Morocco (Epcot)

Morocco
Epcot
Land	World Showcase
Attraction type	Themed Pavilion
Opening date	September 7, 1984
Sponsored by	Kingdom of Morocco

The Morocco Pavilion is part of the World Showcase within Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort. It was the first expansion pavilion to be added to World Showcase, opening on September 7, 1984.^[1]

Layout

The Moroccan 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. 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.

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.

The Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studios is seen at an angle from the Morrocan pavilion, and the top of the Tower is designed so it blends in with the Morrocan architecture.

Attractions and services

Dining

• Restaurant Marrakesh - Serves various types of Moroccan cuisine including: Harira soup, Pastilla Appetizers, couscous, various lamb dishes, and shisk kabob.
• Tangerine Cafe - Serves hummus, various salads, rotisserie chicken, Baklava along with beverages including coffee, mint tea, slushies, beer, and carbonated beverages

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

Meet Disney Characters from the films

• Aladdin, Princess Jasmine & Genie.

Gallery

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  A typical Moroccan House

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  Entrance to Morocco with arch and fountain

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  Shops in the rear of the pavilion

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  Tile work in the Morocco pavilion

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  Restaurant Marrakesh

References

1. ^ Masters, Kim (2001). Keys to the Kingdom. Collins. ISBN 0066621097. 

External links

• Walt Disney World Resort - Morocco Pavilion
• Walt Disney World Resort - Restaurant Marrakesh
• Walt Disney World Resort - Mo'Rockin

Coordinates: 28°22′05″N 81°33′06″W / 28.36806°N 81.55167°W / 28.36806; -81.55167