Boma or Jiko?

[Sharron379]

We will be staying at the AKL in June and we have a free dinner night after our time in HS. We are planning on some swimming and resort exploring! So which place is better for dinner Boma or Jiko? We have two boys that are 3 and 6 and will try new foods but always resort back to typical toddler food!

Thanks in advance,
Sharron
CTP March 2007
Poly Feb 2008
AKL June 4-10, 2010

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I vote Boma with young children. Jiko is more formal. Plus, the adults can have some amazing foods with an ethnic twist (IMHO the best dinner buffet at WDW) and the kids- of all ages ;-) - can enjoy mac n cheese and the usuals. Have you checked out the menus for both? I know they change, but can at least give you an idea.

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I also think a buffet is the perfect place to try new foods- you're not stuck with what you order, but you can try new things. When we ate at Boma, we tried a couple things that we NEVER would have ordered from a menu and loved it.

 

[Pakey]

Boma has huge variety and a lot of fun things to eat plus a great kids' section. The soups alone are worth going again and again. I also love all of the little desserts because they are small enough so you can try all of them.

Jiko is more upscale, fairly quiet adult type of atmosphere with a slow paced service. They have an excellent selection of African wines and a sommelier who will assist you in selecting the perfect bottle to go with your food selections. The food is very good but there isn't the variety that Boma has.

 

[alstonfered]

I cannot comment fairly, in that I have not tried Boma. When I stayed at AKL, I did Jiko because I am not a buffet fan. I like table service. Saying that, Jiko was the best dining experience I have ever had at WDW. I just wish I could go more to get the experience to comment fairly.

 

[BrerSam]

Boma.

Kind regards, Frog

 

[aussietravellers]

I disagree with everybody, sorry

I say Jiko and Jiko by a mile. It's funny how when people with children ask about a restaurant at WDW, a buffet or more casual restaurant is recommended WDW signature dining cater to children just as much as WDW buffets or CS, and they are not really fine dining or formal restaurants, they are just more upscale than say the buffets.

Jiko has a kids menu and a great kids menu. When we ate there, my son preferred Jiko to Boma, we went back to Jiko a second night it was so good (he loved the chocolate puzzle dessert . It is a little more upscale than Boma, its a sit down restaurant not a buffet, but it is still WDW, VERY child friendly and very appropriate for children and when we have been there there have been plenty of children there. I am yet to try a WDW restaurant that my son has not enjoyed or felt out of place at. Have a look at the menus at both as see which you prefer, but really, the meals we have had a Jiko have been SO good, go and try it

 

[jak07]

I have only tried Boma. We loved it and there was a lot of variety for the kids.

 

[TxRabbit]

I disagree with everybody, sorry

I say Jiko and Jiko by a mile. It's funny how when people with children ask about a restaurant at WDW, a buffet or more casual restaurant is recommended WDW signature dining cater to children just as much as WDW buffets or CS, and they are not really fine dining or formal restaurants, they are just more upscale than say the buffets.

Jiko has a kids menu and a great kids menu. When we ate there, my son preferred Jiko to Boma, we went back to Jiko a second night it was so good (he loved the chocolate puzzle dessert . It is a little more upscale than Boma, its a sit down restaurant not a buffet, but it is still WDW, VERY child friendly and very appropriate for children and when we have been there there have been plenty of children there. I am yet to try a WDW restaurant that my son has not enjoyed or felt out of place at. Have a look at the menus at both as see which you prefer, but really, the meals we have had a Jiko have been SO good, go and try it

I second Jiko. Buffets with children are a pain in the pitoot. Nothing like having the opportunity to go up and down, up and down getting food for yourselves AND your kids. I've eaten at both and would hands down suggest Jiko. They are very willing to work with you to put together a meal that your child will enjoy. For instance, DS wanted the steak (big meater, my DS), but I know how much he enjoys his pasta, and after hearing such ravs about the special mac and cheese served with the adult steak, I asked for the child's steak to be similarly served. They had no problems with that.

Jiko is a nice quiet restaurant, but children are still present. I would suggest that you get an earlier ADR there, we had 6:00 PM one, which was perfect. Very few diners, and most every table at that time had children at it.

Where WDW can be so stimulating, you will find a welcome break at Jiko. Your kids will enjoy it too. If you can get one of the booths, which you should, if you eat earlier, it's all the better. I know my DS loved that booth. And you can have a chance to see the open appetizer kitchen from the booths, which is kind of fun all in itself. If the natives get restless waiting for their meals, take them up there (it's right by the booths) to watch.

 

[MissionMouse]

Another vote for Jiko. Far better dining experience. We have dined at both with young children and prefer Jiko.

 

[amshowers]

If I was on the dinning plan I would do Boma. If paying oop I would say do Jiko the food is wonderful and if you are on a budget you and dh hubby could get 1 app and entree and share, the bbq chicken flatbread and filet are great choices. The kids filet at Jiko is delicious and priced right at $13.00.

 

[Ka' eo]

If your young kids gravitate towards toddler food, go for JIKO! I have eaten at both several times and am crazy about JIKO. Upscale and fantastic. If your boys are able to sit at a table, splurge here. If not BOMA is certainly a neat experience. I am into quality not quantity. That is the difference, IMHO. Either way I love the unusual food at both. Make sure you grab a drink at Victoria Falls! Great setting!

We aren't doing the dining plan in April and Jiko is one of the restaurants we will be paying out of pocket. Le Cell is another. Yummy!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

We have eaten at both with a 3 yr old and our vote is Jiko. My husband, my son and I love the food we got at Jiko and we all had a nice relaxing dinner. My son got his dinner while we got our appt but my son eats slow so it works for us to have a nice long meal and during the middle of our dinner I asked our server for my sons dessert which he loved. While we ate our desserts, my son had a coloring book and colored and we gave him puzzles too. We found the food to be better at Jiko and Boma was loud.

 

[Princess Maeve]

My vote is for Boma. We went there last year, and the food was amazing. So many things to choose from, it will please everyone!!

 

[saradela]

BOMA!!! you can try all the different soups for just one price...


Saradela

 

[princessjennie]

We tried both last year on the DDP. Boma was fun for variety, not to mention zebra domes, but Jiko became hands down the group favorite. Great food and atmosphere. We had a one year old and didnt feel out of place at all. When planning this year it was unnanimous - JIKO.

 

[DarleneAnne]

There will be something for everyone and it's all really good. Very nice but not formal, great for families. We have been to both and always return to Boma.

 

[parsons98]

JIKO'S!!!!! My wife and I have eaten there ever since it has opened and LOVE IT. We have to small children (6 and 2) and they love it as well. I agree with some of the others on here......yes it is upscale.....but its DISNEY. They cater to kids just like every other place there. Jiko has a great menu (both kids and adults) and will be enjoyed by all.

 

[LaurenT]

We have done both and loved both. We also have a rambunctious child who is turning 7 in Disney later this month. This time around we are doing Boma, Sanaa, Tusker breakfast, Yak & Yeti (first time there), Akershus Dinner and the obligatory Crystal Palace.
Jiko is considerably more expensive, but well worth the price. It is by far the best meal I have had in Disney with the exception of V&A, and we have been to Cali Grill, Artist Pointe and most of the other signaure restauants. Having said that, Boma is the best buffet in WDW, it will be much easier on your wallet and you will be able to smaple foods you've never heard of before...
If money is no object, go Jiko...if you're trying to go easy on the money, go Boma, and if you're somewhere in the middle, flip a coin. Whatever you decide, you will have a great experience and a great meal!

 

[itchin2go]

BOMA

We have eaten at Boma and Jiko several times.

Which restaurant do we prefer? Boma

Which restaurant will we go to again (every single trip)? Boma

Which restaurant would we feel most comfortable in with our child? Boma

Just by way of background, we love the signature dining restaurants at Disney and we are not buffet fans. Even so, we LOVE Boma, and we feel the food at Jiko is off and on. I think Jiko is one of the least child-friendly signature restaurants at Disney. Also (and this is big), Jiko can be a major time commitment, whereas Boma can take as much or as little time as you want it to.