EPCOT Morocco pavilion may be the least visited area in all of Disney World, which is a shame really. There is some great history here, along with some beautiful workmanship. King Hassan II sent several top artists to assist with the design of the buildings and assisted in the mosaic work. The pavilion is divided into two sections: the old city and the new city. There is a lot of traditional artwork, food, and even belly dancers.
The Old City
The Medina, or the old city is set up to be a busy marketplace. You will find baskets, jewelry, leather goods, brass pots and much more. The gate to the Medina is a replica of the Bab Boujouloud gate (which surprisingly was completed in 1913, not all that old). The real gate actually sits in front of a fountain very much like the one in the courtyard.
Shops in the Old City
- Casablanca Carpets – fine hand knotted carpets and rugs
- Medina Arts – Moroccan Crafts such as Tajne and ceramic plates and items from Aladdin
- The Brass Bazaar – items made of brass (duh)
The New City
The Ville Nouvelle, or new city, is towered over by the Koutoubia Minaret, which is a replica of the famous one in Marrakesh. The new city is vibrant, full of color and amazing architecture. In the new city, you will find a modern art gallery full of
The Food
There are two restaurants in this area. The full-service restaurant is called Restaurant Marrakesh. The quick service restaurant is called Tangerine Cafe. You might not find much of a wait at these restaurants. They aren’t very popular, but the reviews are usually very good. Both serve authentic Moroccan cuisine which isn’t real popular with most American guests.
Entertainment
There is a wide variety of entertainment around. MoRockin is a 6 person music group that plays music that blends rhythms from around the world. The band does a 20-minute show several times a day, including a belly dancing routine.
History
The EPCOT Morocco pavilion was the first area to be added to the World Showcase after it opened. The pavilion opened in September of 1984.
