El Rio Del Tiempo

[KINGCRAB]

I rode El Rio Del Tiempo a few times, usually with new guests. I wasn't much of a fan. It felt like It's A Small Latin World.

Adding the Three Caballeros is an inspired choice and makes the attraction a lot more fun. I don't think it takes too much away from the culture being displayed, because the original attraction was only skimming the surface to begin with.

I prefer when Disney uses an attraction to breathe life back into some classic characters as opposed to using whoever is new to try and bring freshness to an attraction.

I'm going to have to agree. I like the Gran Fiesta Tour too. I think that the 3 Caballeros and Epcot's Mexico pavilion are a perfect match.

El Rio del Tiempo, while a nice diversion and all, was never really a masterpiece, highly underattended and didn't have much in the way of educational value anyway.

[gypsy_dancer]

but did they took out the ride or they just changed it

[KINGCRAB]

but did they took out the ride or they just changed it

Technically, they just changed it. Gran Fiesta Tour still retains all the same sets from El Rio del Tiempo and also a number of its elements, audio-animatronic figures and special effects such as the fireworks on the ceiling in the finale.

The beginning scene with the ancient pyramid at night remains unchanged.

[gypsy_dancer]

oh ok thank you for clearing tht for me =D

[BamaJenn]

I was actually happy with this refurb. I'm ALWAYS happy when they chose to simply update a ride instead of completely gutting and redoing it. While I'm not a huge fan of the Three Cablleros and I tend to be one of those people who believe that the characters shouldn't have a place in Epcot attractions... I actually thought this one was cute. I liked that for the most part the attraction stayed very much the same, even still had the famous cliff diving scene, but they just added overlays of the characters.

[Nemoxoxo]

the first time i went on this ride this june (the first time i saw the newest version), with my brother and my father, all i can remember doing was laughing through practically the entire ride. like, not awww thts cute or thts hilarious, they just changed it so much! usually im aware, from my constant disney website lookings, tht a ride's been changed. well, i was not expecting this at all! i was like, o, well thts gone..and thts gone...and thts different... and WHAT theres 3 dancing gay birds??? huh??

[BamaJenn]

"Gay" meaning happy in this sense.

[elvistelth]

I miss the creepy Aztec dudes. Also the giant Aztec carvings had giant shnozzes like my brother and I loved pointing out the similarities to him when we rode it together.

[allie cat]

Well, I wouldn't say "angry," but disappointed... the ride obviously needed an update, but it still could have been relective of the actual country and not turned into a cartoon kiddie ride... The River of Time was such a relaxing, enjoyable break, and could be a really cool multimedia exploration into Mayan/Aztek cultures, as would be fitting the surroundings. I think that if I was Mexican, I would be angry that Disney seems to think my culture has nothing to offer but a duck without pants in a stereotypical sombrero. Sheesh.

[elvistelth]

I think that if I was Mexican, I would be angry that Disney seems to think my culture has nothing to offer but a duck without pants in a stereotypical sombrero. Sheesh.

I agree! They left out all references to kidnapping, drug smuggling, political corruption, police corruption, and general lawlessness. Imagine how great it could have been if the new ride reflected these truths! Donald Duck getting rolled by the police in Tiajuana and during the whole ride illegals could be walking/swimming towards the entrance to symbolize their "escaping" into America.

[StarsNStripes]

I like the lone little pinata boat floating in the final scene. Haha

[BamaJenn]

I think that if I was Mexican, I would be angry that Disney seems to think my culture has nothing to offer but a duck without pants in a stereotypical sombrero. Sheesh.

I could be wrong here but I am fairly confident that any changes made to the pavillions (outside of general signage updates or painting etc.) in the World Showcase involve representation from that country... just as was done when they were first built.

I think the change to the attraction brings more people into the Mexico pavilion and therefore more people to experience their culture. I don't think Mexicans would feel offended by that.

[Hypermommy]

I also liked El Rio much better than Gran Fiesta. I don't mind Disney changing things .... I LOVE the new Canada film.... but this was just over the top somehow. I do miss the salesman part. And I miss the music... boy, I really miss the music. But I'll ride it a few more times - maybe it'll grow on me.

[allie cat]

kind of an angry, ethnocentric dude are we, elvis?

[mini-V]

It had been many many years since I'd ridden El Rio Del Tiempo and I couldn't have described anything about the original. I liked the Three Caballeros when I saw it as a kid, so I was pleased to have it added to the ride.