Boma or Jiko Is it worth it if you aren't staying there?

[DISNEYFOS]

I was thinking of "trying something new" for our upcoming trip. I think we will have a car, so I thought maybe it would be nice to visit the Animal Kingdom lodge to check it out.

Any opinions of Boma vs Jiko? Do they have views of the Savannah from the Restaurants? I thought the kids might enjoy seeing the animals. We eat on the early side for Dinner. (4:30/5) would the animals still be around?

DH & I are adventurous...and we encourage our children to at least try new things.

Thanks!!

 

[disndatworld]

A trip to AKL is a lot of fun. We always stay at CSR, but the kids always like a night at Boma and view of the Savannah from the public viewing area. It's a MUST-DO for us. I think would really enjoy dining at Boma and seeing AKL's lobby and public viewing.

Best wishes!!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't see any animals from either restaurant, but they do have a viewing area in back of the Lodge. Never can tell which animals you might see at which time, but I'd be suprised if you didn't see at least a giraffe or a zebra.
Both restaurants are good--Boma a good buffet, Jiko a more upscale Signature Table Service spot. Check out the menus and see which might appeal to you.

 

[Kathy C]

Jiko is our favorite restaurant - we stay at BWV. It's worth the trip!

 

[wdwrich]

Definitely worth the trip, for either restaurant or and for exploring AKL.

 

[onelilspark]

Jiko is my favorite of all the Disney restaurants. You can always visit the grounds of the AKL before or after your dinner. However, if you have really young kids, it's really not appropriate for them and you might be better off going with Boma, which is the buffet. If your kids are around 12 or so, an early dinner at Jiko would be appropriate.

 

[lpizzuro123]

We have never made it to Jiko but Boma is one of our favorites. We have been there for both breakfast and dinner and plan on doing so when we are down in two weeks.

We do want to make it to Jiko also. We have heard wonderful things.

As stated above, you cannot see the Savana from either place but get there either before or after and take a walk around. There are many places to go. If you go after I believe they have storytelling around the firepit. Never done that but sounds interesting.

Linda

 

[gk90]

It's very much worth it--in fact our visit to AKL was 1 reason we decided to buy into DVC!

We haven't been to Jiko but LOVED Boma. Here are some links to great pictures:
This has pictures of the restaurant and the breakfast buffet:
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/dd.aspx?step=4&third=B&locID=WDW
This one is a good overview of the dinner buffet:
http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/aspx/pix.aspx?curUrl=ShowAll&RestaurantID=B&dining

Enjoy!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Yes definately worth it. Love going to AKL

 

[Stinkerbell317]

We really loved Jiko on our last trip. I was not as impressed with Boma. But I would say Jiko is defintely worth the trip. And I wholeheartedly disagree with a previous poster who said it's not appropriate for young kids. We have an 8 and 5 year old and we did just fine with them at Jiko. In fact there were plenty of young kids (toddlers even) in there dining.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Thanks everyone! I made a ADR for Boma. The menu at Jiko looked more our style and I'm not a huge fan of buffets..but Boma looked a lot nicer from the pictures. Jiko looked a little dark...might just be the pictures. We'll check it out when we get there and see if it makes sense for the next trip.

However, if you have really young kids, it's really not appropriate for them and you might be better off going with Boma, which is the buffet. If your kids are around 12 or so, an early dinner at Jiko would be appropriate.

Thats strange..The Kids menu for Jiko says guests 9 and under..I wonder why they would have one if its not appropriate Just kidding..To each their own. Thanks for help!

 

[Princess_Dot]

Our meal at Jiko was THE best meal we had in Disney ever. Our server was phenominal, the food was fantastic, and the restaraunt was virtually silent. (A welcome treat in Disney!)

 

[tinks86]

We loved Jiko's! It was one of our fave meals in WDW, we loved the food, the atmosphere and the resort. Will be trying Bomas next time too!

 

[WDisnut]

Non-breakfast BOMA is very adventurous and Jiko was one of my better meals last time. I was on the DXDDP. It helps a lot .

 

[Bigwally]

Jiko is awsome
Flatbread = YUMMM
Steak and Mac and Cheese on the same plate = Comfort food
If you are up for it try a south african wine - amazing flavours

BOMA = be adventursome = try it all.
They have dishes here that you will get no where else in Orlando
I forget the name but they have a cool juice mix drink AWSOME

Will be dining there again at Xmas time this year

Bigwally

 

[TewEpcot]

Thanks everyone! I made a ADR for Boma. The menu at Jiko looked more our style and I'm not a huge fan of buffets..but Boma looked a lot nicer from the pictures. Jiko looked a little dark...might just be the pictures. We'll check it out when we get there and see if it makes sense for the next trip.

Eek. Don't let the pictures make the decision for you. If you like the menu at Jiko AND you don't like buffets... I'd go with Jiko! It's actually extremely beautiful. There are sculptures hanging from the ceiling to symbolize birds and the walls "change color" (with lighting) to mimic dusk/dawn. I find Jiko to be extremely comfortable, more so than Boma. I love Boma for breakfast, but Jiko for dinner. Just my 2c!

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I just stayed at the AKL last week and did both Boma breakfast and dinner and Jiko (pics and reviews are in my sig) and Boma breakfast and Jiko are totally worth the travel to AKL but Boma dinner no way.

Jiko is the best meal we ever had at WDW BTW

 

[Rootskate]

We ate at Jiko for the 1st time on our last trip and LOVED it. We are planning on going again on our next trip.

 

[Hopefully]

Jike is also a favorite of ours. It is expensive, but it is an upscale Signature restaurant.
I agree that it is primarily an adult restaurant. On our last visit we had a wonderful adult meal, shared a great bottle of South African wine and enjoyed a delicious meal. It was very quiet and we didn't see a single child in the restaurant that evening.
That said, I have also been with my 4 and 6 year old grandchildren. They live in the DC area and are very accoustomed to eating in fine restaurants, and they were wonderful. If your children are content to quietly sit through a 2 -2 1/2 hour meal then they will be welcome. It really is based on the individual children. If they would be uncomfortable or inpatient in that setting for that long, Boma would be a better choice for now.

 

[disney aviator]

I've never been to Boma, but I've dined at Jiko 4 times in the past 12 months. My wife and I love it. We usually debate each time if Jiko or California Grill is the best restaurant on Disney property. Do yourself a favor and eat at Jiko if you never have before. The menu is extensive, the atmosphere is unlike any on Disney property, the AKL lobby at night is stunning, and the service is the best I have found at Disney.