It’s basically latin American “It’s a Small World”, but most people don’t even know that the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride even exists. This lovely attraction is tucked away in an unexpected place at Walt Disney World.
Located in Epcot, this ride doesn’t have an outside entrance. You’ll find it hidden inside the pyramid-shaped Mexico pavilion.
10 Facts About the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros Ride in Epcot
1.Three Caballeros Ride Location
This gem is hidden away inside the pyramid-shaped Mexico pavilion. What’s so remarkable about that is it’s not clear from the outside that the ride is even inside.
The pavilion also houses a small Mexican themed village, some artwork, and a restaurant. In our experience boarding for this ride had no line at all. In fact, it seemed like most people overlooked it.
2. Only One Caballero is From Mexico
Although it’s in the Mexican pavilion the Three Caballeros do not exactly hail from Mexico. In fact, only one Caballero, Panchito Pistoles (the Mexican charro rooster) is Mexican.
3. It’s Sort of Like ‘It’s a Small World’, but not
Although it starts off very similar to It’s a Small World with dancing animatronics it turns into something that’s more akin to the (removed) If You Had Wings ride. If you’re not familiar with that ride, basically it uses screens as part of the ride.
In Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, the footage is live-action with the animated Three Caballeros inserted into it.
4.Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros was the First World Showcase Ride With Existing Disney Characters
In case you’re not familiar with the 1944 film, the Three Caballeros was an animated movie starring Donald Duck. It was the first feature film to include animated characters with live-action.
The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in the Mexico Pavilion was the first ride in Epcot’s World Showcase to include an existing Disney property in their rides
It was the only ride in the world showcase, actually, until Norway added their Frozen feature.
5. Epcot is the Only Park in the World You’ll Find The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros Ride
While you see a lot of rides replicated across parks, this is one of the ones you won’t find at Disneyland or in any of the international parks. You’ll have to visit Epcot at Walt Disney World in Florida to check it out.
6. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros Ride Replaced Another Ride
Although the Three Caballeros is an old movie the ride only opened in 2007. Prior to that you took a journey through “El Rio del Tiempo” (the temple river). It still featured the animatronic dolls but instead took you through Mexico’s history.
7. The Updated Ride and the Original are Almost the Same
But there are many exceptions. One of them being the addition of a Donald Duck shaped pinata. There’s funny gags throughout the ride which makes it a lot more fun to journey through than typical Disney boat rides.
8. It Takes you Through the San Angel Inn Restaurant
Much like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland, The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride’s journey has you passing through an atmospheric restaurant.
9. Some of the Animatronics are a Re-Home
In the final scene of The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride you’ll come across animatronics of the Three Caballeros. Of course, these weren’t part of the original ride – they were repurposed from “Mickey Mouse Revue” , a now defunct attraction that was in Fantasyland.
10. The Ride was Originally Supposed to Have Outside Portions
Like many Disney rides, the had a plan and those plans changed. The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride is all indoors, but did you know they originally planned an outside section? Due to delays in other rides, Epcot didn’t have enough rides completed for opening day. So, they rushed the construction of El Rio del Tiempo for opening day.
A lot of people like to use this 8 minute boat ride as a great way to cool off or the short lines as a filler between shows. Personally, The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride was one of my unexpected favourites in Walt Disney World’s Epcot. You should definitely check it out (and watch the movie)!
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