Boma dinner before ROL

[Donald315]

Right now on our Animal Kingdom Day on 3/5 we're planning on spending a full day there capped by a ROL fastpass for a 7:15 showing, which it says to show up between 6:35-7pm.

We're planning on taking a park break before that with a visit to AKL, we have 5 pm dinner reservations at Boma.

Will we have enough time for dinner and to get back to AK in time for ROL?

Note we will be traveling with my wife, DD3 and DD1, and my in-laws so we will also have a double stroller to transport on the bus between

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Right now on our Animal Kingdom Day on 3/5 we're planning on spending a full day there capped by a ROL fastpass for a 7:15 showing, which it says to show up between 6:35-7pm.

We're planning on taking a park break before that with a visit to AKL, we have 5 pm dinner reservations at Boma.

Will we have enough time for dinner and to get back to AK in time for ROL?

Note we will be traveling with my wife, DD3 and DD1, and my in-laws so we will also have a double stroller to transport on the bus between

Because the buses can be tricky (you may arrive at either stop just after previous bus departs) I would try to either, A. schedule Boma at least a half hour earlier, OR B. eat inside AK park...
If you can get ADRs, Tusker House is a great buffet for adults and kids with Mickey and friends.
Yak n Yeti is awesome, as is CS at Flame Tree!.
I definately wouldn't be trying to schlep the kids, double stroller, and the in laws to a meal out of the park, unless I was NOT planning on returning to the park.
imho

 

[Robo]

Right now on our Animal Kingdom Day on 3/5 we're planning on spending a full day there capped by a ROL fastpass for a 7:15 showing, which it says to show up between 6:35-7pm.

We're planning on taking a park break before that with a visit to AKL, we have 5 pm dinner reservations at Boma.

Will we have enough time for dinner and to get back to AK in time for ROL?

Note we will be traveling with my wife, DD3 and DD1, and my in-laws so we will also have a double stroller to transport on the bus between

To TRY to make this work...
Arrive at Boma 30 min. early, and check in.
(Although 5PM may be the earliest seating.)
Ask for your bill as soon as you get the last of your food.

The real problem is, well, EVERYTHING will take longer than you think, and the RoL area will likely be a ZOO.

If seeing RoL is important to you, dump Boma that evening.

 

[maranara]

We just stayed at AKL...time from bus stop to front gates of AK? Almost 45 minutes. For whatever reason, it was the only park we had trouble with the bus getting to. But you could have the same issue.

 

[LilyWDW]

If you are relying on Disney transportation, there is no way in heck I would be making plans like that. WAY to tight and too much of a chance to end up not being able to make it.

 

[MrsHull]

Right now on our Animal Kingdom Day on 3/5 we're planning on spending a full day there capped by a ROL fastpass for a 7:15 showing, which it says to show up between 6:35-7pm.

We're planning on taking a park break before that with a visit to AKL, we have 5 pm dinner reservations at Boma.

Will we have enough time for dinner and to get back to AK in time for ROL?

Note we will be traveling with my wife, DD3 and DD1, and my in-laws so we will also have a double stroller to transport on the bus between

I would try it with my crew, but my kids are older. But, with two little ones, I would suggest Tusker House. It is easily the best character meal I've ever done and the food is good, too.

 

[Donald315]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm going to try for Tusker House reservations, but keep my Boma res for now too.

Getting there isn't the issue, getting back to the park is my concern - I figure we'll get to AKL early, walk around and explore the resort a little before getting on the Boma line early (5 pm is first seating) and be done with dinner by around 6, should be able to get to AK by 6:30 and to ROL showing no later than 7.

 

[FastPasser]

Once the bus is loaded at the Jambo House, the ride to AK is no more than ten minutes.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Once the bus is loaded at the Jambo House, the ride to AK is no more than ten minutes.

But it's 20 - 25 minutes if not more, BETWEEN buses.

 

[ShellieMimi]

You have maybe a 5% chance of this working out the way you're hoping.

Is this your first trip?

 

[Donald315]

You have maybe a 5% chance of this working out the way you're hoping.

Is this your first trip?

Yes for the most part, my wife and I have both been once as kids but it's been over 10 years for both of us

 

[ShellieMimi]

Yes for the most part, my wife and I have both been once as kids but it's been over 10 years for both of us

So wonderful that you can bring your own kids now!

I think it's easy to look at it on paper & say "we can do this!" but the reality is that everything takes longer than you think it will. You don't want to rush through Boma (a really amazing dinner - my favorite buffet at WDW) & risk missing Rivers of Light at the same time. You might want to think about moving RoL to a different night - or, if you can't, moving your break up a bit and going to Sanaa for lunch that day instead. It's still at AKL, your girls will love the animals, and the menu is great.

 

[FastPasser]

But it's 20 - 25 minutes if not more, BETWEEN buses.

Are you saying that it's always at least a 20 minute wait?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the others. If your goal is to be back in time for ROL, it wouldn't be worth the travel or stress, IMHO. If you need a quieter place to unwind in AK, I would actually suggest having a drink (and/or snack) at Nomad Lounge. It's quite quiet and relaxing and the drinks are delicious (they have non-alcoholic drinks as well). I would then try for dinner at Tusker House or even Tiffins (which is right next to Nomad and is also relaxing). The food at both restaurants is very good. On par with Boma, IMHO. There is also a very nice outdoor lounge area right next to Tusker House (there's a bar there too with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks). Again, a good place to relax and unwind if you don't want to go all the way to AKL. You could use uber to get back and forth so you don't have to rely on buses, but I don't know if you would want to do that without car seats for the children.

 

[Anthony1971]

simple-- take a cab there are always there.. it is about 1 mile...
would I do it... NO can you make it YES... I would much rather spend time and enjoy my meal especially at Boma.. rush through the park after you just ate to see a show... chose one or the other...
the bus to AK takes at best 6 minutes there is a side entrance for the buses... waiting for the bus is any ones guess you could have perfect timing or just miss one... I would honestly say 20 minutes would be an average estimate for waiting and bus time.... but I would not bet on averages with the times you have...

 

[happymommy]

Honestly, Tusker House and Boma are so similar, and no way would I attempt that. It's not worth it! I'd try for Tusker House, and if you can't get it, I'd do something else in the park.

 

[Hopefully]

Yes for the most part, my wife and I have both been once as kids but it's been over 10 years for both of us

You are underestimating the time & effort involved. Everyone is advising the same thing. Your current plan is not a good idea.
You can certainly do it but you asked for advice.
I would do one or the other. Your children are really young. Perhaps next trip is a better idea.
Good Luck

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

but the reality is that everything takes longer than you think it will.

Sooooo true!!!
I liken it to being in Times Square and deciding to eat lunch in Queens. No one in their right (or wrong - lol) mind would do that, and WDW is more than TWICE the size of Manhatten!
I won't even leave MK for lunch or dinner at one of the monorail resorts unless it's my last stop for the day.
Too many things can go wrong.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Are you saying that it's always at least a 20 minute wait?

No, I'm saying that if you walk to the bus stop and the bus to AKL has just left 2 minutes before you arrive at the stop, then it is another 20 minutes before the next AKL bus comes along. And sometimes longer...
You just don't know...
You could have pixie dust sprinkled, walk up, the bus be there, get to Boma, eat and then walk back out to the bus stop and a bus returning to AK magically appear.
Is it likely? Probably not.
The buses leaving AK go to multiple different resorts, and the buses leaving AKL go to 4 different parks. The odds of the timing being in your favor are very slim...
Just sayin'!

 

[maranara]

Are you saying that it's always at least a 20 minute wait?

I waited 30 minutes for a bus from AKL to AK 2 weeks ago. We were told that we just missed a bus by about a minute or two. But yes...can get lucky and a bus pulls up when you walk up...or you can easily wait that long for a bus, if not more.