decent Mexican foods. And it's stuff you'd recognize like tacos, burritos, and nachos, oh and the specialty is their frozen Margaritas. (Keep in mind, there is a restaurant inside the pyramid, the San Angel Inn, but it doesn't serve up these types of food, instead offering up more traditional Mexican fare, which can be a little unrecognizable to some people.) I love that you can sit by the water and enjoy your food in peace, relatively speaking, you do have to deal with the birds. Also, this was a fun little spot to see Illuminations from. I can't wait for it to reopen.

4. The Shopping - inside the pyramid, in that great "outdoor" Mexican Plaza is some very unique shopping. I love looking at all the knick-knacks that are available. The animals that are carved are fabulous! Also love the Mexican blankets.

5. The Smell - Ok...I know, this is kind of a weird one. But for me, inside this pavilion is it's own, distinct smell. It's a mixture of Mexican foods, water attraction, tequila...it all adds up to the fact that when I step inside, I know I'm in Mexico...well...Disney's Mexico.

Those are the best things, to me about this pavilion, however, did you think I'd be able to just leave it at 5?! No way...so, we have a few things on the honorable mentions list, which include:

6. Donald Meet and Greet - Donald Duck does a really great meet and greet over here, as he's dressed in a sombrero and a Mexican poncho. They are currently building Donald a more permanent meet and greet area over here, which I can't wait to see what it'll look like. Sometimes Jose and Panchito have been known to make appearances as well.

7. La Cava del Tequila - So, I don't get to enjoy this one so much because I don't drink, but seriously, how can you go wrong with a tequila bar? Lots and lots of different kinds of tequila...I submit that you cannot! Which is why it makes the honorable mentions list. Also, they have a nice selection of small noshes you can partake in as well.

Alright, that's gonna do it for this edition of The Mouse-standing List. What is it that is Mouse-standing to you in the Mexico Pavilion? Let me know in the comments section or message me on Twitter: @RikkiNibs Also, let me know what you'd like to see me tackle on the next Mouse-standing List! I take requests!