Morocco Pavilion at Epcot
Morocco Pavilion | |
---|---|
Epcot | |
Area | World Showcase |
Coordinates | 28°22′05″N 81°33′06″W / 28.36806°N 81.55167°WCoordinates: 28°22′05″N 81°33′06″W / 28.36806°N 81.55167°W |
Status | Operating |
Opening date | September 7, 1984 |
General statistics | |
Attraction type | Themed Pavilion |
Official Website | http://www.MoroccoPavilion.com |
Sponsor | Kingdom of Morocco |
The Morocco Pavilion is a Moroccan-themed pavilion that is part of the World Showcase, within Epcot at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, United States. It was the first expansion pavilion to be added to World Showcase, opening on September 7, 1984.[1]
Its location is between the Japanese and French pavilions.[2]
Layout
The Morocco Pavilion, designed to look like a Moroccan city with a realistic Minaret, features the only pavilion in which the country's government aided in the design. Guests to the pavilion gain insight on the lifestyle and culture of the Moroccan people through the Gallery of Arts and History. The Fes House shows guests the typical Moroccan house. Inside the pavilion, North African plants including citrus trees, date palms, and olive trees, and fountains can be seen. The courtyard plays hosts to entertainment, including a belly dancing show in the evening. Restaurant Marrakesh, along with the Tangierine Cafe, serve Moroccan fare, including roast lamb in Tajine, Couscous, and Harira soup. Six shops adorn the pavilion, selling patrons everything from rugs to leather goods, and traditional Moroccan clothing.[3]
Some of the major defining structures of the pavilion include Chellah, a replication of the necropolis in Rabat, and the Koutoubia, a replica of the minaret of the same name in Marrakesh. A replica of Bab Boujeloud, the gateway to the Fez medina leads you to a Bazaar area.
King Hassan II actually sent Moroccan artisans to design and create the many mosaics. Due to Islamic religious beliefs on the content of art, the mosaics contain no representations of people. The government also sponsors the pavilion, while a corporation holds sponsoring rights on every other pavilion.[4]
Since the buildings of the pavilion have great religious significance, the lights on the pavilion do not light up during the IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth firework show.[5] In order to maintain a sense of balance during the performance, Norway also stays dark during the show.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studios is seen at an angle from the Moroccan pavilion, and the top of the Tower is designed so it blends in with the Moroccan architecture.[6]
Services
Dining
- Restaurant Marrakesh - Serves various types of Moroccan cuisine including: Harira soup, Pastilla Appetizers, couscous, various lamb dishes, and shish kabob.
- Tangierine Cafe - Serves hummus, various salads, rotisserie chicken, Baklava along with beverages including coffee, mint tea, slushies, beer, and carbonated beverages
- Spice Road Table - Mediterranean
Shopping
- Tangier Trades - Sells jewelry, Moroccan clothing and shoes, mirrors made from camel bones, and daggers
- Brass Baazar - Mosaic fountains and brass and silver plates and mirrors
- Outdoor Baazar - extension of the Brass Baazar. Items include decorative ceramic tiles and vases, Moroccan instruments, and handmade baskets.
- Medina Arts - More ceramics.
- Casablanca Carpets - Offers Moroccan-made rugs, lanterns, and sconces.
- Souk-Al-Magreb - Sells belly dancing how-to's, couscous and the cooking utensils to make couscous, fez hats, and rose water
Entertainment
- Mo'Rockin - Rock and roll music set to Arabian rhythms Aril 1999 [7] until September 30, 2015
- B’net Houariyat - Moroccan musical/dance act January 1, 2016 - [8]
- Storyteller Taarji shares the customs surrounding the Moroccan celebration of Ramadan and Ashura. Seasonal Christmas [9]
Meet Disney Characters from the films
- Aladdin & Jasmine
Gallery
- A typical Moroccan House
- Entrance to Morocco with arch and fountain
- Shops in the rear of the pavilion
- Tile work in the Morocco pavilion
- Restaurant Marrakesh
References
- ↑ Masters, Kim (2001). Keys to the Kingdom. Collins. ISBN 0-06-662109-7.
- ↑ The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World (2006) Walt Disney Enterprises
- ↑ http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epws-morocco.htm
- ↑ The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World (2006) Walt Disney Enterprises
- ↑ "Morocco Epcot". allears.net. AllEars.Net. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
- ↑ http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20140317/16891/30-hidden-secrets-twilight-zone-tower-terror-disneys-hollywood-studios
- ↑ https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/405/Walt-Disney-World/Epcot/World-Showcase--Morocco/MoRockin
- ↑ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-disney-ends-epcot-acts-off-kilter-20140828-post.html
- ↑ http://www.disneydining.com/holidays-around-world-epcot-storytellers-shine-light-holiday-traditions/
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Morocco, Epcot. |
- Official Website
- Walt Disney World Resort - Morocco Pavilion
- Walt Disney World Resort - Restaurant Marrakesh
- Walt Disney World Resort - Mo'Rockin