Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just hope that the redo of El Rio Del Tiempo doesn't just mean static fiberglass characters and scenes from the film. It needs a thorough reworking...hopefully with AA's...>> Yes, I think it desperately needs updating, but there are some very cool effects from the fog and hologram at the start to the waterfall/rockwork to the fiber optic fireworks at the end, that I would hate to see removed.
Originally Posted By leemac <<as of now they are adding the The Caballeros in El Rio de Tiempo attraction in 2007 or 2008 but I would say 2007 fo the least. >> It will be next year. The project is already pretty advanced. It is part of a series of small fixes that Tom Fitzgerald is pushing for at Epcot like the renewal of the movies.
Originally Posted By leemac That said Mexico is an incredible pavilion from a design POV. The boat ride has always been abysmal. I'm sure the money must have run out by the time they started developing it. I heard a funny story about it recently in that WDI received a lot of complaints about the portrayal of Canada from Canadians (despite the involvement of the country's tourism board on both the original and updated feature) but that they never hear a squeak from the Mexicans despite the very stereotypical portrayal of their people (the hawking at the end for example). It seems Mexicans don't go into the Mexico pavilion.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 I just hope the caballeros overlay of El Rio de Tiempo is handeled carefully. I hope its not annoying and in your face like Stitch's great escape and tiki room under new management.
Originally Posted By Skellington88 Having said that, other than the Cabellero animation...any other changes/additions/improvements to the ride?
Originally Posted By FoxHound Will the ride duplicate the Caballeros animatronics used in the Mickey Mouse Revue, or will they be some other form of animation? I've always liked the ride but it definitely could use the additions.
Originally Posted By FiveBearRugs That's one of the things that we didn't get a chance to do when we were at EPCOT, er, Epcot a few years ago. We did eat at that restaurant though. I was a bit disappointed with Maelstrom though. The Three Caballeros were also featured in DL's 30th Anniversary Celebration when Donna Summer, er, Debbie Allen sings Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah (for the third and final time that night) down Main Street. Would the Caballeros act as guides/narrators through the ride?
Originally Posted By partyhare This is great, but I hope the ride update focuses on Panchito and maybe Donald. Jose Carioca is distinctly Brazilian and doesn't make sense at all in Mexico. Panchito is from Mexico and speaks Spanish, so he culturally is appropriate for the pavilion. Now..if EPCOT added a Brazil pavilion in World Showcase...
Originally Posted By Kane22 I don't know Partyhare I think Jose Carioca will do just fine I mean Donald Duck is all American.
Originally Posted By partyhare Donald with Sombrero plays into a visitor to Mexico, just like the daily guests visiting the pavilion. Also, tying Kimono Minnie to Japan is similar since core characters are a face to all the world. The EPCOT pavilions shrive for authenticity. To mix distinct cultural icons: Jose Carioca, a popular Brazilian comic character whose name literally means he is from Brazil and his language is Portugese - with a Mexican theme does a disservice to Brazilian culture, the intention of World Showcase, and the animation legacy of a character whose purpose was to highlight Brazilian culture in Saludos Amigos, Melody Time, and The Three Cabelleros. The European pavilions have strict character relations. Aladdin gets stuck in the closest cultural relative, Morocco, which most likely is not part of true Arabian source legend. But to bundle Jose Carioca, whose creation and Disney legacy is linked to Brazil, with Mexico is a convenient marketing, dumb down America move, IMO.
Originally Posted By brotherdave But, Jose and Donald BOTH visit Panchito in Mexico in the movie The Three Caballeros. Why can't they be 'visiting' Mexico in the ride, too?
Originally Posted By partyhare You're right, but that logic only works when Aladdin and Jasmine show up at the China Pavilion since they visited there in their movie. The mixed message that all Latinos are the same is the problem since the Mexico pavilion does not represent Latin America, it represents Mexico.
Originally Posted By brotherdave What if they're portrayed AS tourists in the ride, like they were in the movie?
Originally Posted By partyhare Yes, that would be fine as long as Panchito is the tour guide and ambassador for Mexico like he is in the movie. And Jose Carioca has to retain his Brazilian identity and not make a home out of the Mexico Pavilion (which would be an insult to Mexico and Brazil). Even in the movie, Jose was more along for the ride as Donald was engaging in the Mexican culture. Panchito would have taken Donald to Mexico with or without Jose.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I mean Donald Duck is all American.<< And he has a foreign accent as proof.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror What if Jose bought a condo in Cabo San Lucas, and Donald was freeloading? People move. And Jose has a good reason to leave. I mean, the homicide rate in Rio is just... murder...
Originally Posted By tokyodisneydad I just want to say that I see them in TDS all the time, although Donald is usually the only one with people crowded around. I usually can walk straight up to the other two for wide open picture chances. I usually overhear "Dare desu ka? " from the Japanese people around me meaning "Who are they?"
Originally Posted By Labuda "Speaking of rare characters, I have read that Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow take part in the Family Fun day parade at the MK." They are indeed, and regarding what TDLFAN mentioned - they're also in the Boo to You Parade this year. And, if you want to meet them, according to one LPer I met up with this trip, you just need to hang near the fire styation and politely ask as they exit after the family fun day spiel if you'd like a photo.
Originally Posted By Dis-Philip Actually, in addition to appearing in the Family Fun Day Parade, Clarabelle & Horace now come out for regular meet-and-greets (pictures, autographs, etc.) in the Town Square/Mickey Floral areas in the Magic Kingdom every morning.
Originally Posted By irishfan Ok, I get it....Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow are Offically Common!
