BOMA - After park closes?

[Yorkieal]

Hi

Our ADR 180 is coming up and we're looking at possibly booking Boma for our evening meal. I see AK closes at 5pm but that would be way too early for us to eat, if we were to book for say, 7.30pm, would there be something to keep us occupied between park closing and our reservation? We're staying at the Carribean Beach but doesnt seem worth it to trek all the way back and forth for the sake of 2.5 hours...

It's just the two of us (adults), no kids, so wouldn't mind just parking down with a beer for a couple of hours....?

 

[Marlyn]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful. You can spend time looking around there. They have an outdoor viewing platform where you can see animals, there are rocking chairs around an outdoor fire pit in that area too. We always go to Boma early so we have time to spend out there looking around. They also have a nice gift shop with African inspired items. You can have a drink at the bar there.

You can also take your time living Animal Kingdom and appreciate the animals and scenery as you walk out of the park. You don't need to leave right at 5:00

 

[Ensusieasm]

Hi

Our ADR 180 is coming up and we're looking at possibly booking Boma for our evening meal. I see AK closes at 5pm but that would be way too early for us to eat, if we were to book for say, 7.30pm, would there be something to keep us occupied between park closing and our reservation? We're staying at the Carribean Beach but doesnt seem worth it to trek all the way back and forth for the sake of 2.5 hours...

It's just the two of us (adults), no kids, so wouldn't mind just parking down with a beer for a couple of hours....?

YES! There will be plenty to do at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The Lobby is full of art work and a rope bridge. The Savannah is full of African animals. You can sit in a rocking chair on an outside deck or go right outside to the viewing area and they have night vision goggles to use for free. And, there are many shops. Also....watch the park closing time calendar for AK because it will change to a later time once RIVERS OF LIGHT begins.

 

[addiln]

you will have plenty to look at and do at the AKL as you wait till your reservation. You can check and see what kind of activities the resort has planned. When we were there last time we just sat outside and watched the animals. They had a cm outside doing something but we were not interested in that. This is a great resort to walk around and experience

 

[kreckl]

My experience is a little different- yes, the lodge is beautiful. But there may not be seating available for viewing. Many people waiting for tables take their beeper and head outside and it can be crowded. If you don't mind walking around, there is always that. And maybe you would have better luck at Kidani- I don't know. I wouldn't plan for more than an hour of exploring. The bar could be an option

 

[OhThePain]

As the others have said, there is a lot to see at AKL. Check out the different savannahs from different parts of the resort, have a drink at Victoria Falls (just above Boma), taking in all the different things that are going on (after the first time we visited the resort, my wife NEEDED to stay there and we now have our second stay at AKL coming up in May). There are a lot of different quiet spots around the resort, half the fun is finding them.

I will also echo what a PP said about RoL. It doesn't seem like Disney is expanding the hours of AKL until RoL officially opens or is about to open. The most rumored date of opening is Earth Day this year, so expect the park to be open later by the time your trip rolls around. There will also be an evening version of KS and a couple of other things opening up for the evening hours that you may want to stay in the park for.

 

[HopperFan]

- If you want to see Nemo show see if there is a 5 pm show. We often do that and it saves park time for other things to be in a show after park closing. Not sure if Lion King does a late show.
- Add in transportation time.
- AKL is beautiful with lots of African art all over you can look at, enjoy the savannas there are quite a few viewing places for the public, even a far side of the pool.
- Fireplaces/pits inside and out you can sit at and enjoy.
- Balconies overlooking savannas with chairs, do your homework ahead to find them.
- One of the best gift shops.
- Victoria Lounge is a beautiful and cozy lounge above BOMA that is like a hidden gem.
- Check in early, they may seat you - we've been seated early, on time and late there.
- One resort there is plenty to do to use up time.

 

[figmentfan423]

I think AK hours will be extended once ROL is open this spring. You may want to take that into consideration

 

[cigar95]

And Kidani Village is right next door - not as spectacular as the main lodge, but they have their own really nice savanna viewing area. If you're not staying later at the park to see RoL, you might take the bus to Kidani first, then catch the shuttle over to the main lodge.
Big Fan of Kidani and its more laid-back feeling.

 

[Ensusieasm]

And Kidani Village is right next door - not as spectacular as the main lodge, but they have their own really nice savanna viewing area. If you're not staying later at the park to see RoL, you might take the bus to Kidani first, then catch the shuttle over to the main lodge.
Big Fan of Kidani and its more laid-back feeling.

We did this on a rainy non park day in late January 2016. The animals at Kidani were closer and more plentiful when we were there and we enjoyed both Locations. BOMA is my favorite buffet at Disney World. Try several soups. Even just a little of each.....and of course there will be Zebra Domes for dessert!

 

[Karlius]

I think everyone has so far missed that as of Spring (Early April) Animal Kingdom will be open later. The rivers of light show starts in addition to twilight/evening safaris to see the Hyenas. Rides etc will also remain open during this period. You may want to push that reservation back if you plan on viewing these shows.

 

[Hopefully]

I think everyone has so far missed that as of Spring (Early April) Animal Kingdom will be open later. The rivers of light show starts in addition to twilight/evening safaris to see the Hyenas. Rides etc will also remain open during this period. You may want to push that reservation back if you plan on viewing these shows.

As of today this is speculation. No dates have been released yet

 

[Karlius]

As of today this is speculation. No dates have been released yet

Spring 2016 is the quoted date. In 180 days from now this show will be in full swing.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ight-nighttime-spectacular-walt-disney-world/

 

[Hopefully]

Spring 2016 is the quoted date. In 180 days from now this show will be in full swing.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ight-nighttime-spectacular-walt-disney-world/

MAYBE. As I said, no opening date has been announced. STK Steakhouse in DS was said to be opening late 2015. - Still no announced opening date. Shanghai Disney announced opening late 2015. Now June. Etc., etc., etc. I will plan on it when an actual DATE is announced

 

[disnut8]

Hi

Our ADR 180 is coming up and we're looking at possibly booking Boma for our evening meal. I see AK closes at 5pm but that would be way too early for us to eat, if we were to book for say, 7.30pm, would there be something to keep us occupied between park closing and our reservation? We're staying at the Carribean Beach but doesnt seem worth it to trek all the way back and forth for the sake of 2.5 hours...

It's just the two of us (adults), no kids, so wouldn't mind just parking down with a beer for a couple of hours....?

That's easy. Just go over there, cruise through the gift shop (not the typical Disney stuff), go to the pool area and get a drink and relax. Walk around, see the animals, and chill. Best resort to kick back and not think about life for a while.

 

[HopperFan]

I think everyone has so far missed that as of Spring (Early April) Animal Kingdom will be open later. The rivers of light show starts in addition to twilight/evening safaris to see the Hyenas. Rides etc will also remain open during this period. You may want to push that reservation back if you plan on viewing these shows.

Several of the PP did indeed mention that hours may change if RoL is in operation for their trip. It is something to think about.

But right now we don't know when it will open, only guesses. Also we don't know their plan for number of shows, could be per night or per week. We can probably look at this similar to Fantasmic given there are actors involved. I think we all assume it will be very popular and a daily thing ... but we just don't know.

Disney is now saying Summer instead of Spring for the Frozen attraction, bumped once again, so we can't bank on anything until they announce an actual date - which will probably be closer to 30 days out.

 

[Karlius]

Several of the PP did indeed mention that hours may change if RoL is in operation for their trip. It is something to think about.

But right now we don't know when it will open, only guesses. Also we don't know their plan for number of shows, could be per night or per week. We can probably look at this similar to Fantasmic given there are actors involved. I think we all assume it will be very popular and a daily thing ... but we just don't know.

Disney is now saying Summer instead of Spring for the Frozen attraction, bumped once again, so we can't bank on anything until they announce an actual date - which will probably be closer to 30 days out.

Sorry I totally missed the acronym. My bad.

The likely date I'm hearing for opening night is Tuesday 19th, April. Due to Cast blackouts during this time. Which would be just in time for earth day and the parks 18th anniversary on the 22nd.

 

[HopperFan]

Sorry I totally missed the acronym. My bad.

The likely date I'm hearing for opening night is Tuesday 19th, April. Due to Cast blackouts during this time. Which would be just in time for earth day and the parks 18th anniversary on the 22nd.

No problem

Like you said RoL should be operating by time the OP goes. I think we'll just have to wait and see on the opening, any dates out there are just guesses. They still have a lot of work to do and sadly standard procedure these days is project delays. But fingers crossed dates you heard are correct, and agree the CM block out dates in April are unusual this year so that could be why.

 

[Minnesota!]

We typically hit the pool bar for a few rounds prior to Boma. We have kids but put them in the kids club on Boma night, ha ha! There is plenty to do – take a peek around the resort, relax by the lobby fire. Then make your way to the pool bar for a couple cocktails in a beautiful atmosphere! We LOVE this..

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I see AK closes at 5pm but that would be way too early for us to eat, if we were to book for say, 7.30pm

BY the time of your vacation, I suspect AK will be open until 8:00pm or 9:00pm daily.