Located just between the Japan and France pavilions in World Showcase at Epcot is the Morocco pavilion. This weekend, the 7th to be exact, is the 30th anniversary of the pavilion. The Morocco pavilion was the first addition to World Showcase, after the opening of Epcot.
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 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 leathergoods, 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 inMarrakesh. 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 norepresentations 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 Moroccan pavilion, and the top of the Tower is designed so it blends in with the Moroccan architecture.
Here is a picture that was shared on the Disney Parks Blog of the pavilion when it was still under construction:
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