Buffets on the dining plan

[ontheuptick]

How has no one mentioned Boma? Most people/sites/reviewers declare it the best Disney World buffet. Plan it for your Animal Kingdom day.

Honestly, Biergarten would be the last buffet on property I would go to, but that may be personal preference. For our family trip in December we have ADR's for the following buffets: 'Ohana (must do), Garden Grill, Boma, Crystal Palace. Technically, Garden Grill and 'Ohana are family style, but they are all-you-can-eat with plenty of options.

 

[samsteele]

I agree with PPs and would strongly recommend both Boma and Cape May Cafe clambake (dinner).

Boma-try to arrive at AK Lodge at least a half hour before your ADR to go out back to see the animals from the viewing platform. At the buffet, make sure to save room for the zebra domes for dessert. The AKL gift shop is also interesting to browse.

Cape May-take the Friendship Boat to and from the Epcot International Gateway. Gorgeous view of the Boardwalk lights reflected in the water. ps I was there x2 about two weeks ago and the crab legs were very good. Enjoy!

 

[HeidiGW]

Thanks! When you say we should get a skillet at Whispering Canyon, is that what they call a platter? ("Bottomless platter"?)
Is that considered just one TS credit for each of us on the DP?

yes

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Also a fan of 'Ohana (another meat-fest...but on a stick, and who doesn't love meat-on-a-stick?!)

I'm all for meat on a stick!!
Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

How has no one mentioned Boma? Most people/sites/reviewers declare it the best Disney World buffet. Plan it for your Animal Kingdom day.

Honestly, Biergarten would be the last buffet on property I would go to, but that may be personal preference. For our family trip in December we have ADR's for the following buffets: 'Ohana (must do), Garden Grill, Boma, Crystal Palace. Technically, Garden Grill and 'Ohana are family style, but they are all-you-can-eat with plenty of options.

Thanks, I'll check out Boma.
May I ask why you don't like Biergarten?

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I agree with PPs and would strongly recommend both Boma and Cape May Cafe clambake (dinner).

Boma-try to arrive at AK Lodge at least a half hour before your ADR to go out back to see the animals from the viewing platform. At the buffet, make sure to save room for the zebra domes for dessert. The AKL gift shop is also interesting to browse.

Cape May-take the Friendship Boat to and from the Epcot International Gateway. Gorgeous view of the Boardwalk lights reflected in the water. ps I was there x2 about two weeks ago and the crab legs were very good. Enjoy!

Thanks! I've never been to the AKL so it might be worth the trip!
Never even heard of Cape May. I'll tell ya, these ADR's are a lot of work!

 

[bryanb]

I put in another vote for Boma. It's my favorite WDW buffet by far, and I make a point to schedule a dinner there every trip. I wish I could break up the trip into multiple meals or multiple stomachs, because the soup bar alone has enough variety to make an incredible meal. It's tempting to fill up on Fufu, Pap, and other starches, as well as the bobotie (an egg dish baked with meat, cinnamon, and other spices). Plus, three nights a week they serve fall-off-the-bones slow roasted pork ribs. (Call ahead if this is important to you.)

Boma is good for people who want to try African cooking while letting it be fairly accessible to the mainstream audience. Plus, while you're waiting for your table you can take a stroll down the AKL lobby and outside, where you'll see animals roaming up close in the grasslands there. Awesome experience.

I like the change from AYCA to AYCTE, by the way. All-you-can-eat sounds like a dare... as if the goal was to stuff yourself competitively to your maximum. While AYCTE puts the emphasis on what you "care to enjoy" and not eating past the point where you desire it. Very important for pacing yourself on a long Disney holiday!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I am terrible at buffets as I can't eat very much in one sitting, but I do like to taste lots of different things. I really enjoyed Tusker House breakfast buffet and we had a great time at Biergarten (though that was largely due to apfelschnaps, barenjager and Schofferhofer). We did AYCTE at 'Ohana (bring me all those gingery pork sausages) and Liberty Tree Tavern, which was lovely and reminded me of the Colonial Inn in my hometown.

I am intrigued by the new AYCTE at Garden Grill for breakfast. Chocolate hazelnut syrup on my Mickey waffle? Yes, please...

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

I put in another vote for Boma. It's my favorite WDW buffet by far, and I make a point to schedule a dinner there every trip. I wish I could break up the trip into multiple meals or multiple stomachs, because the soup bar alone has enough variety to make an incredible meal. It's tempting to fill up on Fufu, Pap, and other starches, as well as the bobotie (an egg dish baked with meat, cinnamon, and other spices). Plus, three nights a week they serve fall-off-the-bones slow roasted pork ribs. (Call ahead if this is important to you.)

Boma is good for people who want to try African cooking while letting it be fairly accessible to the mainstream audience. Plus, while you're waiting for your table you can take a stroll down the AKL lobby and outside, where you'll see animals roaming up close in the grasslands there. Awesome experience.

I like the change from AYCA to AYCTE, by the way. All-you-can-eat sounds like a dare... as if the goal was to stuff yourself competitively to your maximum. While AYCTE puts the emphasis on what you "care to enjoy" and not eating past the point where you desire it. Very important for pacing yourself on a long Disney holiday!

Thanks so much! My sister isn't as into the more interesting foods so I'm wondering if she would enjoy the African style foods.
On the other hand I'm open to trying anything and I'm paying, so....
And I gotta say I totally agree with you on the AYCE vs AYCTE thing. It sounds so much better now!

 

[Disney Dynamite]

I'm going to throw in another vote for Tusker House breakfast. I tend to avoid buffets, but that one is awesome. The food is delicious, and the characters are adorable in their safari gear. Admittedly, I haven't been to very many Disney buffets, but I found Biergarten to be just so-so. The beer and atmosphere were great. However, the food was a little lackluster. It wasn't bad by any stretch, just not as good as I anticipated. (My husband - also a buffet lover - thought the food was wonderful, so maybe my opinion shouldn't be trusted here.) If you're open to a family-style AYCTE meal, we love 'Ohana.

 

[Sencybil]

We really enjoyed Tusker House. If you book a late breakfast you can also enjoy the lunch foods as they will swap over,s o its almost like 2 experiences for the price of one. Its a good mix of traditional and more interesting. Plus you get to do a character meal too, which is kind of a must do, at least once!

Sencybil x

 

[ontheuptick]

Thanks, I'll check out Boma.
May I ask why you don't like Biergarten?

Biergarten, it's more of a taste/preference thing. But, I think you mentioned you are from Europe so maybe all the food there would be right up your alley. It's just not a menu that is interesting to myself or my family.

Regarding BOMA - Don't be scared off because it is "African" food. There's a reason it is rated by basically every single reviewer/foodblog/disneyblog as the best Buffet on property and one of the best restaurants all together. There is an immense amount of quality food. I have never, ever heard someone say that they went and couldn't find several things that they enjoyed - even if they were new spices or new dishes. Everything from their soups (best on property, and there are normally 3+ choices) to their meats and veggies, and desserts. It's all amazing.

Here's one review: http://www.disneytouristblog.com/boma-review/ "Overall, there should be little question why Boma is the #1 buffet at Walt Disney World (perhaps #2 if you care about characters). Its versatility means it can be different things for different people. For me, it’s an all you can eat restaurant with the (almost) refined ambiance of a table service restaurant, and some incredible meats and desserts that offer a slight African flair. For Sarah, it’s the rare Walt Disney World buffet that makes an earnest effort on something more than just comfort food (the salads and soups here aren’t just token offerings). Its a buffet where kids or picky eaters can get very standard options, and, at the other end of the spectrum, those looking for a more exotic meal will be able to find an impressive buffet."

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread!
You gave us lots to think about.

One question though, to all those who recommended 'Ohana- Disney says dinner isn't on the dining plan...
Is this something new? The menu looks great but there's no way we're going to pay OOP for it...

Is Boma on the plan?

 

[ontheuptick]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread!
You gave us lots to think about.

One question though, to all those who recommended 'Ohana- Disney says dinner isn't on the dining plan...
Is this something new? The menu looks great but there's no way we're going to pay OOP for it...

Is Boma on the plan?

Both are on the dining plan. Look here at 'Ohana... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/polynesian-resort/ohana/

If you click on the area where it says "some dining plans accepted", you will see that it takes a normal table service credit. The only reason it says "some" is to clear up that you can't eat there with the Quick Service Dining Plan.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread!
You gave us lots to think about.

One question though, to all those who recommended 'Ohana- Disney says dinner isn't on the dining plan...
Is this something new? The menu looks great but there's no way we're going to pay OOP for it...

Is Boma on the plan?

Ok............... fast forward a few minutes.... now it says 'Ohana IS on the plan for dinner.
Isn't that strange??

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Both are on the dining plan. Look here at 'Ohana... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/polynesian-resort/ohana/

If you click on the area where it says "some dining plans accepted", you will see that it takes a normal table service credit. The only reason it says "some" is to clear up that you can't eat there with the Quick Service Dining Plan.

Yep, that's what it says now. I swear a few minutes go it said "Dining plans not accepted". I should have taken a screenshot!

 

[Harambe]

We don't do the DDP so can't help with credits, etc, but we LOVE Beirgarten. The Bavarian Cheesecake is worth the price alone!!!!

Trail's End, which someone else mentioned, is a great buffet.

 

[JustMeFran]

Liberty Tree for supper! American as it gets and family style "buffet"!

 

[jolene63]

Biergarten and Whispering Canyon Café were two of our favorite restaurants on our last trip. We will definitely be going back on our trip next year.

 

[Jerusalem Gal]

Thanks everyone! Lots of yummy options to choose from!