Mexico Pavilion Contract Awarded For World Showcase
The July 3, 1981 issues of Eyes and Ears shares information about the Mexico Pavilion contract awarded to the R.E. Daley & Co. construction company. Similar to the Spaceship Earth contract, it’s seems odd to see the contract awarded one year and three months before the grand opening of EPCOT Center.
Let’s see what Disney had to say to its cast members about the future pavilion.
A major construction contract for World Showcase has been awarded to R. E. Dailey & Co. of Detroit, Mich.The contract is for the Mexico pavilion as well as the ODYSSEY Restaurant.
The R. E. Dailey & Co. has already received a construction contract for the CommuniCore area of FutureWorld.
The Mexico pavilion will encompass more than 75,000 square feet of space and include a major ride-through boat excursion – “Las Tres Culturas,” as well as shops, a large sit-down restaurant featuring authentic Mexican food, and a snackbar on the lagoon. An ancient Indian pyramid dominates the entrance to the pavilion.
In addition, the contract package includes construction of the ODYSSEY restaurant complex, a major fast food facility for Epcot Center guests as well as backstage support forEpcot Center cast members. Guests will also use the building for baby care and first aid.
Only one pavilion scheduled for our October 1, 1982, opening date, the People’s Republic of China, has not been awarded.
Mexico Pavilion Concept Art
Eyes and Ears always presented photos in two colors, reflecting the newsletter-style printing. D23 later released the concept art included in the article in full color, showcasing its fantastic details.
If you look a little closer, you can see a boat ride to the left of the image. The boats look very similar to what we have today minus the gondolier and the signage. Which makes me wonder…
The article quotes the attraction’s original name as Las Tres Culturas (also Las Tres Culturas de Mexico) before Disney renamed it El Rio del Tiempo. Severe budget cuts shortened the attraction significantly. I can’t help but imagine how different the ride would have been if part of it had taken place outside of the pyramid. Although the Imagineers had learned that the Florida sun is vastly different from the Southern California sun (Haunted Mansion queue and The Mad Tea Party “tent”), they still were planning attractions with outdoor sections.
It’s still a fantastic piece of concept artwork. The rich details of the early plans, combined with the vibrant colors and cultural inspirations, show the depth of thought Imagineers put into crafting immersive experiences. Reflecting on what could have been offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges and compromises of creating EPCOT Center, making us appreciate the pavilions even more.
What do you think about the concept art?
EPCOT Center Book Video
Love Epcot? Check out the ultimate EPCOT Center books!
When discussing Disney books, few hold as much admiration as Richard Beard’s iconic Epcot Center book, often simply referred to as “Beard’s Epcot book.” What many don’t realize is that this celebrated title exists in three distinct versions. Each version offers unique insights and perspectives on EPCOT Center, making them invaluable resources for fans of Disney history. If you’re curious about the differences between these versions, be sure to check out my video that explores all three in detail!