Maya Grill at Coronado Springs Photo Blog

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Coronado Springs is my favorite of Disney’s moderate resorts. It opened in 1997 and is their only resort in this category with a convention center. As such, they cater largely to business travelers and conventioneers.

The hotel is named after Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and themed to the areas of the Southwest and Mexico he journeyed through in the 1500’s. I love the Southwest/Mexican theme and stay here often.

Coronado Springs Sign

Approaching Coronado Springs

The resort circles a huge 15-acre lake, Lago Dorado, and from many points along the water you can look out to picturesque scenery.

Coronado Springs View Across the Water

Coronado Springs View Across the Water

Coronado Springs View Across the Water

Whenever I stay here I like to have dinner at the Maya Grill, the resorts’ only table-service restaurant. It is located in El Centro which is the building housing the lobby, gift shop, convention center, and counter-service eateries.

Coronado Springs Entrance to El Centro

Coronado Springs El Centro Sign

As you enter Coronado’s beautiful lobby, the hallway leading to the restaurant area is to the left of the fountain. Stop and toss a coin in. Don’t forget to make a wish.

Coronado Springs Entrance to Restaurants

TIP: Take a look up at the amazing artwork gracing the domed ceiling of the entryway.

Coronado Springs Domed Ceiling

The Pepper Market and Rix Café are the places to stop if you are searching for a quick bite to eat. The Maya Grill is located right next-door to them, at the end of the corridor spanning the eateries.

Coronado Springs Restaurant Row

Maya Grill is open daily for breakfast from 7-11 a.m. and dinner from 5-11 p.m. At one point their breakfast offerings were limited to a buffet however they recently switched over to an à la carte menu in late February. I have never dined here for breakfast and have yet to try the new morning menu but would like to in the near future.

When the restaurant initially opened, their menu was geared more toward Latin cuisine. Over the years, those offerings slowly fell by the wayside and made way for more standard American fare with an emphasis on steak, chicken and seafood. This could have been due to competition from the Pepper Market, which was (and still is) offering a broad selection of Mexican and ethnic cuisine. A few of their appetizers still have a Latin flare – Crabmeat Chalupas, Pulled Pork Empanadas, and a Seafood Margarita are among them.

I have eaten dinner at the Maya Grill on more than one occasion and have been pleased with each of those visits. My most recent was just a few months ago. I dined solo on that evening. I noticed a lot of other business people (there for a convention) dining alone, so I didn’t feel awkward at all. Certain restaurants on-property are definitely more conducive to an enjoyable dining experience when eating alone. Maya Grill is one of them in my opinion.

The entrance to the restaurant is just beyond the Pepper Market “grab-and-go” coffee window. Signage is on a huge stone tablet set among tiled walls supported by marble columns which help create the mood for your journey into the Mayan ruins.

Entrance to Maya Grill

Coronado Springs Maya Grill Sign

I made a reservation for 5:30 in anticipation of my meal here and was glad that I did. The restaurant was completely full and walk-ups were being asked to return much later in the evening. As with all Disney restaurants, I always recommend making a reservation if at all possible. When conventions are in full-swing, the restaurant can get very busy. Luckily, I did not have to wait at all. I was immediately shown to my table after checking in.

TIP: The Laguna Bar (located just outside on Lago Dorado) is a nice place to wait in the cooler, less-humid months of the year. Relax and have a Margarita while you wait for your table to become available.

Coronado Springs Laguna Bar

Coronado Springs Laguna Bar

After you have approached the host podium and checked-in, you will pass through a tunnel leading into the main dining room.

Maya Grill Podium

Colorful murals grace the walls of the entryway. Several of these can be found throughout the restaurant and depict the ancestral Mayans hard at work mapping the universe and mastering their trades. They were known for being skilled craftsman and invented a calendar system of remarkable accuracy. Their version later evolved into the Aztec calendar.

As the hostess showed me to my table, we passed the butcher’s case, which displays the various cuts of beef used for the entrees. A dessert tray is also displayed nearby to tantalize incoming guests.

Rustic shades of Orange and Yellow bring to mind a sun-burned, desert expanse one might encounter if they were exploring the actual Mayan pyramids. Be careful of those burning torches serving as lighting fixtures 🙂

Coronado Springs Maya Grill

Coronado Springs May Grill Dining Room

The Mayans were known for building elaborate, ceremonial architecture and Disney has done a wonderful job in recreating that facet of their culture. The main dining room features that same grandiose, soaring framework and arched design.

Coronado Springs May Grill Dining Room

Coronado Springs May Grill Dining Room

Coronado Springs May Grill Dining Room

A lovely fountain is poised in the middle of the dining room, providing ambiance to a few tables circling its’ perimeter.

Coronado Springs May Grill Dining Room

I began my meal with the Crispy Gulf Shrimp ($10.00). What the appetizer lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality. The jumbo shrimp were wrapped in Won-Ton noodles and fried to perfection. A bed of cabbage, red peppers, and avocado aioli added to the flavor of this starter.

Maya Grill Crispy Shrimp

For my entrée I chose the Steak and Portobello Skewer ($27.00). The chunks of Portobello mushroom were huge, and the steak was tender. The skewer was served over ratatouille vegetables and parmesan potatoes. Remy did not make an appearance, however the diced passion fruit served alongside the skewer made for a nice presentation. The portion was plentiful and more than enough for me.

They do have several side dishes to choose from though. Steak fries, sweet fried plantains, wild mushroom ragout, and baked potatoes are all available as accompaniments.

Maya Grill Steak and Portobello Skewer

St. Louis Style Ribs ($23.00), Chilean Salmon ($29.00), Seafood Risotto ($34.00), Pan Seared Duck ($30.00), and a Marinated Center Cut Pork Chop ($28.00) are a few of the options rounding out the Dinner menu.

Menu prices are slightly higher here than at other table-service restaurants in Disney’s moderate resort category. While the Maya Grill is a bit more upscale than Boatwright’s and Shutters, the price difference here is likely due to the nature of clientele that patronizes the establishment. The good news is that they participate in both the Tables in Wonderland program and Disney Dining Plan.

While they had quite a few interesting desserts to choose from on their display, I decided on the Chambord Chocolate Cake ($6.99). It was just the right size and perfectly satisfied my craving for something sweet after the meal. I could only taste a hint of the cordial in the sauce but it did give the cake a nice berry aftertaste. Crème Brulee, Deep Fried Cheesecake, Spiced Churros, and Tres Leches are also offered.

Maya Grill Chocolate Cake

I’ve found the Maya Grill to be equally popular with conventioneers and vacationing families. Children are more than welcome and a kid’s menu is available. Choices include Beef Tips, Grilled Chicken, and a Seafood “Catch of the Day”. Kid’s meals come with a drink and a side of apple sauce or scoop of ice cream. Prices range from $8.25 – $8.95. Despite being a fine dining restaurant, I think the atmosphere is interesting enough that kids won’t become bored.

I could also see the Maya Grill being an ideal destination for couples in search of a romantic dinner before a visit to the nearby Rix nightclub (just down the hall). I’ve included a few photos of the club to give you an idea of what it looks like.

Coronado Springs Rix

Coronado Springs Rix

Coronado Springs Rix

Coronado Springs Rix

Here is an interesting aside: a loosely-based replica of the calendar can be found in the Dig Site pool area of Coronado Springs. I have a great appreciation for the Imagineers’ efforts to include these details and have included a picture of it to share with you. Can you spot the Hidden Mickeys?

Coronado Springs Aztec Dig Site

Fans of Epcot’s San Angel Inn will also enjoy the ambiance of the Maya Grill. Ironically both establishments are operated by the same company, Palmas Services. While there is no mandated dress-code, business casual attire is appropriate and seems to be the norm.

If you happen to be traveling to Walt Disney World in the near future, give the Maya Grill a try. They serve good food in a great setting. You don’t have to travel south of the border for a good time. Take an excursion into Coronado Springs and explore all they have to offer.

Maya Grill Dinner Menu
Maya Grill Kid’s Menu

Readers Rate and Review Maya Grill

jeffo.JPG About Jeff: I’m from South Central Pennsylvania, where I work for a Media Publishing Company by day. My first visit to WDW was at the age of 2, and I have been back around 35 times since then. I often travel solo to WDW, as well as with family. I make good use of my Annual Pass, and trek to Orlando about 5 times per year to visit my favorite travel destination and pursue another hobby of mine – photography. My favorite resort is the Polynesian, but I have stayed at all of the WDW resorts at least once. In fact, my favorite aspect of visiting the Walt Disney World Resort is trying out the different Resorts and Restaurants. I enjoy sampling different foods that I normally would never try at home (such as Escargot at the France pavilion).

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10 Replies to “Maya Grill at Coronado Springs Photo Blog”

  1. Thanks for the photos. Our first visit to Maya Grill is coming up on April 24th, so your photos have further convinced me that we made the right choice.

  2. Jeff I so enjoyed reading your review of the Maya Grill. The Maya Grill happens to be at my family’s favorite Disney resort. We dined here last year and we all enjoyed it so much. It was nice to freshen up from a day at Animal Kingdom and to know that we were only a short walk away from our dining choice. With our thrid stay at Coronado Springs in just a few short weeks we’re looking forward to trying their new breakfast menu.

    Loved the pictures too. It only excites me more about our stay until I’m able to see it in person.

  3. Jeff, Love your blogs and love Coronado Springs too. My daughter (8) and I have stayed there twice now and plan to do so again this coming December. Maya Grill is awesome too. We’ve eaten dinner there and enjoyed it. This year we are going to be doing a breakfast there. You’re pictures are great and we even sat near the fountain which is one of your pictures. Keep up the great blogs!

  4. Andree – one thing I love about Coronado is that the resort is centrally located on Disney property. That farthest destinations by bus are Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney, and I usually plan on a half-hour in travel time.

    Cedric – I would love to try Victoria & Alberts, Bistro de Paris, and the Garden Grill. They are on my radar to visit in the near future.

    Nicki – Anyone can dine at the Maya Grill, regardless of where they are staying (Disney or otherwise).

    Thank you all for the compliments!

    Jeff

  5. We are big fans of San Angel Inn so feel a visit to The Maya Grill is a must, thanks for the info! As we travel over from the UK approx every three years we like to try out as many new things as we can each visit (but always make time for our favorites of course!. Tell me, can you still dine there if not staying on Disney property?

    Thanks again for a great blog!

  6. Both the Coronado Springs and the Maya Grill are great. The cast members are wonderful. Rix’s I don’t care for. They are not Disney and they let you know it.

  7. I love this restuant too!!! The service and the food have always been great. The decor is beautiful. Even my 3 year old likes it. Thanks for reminding me of my wonderful trips to Disney. Now I have to make plans for my next trip there!

  8. I love all the photos you have of all the restaurants you visit. Is there one that you want to visit that you haven’t already? 🙂

  9. Wow! I really loved your blog. Great info and the pictures are magnificent! Now I think you might be the ideal person to answer my question here…. Last year we stayed at the Polynesian Resort and just loved how easy it was to get to the parks from there but I had thought of staying at the Coronado, for it’s beauty, but my husband was not keen on the buses to get to the parks saying that it would take too much time. I’ve read that it can take up to an hour from leaving your room to get to a park, is that true?? What is the average time to get from your room to a park?? We’re going back in Dec. If we stay again at a Deluxe resort we were thinking of the Polynesian (of course) or we also thought of something on the Boardwalk but I thought that those hotels might be to busy peoplewise versus the Polynesian, what’s your take on that?? Thank you so much for your time and I really appreciate your blogs!

  10. Great Blog! The decor in the resort and restaurant look fantastic. I’ll have to give the Maya a try sometime. Thanks.