For many who enter Epcot's World Showcase, the Aztec Pyramid is the first landmark that they encounter.  What is not apparent at first glance is all that is contained within the pyramid.  Disney World Guests will find shopping, dining, a tequila bar, and a wonderful boat ride through the history of Mexico.

The design of the pyramid itself is actually influenced by a combination of 3rd century A.D. Meso-American styles.




Epcot Mexico Pavilion
For all that the pyramid offers from the outside it is nothing to compare with what you will find on the inside.  The Disney Imagineers have created a feeling of an outdoor marketplace housed within.  They have successfully combined three different influences on the Mexican culture: Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec in addition to the Spanish influences.





It is a wonderful experience walking through the inside of the pyramid.  By adding the element of night time to the setting it becomes even more special.  The atmosphere seems to be even more festive.

As you stroll the plaza there are numerous items available for sale that were made by Mexican craftsman from various regions of the country.



La Cava del Tequila
One of the newest additions to the pavilion is called La Cava del Tequila.  Inside you will find a very impressive Tequila bar featuring over 100 different tequilas served up by knowledgeable staff.  You can also order "tapas" type foods while you are sampling the tequilas or trying on one their many specialty Margaritas.  Here not only can you sample a wide variety of tequila, but you can also learn about the history and culture of tequila making.




The San Angel Inn
One of the most romantic settings for dining can be found at the San Angel Inn.  Located within the pavilion along the shore of the River of Time the atmosphere and view is wonderful.  Here you can dine on authentic Mexican cuisine in this beautiful setting.






Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Lastly there is even an attraction to enjoy within the pyramid called the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros.  The attraction is a slow moving boat ride through scenes depicting Mexican history and culture.  Throughout the attraction you will find characters from the 1944 Disney animated film Three Caballeros starring Donald Duck.


The attraction combines traditional animation superimposed over live-action film clips shot in such stunning locales as Acapulco, Chichen Itza, Manzanillo and Mexico City.

There is also part of the attraction that will make you believe that you have been transported to it's a small world with the use of colorful dolls and scenery.


Experience Mexico
While on your Disney World Vacation make sure that you venture inside the impressive pyramid that dominates the skyline of the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase.  With all that it has to offer, this view of Mexico is certainly worth your time.  This also makes a wonderful way to beat the heat of the Florida sun and relax for a while.

One of the original Walt Disney World Resort attractions will be closing after May 31st.  Snow White's Scary Adventures in the Magic Kingdom will be shutting down to make way for the new Princess Fairytale Hall.

Snow White's Scary Adventures
Since it opened on October 1, 1971 Snow White's Scary Adventures has been an integral part of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.  Prior to the new attractions that are being created as part of the Fantasyland expansion it has been the only Dark Ride/Attraction that has focused on one of the classic Disney Princesses.


As you made your way through this attraction in your ride vehicles named for the Seven Dwarfs and adorned with Snow White's animal friends you encountered a quickly paced retelling of Snow White's story.


For Snow White fans the good news is that there will be a bigger and much improved attraction that is  focused on Snow and her friends.  It will be tentatively be called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which is scheduled to open in 2014.

Disney World is full of classic, well-known attractions, but one of the best attractions that you may have never heard of is called Hyperspace Hoopla!  This fun filled Star Wars themed show closes each day of the Star Wars Weekends event at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  The fact that it can only be seen by those who stick around to the end of the day on those 4 special weekends each year is the reason it is largely unknown to most Disney World fans.



Hyperspace Hoopla!
Call it a cult favorite, but this tongue-in-cheek Star Wars spoof that pits good vs. evil in the ultimate dance competition is a must see for many Disney World fans.



The show is hosted by the engaging Snig and Oopla.  They get the crowd going and interject their own brand of Star Wars humor that anyone familiar with the movies will enjoy.


The show itself follows the same basic formula each year, but that is part of the charm.  You want to know how they are going to keep it current, while loving the basic crazy premise of Good Guys vs. Bad Guys in a dance competition to settle their differences.



Count on seeing a multitude of your favorite Star Wars characters whether you are a fan of the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire.  The Cantina Band from the original Star Wars Movie, aka Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes, start the dancing off while frustrating the hosts during their rendition of Stump The Band.




Emperor Palpatine starts the contest representing the Dark Side of the Force.  Each year the songs chosen change.  2011 featured rock anthems with action kicking off with the AC/DC classic "Back In Black."




Chewbacca represents the Rebel Alliance and exhibits his own brand of stylish dancing that can only be performed by a Wookie.  The Guns & Roses trademark "Welcome To The Jungle" will never be the same after this performance last year.




Not to be outdone or forgotten, Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers present another entrant for the Dark Side.  Lord Vader danced to Metallica's "Enter Sandman."




After the initial competition the dancing does not stop there.  Expect to see a multitude of Star Wars Characters including: Aurra Sing, Boba Fett, Zam Wessel, Kit Fisto, Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, R2-D2, Princess Leia, Padme, Darth Maul, Ewoks, Jawas, Storm Troopers, Ahsoka Tano, and many more.



Great Little Known Disney World Attraction
Although the Hyperspace Hoopla! is only around for 12 performances each year, it is one Disney World attraction that every Disney World and Star Wars fan should have on their list of attractions that they want to see live in person.  Pictures and YouTube videos don't do justice to the pure fun of experiencing this show in person.  The music, comedy, pyrotechnics, and energy generated from the performers and the crowd just can't be beat.

Shopping at the Walt Disney World Resort is often more than finding the perfect souvenir to remember your Disney World Vacation.  The shopping destinations can be attractions unto themselves with incredibly detailed theming and lots of details that you can spend time enjoying.  One such shopping "attraction" can be found in the Dinoland section of Disney's Animal Kingdom.  It is called Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures.



Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures
In keeping with the kitschy feel of Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama, the souvenir shop is the ultimate combination of 50's roadside attraction, dinosaur nostalgia, and pure Disney Imagineering fun.  There is nothing high tech to the sights in this shop, but there certainly is plenty to see.  There are dinosaurs and dinosaur references literally EVERYWHERE!  From plastic dinosaurs, to comic books and movie posters, you don't have to look far to uncover another dinosaur.







The toughest part of shopping at Chester & Hester's Dino Treasures is knowing where to start.  The dinosaur references are everywhere!






How can you not love the Godzilla reference shown in the diorama above?



Disney World Magic
Do not pass up the opportunity to check out this amazing Disney World store.  Whether you end up buying anything thing here or not doesn't really matter.  You miss out on a wonderful part of Disney Imagineering magic if you do not take the time to see all that there is to see.

Make sure that you treat this store like the other Disney World Attractions on your "Must Do List."  You will be glad that you did.