EPCOT's Morocco Pavilion Changes Ownership
Photo credit: D23.com
The Morocco pavilion at EPCOT's World Showcase has always been one of our favorites. An explore of the pavilion quickly makes one realize it feels different than the rest of World Showcase. We've always felt it feels more authentic. However, it has recently struggled financially and while the pavilion remains, we are concerned the uniqueness factor is in danger. In this post, we're going to share what is unique about the pavilion, why, and what the latest news is.
About Morocco
The Morocco pavilion is the only pavilion in the World Showcase that is 100% sponsored by a country's government and not a corporation. In fact, not only did the Moroccan government sponsor the pavilion, they also were heavily involved in the design of the pavilion. The king even sent his personal craftsman to style the signature gateway you see in the pavilion that separates the front plaza from the old city in the back. This gateway is tiled with geometric patterns because Islam forbids depictions of living things on buildings.
Speaking of the gateway, most guests never seem to make it through that gate. Everything in front if flashy and bright, but beyond the gateway, you find architecture made to look older. However, a trip through that gate really is what opens up the magic of this pavilion. Beyond the gate, back in the old city, you find a scattering of less busy shops that sell traditional Moroccan items like baskets, textiles, and carpets, as well as some of the quietest places in all of Walt Disney World. All the way back, beyond a small fountain, we even discovered a large tiled room with mats laid out for prayer one day (we don't know if that's still there). The only hint that you might still be at Walt Disney World is the sight of the top of the Tower of Terror over at Disney Hollywood Studios, but even then you must know what you are looking for because the top of the Tower was designed to blend in with the other Moroccan architecture.
Another thing you may notice is that during night shows, the Morocco pavilion is lit up a bit less than other countries. That is because the buildings in that pavilion, especially the minaret, have religious significance and so are not adorned with lights.
While sponsored and designed by the Moroccan government, the restaurant and shops in the pavilion have been operated by the same corporation: Restaurant Marrakesh Inc. up until recently.
Restaurants and Shops
One of the reasons we love the Morocco pavilion is the food. In few other places in World Showcase will you find less Americanized versions of cultural dishes. Yes, you can get Chinese food in the China pavilion and German food in the German pavilion, but even there you are going to find foods most Americans are familiar with like sweet and sour pork or bratwurst. If you really want a culinary adventure, head to Morocco and try one of the three restaurants.
As of right now, the Morocco pavilion hosts three restaurants though none are currently open (you'll see why below). Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table are the two table service locations, and Tangierine Cafe is a quick service. You can find couscous, hummus platters, shawarma, skewers, mint tea, and baklava at these dining locations, and at the table service locations you may also find tagine, kefta, and harira soup. I recommend trying the dolmas, one of my favorite snacks.
The pavilion also has a lovely variety of shops that feel more authentic than your typical gift shop, and a museum. In the morocco pavilion, you can get henna done, or even buy a carpet. You can also tour a museum including a traditional Moroccan house replica. But don't worry, if you need your Disney fix, you might also spot Princess Jasmine and Aladdin.
The Uncertain Future
Recently, Disney assumed full ownership of the Morocco pavilion from Restaurant Marrakesh, Inc. In months prior to Disney assuming ownership, Restaurant Marrakesh Inc. was struggling. All workers, including lead chefs at the restaurants were laid off and more recently told they had to pay back pay for their health insurance benefits from the time of lay off, which for some was upwards of a thousand dollars. The corporation had filed for assistance under the paycheck protection plan loans available in America during the pandemic, but soon after that filing, Disney also filed a lien against the pavilion because apparently it had been in debt for other repairs and maintenance Disney had taken on over the years prior to the pandemic. We are not financial experts, but it sounds like the pavilion was already struggling and then the pandemic made it worse.
There is evidence that Disney is currently doing maintenance on various parts of the pavilion, including repainting the interior at Spice Road Table. And it is clear that Disney plans to keep the Morocco pavilion operating. However, since the assumption of ownership, the back part of the pavilion has been closed off to the public.
We generally trust Disney, but we do acknowledge the Morocco pavilion has had a unique history and has always felt special, and we can't help but feel the reason it felt special was because of its unique ownership. We hope that Disney preserves the traditions and doesn't infuse the pavilion with too many Disney commercial interests and merchandise so that it can keep feeling authentic in the future. And we hope to see some of the restaurants open again in the near future, when they are staffed up again.
Whatever the case, we recommend a visit to the Morocco pavilion, especially once the back is opened up again. Have an explore in the old village and duck into some of the shops. We think you'll fall in love like we did.
We hope we enticed you to explore this part of Walt Disney World. Every pavilion at World Showcase has a unique story. If you want to hear more about the pavilions at World Showcase, let us know in the comments or over on our Facebook page, where you can follow us to see new posts every week. Until next time...
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