Anyone remember the rather surreal The Three Caballeros film Disney made a long time ago? Well, as it turns out, they’re going to be making a reappearance at Walt Disney World Resort. Only this time, they’re in animatronic form.

Animatronic of Jose Carioca of the Three Caballeros being tended to by an Imagineer.
This is what spa treatment for an animatronic is like.

Disney Parks architect and designer Zach Riddley announced on Instagram that the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros have managed to make their way to EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida on May 19, 2021. This dark boat ride starring the three feathered friends in animatronic form has apparently been on a very long trip around the world. Now though, they’re back in America and ready to play another concert.

Not only that, but apparently, the Walt Disney Imagineering Team had been busy restoring The Three Caballeros animatronics. Using the latest technology, they restored them back to full function. In fact, they managed to just install them on the night of May 18, 2021.

The Three Caballeros: There and Back Again

The feathered friends performing in the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride.
Looks like the show’s not over yet; not by a long shot.

So where have The Three Caballeros been all this time? Well, originally, they were part of the Mickey Mouse Revue at Magic Kingdom. They continued to be a part of that revue until 1980, when the Revue finally shut down. Thus, our three performers were out of a job.

Mickey Mouse Revue.
You can just barely make them out playing by themselves on the left, below and right of Cinderella.

Fortunately, The Three Caballeros managed to find a new gig in Japan, of all places. In 1983, they were part of the opening day festivities for Tokyo Disneyland. After that, they continued playing in the Mickey Mouse Revue there in Japan for 26 years, until the Revue played its last song in 2009 and left the stage to make way for Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Opening day celebrations in Tokyo Disneyland.
Too bad the other characters stole the show from them.

All was not lost for The Three Caballeros though. Working in cooperation with the Disney team, they made their way back to Florida where they first started. They returned to Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros ride in 2015, and performed there until they made their way to EPCOT only just now. Talk about going around the world and back again, eh?

Conclusion

The Three Caballeros animatronics have been on a very long world tour indeed. But now, they’ve been lovingly restored and installed at EPCOT for all to enjoy. Interested? Well, if you have the time and money, check them out yourself at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Just watch out for the gators on your way there, okay?

Source: Instagram