A few days ago the Disney Parks Blog featured a new entry in their Parks After Dark photo series. This time the subject was Morocco. As expected, the pics are amazing!
I'm only disappointed that they didn't put up more shots. Morocco is up there in my top 3 pavilions at World Showcase, even though I could never really tell you exactly why. It's something intangible. There's just a feeling, an energy about meandering through those stone walls. The authenticity bleeds through the architecture into the air. It irritates me that so many guests just pass right by, or if they do slow down to check out Morocco, they just do a quick lap and move on because there's no boat ride.
While I would love to see an Aladdin dark ride in the back of the pavilion, it doesn't need any gags or tricks. It just is. I find it so relaxing, so enchanting and exotic, I could spend an hour doing nothing but sitting on a bench (with a beer and a pita, of course!)
So in tribute to my beloved pavilion, I wanted to share another excerpt from newly finished book . . .
I have heard people say this
pavilion is boring. That there isn’t
enough to see or do inside its walls.
The unfamiliar culture holds no appeal, especially to a real man. First of all, those people should be spat on
by a camel. It is true; Morocco is a
country many of us know nothing about.
Beyond what we learned from Casablanca anyway (and really what more do
you need to know?) Yet ignorant as I am,
I love this pavilion. The mysteriousness
is part of what makes Morocco one of my favorite World Showcase pavilions. Don’t just pass this one by. Step in.
Take your kids. Spend some time
to get lost in the authentic architecture and artwork. Wind through its tight corridors and hidden
rooms and shops. Your children will like
discovering the little parlor area where an ancient book is sitting open on
display, featuring a familiar magic carpet pilot.
I spent some time exploring this
pavilion recently and it is so deceiving, so immersive and authentic that I
nearly forgot I was at Walt Disney World.
I was a traveler in Marrakech.
Until I saw Aladdin posing for pictures with guests. Even the addition of a Disney character
aside, everything about this pavilion is incredibly authentic. It should be considering the King of Morocco
(the real one) sent his personal architect to oversee construction and make
sure the pavilion met the royal standard.
Unfortunately there’s no boat ride (we all know from Casablanca there
are no waters.) As for a ride, Aladdin’s
flying carpets are over at the Magic Kingdom.
But the lack of rides does not equate to “nothing to do.” Just bring your adventurous side with
you.
There is the Moroccan restaurant, Restaurant Marrakech with an exotic and
actually delicious menu. Be just a
little bit daring. You can get chicken
fingers or sliders at home anytime.
They’re not serving chilled monkey brains! I've been called a picky eater (my gut would
beg to differ) and I've loved everything I’ve eaten here. Even if you're not crazy about trying a new
cuisine, there’s another reason to make an ADR at Marrakech. Something equally as thrilling as any roller
coaster: belly dancers!
If the smell from the kitchen
doesn't get your mouth watering, these attractive performers dancing the Seven
Veils just might. Just don't get caught
ogling too long. Your wife might exile
you to the couch, and that’s if you’re in a deluxe resort. Otherwise you’re sleeping on a lounge chair
by the pool! Although, it is
Florida. Hey! Snap out of it! Don't get caught ogling the bellies, if you
catch my midriff . . . err, drift!
Alright, if I can't excite you with
eastern architecture or exciting new cuisine, and you're the “lead me not into
temptation” type, I understand, Flanders.
You don't have to wander too deep to taste the best of Morocco. There's a beverage stand right outside the
pavilion. I’ve mentioned I don’t
normally go for colorful drinks, least of all bright orange ones. Nor do I drink frozen cocktails. When I do indulge in the occasional margarita
(or seven) it’s always on the rocks.
That said Morocco’s tangerine daiquiri has on more than one occasion
almost changed my philosophy on blended beverages.
I won’t delve too deep into description
because, well, they’re not burying the lead here. It’s a daiquiri that tastes like
tangerine. Apparently the Clever Names
team was off that day. It is sweet
without being thick and syrupy. For a
nice treat in the middle of a hot day, I'd certainly take one of these over a
Popsicle.
The star of that drink cart for a
real man is definitely Morocco’s home brew, Casa Beer.
Man's Journal:
I found myself roaming the antechambers of
the Morocco pavilion. I decided to take
a little breather. A live band called Mo
Rockin was playing this wild blend of rock meets traditional Arabic meets
electronica. I found a bench in the
courtyard and sat taking in the pavilion and watching tourists all around. Across from me aromas of grilled meats and vegetables
from the Tangerine Cafe filled my nose.
I sipped my cold Casa beer and sighed, happier to be there over almost
any place in the world.
A handful of guests from Morocco, the real
place, friends or family of one of the Cast Members wandered about. I watched as the manager appeared to greet
them. On his way, he stopped a few feet
from me to bend down and pick up a piece of trash. Again, that Disney difference. Not even a second thought, regardless his
position. The park is everyone’s
responsibility.
I watched as he was introduced to this new
group and everyone smiled warmly and hugged and kissed each other. There was this genuine friendliness and
affection between them all. Maybe I’ve
seen Casablanca too many times, but it made me think again that Morocco a
country I must visit I kick off.
If it was good enough for Bogey, it’s good
enough for me.
For me there is nothing better than
the few minutes I steal for myself, get my beer and relax in the Moroccan
courtyard. It's then I really appreciate
being on vacation. Especially since
Epcot is almost always my first day destination. I'll sit in that intricately tiled courtyard,
hearing music, smelling good food, hearing laughter, and inevitably look at my
watch thinking “any other day, I'd be at work right now.”
There is a Moroccan proverb that
hangs almost hidden inside pavilion:
“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.”
The moments I spend in Morocco are always
a little sample of the other side.
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