The Three Caballeros is a 1944 Walt Disney animated movie that premiered in Mexico City. It wasn’t released in the United States until February 3, 1945. It is a sequel to the animated film from 1942 entitled Saludos Amigos.

The film begins when Donald Duck receives a present from friends in Latin America. Donald’s friend Jose Carioca joins him in his “travels” through Brazil, and the two are later joined by Panchito Pistoles as they explore Mexico.

Donald’s first birthday gift is a film projector. He sees a film about birds. First he travels to Polo Sur (South Pole) and meets penguins. Pablo the Penguin longs to visit a sunny beach. . We later meet some birds of the Amazon. We also meet the Aracuan which is a fictional tropical bird, and Donald learns about the habits of this species. His second present is a book given to him by Jose Carioca. The book teaches Donald about Bahai which is one of the 26 states in Brazil. Donald and Jose meet and dance with some of the locals, and then depart from the book. When Donald opens the third present he is met by Panchito, and the Three Caballeros embark on pinata extravaganza. 
The film has seven segments: 
The Cold-Blooded Penguin (about Pablo, the penguin who longs to visit the beach); The Flying Gauchito which features a boy from Uruguay and his winged donkey, Burrito; Baia is a segment which features a pop-up book about Brazil and features the samba dance; Los Posadas highlights a group of Mexican children who re-enact the story of Mary and Joseph and look for shelter only to be told there is no room. This segment concludes with breaking a pinata, and Donald breaks his as well; Mexico: Patzcuaro, Veracruz and Acapulco includes a magic carpet ride through Mexico and highlights dancing through the streets. Donald tries to unsucessfully woo several women; You Belong to My Heart spotlights Mexico City and Donald falling in love; and finally Donald’s Surreal Reverie in which a “drunk in love” Donald envisions far out scenes. The finale explodes with fireworks!

THEME PARKS: The Three Caballeros can found on the ride inside Mexico – Grand Fiesta Tour – inside Epcot at Walt Disney World. They also spotted (rarely) in Epcot signing autographs.

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The 3 Caballeros from inside the boat ride at Epcot’s Mexican Pavillion

Character Training:  In the film, Donald Duck becomes twitterpatted (falls in “love”). Discuss “love at first sight,” and selecting a mate based on looks alone.

History: Study the custom of “Christening a ship.” Where did it begin? Why do they use a bottle of champagne? 

Cape Horn, Antarctica, Straits of Magellan, Chilean Coast, Peru, Brazil and Mexico.

Actress Carmen Miranda – who was she? The actress in the film is Carmen’s sister, Aurora.

Science: Study penguins – where they live, diet, mating, raising young, etc. Do all penguins live where it is cold?
Tropical birds including the parrot and flamingo. How long can flamingos stand on one leg?

Study weather – “blanket of fog.”

Create a motorboat.

Study the differences between tortoise and turtles.

English: Words to define: Caballeros? Burrito? anamorphism?

Music/Sound: Study music and dance from South America.