Animal Kingdom Lodge Dining?

[bringit]

We've reluctantly decided to stay at a moderate resort rather than the Animal Kingdom Lodge. But we thought we might enjoy going over to the Lodge one evening for dinner and checking out the lodge/ seeing the animals. We're traveling with a 3 year old in December. We'll probably try to go on Sunday.

Here are my questions:

1. Can you see animals/ is the lodge cool to visit if you're only going to eat there, not stay overnight?

2. If so, what is the best time to of day to go (it has to be afternoon or evening)

3. We're getting a meal plan. Is the Boma worth it (ie, should we cancel one of our character meals) or will we have a nice time just going for the "fast casual" dining option.

TIA

 

[Pakey]

AKL is my favorite resort. I love the theming there. The lobby is gorgeous and it has my favorite store as the items they sell in the store are African themed. You can exit the lodge at the back and they have an area for animal viewing although often you will not see very many, especially if you go in the evening after dark as the savannah is not lit.

BOMA is a very good buffet if you like to try different things. They do have some "plain" foods there but it's more fun for adventurous eaters as the food is unusual and excellent, especially the soups. They do have a nice children's selection and the desserts are really tiny so it's fun to try several of them.

BOMA is not open in the afternoon for lunch so if you opt to go early, you will not be able to eat there.

I cannot answer your question about the "casual" place to eat there as I've only eaten at BOMA and JIKO.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Mara is the counter service restaurant with a view of the pool. You can't see animals from Mara.

Boma is a pretty popular place to eat, so if you don't have an ADR already, you might be out of luck.

There is an area out the far end of the lobby where you can see the animals on the AKL savannah.

 

[BCV23]

I would go while it is still light to see more animals.

None of the restaurants afford a view of the savannas but there are many good places to view them from within the lodge. There are two different viewing areas right off the lobby. You can also walk out to Arusha Rock on the ground floor.

Mara has some nice selections. I agree with Pakey's description of Boma.

 

[Maggi May]

Boma is an excellent buffet and definitely worth a TS credit. Since you're going in December, you may want to book an early dinner there and go early to explore the lodge . . . maybe go there @ 4:30 for a 5:30 or 6:00 reservation. There is so much to do and see there. We went almost every Disney trip even when staying at other resorts.

There's a main outlook right behind the lobby, but also a nice one past the pool and hot tub. At that time of day there will be cast members from Africa who are knowledgeable about the the animals and also like to talk about their home countries. Stop by the pool bar or Victoria Falls and get a drink, walk around and enjoy.

The quick service place, Mara, is pretty good, but has small selections and is sometimes crowded. Boma is great, and if you can get a reservation I would definitely recommend it over Mara.

 

[byoung]

Boma's is OUTSTANDING!