BOMA for dinner... any thoughts?

[Orr Princess]

We are considering trying out BOMA for dinner... is it worth going all the way over to the AK to eat there? and will my DD(7) like it?? Thanks for your help!

 

[Quin]

We very much like Boma for dinner (and breakfast, for that matter). Many of the food offerings have African themes or flavoring, but this is WDW - it is still based on mass market appeal, so nothing is too far "out there". There is also a standard kids food portion of the buffet so chicken nuggets, pizza, and mac'n'cheese are available too. For DD as well as the adults, the best advice is to get a big plate with little tastes of lots of things. Then go back and get more of the ones you really liked.

BTW, note that Boma is at AKL, not AK. If you are taking Disney transport from another resort it's usually fastest to take a bus to AK, then instead of going into the park go right to the AKL bus stop. If you are going to dinner straight from another park, of course, just take the AKL bus. The AKL bus makes 2 stops: at Kidani (DVC location) and Jambo House (main AK, where Boma is). Take some time either before or after dinner to explore the AKL, too; there are animal viewing savannahs, a fire pit, and lots of interesting CMs around. At night they have some night vision goggles outside that you can use, too.

 

[OhThePain]

Just not that Boma is at AKL not AK. It is worth it for 2 big reasons. First, the food is really good (especially the soups) and there is a ton of variety. Picky eaters and adventurous eaters will both find more than enough to fill them up. There are also a couple kid offerings that your DD can stick with if she would like.

The second reasons is that it gives you a chance to check out AKL. The resort is beautiful and there are a ton of places you can go to look out over the savannahs. There is a lot to see and appreciate at the Lodge.

Also, the whole idea of AKL being "out there" is pretty overblown. Ther travel time to and from EC/DHS/DTD is no different than most other resorts, it is very close to AK and is only about 23 minutes from MK.

 

[K&TLoveDisney]

I agree with Quin. Try a little bit of everything. There are some unusual (and good) foods on the buffet. I'm not a lover of buffet's (very easy to overindulge at them) but I do like trying them when there are the unusual food items that I can try tastes of to determine what I may like or not like.

We just did BOMA when we were there in September. It was on the noisy side and I guess they were having a bad night. I have never heard so many dishes breaking at one sitting in a restaurant before. At one point, at least a dozen dinner plates crashed at once.

I also agree to leave yourself extra time to walk around the resort (if you have never been there before) and view the animals. Well worth it.

 

[mickeynut1]

We love Boma and go for dinner every trip. It is worth it, IMO, as the food is great with alot of variety. Even if you aren't an adventurous eater, there are plenty of other things to choose from that aren't so "unique". Then after dinner you can walk around and check out AKL and view the animals .

 

[ciera321]

Absolutely worth it!!! We love Boma and the variety it offers. AKL isn't a great distance away, like a lot of people think, maybe an extra 5 minutes???? We usually take a cab, but the buses will do the trick. Have a great time!!!

 

[My sister's princess]

Thanks for this great thread! We will be eating at Boma for this first time in January, and I was a bit nervous as well!

 

[Ms.Mouse]

You'll love it!!! We usually travel over from the AK.... this year, we're playing with the idea to go over there to BOMA twice...

 

[PoohsFan1]

Just not that Boma is at AKL not AK. It is worth it for 2 big reasons. First, the food is really good (especially the soups) and there is a ton of variety. Picky eaters and adventurous eaters will both find more than enough to fill them up. There are also a couple kid offerings that your DD can stick with if she would like.

The second reasons is that it gives you a chance to check out AKL. The resort is beautiful and there are a ton of places you can go to look out over the savannahs. There is a lot to see and appreciate at the Lodge.

Also, the whole idea of AKL being "out there" is pretty overblown. Ther travel time to and from EC/DHS/DTD is no different than most other resorts, it is very close to AK and is only about 23 minutes from MK.

Completely agree with everything that was said here. I have a couple picky eaters in my family and they were able to find something there. The restaurant is very nice inside with a very nice selection of foods. Also, before our ADR we were able to go outside and see all of the animals up close....it was awesome. We have only dined here once and I would not hesitate to return here again.

 

[FireDancer]

Boma dinner is the best meal on property in my opinion and is often the only ADR I even bother to make. You don't need to worry about it being exotic. There is a children's area with standard kids food and even the regular food is toned down for the American pallet. I've eaten at African restaurants all over the country and Boma is the least exotic one I've been to.

 

[gonzalj1]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

IMO Boma is definitely worth the trip. My family and I make it a point to get here every trip. BOMA offers one of the best buffets on property with a nice mix of traditional and African flavors. I love the flavor on the ribs here. My wife loves the unusual sides like fufu and my kids say its the best chicken fingers on property. Highly recommended.

One downside is the wait. Even with an ADR it can take a little bit to get seated. We show up about 10 minutes early and are usually seated within 10 minutes of our ADR time.

 

[budafam]

We went there on our last trip and absolutely LOVED it. There is sooo much to choose from (the most I've ever seen on a buffet) and well worth it. I booked it for our next trip already. My only regret was that we were on the deluxe dining plan and we were so stuffed that we barely got to eat anything. I'm going to starve myself before going next time.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Over the years, we have become extremely disenchanted with Disney dining, with the exception of Boma! It is our must-have meal on every trip!
Although I have to admit, in October we really enjoyed the food at Blue Zoo! Maybe a second favorite.....

 

[no capes darling]

Love it, can't wait to go back!

 

[HunnyJar]

This past September was the first time since we first tried Boma that we passed on it to try a new restaurant. While we loved the new restaurant (Grand Floridian Cafe) Boma will definitely be back on our restaurant rotation for next year. It is definitely a family favorite. Everyone from my very adventurous son, my dessert loving husband and the vegetarian (me) is extremely happy with their offerings. Plus I can't wait to walk around the resort with our two little ones. The grounds are amazing and I love watching the animals. This is generally our go to restaurant after a day at the Animal Kingdom.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Boma: (9/14/2011)
. . . food price value: D
. . . food quality: C
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: A
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: B
. . . eatery atmosphere: D
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: B
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Boma is an outstanding buffet for breakfast.
For dinner it's below average and worth passing by.
African and Middle Eastern foods are typically spiced
with cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, etc, which
can make food appear sweet to the taste buds. If doing
dinner, go for the soups, and leave the meats, the
salads, and the desserts for someone else. There now
are fifteen different soups at five per night. Bring out
the ear plugs, as it does get moisy.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Well..I guess I will be the odd person out here. We didn't love Boma. . We are not picky eaters in the least...but the seasoning in most of the dishes just were not our thing. Too much cinnamon and nutmeg..they seemed to flavor just about every dish..and a lot of the savory dishes were sweet. But we didn't like the Zebra Domes either so we must just be odd.
We are staying at AKL for our next trip and have no plans to eat there.

 

[BYC]

We love it! There are different tastes we don't see other places, yet still plenty for the picky eater. Plus, there are Zebra Domes.

 

[Orr Princess]

Thanks for the comments!! Looking forward to trying Boma

 

[disneydad78]

We LOVE BOMA! All my kids love going there to eat, you CANT go wrong!