Okay, so when it comes to eating Mexican food in Disney World, we all pretty much go to the Mexico Pavilion in EPCOT, right?

Not only can we find some of the BEST margaritas on property there, but we can also find good Mexican food with a great view or even cheaper Mexican food that’s sure to satisfy. But the best Mexican food in Disney World may NOT be here. In fact, it may not be in the parks at all!

Okay, we’re heading over to Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and you may not even KNOW about this restaurant unless you’ve stayed at this resort. But we’re going to tell you ALL about it.

Atmosphere

Maya Grill is themed to the four sacred Mayan temples: the temple of the moon, the temple of the sun, the temple of water, and the temple of fire.

Once you step inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into a Mayan temple, complete with high ceilings.

You’ll also find a lot of Mayan details pretty much everywhere.

Seating includes booths, as well as standard tables and chairs. What sets the scene is the live guitarist playing Latin music while you wait for your table.

Note that this restaurant is HUGE and has two levels.

Menu

Although you can find a menu outside the restaurant to peruse while you’re waiting, paper menus are also available.

There are a variety of Starters to choose from, including Empanadas, Nachos , Chips and Salsa, Salads, and more. The Entrees are pretty standard for a Mexican restaurant, like Tacos and Enchiladas. There is also a Fajitas Option, as well as a selection of Sides.

You’ll also find some Wines, Beers, and Cocktails, including Margaritas, as well as several Dessert options, including Sorbet, Fried Baby Churros, and Impossible Cake.

So let’s see how things taste.

Eats

We started with the Shrimp Mojo for $15. This is made with Pan Roasted Florida Pink Shrimp with Mojo de Ajo, Plantain Rice, Warm Corn Tortillas. We liked the portion size of this, as well as how big each shrimp was. There’s a mild spice on each one.

The peppers and pickled onions add a nice texture and flavor to the shrimp, especially when you put it all in a tortilla wrap. The spice level here is mild, so this could be a good option for even those who don’t like super spicy foods. We do wish, however, we had received more rice and tortillas with this one, though, especially given how much shrimp it includes.

Then we had the Sizzling Beef Skillet for $28. This is Marinated Grilled Skirt Steak, Bell Peppers, and Onions, served with Black Beans, Rice, Pico de Gallo, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Sour Cream, Jack Cheese, and Guacamole. The steak was cut into nice, thin strips. All the flavors here worked well, too, including the beans, roasted peppers, corn, onions, and rice.

Wrap it all up with the tortillas and top with pico de gallo and guacamole, and you’ve got a tasty fajita. Or mix and match your favorite flavors — this plate gives you loads of different options. We’re going to say that this was a standout dish, in our opinion, and we would 100% order again. We will add that we would’ve loved this even MORE if there had been some sauce options included.

We also ordered the Roasted Poblano Potato Gratin as a side for $8. This turned out to be the perfect accompaniment to the Sizzling Beef Skillet. It had thin layers of potato with a nice crunch, was loaded with butter and sauce, and then had a layer of cheese on top. Cheesy potatoes are almost ALWAYS a win with us.

This was just so CREAMY and cheesy, too. We could’ve just ordered a gigantic bowl of this and been happy. Plus that little bit of heat from the poblano just put it over the top.

Okay, so you KNOW we’d order up the Fried Baby Churros for $10, right? Because we did! These are churros served with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce. We have raved about the churros here before, and these did NOT disappoint.

They were perfectly cooked with a crispy outside and a hint of doughiness in the middle. The combo of the ice cream and caramel sauce resulted in a sweet and crunchy treat that made you want more.

The churros ARE small, but you do get eight of them. Combined with the big scoop of ice cream, this could easily be a shareable dessert — but ONLY if you want it to be.

Nosh or Not

Head to Maya Grill if…

• You have a craving for Mexican food outside the parks or want to eat somewhere easier to get reservations for.
• You’re staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort — if you’re staying at the hotel, you’d be missing out if you sleep on this restaurant.
• You love churros and want some of the best in Disney World — the churros here are a DREAM.

Skip Maya Grill if…

• You’re not staying at Coronado Springs and you don’t want to travel too far outside the parks for food.
• You want more adventurous Latin food — the menu here is standard, so you won’t see anything unique from other Mexican restaurants in Disney World.
• You’re on a budget. Like many table service restaurants in Disney World, a meal here can add up, especially if you plan on ordering cocktails, too.

Overall

We’ve eaten at Maya Grill several times over the past few years and we’ve always been pleasantly surprised. The food might be standard Mexican fare, but it’s well-prepared and always very tasty. We haven’t had anything we’ve ever disliked here, plus we love the atmosphere, especially with the live music.

Should you travel across Disney World to get here? Well, this restaurant is closer to the Animal Kingdom area, so it might be quite a trek for some, but we might consider doing it if we had some free time and wanted some more of those churros — they made traveling to Coronado Springs worth it. Sometimes, it’s also nice to just leave the parks and get away without having to leave Disney World property, and this restaurant is probably a little more chill than the Mexican restaurants in EPCOT.

Ultimately, that’s a decision you might have to make, unless you are staying at Coronado Springs, and then you have NO excuse not to have a meal at Maya Grill.

Check out the other restaurants at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

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Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

You’ll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

Have you ever eaten at Maya Grill? Let us know in the comments!

The post Hold Up. The Best Mexican Food in Disney World is NOT In EPCOT? first appeared on the disney food blog.

The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in some special ways.

We’ve already seen lots of merchandise released online and in the parks, some 100th Anniversary popcorn holders and buckets at Disney World, and tons of 100th decor and more out at Disneyland. For the most part, the celebration has been mainly celebrated at Disneyland Resort, but EPCOT is set to become the “host” of the celebration later this year in Disney World. So what can we expect when it comes to the 100th Anniversary celebrations in Disney World? Well, we just found out!

The Disney Rewards website recently released an article titled “Disney100 Celebration Guide for Walt Disney World Resort.” In it, they detail how Disney World will start to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company in April. There will actually be monthly celebrations that highlight different Disney franchises.

You’ll mainly get to celebrate these stories with existing experiences like movies under the stars, character caravans, parades, and more. So while these are existing experiences, it looks like they might be specifically directed at the 100th Anniversary celebration so be on the lookout for that.

Later in the year, the Disney100 Celebration will come specifically to EPCOT. There will be a variety of new things to experience when the 100th Celebration starts there including:

• A platinum Mickey Mouse sculpture that will welcome you to celebrate at EPCOT
• Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their celebratory platinum outfits

According to the Disney Rewards site, there will also be Disney stories celebrated in the coming months. Here’s what to expect:

• April: “Disney’s conservation efforts and the 25th Anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park”
• May: “All things from a galaxy far, far away will be featured with an emphasis on Star Wars” (“May the Fourth” — a.k.a. Star Wars Day — falls during this month so this makes sense!)
• June: “The delightful Pixar Characters will take fun to infinity and beyond” (Disney & Pixar’s Elemental releases on June 16th so that fits!)
• July: “Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends will provide ‘swell fun’ for all”
• August: “The Disney Princesses and beloved Frozen Characters take the throne”
• September: “Super Hero adventures take flight!”

Disney hasn’t really shared what these celebrations will consist of, other than that they’ll be celebrating Disney stories. So, for the most part, this may consist of existing experiences, but we’ll be on the lookout for any NEW things that may be announced.

For more 100th Anniversary updates, see our posts below and check back for the latest news.

Which of these celebrations are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!

The post More Details Revealed About the 100th Anniversary Celebration at Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.

We’re nearing the end of March, which means that there are quite a few things happening in Disney World!

For starters, we’re in the middle of Spring Break season, with crowds flooding the parks during their vacation weeks. On top of that, EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are about to change fireworks shows, TRON Lightcycle / Run is opening officially soon, and the 50th Anniversary celebrations finally come to a close at the end of the month. But there’s one thing you need to know about the last few days of March if you’re an Annual Passholder!

Now through March 31st, Disney World Annual Passholders can purchase an exclusive Mickey Mouse popcorn bucket at select popcorn carts around the property. You must have your annual pass and a valid photo ID to purchase.

According to the Disney World website, the bucket is available at the following popcorn stands while supplies last:

• City Hall Popcorn Cart at Magic Kingdom
• Popcorn cart near Creations Shop at EPCOT
• Feeding Ground Popcorn Cart at Animal Kingdom
• Hollywood Popcorn Cart at Hollywood Studios
• West Side Cart at Disney Springs

So if you want to buy this exclusive souvenir, you only have a few days to do it! We’ll be on the lookout to see if any other popcorn buckets come to replace it once it’s gone, so stay tuned to DFB for all the updates.

Click Here to See All the Popcorn Buckets You Can Get in Disney World!

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Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

You’ll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose.

Would you buy this popcorn bucket? Tell us in the comments!

The post Why Annual Passholders Need to Go to Disney World ASAP! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Three days, $500 each. Can we pull off the BEST TRIP to Disney World EVER?

Let’s find out!

Check out our video below: 3 PERFECT Days in Disney World for UNDER $500!

Are you a DFB Video subscriber? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to our channel and catch up on ALL of our latest episodes!

And stay tuned for more Disney news!

How much do you budget for Disney World trips? Let us know in the comments below. 

The post DFB Video: 3 PERFECT Days in Disney World for UNDER 0 first appeared on the disney food blog.

It’s time for another look at what’s new in EPCOT!

We’ve already spotted a recent change in one of EPCOT’s most popular stores and shared a warning about a new drink over in the Mexico pavilion, but there’s a lot more that’s happened in just the past few days — come with us to check it out!

EPCOT Food Updates

Refreshment Outpost

This is DFB, so we’re gonna start with food (of course). Over at Refreshment Outpost, we noticed that the Chorizo & Potato Empanada is currently available.

There was a chorizo and potato empanada available during the Festival of the Arts at the Vibrante & Vivido booth, but now you’ll find a chorizo and potato empanada at Refreshment Outpost. It can be yours for $6.75.

EPCOT Construction Updates

Construction on EPCOT’s new attraction, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is continuing to progress as we inch closer to the attraction’s opening in the fall of 2023.

Other things under construction at the park are also moving along (we’re looking forward to seeing World Celebration in its more finalized state by the end of 2023)…

…and construction within the parking lot is also still underway.

Now, let’s get to the merchandise updates!

EPCOT Merchandise Updates

Pin Traders & Camera Center

Here we spotted a Mickey & Co Long Mickey Shirt/Dress for $39.99.

We also found a Snow White Flower and Garden Phone Case for $29.99…

…an Orange Bird Phone Case for $29.99…

…and a Figment Flower and Garden Phone Case for $34.99.

You can also snag a 100th Anniversary Dry Erase Mickey Pin for $29.99…

…and a Grandmother Willow World Nature Day Pin for $17.99.

These could be great additions to your growing or new pin collection!

Creations Shop

Here you can nab a Dapper Dans Fab 4 Shirt for $29.99.

We also found a new Stitch Spirit Jersey for $79.99.

Or you can grab a Bruno Jacket for $89.99 (now we’ll have that song stuck in our heads all day!).

We also spotted a Princess Wallet Clutch here for $29.99.

Though the PowerLimes candy was once available here, they’ve been sold out during our recent visits, and there’s no word just yet on when they’ll be restocked.

We hope they’ll be back soon! Be sure to check and see what the situation is like when you visit.

Mission Space Cargo Bay

We found a new-to-us Star Wars Lightsaber Hat for $29.99.

That’s right, you’ll find Star Wars merchandise in multiple spots these days, so don’t go into Disney World thinking you’ll only find Star Wars-themed goodies in Hollywood Studios.

Northwest Mercantile (Canada)

We found a TON of new-to-us Canada merchandise here, like a Grey and Buffalo Plaid Moose Zip-up Jacket for $74.99…

…a matching Long Sleeve Grey Moose Shirt for $39.99…

…matching Pants for $59.99…

…a Grey Zip-up Jacket with Embroidered Bear for $74.99…

…and one last pair of Matching Pants for $59.99.

That’s quite a lot of clothes to keep you warm during those surprising cold snaps in Disney (though you’ll want to be more worried about the heat as we get into the spring and summer).

The Fjording (Norway)

Over in the Norway pavilion, we spotted a Frozen Cardigan Sweater for $54.99…

…and Frozen Marshmallow Pants for $39.99.

You could really nail the Frozen-themed look with these!

Disney Traders

We found a new Guardians of the Galaxy 100th Anniversary Pressed Penny option here!

But wait, there’s more!

World Traveler

At World Traveler, we found a Beauty and the Beast 100th Anniversary Pressed Penny.

We’ve seen quite a few 100th Anniversary-themed pressed pennies popping up in Disney World, so keep an eye out for these! They’re cheap and small (a.k.a. easy to carry) souvenirs that you can grab to celebrate the big Disney100 event.

Plume et Palette (France)

Need more Minnie designs in your closet? Stop by Plume et Palette in the France pavilion to grab some Minnie Pants for $49.99…

…or a Minnie Shirt for $36.99.

Souk-al-Magreb (Morocco)

Finally, we found a Morocco World Showcase Shirt that can be yours for $34.99. We love how the design has a tile theme to it and is so bright and colorful.

And that’s everything new in EPCOT for now. As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.

Check out the new pavilion going up in Disney World!

What’s your favorite new item on this list? Tell us in the comments below!

The post What’s New in EPCOT: A Treat Has Gone MISSING! first appeared on the disney food blog.

The latest executive to be cut in the first round of Disney layoffs is Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac Perlmutter, according to the New York Times.

“Mr. Perlmutter, 80, was told by phone on Wednesday that Marvel Entertainment, a small division centered on consumer products and run separately from Marvel Studios, was redundant and would be folded into larger Disney business units,” reports the New York Times.

Perlmutter was among those pushing for Nelson Peltz to join the board. He also infamously almost fired Kevin Feige, but was stopped by Bob Iger.

Perlmutter, whose position was shifted to chairman in 2017, was “intent on firing Kevin Feige” in 2015, Iger said. This would have been around the same time that Feige was in talks to switch to DC because of frustrations with Perlmutter. Feige is now Chief Creative Officer at Marvel.

Perlmutter came to Disney with the purchase of Marvel in 2009.

Marvel Entertainment co-president Rob Steffens and chief counsel John Turitzin were also laid off.

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The post BREAKING: Marvel Entertainment Chairman Isaac ‘Ike’ Perlmutter Laid Off appeared first on WDW News Today.