Maya Grill or Spoodles??

[mmbrad02]

Just a little background info... We (DH and I) are in our mid-20's and going to Disney July 17-22. We are pretty basic eaters, but since this is vacation, will be willing to try *some* new things (but, more than likely, will stick to the more basic selections!).

We are scheduled to arrive at Orlando International at 9:05am. We will use ME to travel to POR; drop our things and head out, we probably will not wait on luggage to arrive. We are planning to spend this first day at Animal Kingdom (which happens to have extra evening hours that night), and I hope to arrive at the park by noon. None of this may work as plan, but it's just an idea...

So, I want to do a TS that night, and I currently have dinner at Spoodles set for 8pm. However, I was looking over the menus and thought we might like the Maya Grill, and thought it might be closer to AK... that way we could spend more time at the park before leaving for dinner, and also, may have time to head back after dinner if we want. I figure since we will initially be arriving at AK later in the day, we should plan for longer waiting periods.

What are your opinions? Do you like one more than other? Here's some ideas of what we would more than likely order, so if anyone's had these dishes and can give us their opinions, that would help! (We are on DDP).

Spoodles:

Appetizer--Four Cheese Flat Bread (only option that either of use would eat)
Entrees--Fettuccini Alfredo (maybe some of the others, but some of the sides are stuff we normally don't eat)
Dessert--they all look good

Maya Grill:

Appetizer--Pulled Pork Empanada (I have no idea what this is, but I'm willing to try it!), Soup of the Day?
Entree--Maya's Fillet Mignon, chargrilled chicken breast, Traditional Rib Eye Steak,
Desserts--not listed, but I'm sure we can manage!


Okay, and another thought--if anyone's had lunch at Maya Grill, please comment on that.... we could always eat lunch, then head to AK...

 

[Uncleromulus]

Anyone done both?? I'd like to help, but haven't been to either one for dinner in quite some time.

 

[Disneymommie]

We have never eaten at the Maya Grill, BUT LOVE spoodles! The food is so good. The flat bread is to die for! I can not give you a great opinion as I have never eaten at your one choice. I can only say we love Spoodles! Have a great trip!

 

[magicmommy]

We have never had dinner at Spoodles but plan to on our trip next month. We have had breakfast there and it was ok. We have dined at the Maya Grill several times and the food is very good. The atmosphere at the Maya Grill is much more romantic than Spoodles IMO.

 

[JUST4JENNA]

We did not like Spoodles at all.

 

[Lewisc]

You're planning on going to AK, leaving for a TS dinner and then returning to the AK? I'd just have dinner at Boma that night. Spend a little time walking around the resort.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Ak closes at 10pm that night (assuming EMH for 3 hours). Are you planning on staying all day? We stay at Ak only a few hours but maybe others can fill 8-10 hours there (?).

If you want to return to AK for EMH, I would eat at AK. It's not worth the travel time just for dinner IMO. Plus, it takes awhile to get anywhere from AK.

If you are sure you need to leave AK for dinner that night, I'd just hop to AKL and dine at Boma or Jiko instead. That way you're not traveling as far.

OR you could leave AK whenever you felt like and go back to POR and dine at Boatwrights. That leaves you close to home so you can rest and head right back to the room.

For us, we're usually wiped on our first day and take it easy so we would leave AK in early evening and then have a fairly early dinner so we can settle into our hotel that night (once our bags are there). But everyone travels differently =)

Good luck!

 

[ssdeverell]

I have not been to either, but we are trying Maya Grill in Sept. I just wanted to let you know that the menu on wdwinfo.com has the desserts listed.

I would personally go to AK, take the CSR bus to Maya Grill for 7:00 ADR, and then take the AK bus back to catch your bus. CSR is not far from AK. If there is time for you to do other things at the park - great, but I would not plan on it. Even if you eat at Boma, you will still have to take the bus back to AK or one of the other parks to transfer to your resort bus. Also, Boma is what I consider adventurous eating, and you do not seem to meet that definition with dining. That is why we do not eat there.

 

[gina2000]

We've always been big Spoodles fans but when we had dinner there in February, the menu had been pared down to virtually nothing, the service was lackluster and the restaurant was empty. It looked like the restaurant had given up and was about to close. It's off our list.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I sort of agree with Gina here. I wrote a review on Spoodles recently and you can search that out if you so choose. They have pared down the menu, the offerings are good, but limited and the service seems to be ok...

I have not eaten at the Maya Grill for quite some time. We ate there when it first opened so I cannot answer you on that.

 

[mmbrad02]

Thanks everyone!

Just to answer a few questions... we will not necessarily be returning to AK, but wanted to leave the option open incase we 1)had other stuff we wanted to see and 2) had time. If it doesn't work out, no big deal. I was just trying to stay in in the vacinity.

I think for now I will call and reserve something for Maya Grill. Maybe I'll keep the Spoodles reservation for a day or two longer, and try to figure out which we'd like best.

If anyone has any other comments, I'd love to hear!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have eaten at Spoodles every single trip .. sometimes 2 or 3 times .. since they opened. We would not dream of missing it.

True, the menu has been pared down, but the dishes that remain are fabulous! My family and I call the 4 cheese flatbread heaven on a plate. And the desserts .. oh my gosh .. they are incredible! The steak at Spoodles is very good, also. If you don't like the sides, they will be happy to switch them out for you.

We have not been to Maya Grill because it constantly gets bad reviews. People havd talked about how bad the service and food is over and over. An empanada is a fried pastry shell stuffed with ..whatever. Think an apple turnover .. but not sweet.

 

[kaygela]

I have never eaten at Spoodles but I have eaten at Maya Grill. We enjoyed the food and out server was wonderful. He gave us amazing attention and paid alot of attention to my DS. We would eat there again.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We loved Spoodles. Was one of the best places on property.


My strip steak was done just the way I ordered and was very tender. The Scallop add on was great. Perfectly done. Not under, not overdone. The Shrimp add on was great.
Did I mention those were allowed on the dining plan. Yesssss!!!!
I got one of the cakes for desert. Chocolate, Orange, Pistacio. MMMMMM.
The Rigitoni was excellent as was the alfredo.
But the dish that was spectacular the night we went was the Portuguese seafood stew. Generous portion of all kinds of shell fish and fish. No add ons allowed with this one. But it was Oh so yummy. And I will warn you, if you absolutely hate spice, this one isn't for you. But I like spice and I found it fine, and my wife doesn't hate it, but doesn't like her mouth on fire either. She was fine with it also. So It's not all that spicy, but it has a kick to it.
I had the garlic shrimp appetizer which is definitely geared for the meal plan. It was quite small but very tasty. The Med-Dips are a bigger appetizer that can be shared with the group if you're paying out of pocket.


Nevertheless, I find Maya Grill a bit more convenient for your plans. I've never been though. I'll be going there this time and returning to Spoodles.

We have not been to Maya Grill because it constantly gets bad reviews.

They had a menu change awhile back. A lot of people simply don't like the change. The Menu looked good to me and I'm on the dining plan so I'll give er a try. If you're paying out of pocket, it looks a bit on the expensive side compared to its peers.

 

[Mamu]

Have never eaten at the Maya Grill, have eaten at Spoodles. Always enjoyed the food, although I've heard there is a new chef and a lot of the menu has changed.

Sometimes a chef does make the difference, I'm sure the basic dishes haven't changed. This restaurant serves mediterranean style food. I think the new chef is greek so expect the food to have a greek flare.

 

[Chilehead Too]

We did not like Spoodles at all.

We felt the same. Although I think we are in the minority.