Friday, October 16, 2015

Disney Song #37: El Rio Del Tiempo



To Listen: Click Here

The Facts:
  • Composers: Armando Corral (music), X Atencio (lyrics)
  • Year: 1982 - 2007
  • Key: C Major

Heard In: 
El Rio Del Tiempo, Epcot Mexico Pavilion

Background / Personal Connection:
Another day, another altered World Showcase boat ride.  Yesterday I talked about Maelstrom in the Norway Pavilion, while today it's time to go one pavilion over to the north and talk about Mexico. I've always been a huge fan of the Mexican Pavilion, especially the dimly lit interior (where it is always nighttime) which houses a market, a restaurant, and what our family would call "The Mexican Boat Ride."  Technically its name was "El Rio Del Tiempo," but in January 2007 it closed and was replaced later in the year by the "Gran Fiesta Tour" (which was designed by George Scribner who I talked to in July).

The updated ride includes The Three Caballeros: Jose the parrot, Panchito the rooster, and Donald the duck.  I don't mind most of the changes that were made -- working in Donald (or "Donnie" as my 3 year old lovingly calls him) is a good way to appeal to kids, and the old ride wasn't exactly the most popular ride in the park (not that the new one is either -- in fact that's one thing I like about it is that you know there will never be a line).  I do have one big problem with the redesign, however, and that was the removal of the addictive, transcendent theme song which could have and should have been kept.  Sadly, this is but one entrant in the tragic Epcot Musical Purge of the last 25 years (at some point I'll do a whole post about this).  But there's no time to be sad while listening to this music, so turn up the volume! 

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