Yesterday I presented you with an overview of the Morocco Pavilion and the ville nouvelle (new city). Today I’ll discuss the Medina, or old city.
But before we venture through the Boujouloud Gate into the Medina, I’d like to point out that the Morocco Pavilion holds an interesting distinction among its World Showcase neighbors. It is the only pavilion to be entirely sponsored by a government rather than corporations. In order to insure accuracy in the pavilion, King Hassan II sent Moroccan craftsmen and artists to aid the Imagineers in creating the mosaics, tile work, and intricate carvings. Nine tons of handmade, hand-cut tiles were used to adorn the various structures within the pavilion. Islamic religion prohibits artistic depictions of live objects. So instead of portraying plants, animals, and people, decorations consist of detailed geometric patterns. So next time you visit the Morocco Pavilion, take some time to search out and find some of these fascinating designs. You won’t have to look too far. They’re everywhere.
In the ville nouvelle (new city), the plaza is broad and the buildings are laid out in an orderly fashion, but beyond Boujouloud Gate and into the Medina or old city, the streets become narrow and winding and the buildings’ positioning somewhat chaotic. The Disney Imagineers have skillfully taken a very small space and filled it with so many twists and turns a person could almost get lost within this pavilion.
Moroccan Proverb: The first thing one should own is a home; and it is the last thing one should sell. For a home is one’s castle this side of heaven.
Fez House is a recreation of a traditional Moroccan home built around a central courtyard. From the courtyard are a number of rooms which can be opened and closed depending on the need for privacy. Additional living space can be found behind the doors located on the second floor.
A second minaret can be found in the Medina. This tower is a replica of the minaret at Chellah, a historical site located near the city of Rabat, Morocco’s capitol. Chellah was originally founded by the Romans as a maritime station. In the 14th century, Abu l-Hasan of the Merinid Dynasty, reconstructed the site to become a retreat and necropolis. Many of the structures were damaged by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Today, the site is a garden and tourist venue.
Much of the Medina is inhabited by shops. Everything from Persian rugs to fine leather goods can be found here. You’ll even find some interesting food stuffs to take home so you can cook up an exotic meal for the family. For a truly unique gift for yourself or a friend, think about buying a belly dancer’s scarf and headdress. Much of the merchandise is displayed in a cluttered fashion, just like you’d experience in a bustling Moroccan marketplace.
In Marketplace in the Medina, the Imagineers have played a trick on the guests. In what seems to be an open-air bazaar, a close observer will notice that the area is actually enclosed to protect people and merchandise from the elements. Take a look at the ceiling. Rafters, logs, and twigs hide the skylight above. The effect is very convincing.
It’s also in Marketplace in the Medina that you’ll find the Kidcot Station.
Sight and touch aren’t the only senses the Imagineers use to make you believe you’re in a faraway land. Smell and hearing are also brought into the mix. The aroma of incense can be detected in many of the shops. The smells are intoxicating and soothing. And when you’re out and about in the Morocco Pavilion, be sure to listen to the music being played in the background. Besides traditional Moroccan melodies, the sounds of chickens, goats, and other rural noises can be heard. It was the Imagineer’s intention to subtly add sounds that one might hear while shopping in a real Moroccan marketplace.
Outside the shops you’ll discover a number of potted plants. Citrus and olives trees, important crops in Morocco, are a common sight.
At the back of the Medina in a courtyard, perched high above the street, is a reproduction of an ancient water clock found in Fez. The chimes on the original have long since disappeared, but have been recreated at the Morocco Pavilion. A water clock or clepsydra is a timepiece which measures the passage of time by the regulated flow of a liquid either into or out of a vessel which is then subsequently measured.
In this same courtyard is a replica of the Nejjarine Fountain found in the old section of Fez. Once again, the very close approximation of the original is stunning.
I’m sorry to say that Restaurant Marrakesh, located at the back of the Morocco Pavilion, is probably the least visited eatery at Epcot. This is a shame because this spot offers a wonderful selection of delicious options including, but not limited to, roast lamb, shish kebab, couscous and brochette of chicken, as well as a vegetarian selection and a kid-friendly menu. I have to suspect that most people are unfamiliar with Moroccan cuisine and thus afraid to try this restaurant. But you should get over your inhibitions and give this spot a chance. Unless you live in a big city, you probably don’t have a Moroccan restaurant nearby so your opportunities to try this wonderful fare are most likely limited to your visits to Epcot. Even a picky eater can find several great dishes to try here.
Like the rest of the Morocco Pavilion, the interior of Restaurant Marrakesh is stunningly decorated. During the course of your meal, a two-piece combo plays appropriate music and a lovely belly dancer shows off her talents and encourages little ones to join her on the dance floor. You couldn’t ask for a better photo opportunity.
Although reservations are requested, they are rarely needed. In an effort to encourage guests to try this spot, a reservation podium and menu can be found on the promenade in front of the pavilion.
Please, on your next trip to Epcot, consider giving Restaurant Marrakesh a try. You’ll be happy you did. I have never had a bad experience here and everyone who finally heeds my recommendation thanks me later.
The Morocco Pavilion possesses another interesting bit of Disney trivia, but you need to travel to the bridge leading to the Mexico Pavilion to discover this tidbit. When looking at the Morocco Pavilion from this spot, you can see the Tower of Terror (located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios) directly behind the minaret and buildings. The Imagineers were well aware that differences in architectures could spoil the “lines” of Morocco. So they gave the top of the Tower of Terror some exotic flourishes that help it blend seamlessly with this African nation. The Tower of Terror was also painted a color complementary to the Morocco Pavilion – a color that probably would not be authentic with a pallet of 1930’s-40’s Hollywood.
I would now like to pose a question to my Muslim readers (or anyone truly knowledgeable about this religion).
Each night during Illuminations, nine of the eleven World Showcase countries are outlined with small lights as part of the pageantry. These lights were added to the pavilions BEFORE Morocco and Norway were added to Epcot. I have often read that because of religious beliefs, the buildings of Morocco cannot be illuminated in this manner. If this is the reason, then why hasn’t Norway been retrofitted with these lights? Surely there are no religious or social restrictions in this Christian country. I have always suspected that Disney just didn’t want to spend the money to add lights and reprogram the show to add Norway and Morocco. I have asked a Muslim friend of mine about this and she is not aware of any religious restrictions.
So what’s the story folks? Can someone shed any substantiated light on this subject of lights? Cast member hearsay doesn’t count. It’s too unreliable.
That’s it for my tour of the Morocco Pavilion. I realize that Morocco is a little less familiar to most of us than the other World Showcase nations, but that gives you all the more reason to slow down and smell the roses when visiting here. There is so much to learn and experience.
As always, I’ve created a video for your enjoyment.
this is my favorite pavilion- I truly feel transported to Morocco here (or what I imagine it would be like)! And for someone that will never go there in my lifetime, I love Disney’s interpretation of it!
Hi Jack,
This was fantastic. Most of us don’t know the history of Morocco as well as some of the other countries and it was wonderful to get all your details.
Wendy
Hi Jack:
Thanks, as always, for your fantastic work! Of all the places in WDW,I think Morocco and the Asia section of Animal Kingdom do the most fantastic job of illistrating the skills of the Imagineers at transporting us away to another time and place. Ever since I went on the Segway Tour of World Showcase, I have admired the amazing tile work of this land. Have you read or heard Jack Lindquist’s tale of what happened to the model of the Morocco Pavilion when the Disney execs took it to Morocco to show the king? Great story!
Thanks for the response. I know there is going to be the new fantasy part with the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast rides, and there will be the Circus Land with dumbo and goofy. Have they said yet what will happen to the attractions already in fantasy land but not part of these two new areas? Off the top of my head I know the Pooh ride and Mickey’s Philharmagic are both staying. Also, will the tea party be part of Storybook Circus?
Not sure if any of this is announced, but I am just curious. Thanks again, I love you blogs (and glad you decided to keep writing).
Jack’s Answer:
There is NOT going to be a Beauty and the Beast ride. Beauty and the Beast will be a restaurant.
The Tea Cups will not be part of CircusLand. This will remain right where they are now and the CircusLand entrance will be further on.
One of the last things to happen will be the closing of the Snow White ride. This area will be turned into a princess meet-and-greet.
A second entrance from Liberty Square into Fantasyland is being added near the Haunted Mansion. New restrooms will also be built in this area. The old restrooms near Peter Pan will be removed. Then, the queue for Peter Pan will be expanded and enhanced like they did for Pooh.
Moroccan cast members used to give free tours of this pavilion, many years ago. The first time we did this, my husband, son and I were the only ones signed up for the tour, so our guide not only gave us a detailed tour of the buildings, but also answered many of our questions about life in Morocco. The second time we had more people on the tour, but we learned new things, and the young lady who gave the tour told us about the rosewater they sold and how it is used in Morocco.
It has been quite a few years since they stopped doing these tours, but we’d be delighted if they brought them back again! As much as I like the Tangerine Cafe, I do miss sitting in tour Tour Agency and watching the slide shows of Moroccan scenes!
A wonderful article Jack, thank you for your research and inclusion of the original structures the EPCOT counterparts were modeled after, very interesting!
Jack,
As always a great blog and video. I have never found the Morocco Pavillion to be very interesting but will need to take a deeper look next time. About the Restaurant Marrekesh, have always heard good things about the food. I am a very basic food person and have never had the nerve to try the restaurant. I’m sure this is not a new idea but have they ever tried doing free sampling out in the promenade, like a food of the day or week. This has worked extremely well for the supermarkets and Costco and Sam’s for years. I know I would eat there if I sampled something I liked. Vern
Hi Jack! Thanks for Part 2. I really enjoyed reading it. I especially enjoyed the tid bit about Tower of Terror. How neat is that???!!!
This is completely unrelated, but I wanted to ask you. I haven’t heard you talk about the fantasyland expansion at all. What are your thoughts? Also, I was wondering what the schedule is like. Is a lot of Fantasyland closed now during the construction? Are there any dates yet on when it will all open?
Jack’s Answer:
I haven’t written about the new Fantasyland expansion because I really don’t have anything new to add to what Disney has already publicized.
My thoughts… I’m thrilled. Especially since the plans were changed and Disney replaced the princess meet-and-greet area with a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. I’m also excited about the new Circus Land. Walt planned a Circus Land for Disneyland, but he was talked out of it for a number of reasons. I’m glad to see his idea come to fruition all these years later.
As for the timetable… The expansion will open in phases over the next two years. No permanent dates have been set at this time.
Don’t worry. I will be on hand when things open to report on the happenings.
Hi Jack,
Great blog article as always! My wife and I love Restaurant Marrekesh so much that when we got married in Disney we had our wedding dinner there with our guests.
Although I have no knowledge as to whether or not Morocco doens’t light up due to religious reasons.
However, I can tell you that those sources who claim this story is true say that Norway does not light up in order to “balance out” the fact that Morocco doesn’t since Norway is directly across from Morocco in World Showcase.
So if we are to believe that Morocco does not light up due to religious reasons then Norway doesn’t light up due to “preserving asthetics” and has no religious bearing whatsoever.
Jack’s Comment:
Ummmm… Norway is NOT directly across from Morocco, but it is an interesting theory. LOL
Just echoing other sentiments here – Morocco is a must see whenever I have been in World Showcase. And my experiences eating there have always been stellar. I find the architecture endlessly fascinating.
This pavilion is why I strongly favor (if it ever happens) a new country bringing something exotic to the mix of countries in World Showcase.
Restaurant Marrakesh has been a family favorite since EPCOT opened. I can’t understand why it’s not more popular. It is GOOD.
Even if, like me, you are not fond of couscous, there is plenty on the menu to enjoy. And the floorshow is great. Even the wait-staff have been known to make presentation something of a show. We once had a waiter who could pour drinks from several feet above the glasses, and not spill a drop.
It’s a great place! Thanks for the great review.
This is one of my favorite places in all of WDW.
I will add my enthusiasm for Restaurant Marrakesh, it’s the best-kept secret on the property. I also like Tangierine Cafe, but I think the food at Marrakesh is a little better. Note that Moroccan restaurants are a little harder to find in mainstream USA, than other ethnic food. Therefore, if you want to try it, this restaurant is a good opportunity to do so. (Now I’m craving couscous.)
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve noticed that the cast members in Morocco are some of the kindest, friendliest people anywhere at WDW. They are great to talk to and will enthusiastically answer your questions about this faraway land. We all know how wonderful the WDW cast members are, so this is really saying something!
A.D. Johnson
-Littleton, CO
Dear Jack,Someday I hope your blogs become books to use around the world. I can hardly wait to try the new and different food in Morroco now that I have your information.Thanks so much. You provide an invaluable resource.
Jack!
Wonderful article as always! My parents, brother, husband and I are planning a trip together for next fall.
I making this my “missed things” trip. Meaning, I am going focus on doing things I have never done or haven’t done in many years. Exploring Morocco in depth was already on the list, but this article has me even more excited about it. Sadly it’s one of those spots I have skipped over too many times. Although I am quite familiar with the refreshment cart that sells Habibi Daiquiris, your pictures make me feel like I have never even walked through the pavilion!
Thanks again for bringing me a little Disney while I patiently wait for my next trip in 1 year, 2 weeks and 4 days!
Sarah
I *love* the Morocco pavilion! I didn’t truly appreciate the beauty of it until I went to Grenada, Spain to see the Alhambra (a Moorish mansion that uses a lot of the same elements).
By far, my favorite part of the pavilion is a tie between the belly dancers and the cast members that use doumbek drums to try to gain guests’ attention. They can immediately recognize a guest that belly dances (at least with me- my hips automatically start to move to the beat!) so it’s a special treat.
A little note, though- belly dance scarves are meant to be worn on the hips- the coins are there to assist the dancer in being able to tell how good their movement is and the movement of the coins is to emphasize the movement to audiences.
Hi Jack. Thanks for your wonderful blogs you post on all the countries in Epcot. I enjoy reading them very much. I always learn something new each time you blog.
I love Morocco and I always take my time exploring this country. I love the craftsmaship found in the tile work and in the building details. The smells are wonderful and relaxes me instantly. If Mo’Rockin is playing, I find a bench inside the nearest courtyard and just sit there for 20 minutes, listening to them perform. This is a time for relaxation and a time to just enjoy the environment.
I’ve not tried the food yet, but I will due to your recommendation and from those above. I’m usually full by the time I reach this country, but I will make a point to try it next time I’m there.
Thank you!
Thanks for the great info on the Morocco Pavilion. I especially love the letter from the Moroccan King that is inside the restaurant. It’s hard to read–kind of faded, but an amazing part of Disney history. The lighting in Illuminations, from my understanding, is only because those countries were added after the lighting was installed. There is no prohibition in Muslim religion about lighting buildings.
Hi Jack, great to have you back writing about World Showcase and all of Disney. I read that Morocco offers a short tour of the Pavillion. Can you tell me about it and if reservations are required.
Thank you
Jack’s Answer:
I wanted to take this tour so I could learn additional information and share it with my readers, but apparently, it no longer exists. I made many inquiries, including talking the Operations Manager of World Showcase. No one seems to know anything about it — or those who did know about it, were short on details.
We dine at Marrakesh almost every time we go to WDW, and it’s a good bet we can always find reservations there for the dining and show packages, like the Christmas processional, when other places are booked up. And also Tangierine Cafe — we’ve had lunch there more times than I can count. We love the outdoor patio where we can watch the world go by.
Another amazing video and I wish I could sync sound effects and sound track as seamlessly as you. Your videos are superior to many of the DVDs sold commercially on other Disney websites — any chance you’ll be producing your own DVDs in the future?
Hi Jack,
I agree with you whole-heartedly – Restaurant Marrakesh is simply wonderful! I know people are hesitant to try it, but trust me folks, the menu is not terribly spicy or intimidating. I recommend the chicken kabobs, which come on a tasty bed of rice. The mint iced tea was a delighful surprise for me when I was there last year. Seriously, this is the first restaurant I want to eat at when I think about getting back to WDW. Really, a treat with good food and great service. Give it a try, friends!
Great article. The World Showcase has always been one of my favorite things in WDW and your articles have been very enlightening. I made rservations at the Restaurant Marrakesh at my niece’s request and I have to admit I was somewhat wary about it. You’ve got me excited to visit now. Thanks.
hey jack
i was wondering if you were going to mention something about the tower of terror in the backround and i was right. As for Moracco the details are absolutly beautiful and i will make sure that i take the time to notice them next time i visit. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.
Thanks Jack, for another great article. I love to get “lost” in the back streets of Morocco just after dusk. It really feels like I have been transported to another country.
Cheers!
Lisa Z.
Hi Jack!
You’ve given us all another great tour! Morocco is so unique. The details are amazing…. the pavillion is a treat for all of the senses. I was delighted to check out the imagineers clever idea to make TOT appear in harmony with Morocco last August when we were there. While in World Showcase, as we wandered far into Morocco, it became kind of quiet with the sounds of music and animals in the distance; we felt that we had really entered into that far off land! We will have to eat there next time, thanks for the recommendation!
Hi Jack,
I also wanted to point out what a great choice Restaurant Marrakesh is for those of us with serious food allergies who want to try something different. I personally cannot often enjoy such exotic food due to allergy restrictions, but because of Disney’s fabulous allergy set-up, I have always been able to enjoy myself there.
Jack! YOU ROCK! Thank you for the wealth of information on these various countries in the World Showcase. I appreciate you tracking down actual photos of buildings that the Imagineers have so faithfully recreated. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked by Japan, Morocco, etc. and not realized the vastness of these spaces and all the nooks and crannies each country seems to hold. Am always so amazed to discover new things each time we’re there! I’m learning to smell those roses!
I also didn’t realize that these countries are sponsored by corporations/governments. Do you know if the sponsorship is just to get the buildings/area built or is it to also keep the country stocked with merchandise and maintained or does Disney take over once it’s established?
Thanks for your post! Amazing as always!!
Thanks for another great post!
I love the Morocco pavillion and I recently got to try the restaurant when my family was in town visiting. My sister loved it and she’s normally extremely picky. She even got to dance with the belly dancer and we got some cool photos. I think it was one of the best moments of the trip.
I’ve been waiting to hear your take on Morocco for ages, thanks so much Jack! I have loved this pavillion since I was a little girl. You’re so right about the restaurant- just seeing the inside of that building is stunning, the amazing food is like a bonus! Thanks for reminding me what I have to look foward to on my next trip (it’s been almost 9 years!!)
Jack!
I am so enjoying your blogs on the countries around World Showcase! They are adding to my excitement about our upcoming December trip.
I am embarassed to say that we normally skip over Morocco, but I can’t wait to now spend some quality time there and discover the little things you always notice.
Have you ever thought about hiring yourself out as a tour guide?? Ha ha! I would love to tour the resort with you pointing our all of these very cool things.
Thanks again for keeping these great blogs coming! I look forward to them every time I log on to All Ears.
Great article! I love this pavilion! The family and I eat at Restaurant Marrakesh every time we come to EPCOT and would recommend it to everyone. The food is outstanding (ask for harissa if you want some spicy sauce). Kids who like egg rolls should like the beef brewat rolls! And the atmosphere makes you feel like you’re taking an exotic vacation in the middle of your vacation. Never crowded and always delightful!!!
Great article Jack – I have many things to look out for in the Morocco pavilion on my next trip to WDW.
Just wondered – is it true that the premiere for Disney’s Aladdin took place in the Morocco pavilion? We did the Segway tour in Epcot this summer, our tour guide told us about it -and how Aladdin & Jasmine had ridden through the pavilion on a real elephant – but I have not found any photos of this event on the internet!
Many thanks,
Jack’s Answer:
I have never heard this story before so did a limited search of the internet to see what I could find out. Nothing. That doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, but I have no knowledge of it.