On our latest trip to EPCOT today, we took a spin through the Morocco Pavilion only to find a new planter barrier in place around a beautiful replica of the historic Nejjarine fountain.

Nejjarine Fountain Planters

Some areas were blocked by belt stanchions, although we were able to get much closer to the planters later on.

We aren’t exactly sure what’s going on back behind these, but we could see a lift easily behind the wheeled planters. Perhaps some work along the sides or roofs of the buildings in the Morocco Pavilion is underway.

Behind these planters is an exquisitely-detailed replica of the Nejjarine Fountain featuring hand-laid tiles, carefully replicating the original in Morocco.

The original Nejjarine Fountain is located in Fez, a city in Morocco, as part of the Funduq al-Najjarin, a traditional rest house built in the 18th century as part of the city’s Medina old town. Having been in constant use since its construction, it’s designated as a landmark in Morocco. The Funduq al-Najjarin has since been transformed into the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, welcoming visitors to Fez and introducing the history of traditional carpentry in Morocco.

This is typically how the fountain appears.

Morocco Pavilion Takeover

Back in 2020, Disney took over ownership of the Morocco Pavilion following a legal dispute with the pavilion’s operators, who ran the food and merchandise outlets within including Restaurant Marrakesh. In April 2020, Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant, LLC. filed for a PPP loan of $1-2 million in order to retain 260 jobs through the funds acquired. In September, Walt Disney World filed a UCC Financing Statement, or a type of lien with the state, claiming collateral against “All goods, inventory, the Furnishings, and all other items of personal property belonging to Debtor which are or may be put into the Facilities and all proceeds of the foregoing.” With Walt Disney World poised to take over the pavilion in case of a default or bankruptcy, things seem to be going downhill internally.

Finally the company took operation of the pavilion entirely, which until then was one of the few independently operated World Showcase pavilions. The Moroccan Embassy and Morocco Tourism Board have continued their involvement with the pavilion as cultural consultants.

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