City, Sand, and Savanna - Link to new trip report

[glennbo123]

 

[glennbo123]

 

[glennbo123]

 

[glennbo123]

 

[glennbo123]

 

[glennbo123]

When we last left-off, the girls and I had just finished up at the Magic Kingdom and had gotten an "express" bus back to Kidani, or so it seemed since it was ready to go as soon as we got to the bus stop and there were no other stops until we got to Kidani. Once back at the resort, we joined back up with Judy, Gram, Poppy, and James who were resting up from their busy day and getting ready for dinner. Well, James wasn't really getting ready. He had left the park with them because he was feeling sick, and at this point he still wasn't sure that he wanted to go to dinner. By the time we all got ready to go, we were able to convince him to come along.

We could've walked over to Jambo House, but considering the older folks in our party we opted to just go out to the bus stop and catch the first park bus that came along, which then went on to Jambo House to pick up more passengers, at which point we got off. Our ADR was for 7:05, but we had to wait for a few minutes, which gave me an opportunity to photograph the restaurant from the waiting area nearby.

I usually do a good job at taking notes on what I ate at the Boma buffet, but this time I had the great idea to photograph all of the signs over the buffet offerings. And that worked out fine except I don't always know what item on my plate corresponds with which sign from the buffet. Plus, a lot of time has passed so I have no idea what my thoughts were on the various offerings. So yeah, this is going to be a great review!

Well, one thing hasn't changed. I always start off with their soups, which are always wonderful, and meal-worthy just by themselves.

For my first trip to the soup bar, I just worked from right to left. (Why make it difficult, right?) The orange bowl in front is their carrot ginger soup, which is one of my favorites at Boma. I've made it several times at home (yes me, not Judy) and it's pretty good. Boma's carrot ginger soup recipe But I think it turns out a little more "ginger-y" than Boma’s version, so I'd recommend going light on the ginger. I believe the soup in the upper right of the picture is Harira soup, and in the upper left is black-eyed pea and parsnip. Now parsnips are a very underappreciated vegetable. My mother-in-law, and now Judy, will cut carrots and parsnips into strips and sautee them -- wow! So sweet and good. But I digress.

In the meantime, my beverage of iced tea was brought to the table by our server, Aziz, who did a great job of clearing our dirty dishes as we made several trips back to the buffet as you're about to see. You'll notice that the tea has a paper straw -- no plastic straws are permitted at Animal Kingdom Lodge since they may somehow make it out into the savanna and choke some poor beastie. Paper straws are biodegradeable, but these are made so that they're not so biodegradeable that they'll fall apart during your meal. They're "just right" biodegradeable. Let's put it this way: if your paper straw falls apart while you're at Boma, then you've been at the buffet too long. Oh, that reminds me of a John Pinette routine “Chinese buffet”. “It says all you can eat, but not forevah!”

Of course, I also had to try the other two soups. The one on the left is the coconut curry chicken stew, and the one on the right is the pearl cous cous seafood soup. These were great also. I love the coconut curry, but just like Dole Whips, I'm sure it's not a taste for everyone (inconceivable!).

Five tastes of soup completed, I moved on to the salad section of the buffet.

I think what I have on my plate here is curried pasta salad (at the top), one of my favorite items on the buffet believe it or not (it's not your mother's pasta salad). Then kool slai, another great item that's like kicked-up cole slaw. After that is the Tunisian cous cous salad. (Side note: I remember the first time Judy included cous cous on a shopping list for a grocery store run she sent me on back when we lived in North Carolina in the late '90's. (Hannaford in Monkey Junction, Marv!) Of course, I couldn’t find it in the store. I'm not even sure today what section of the grocery store you'd find that. Anyway, when I went up to customer service and asked if they had any cous cous, the teenager behind the counter looked at me like, "you’re making that up, right?").

So, back to the plate...after that I see a piece of lettuce so I must have grabbed a tiny bit of salad, and above that, the muffin-looking thing is mealie bread. These were okay. The highlight of this plate is the pasta salad and kool slai.

From there, I moved on to the entrée's. Apparently, I forgot to take pictures of the buffet signs, but it looks like I got some ribs with some Boma sauce (a special mustard) over them, a hunk of chicken, some rice with what appears to be tofu on top (how did that get on there?!), a tiny bit of fufu, and some salmon. I remember the kids raved about the salmon; they always do. I think the ribs were pretty good, as was the chicken, although it's not any different than chicken you could get anywhere else on-site, which may be a good thing for people who are looking for something "normal" on the buffet.

Then I went back for a little prime rib.

Moo. What else needs to be said?

I think this dessert plate might have been James'. I don’t think I was quite ready to throw in the towel on the buffet yet.

Then when Gram came back with an assortment of desserts for her and Poppy to share, she found that Aziz had brought out some special desserts that weren't on the buffet, in honor of their anniversary.

Unfortunately, I have no idea what they are, but they appreciated the gesture of Aziz and the restaurant to recognize their celebration.

Now, just between you and me, by this point of the trip Lauren was getting a little annoyed that even though she was wearing her button that proclaimed that she was celebrating a graduation, Gram and Poppy were getting all of the congratulations and special treatment. Not to take anything away from Gram and Poppy, but probably if they hadn't been with us at some of these meals, her celebration would've been recognized. And she wasn't annoyed with them, but just how over the whole week the cast members completely overlooked her celebration button. She had a point, but it's hard to compete with a 60th wedding anniversary.

Enough about that. It looks like I went back to try a couple more items. I think I got these offerings.

Then I was finally ready to get my own assortment of desserts. Here were the choices.

And here's what I selected.

You've got your classic zebra dome in the lower left, then the chocolate cinnamon mousse (I think), and a chocolate chip cookie. Their chocolate chip cookies are so good; chewy and fresh. They are not to be missed. I know you have to try a zebra dome, Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only place you can get them, so that just means that you have to eat a chocolate chip cookie too. Continuing on, I think the item below and to the right of the cookie is the peanut butter mousse, and then the caramel cheesecake is at 3 o'clock. Finally, at the bottom is the Kenyan coffee tart, which is deee-lectable. A definite rival of the famous zebra dome. Okay, so you have to try the zebra dome, and a chocolate chip cookie, and a Kenyan coffee tart, but it's a buffet, what did you expect?

Marlene and Lauren wanted me to take a picture of their final plates, which were some of their favorite dishes from the buffet and a dessert item. It looks like Lauren has some of that pasta salad that I love, and they both got the Kenyan coffee tarts. They liked those better than zebra domes.

We always love our meals at Boma and have eaten there on every trip we've taken to DisneyWorld since we found the place in 2001. And on that trip we ate there twice!

After dinner, we rolled ourselves out to the bus stop and caught a Downtown Disney bus and got off at Kidani. Judy heard from her sister that she and her son would be staying at Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks, so we wouldn't see them until late. Everybody else was beat and started getting ready for bed, but I grabbed my tripod and set off to get some more night shots around the resort.


continued in next post
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[glennbo123]

continued from previous post

Here are a couple of shots of the porte cochere. These were taken a few minutes before 10 o'clock.

I reduced the exposure time in the second one and I think I like it a little better.

I couldn't help but notice the big palm trees and moon above the porte cochere and they reminded me of the South Carolina state flag.

But this was Florida, so I have no idea what they were doing there.

About that time a father and son came walking up from the pool and stopped to watch me take these long-exposure shots of the palm trees. (I took several; the one Im posting here is the best. Most of the others are too blurry from wind moving the palm branches.) They were pretty fascinated with what I was doing so I let them take a look at the pictures I was getting on the back of the camera.

Then I moved up closer to the lobby to take a picture of the lanterns on the wall.

It's so tranquil at Kidani at night.

From there, I moved into the Library and took some shots of the fireplace.

When I got back to the suite, the lights were off and everybody except my sister-in-law and nephew were sacked-out. They still weren't back yet. It wasn't long before they arrived and they did their best at getting into bed with minimal lighting. But they did say that they loved the fireworks display.

Another fabulous, jam-packed, and exhausting Disney day was in the books.


Up next: Glennbo redeems himself with his park knowledge
Link to next chapter

 

[afwdwfan]

1 Judy

ETA: first picture, first post

 

[glennbo123]

1 Judy

Better list your count by post, or the natives get restless.

ETA: good catch!

 

[MissLiz]

Okay, so I've been a little MIA from commenting on your trip report, but I have been keeping up!

I love Boma. Love, love, love it. I really enjoy the tomato/watermelon salad. It's such an odd taste, but it's one of my favorites. And I will say that the Kenyan coffee tart tops the zebra dome in my book!


Off topic, kind of: I am getting ready to book our vacation for next May and I'm seriously considering Kidani instead of Jambo. We've always stayed at Jambo so I'm a little nervous. Do you prefer Kidani over Jambo or are they both nice in their own way?

 

[afwdwfan]

Plus, a lot of time has passed so I have no idea what my thoughts were on the various offerings. So yeah, this is going to be a great review!

Well, we've come to expect it since the kids had to bail you out on the Flying Fish review.

I always start off with their soups, which are always wonderful, and meal-worthy just by themselves.

Coincidentally, that's also why I skip soups at most buffets. No need to waste time with soup and salad, aka "filler."

Five tastes of soup completed, I moved on to the salad section of the buffet.

See... you're falling for their trap.

(Side note: I remember the first time Judy included cous cous on a shopping list for a grocery store run she sent me on back when we lived in North Carolina in the late '90's. (Hannaford in Monkey Junction, Marv!) Of course, I couldn’t find it in the store. I'm not even sure today what section of the grocery store you'd find that. Anyway, when I went up to customer service and asked if they had any cous cous, the teenager behind the counter looked at me like, "you’re making that up, right?").

So... are you saying you disappointed Judy by coming back home empty handed?

some rice with what appears to be tofu on top (how did that get on there?!)

Rookie mistake...

Moo. What else needs to be said?

Yum

She had a point, but it's hard to compete with a 60th wedding anniversary.

I'm sure they wouldn't have gotten the "bonuses" quite so consistently either if it weren't for being such a milestone.

Then I was finally ready to get my own assortment of desserts. Here were the choices.

What choice is there to make? It's a buffet!

I know you have to try a zebra dome, Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only place you can get them, so that just means that you have to eat a chocolate chip cookie too.

I can't argue with that logic!

Okay, so you have to try the zebra dome, and a chocolate chip cookie, and a Kenyan coffee tart, but it's a buffet, what did you expect?

Ok, I respect your destruction of the dessert buffet. I can forgive the fact that you had 5 soups and a bunch of salads. It still isn't quite enough to make me overlook the tofu.

But this was Florida, so I have no idea what they were doing there.

It's the moon's fault.

But they did say that they loved the fireworks display.

Great! Although it would be hard not to.

Up next: Glennbo redeems himself with his park knowledge

Does this mean you point out another well known "secret" passage?

 

[glennbo123]

1 Judy

ETA: first picture, first post

We have a winner! Good job gettin' on the board, Andy!


Updated scores:

Marvin - 17 Judy-sighting wins, 8 Eagle Eye points
Pat - 6 Judy-sighting wins, 2 Eagle Eye points
Mark - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 2 Eagle Eye points
Dee - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 1 Eagle Eye point
Rosie - 4 Judy-sighting wins, 2 Eagle Eye point
Dan - 3 Judy-sighting wins, 3 Eagle Eye points
Kelly - 3 Judy-sighting wins
Katharina - 3 Judy-sighting wins
Magdalene - 2 Judy-sighting wins, 1 Eagle Eye point
Mary Ellen - 2 Judy-sighting wins
Jenn (elphie101) - 1 Judy-sighting win, First Subscriber Honors!
Tanya - 1 Judy-sighting win
Molly - 1 Judy-sighting win
Kathy - 1 Judy-sighting win
MissLiz - 1 Judy-sighting win
Andy - 1 Judy-sighting win
sesame_123 - 1 Eagle Eye point

 

[marvali]

1 Judy

ETA: first picture, first post

Nice job, and good that you learned from your previous contest mistake of reading the update instead of posting your answer first...........

 

[glennbo123]

Okay, so I've been a little MIA from commenting on your trip report, but I have been keeping up!

Great! Thanks!

I love Boma. Love, love, love it. I really enjoy the tomato/watermelon salad. It's such an odd taste, but it's one of my favorites. And I will say that the Kenyan coffee tart tops the zebra dome in my book!

Us too, but I guess you know that. I don't know if I've ever tried that salad...the combo might've scared me away. Guess I'll have to give it a try next time.

Yes, the Zebra Domes get all the press, but the Kenyan coffee tarts are awesome!

Off topic, kind of: I am getting ready to book our vacation for next May and I'm seriously considering Kidani instead of Jambo. We've always stayed at Jambo so I'm a little nervous. Do you prefer Kidani over Jambo or are they both nice in their own way?

Don't be nervous at all. They are both nice in their own way, but still, I do prefer Kidani. Jambo just seems like it has more "activity" going on and Kidani is a little more laid-back, which I like. Except for when we checked-in during this last trip, the Kidani lobby was a little nuts on that particular day, but I think it was just a momentary thing. The pool at Kidani is much better in my opinion, with a great slide and a great play area. The Community Hall is James' favorite thing. I also like that the park buses pick up at Kidani first, so you can usually get a seat. I'd only recommend Jambo over Kidani if you were planning on eating a lot of meals at the Mara, which would require a lot of walking. Don't worry -- you'll love it!

 

[afwdwfan]

We have a winner! Good job gettin' on the board, Andy!

Finally on the board!

And Mark missed out on an opportunity to add to his point total to go to Aulani... sucker.

Nice job, and good that you learned from your previous contest mistake of reading the update instead of posting your answer first...........

I are smart!

 

[marvali]

Finally on the board!

And Mark missed out on an opportunity to add to his point total to go to Aulani... sucker.

Oh I bet Mark will be SO kicking himself when he returns and finds out.......

 

[MissLiz]

Don't be nervous at all. They are both nice in their own way, but still, I do prefer Kidani. Jambo just seems like it has more "activity" going on and Kidani is a little more laid-back, which I like. Except for when we checked-in during this last trip, the Kidani lobby was a little nuts on that particular day, but I think it was just a momentary thing. The pool at Kidani is much better in my opinion, with a great slide and a great play area. The Community Hall is James' favorite thing. I also like that the park buses pick up at Kidani first, so you can usually get a seat. I'd only recommend Jambo over Kidani if you were planning on eating a lot of meals at the Mara, which would require a lot of walking. Don't worry -- you'll love it!

Thanks! I do have to say that I like the idea of first on/first off on the bus front. That would be nice.

I think we may try it for May. We are planning on 10 days, so we may end up doing a split stay with somewhere else anyway, but we'll probably try it for part of the trip at least. We don't eat at the Mara a lot at all, so that's not a big deal. We may have one Boma or Jiko meal, but we've been saying we want to try Sanaa, too, so if we are there, it would be easier.

Thanks again!

(And try the salad! It's good! But don't blame me if you don't like it. )

 

[Poolrat]

Congrats Andy!!!!

I would love to try Boma but.........

I keep seeing all the peanut, peas, mustard, tomatoes and who know what else is on the allergy list and I get a little scared.

I would have to bring the whole list and have the chef come out and I don't know if I want to take up that much of his time.



Oh and since no one said it
1 Judy - 1st pic 1st post - Yes I know Andy got this one

0 Judys- 2nd post. but not this one

 

[englishrose47]

Why do I work 12 hour days ?? I could be home glued to Glenn's thread awaiting an update so I could be the winner and then listen to Marv whine about why I shouldn't be !!! Pat have you noticed he always congrats others but if you or I win he always challenges it

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Catching up...

Once again, I'm reading a Boma segment of a Glennbo trip report and wishing I had children who ate more than chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. I WILL make it to Boma some day! DH and I might actually take a long weekend trip in December for our 40th bdays, and it'd be sans kids, so maybe I'll get to it then! Between those pics and the Dole Whips, I'm ready for a snack. Seeing as it's after 10 pm, though, I'll just have to hold myself back.

I like your redneck ride photos. I never remember to make a face at the right time, so all of my crazy faces are real, unfortunately. I did annoy someone at LEGOLAND in Chicago when I tried to take a picture of our ride picture over spring break. She saw what I was doing and immediately changed the pictures to the next riders. DH laughed at me - I think he said something about we obviously weren't in Disney.