BOMA or Cailfornia Grill?

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

Narrowed our search for our last dinner at WDW in January to BOMA or California Grill. We have never been to either. It would be DH, Me, DD, DSIL and 21 mo old DGS. Want something special for our last night.

Ressie would be for 7:15 pm or there about so don't think we could be in time to view fireworks at MK if we choose CG? Don't know if we would get a window table or not or even if the fireworks really matter since we will see them at the park? It would be nice though. Then again BOMA looks like a nice place too. HELP!!!!

Please give your honest opinion on both.

Vote for one and give the reason why?

Please I could really use your help on this one.

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

This is a tough one as they are both VERY different. How well does your DGD sit in a restaurant - Cali Grill is upscale and more formal, also much more expensive but we LOVE it, I would pick it over Boma any day. Having said this, I am sure that you will get other responses raving about Boma - we dined here due to reviews on this board an while it ws nice, to us it was really just another buffet. So in my opinion - Cali Grill, but you know your own family and budget.

 

[septbaby]

Where else are you eating? Are you willing to dress up just a bit if you go to CG, there is a bit of dress code. Not jackets or ties, but tanks, swim apparel etc. aren't part of the dress code.

I have not been to CG, but it is a really nice place. The menu can be eclectic, be sure it appeals to everyone. We have been to WDW and loved it, planned on trying bfast there next trip. We loved Narcoossee's as our best dinner, but Boma was definitely next in line. The tables at Boma are close to together which was a boon for us. The guests near us were really fun and interesting. One was celebrating a 24th wedding anniversary. The other was a father daughter pair from the UK. Two tables over had a treat sent out by the chef, tower of fried Oreos and they share all around. We were too stuffed to really enjoy, but shared one. It was the thoguht that counts.

Finally, if you're on the Dining Plan CG is 2TS and Boma is 1TS. If you'd need to pay OOP for another meal in order to budget for CG I'd say Boma would be a really nice meal for the 1TS w/o compromising your budget earlier in the trip.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

California Grill. It along with Jiko are my favorite two WDW restaurants.

 

[Amy&Dan]

You can't make a bad choice. They are really hard to compare. I enjoyed CG, not as much as I thought I would but it was still a great experience. Boma is about a lot of really great food. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is sort of an upscale eating hall but again, being able to try the unique cuisine is great. I love their soups, wood roasted meats and desserts. And the AKL is great, we love to arrive early and go out to the savanahh viewing area. CG is nicer atmosphere but it can be very noisy in there. But it also has some amazing food that is unique and well prepared. And if you go around the time of Wishes, you can go out on the rooftop deck and see them or if you luck out and get a window table you can also see them.

So food wise, they both serve unique dishes. Boma's is a lot cheaper and you can sample all kinds of things and eat as much as you want.

Atmosphere wise, CG wins with its views of the MK but the AKL wins over the CR as far as what you can see outside the restaurant itself.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Really no way to compare the two. My overwhelming choice would be CG.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with the California Grill because of the location of the restaurant and if your done before Wishes starts you can walk around the Contemporary for a bit and if you keep your reciept for your meal, show it to them at the check-in desk and they will take you back up so you can watch Wishes from there.

 

[BCV23]

California Grill would be my choice too.

But with a 21 month old, I would dine earlier if at all possible. All babies are different of course but mine were ready to crash by 8pm. WDW is so stimulating to their senses.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

My vote goes to California Grill

 

[webray]

They are both fantastic. CA Grill, upscale, bus casual "dress code". No rushing, laid back relaxed meal.
Boma, very casual, buffet, won't take as long to eat there as CA Grill.

Either one would be an excellent choice, as both have wonderful food and service. Just depends on what you are in the mood for, to be served or to serve yourself that last night!

 

[MM1102]

If "special" means the same thing to you as me, I'd go California Grill. The food and wine are outstanding and the view is the best in WDW. Boma is totally great in its own way, but it does involve you getting up and going through sort of a buffet line--or a series of buffet stations might be a better way to say it--to get your food.

 

[shellybaxter]

I would never take the average 21 month old to Cali Grill. It would be a pain trying to keep them occupied and they probably wouldn't be thrilled with sitting for a long dinner. I'd choose Boma for your party in a heart beat. Its a buffet so you can eat right away and control the amount of time you are there. I agree that Cali Grill is a great restaurant, but having a young child can complicate your enjoyment, the enjoyment of the child, and other in your party and seated around you.

 

[BCV23]

Shelly, I think it really depends on the child. Two out of my three would have been fine at CG at that age. However, we probably would have done two courses not three. In addition, WDW servers seemed so adept at pacing meals when ours were young. I'd bet they still are.

 

[Andrea from PA]

Never ate at CG, but loved BOMA & we are picky eaters.

What is age of you daughter? AKL lobby had great activites for my kids to do & we loved going outside & seeing the animals at night.

BOMA was very casual.

Also, BOMA is all you can eat.

Tough choice, but you will not be disappointed either way.

I think AKL is very relaxing & beautiful

 

[shellybaxter]

Shelly, I think it really depends on the child. Two out of my three would have been fine at CG at that age. However, we probably would have done two courses not three. In addition, WDW servers seemed so adept at pacing meals when ours were young. I'd bet they still are.

I suppose that is correct - but my experience is with literally hundreds of children that age in a classroom setting. The vast majority of those children wouldn't do well and of those that would do okay, there would be a majority that simply wouldn't have a good time.

 

[BCV23]

I suppose that is correct - but my experience is with literally hundreds of children that age in a classroom setting. The vast majority of those children wouldn't do well and of those that would do okay, there would be a majority that simply wouldn't have a good time.

Don't you think a classroom setting is different than a family vacation though? My oldest who I know would have been fine if CG had been open when he was a toddler walked at 8.5 months and was in constant motion in general. But give him a book to look at and a package of Dole raisins which was the standard at WDW when he was little and he was good to go. It also helped that he loved all types of food.

But as a former teacher, I'm intrigued. Does CA have classroom settings for the average 21 month old? In our state, it's only special ed or inclusion at three and above.

 

[B-Ride]

Like others we love both but as mentioned they are very different.

The first time we ate at CG our kids were 11 and 13 and they brought them crayons to draw on the table cloth although they were much too old for it. So maybe your 21 month old can be amused. I don't think you would feel out of place at CG as all restaurants except Victoria and Alberts are very accomodating with children.