New Rumor: Cantina de San Angel to be torn down and replaced

There's a new rumor that surfaced on the rec.arts.disney.parks newsgroup at the end of last week regarding the outdoor counter service Cantina de San Angel at the Mexico pavilion. Hadn't seen anything on here about it, so I thought I'd toss it out here for discussion.

It was posted by someone that works for a construction firm in the WDW area that they are in the planning stages to demolish the current Cantina building and re-build a new resturant in the same location.

At first there was some skepticism, but then another frequent RADP poster who's worked in World Showcase for many years in a backstage role (and who I've met personally and can vouch for) said that she heard similar talk. What she heard is that there are a few phases to this project:

-The old Cantina building on the Lagoon will be torn down, and a new 2-story building built in the same place. It will be a Table Service location, with a menu and price-point similar to the current San Angel Inn inside the pavilion.
-The current San Angel Inn will become an upscale (perhaps Signature?) restaurant like Jiko and Maya Grill.
-The jewelry shop will relocate within the pavilion, and what is currently the jewelry shop will become a fajita & tequilla bar. (I recall that there's been talk of the tequilla bar inside the pavilion for a long time)

So, that's the newest word from the USENET world...

The only thing I'm wondering is what the new building would do to the view of Mexico from the water. It'd block at least half of the view of the pyramid.
I'm also curious how it would affect the sightlines from the Illuminations control booth. I'm not quite sure of how much of a view the booth has now, but I'd think they may have to build a new booth into this new restaurant if it would affect the view from the current location.
There's also the question of the Mexico laser, and how it might be restricted...

-Rob

Not heard anything but it`s possible. It has become a traffic nightmare at peak times to actually get in, let alone get served and try to sit down. Another good reason to reopen Odyssey!

View of the pyramid could be restricted, the RoE laser would be okay apart from the bounce of the Cantinas roof. They could always cut back the pyramids left hand foliage to reveal more of the wall as it used to be too. Assuming the style was sympathetic the design wouldn`t block the control booth too much:

Upscale Mexican, while uncommon, would be intriguing. And the atmosphere is perfect. I like the fajita/tequila bar idea also.

I share the same concerns for building a two-story building right on the lagoon. Terraced dining on the second floor would be cool though.

Let`s be honest though, the last thing WS needs it another table service. Ker-ching!

I think with the way WDW's dining plan is taking off (how many people do you meet staying at WDW that are not on the dining plan) that they would be inclined to add another TS restaurant. The Cantina has always been a nightmare for us if we tried to eat there as the seagulls were always fighting us for our food, the bird poo was attrocious and the food was mediocore at best. I don't know if I like the 2 story building but something other than the current Cantina would be a welcome addition in my opinion.

Aw man... As much as I agree about the traffic nightmare that getting in and ordering entails, this is one of our favorite Quick Service locations in WS! We love stopping in for a "Plato Combinacion" and a Dos Equis when we find ourselves hungry and without plans.
While I do think that there could be a better layout of the place, we will be sad to see it go.

Furthermore, as others have said, I can't imagine what a two-story restaurant (especially one big enough to be a standard-volume table service) will do to the lanscape of Mexico. The pyramid is so unique and fascinating among the WS pavilions and can be clearly distinguished from across the lagoon as it is.

Here's hoping that whatever happens, it's not quite as elaborate as has been rumored!

I like the idea of another TS at Epcot....especially one that can offer Illuminations viewing like R&C does.....but I am not super pumped about how it would alter the site lines in Mexico. Right now the architects at WDW don't have the best reputation for preserving site lines.



For those worried about loosing the CS I would not fret too much as they can easily put in a CS window like at Yak and Yeti or Raglan Rd.

I would love if the San Angel Inn inside would bump up the quality of food.
Isn't it one of the least liked of restaurants in World Showcase?
But the atmosphere is amazing!

Two story would be nice for the 50 families that got seats near windows for Reflections of Earth, but may ruin how Mexico looks for the rest of the 10,000 familes that walk around the World Showcase.
If it's true, they better pull off a great building!!!

Planned changes to Mexico have been in place for a while now, remember last year those officially released bit of info about expanded seating and new menu for Cantina, and the addition of the Tequila bar? They were both supposed to be open July 2008. Obviously that didnt happen. I think what you have there is more precise details of what is actually going to take place.

It'll be really neat to see how this pans out. Another restaurant in WS to me seems less important than other things they could be focusing on. Though, if I can hit up a tequila bar on my 'Drinking Around the World' trek, I might not complain too much. :lol:

One Lil Spark said:

Though, if I can hit up a tequila bar on my 'Drinking Around the World' trek, I might not complain too much. :lol:

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Probably because you'll forget what to complain about! :lookaroun

We never ate there as we usually eat inside but as everyone else said I am concerned about lines of sight.

mcjaco said:

Probably because you'll forget what to complain about! :lookaroun

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Only if I chase the tequila shot with some EPCOT Center koolaid... Perhaps lime flavored.

wdwmagic said:

Planned changes to Mexico have been in place for a while now, remember last year those officially released bit of info about expanded seating and new menu for Cantina, and the addition of the Tequila bar? They were both supposed to be open July 2008. Obviously that didnt happen. I think what you have there is more precise details of what is actually going to take place.

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This info was released by Disney and nothing has happened. Something must have changed somewhere for Disney to back down on this after an official release. This past fall the jewelry store in Mexico was completely deserted, but there were plenty of people inside the pavillion itself.

^ Now you're talking! :ROFLOL:

Isn't San Angel supposed to be an upscale Mexican already? Is it that crowded they need another?

If upscale Mexican can use pre-packaged chips then I guess it can be, but its a pretty crappy Mexican restaurant. If this upgrade to it brings in real on site cooked tortilla chips then I'll be happy. Its got a beautiful setting for a restaurant, but the food leaves a lot to be desired.

It isn't upscale at all except for the prices. You can go to Don Pablo's in Orlando and that is a chain restaurant that is more upscale than San Angel.

kcnole said:

If upscale Mexican can use pre-packaged chips then I guess it can be, but its a pretty crappy Mexican restaurant. If this upgrade to it brings in real on site cooked tortilla chips then I'll be happy. Its got a beautiful setting for a restaurant, but the food leaves a lot to be desired.

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This is something that struck me as odd to. Even the lowest end Mexican restaurant has fresh made chips. When they brought those out of the bag chips out I was quite put off.

wild01ride said:

Aw man... As much as I agree about the traffic nightmare that getting in and ordering entails, this is one of our favorite Quick Service locations in WS! We love stopping in for a "Plato Combinacion" and a Dos Equis when we find ourselves hungry and without plans.
While I do think that there could be a better layout of the place, we will be sad to see it go.

!

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I agree I love stopping for a Plato Combo. I find San Ann too expensive for what you get so we tried the CS and loved it.

I'll guess we will see how this plays out.