Getting nervous about Boma

[bblanch]

I have an ADR for Boma our first night, which is just 8 days away. Although we've been to WDW multiple times, this is our first time on the Dining Plan and our first time to try any establishments other than counter services.

My wife and DS (4) and DD (9) are a little picky, but based on the menu, I thought it looked as if they would have some food on the buffet they might enjoy. I am normally the adventerous one when it comes to food, but honestly, looking at some pictures on here of the food there leaves me underwhelmed. I haven't really seen anything that I feel I HAVE to try, whereas for our other TS ADRs, those types of items were abundant.

So what do you think? Anyone want to either talk me out of it or into it?

 

[Ron from Michigan]

I would go and give it a try. We have eaten there twice and enjoyed it both times. They have many different items on the menu but also many items you see on all buffets. There soups are fantastic. I could make my whole meal out of just them. Our favorite restaurant at WDW Jiko is also at the AKL.

 

[jcriket]

The menu should have something for everyone, I agreed that the choices weren't really unique. However the food was good, the atmosphere even better, and after you can spend a little time enjoying the grounds of the AKL. I would say don't worry, it should be good.

 

[fakereadhed]

We thought Boma was a good mix of dishes for everybody. My kids are super picky and they loved it. The nice thing about it is being able to try a very tiny bit of something new, and if they like it they can go back for more...or not. I think it will be fine, even for your picky ones.

 

[MJMcBride]

I loved Boma when I went. Its just adventurous enough to make it feel like I'm doing something a little different. But not so crazy where eating eyeballs or something. Go, you'll love it.

 

[taylorl25]

I also loved Boma. There's plain dishes like prime rib and salmon as well as the more african inspired dishes like watermelon rind salad. Honestly there is a huge selection and there's a kids buffet as well, which had corn dogs and thinks. Also the desert buffet is fab.

 

[daisyduck123]

I would keep the ADR & go. We ate there 10 days ago on the Dining Plan & found it to be good (it was our 1st time there). We probably won't go back because there are plenty of other TS restaurants we want to try.

Make sure that you allow yourself time (before or after your meal) to walk around outisde & see the animals. Do this before your meal if you have a late ADR or you won't have a lot of daylight left.

My DD11 & DS8 also enjoyed the animal-themed gift shop.
Have a great time!!

 

[AussieAngel]

Is the watermelon rind salad really made from the rinds of watermelon?

As in, the yucky white tasteless stuff around the edge of the red part of the watermelon?

I just find that... odd.

 

[Laura]

Is the watermelon rind salad really made from the rinds of watermelon?

As in, the yucky white tasteless stuff around the edge of the red part of the watermelon?

I just find that... odd.

It actually looks mostly pink, not white. I don't know if they use a particular type of watermelon or if it's very ripe or what. But in any case, it's crunchy with a strong ginger flavor. Take a slice and see, if you go.

bblanch, you won't know if you like it until you try it. I agree most of the food doesn't look terribly beautiful on the plate (except the desserts), but it tastes so much better than it looks.

 

[Christine]

Go, you will really enjoy *most* of the food and the atmosphere.

Oh, and the watermelon rind salad was one of my favorites. It is very similar in taste to something I used to eat in Japan that had cucumbers and ginger in a type of salad.

 

[GC&S]

As a very picky eater, I loved Boma's (much to DH's surprise). Their soups are wonderful. We've been there twice and last time we took our nieces and nephews who found plenty to eat. Try it for yourselves. You might love it or hate it - but you will never know unless you go. And the lodge is beautiful (inside and out).

 

[toyman70]

oh no ! look out here it comes.......boom...boom...boom...boom.....it's getting
closer, boom....boom....boom ahhhhhhh it's the disapointment monster noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo it's leaving my belly wanting something better.it hurts so my wasted money (or credit) it's bleeding badly
such hopes now squashed by the giant foot of the disapointment monster.

 

[debbiepump]

Only reason my husband goes to WDW is so he can go to Boma!!

 

[pbharris4]

Never judge a book by it's cover! If I never tried things because it didn't look that great...I would have missed out on some really good food over the years! The rule in our family is....you HAVE to try it...if you do not like it..you don't have to eat it, but you'll never know if you like/dislike it until you have tried it. Because of that rule..my DD loves shrimp, lobster, crab, and many other things that kids would turn their noses up at. I think everyone is skeptical of Boma at first, but once they try it they like it. Although some do not. The peanut rice is really good..the kids would probably like that and there's other regualr kid food there as well. You have to try the prime rib and boboti as well. When you get in line..get a tiny bit of every thing then go back for what you really like.

 

[Stacerita]

Go for it. I had originally gone on my last trip because I had heard all the hype about how great it was. I think it was actually over hyped in my opinion. The food was good, and the place was lovely. We enjoyed eating there, but I didn't think it lived up to the hype and hadn't planned on returning anytime soon. The sweetpea (DD10) had other plans though. I thought she only enjoyed BOMA so so, but I was wrong. When making ADRs for our next trip, she was the one to suggest going back. Im taking my mother with us this next trip and the sweetpea told her how good it was and how much fun she had there. I guess I didn't realize how much she enjoyed it. And shes the kind of kid who can live on Kraft. True there are some "different" items on the menu, but they still have the standard things your kids will enjoy. Go for it and give it a try.

 

[bblanch]

Thanks all for the reassurance!

 

[jetstrip19]

I was in the same boat as you were when I made my adr'S im an adventurous eater but DBF can get a little wary of some of the weird stuff I eat. Well DO NOT cancel, Boma turned out to be one of the best places we ate at, I tried everything half of the stuff I couldnt tell you what it was but give it a shot Im glad we did, and just an FYI I dont eat red meat, but the prime rib looked better than anything I have ever seen! It was definately different but if I ever go back to WDW it would be on my list of must do's!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Boma is a little bit different and it's one I always say try once unless you're absolutely picky. If you don't like it, scratch it. You won't go completely hungry as they'll be something there for you. We found the soups and entrees delicious with a nice variety. Some were spicy, some not spicy. Decent mix. The Salads were ok but we really wouldn't go out of our way to have them. The Zebra Domes are completely overrated on this site. They're good. But not even to kill for, let alone to die for.

I don't think it ended up a must do for us but it will be on our list to do most of the time.

 

[arkansas mom]

So is the prime rib regular prime rib, or is it Boma'd up to taste like coffee and cinnamon?

 

[lauren-roxy]

The prime rib is really wonderful and doesn't have any spices on it at all. There is really a lot to eat at Boma, but to me the soup and salads are the best! Actually, the desserts are the best, they are awesome!!!!!