premiered in Mexico City just before Christmas and followed the namesake caballeros — Panchito Pistoles , José Carioca , and good ol ’ Donald Duck — on a series of adventures through Latin America . The film was produced in part to celebrate Donald Duck ’ s real-life 10th birthday — which makes sense as his birthday is the plot device used in the movie to bring the action south of the border .
The film starts with Donald excitedly opening birthday presents from his friends in South America . We won ’ t give you too many spoilers , but each gift contains a unique look into
EPCOT GRAN FIESTA TOUR STARRING THE THREE CABALLEROS FULL RIDE POV 4K WDW
our continental neighbors ’ geography , wildlife , culture , and traditions . This includes a special emphasis on Brazil , which is José ’ s homeland , and Mexico , from which Panchito hails . Using magic , Donald is able to unite with his new friends to take on more adventures together … which , luckily for us , includes the Gran Fiesta Tour .
Today , Panchito , José , and Donald invite EPCOT guests into their antics as they prepare for a very special concert that , of course , goes slightly awry . Don ’ t worry , the gang does end up together in the end , but we ’ ll get back to that . First , let ’ s take a look at the ride before the birds came to roost .
BEFORE THE FIESTA GOT STARTED Of course , a dark boat ride was tucked into EPCOT ’ s imposing pyramid ( inspired by Aztec , Mayan , and Toltec cultures ) well before the Three Caballeros arrived back in 2007 . The openingday attraction was called El Rio del Tiempo : The River of Time .
El Rio del Tiempo ’ s working title was “ The Three