Location

While not the smallest of the plots around the World Showcase at 2.8 acres, Morocco was also not gifted the location and expandability of the France Pavilion once a portion of the plot between them was annexed for Ratatouille. Adding an E-ticket and it’s footprint to what was already a narrow pavilion and guest space could prove troublesome without impacting what was the beauty and authenticity of the pavilion thanks to the many artisans from Morocco that assisted on the build.

BEFORE AFTER

As will be necessary for future expansion of the German and Italian pavilions, the decision was made to use all available space, forgive the cast member motto, and annex a portion of the land between Morocco and the pavilion of Japan. The enlarged tract will take up roughly 3.8 acres (not including Spice Road Table) and leave many of the existing trees to form a natural barrier for sightlines between the two pavilions.

Not wanting to interfere with the theming and set design of the current entrance and shop area leading back to Restaurant Marrakesh, a second, and wider entry into the land will be created with the aim of assisting with traffic flow in and out from the attraction. This expansion will cut off an existing service entrance to the park, but at this time, there are several other service entrances in operation that will be utilized in its place.

With facades built in the same style and aesthetic of the existing pavilion, guests will find the expansive pathway, immediately after arriving from Japan or if visiting from France and bypassing the original entry. At around 50 feet wide as compared to Toy Story Land’s entrance path of 35 feet, this new area will be able to accommodate the increased foot traffic that will come with not only a new attraction, but a signature one.

Styled after the Andalusian Gardens of Rabat, guests will find themselves in a beautiful garden like setting with numerous palms dotting the path, and various flora spaced along the outer edges. A few small water features will sprout from the facades.

Not long down the walkway, guests will actually come upon the attraction entrance for both standby and fastpass guests. With this entrance location, the designers were able to utilize the layout of the land to allow the foot traffic going to the attraction to be off the path, and leave it mostly for guests exiting the land or those that are merely exploring and wish to enter here.

Those guests not entering the attraction queue will enjoy their stroll through the park like setting, with the gaze fixed ahead on the show building that houses the attraction. Modeled after the Bab Oudaia Gate in Rabat, this stunning facade will seamlessly cover the building behind it and provide great photo opportunities. The exit for the attraction will take guests out of the gate itself and into the courtyard at its base.

As part of the expansion, the new addition will also be connected to the existing pavilion by opening the current divider outside of Restaurant Marrakesh that represents the current end of guest space and into backstage. This new opening will allow a looping flow of traffic in and out of both entrances pending where guests enter. With the additional bodies near the back of the pavilion, the restaurant will have more opportunities to increase business and these changes will also allow the beauty and charm of the shop area to remain with options for guests to enter and exit and keep it from being a choke point with the increased crowds.

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