Morocco Pavilion at Epcot

Morocco Pavilion
Epcot
Area World Showcase
Coordinates 28°22′05″N 81°33′06″W / 28.36806°N 81.55167°W / 28.36806; -81.55167Coordinates: 28°22′05″N 81°33′06″W / 28.36806°N 81.55167°W / 28.36806; -81.55167
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 Japan and France 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

Shopping

Entertainment

  • Mo'Rockin - Rock and roll music set to Arabian rhythms April 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

References

  1. ↑ Masters, Kim (2001). Keys to the Kingdom. Collins. ISBN 0-06-662109-7.
  2. ↑ The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World (2006) Walt Disney Enterprises
  3. ↑ "Morocco - Epcot World Showcase". www.wdwinfo.com. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  4. ↑ The Imagineering Field Guide to Epcot at Walt Disney World (2006) Walt Disney Enterprises
  5. ↑ "Morocco Epcot". allears.net. AllEars.Net. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "30 Hidden Secrets on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios". Theme Park Tourist. 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  7. ↑ "MousePlanet Park Guide - Walt Disney World - Mo'Rockin". www.mouseplanet.com. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  8. ↑ Sentinel, Dewayne Bevil, Orlando. "Epcot: End of road for Off Kilter, Mo'Rockin', fife and drum corps, more". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
  9. ↑ "Holidays Around the World –Epcot Storytellers Shine Light on Holiday Traditions - Disney Dining Information". DisneyDining. 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2018-02-16.
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