Goodbye Crystal Palace. Hello BOMA!!!

[nutshell]

Family of four with two older teenagers. Never been to WDW. DLR vets.

Original plan was to leave MK after the parade (around 3:30), go back to the hotel (POFQ) to rest and recharge then return to Crystal Palace at 6pm for dinner before HEA and a few more rides.

I cancelled Crystal Palace and booked Boma for 5:50. I’m guessing this means we don’t get to recharge at POFQ, but perhaps we can just rest in AKL’s lobby before dinner. Afterwards, we’ll still head back to MK for HEA and a few rides.

Thoughts? I think we made the right decision but am curious as to your opinions. Thanks!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Your plan sounds fine especially with older kids who won’t care about a character meal.

TBH, I think the Pooh characters are passé for most teens and younger kids nowadays. That may change if the Christopher Robin movie is a hit, but Pooh and his friends mean nothing to most kids younger than my 21 year-old son.

 

[gharter]

i hope you enjoy Boma as much as we do! Definitely get to AKL early. Walk around and enjoy the beautiful lobby. Walk around the paths and see some of the animals. Enjoy sitting out and looking at the Savanna and all of the animals. There is a reason it is one of our favorite resorts.

 

[nutshell]

i hope you enjoy Boma as much as we do! Definitely get to AKL early. Walk around and enjoy the beautiful lobby. Walk around the paths and see some of the animals. Enjoy sitting out and looking at the Savanna and all of the animals. There is a reason it is one of our favorite resorts.

Sounds like a plan! Thanks.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Boma is one of our favorite restaurants on property. You absolutely made a great decision. Enjoy Boma!

 

[nutshell]

Boma is one of our favorite restaurants on property. You absolutely made a great decision. Enjoy Boma!

Thanks. Any favorite dishes at Boma?

 

[goofyintoronto]

You made the right choice! AKL is gorgeous. I too love looking at the animals. Also, I havent been to dinner but i've had breakfast and its quite good.

 

[tamerbelles]

Yes, yes, yes! You will have several places to relax around the Jambo house lobby - indoors and outdoors, you'll find rocking chairs or comfy benches to relax and take in the views. Be sure to walk around and check out the lobby artwork - it's beautiful! You've picked a great place to recharge before going back to the park.

Boma itself is also awesome. You'll find "traditional" buffet foods along with more adventurous, African and Indian-inspired dishes. No one will leave hungry. Be sure to try the Zebra domes for dessert! They are our favorite.

 

[GillianP1301]

I think MK straight to AKL is a great plan for all the reasons already stated. Great viewing of the animals and beautiful lobby to chill out in for a bit. Boma is also much better food than Crystal Palace. Plus, with your original plan of leaving at 3:30 to return for 6:00 ADR would've given you next to no rest time (1/2 to 1 hour at the very most) and hardly worth the effort.

 

[KenHutch]

Comparing the 2 Boma is the clear winner. AKL may have the best food in all of WDW (well they do with Jiko alone). After you eat you can wander around the animal look. As for soups I have mentioned this on other threads the soups. They tend to be African centric and you can almost make a meal out of them. They make a very spicy curry based soup that is out of this world and any place that serves Zebra Domes for desert will tend to beat all its competitors.

 

[nutshell]

Comparing the 2 Boma is the clear winner. AKL may have the best food in all of WDW (well they do with Jiko alone). After you eat you can wander around the animal look. As for soups I have mentioned this on other threads the soups. They tend to be African centric and you can almost make a meal out of them. They make a very spicy curry based soup that is out of this world and any place that serves Zebra Domes for desert will tend to beat all its competitors.

I’m definitely looking forward to the soups and to the famous zebra domes!

 

[amym2]

Boma is our teens' favorite. We enjoy taking a mid-afternoon break most days, and if you decide you need a break at POFQ, you can always take an Uber to AKL. We've done that a few times for resort to resort transportation. That said, I definitely agree that AKL is a beautiful resort, and there are spots to relax. I could easily doze on a rocking chair on the porch!

 

[Micca]

Boma is among the best restaurants on property, CP is...a character buffet in MK. I know soup probably doesn't sound all that exciting but this isn't Campbell's from a can, the soups are among the best offerings there. You can try a little bit of everything, take a bite and if you don't like it you go get something else. My family enjoys the carved meats and some of the more basic things. There are several nice desserts in addition to the zebra domes.

 

[Lilsia]

Boma is among the best restaurants on property, CP is...a character buffet in MK. I know soup probably doesn't sound all that exciting but this isn't Campbell's from a can, the soups are among the best offerings there. You can try a little bit of everything, take a bite and if you don't like it you go get something else. My family enjoys the carved meats and some of the more basic things. There are several nice desserts in addition to the zebra domes.

Love their oxtail soup when they have it.

 

[Micca]

Love their oxtail soup when they have it.

I've never had it at Boma or anywhere else, but given my experiences with the other soups I'd def. check it out. I'll add that the ambience at Boma is on the loud side--high ceilings, big room, hard surfaces, it's just the way it is. I remember several years ago a small child letting loose with an excruciatingly loud cry that silenced the entire restaurant for just a brief moment. I'm sure he was fine, just likely fatigued after a big day at WDW.

 

[nutshell]

I definitely have my eye on the oxtail soup. Also interested in the curried seafood soup.

 

[nutshell]

Are there many veggie options? My wife and daughter don’t eat meat.

 

[Lilsia]

Are there many veggie options? My wife and daughter don’t eat meat.

Yes, this is probably the best buffet for vegetarians.

 

[nutshell]

Yes, this is probably the best buffet for vegetarians.

Great! They’ll be so excited!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Thanks. Any favorite dishes at Boma?

Pretty much everything. The salmon was wonderful. The Couscous salad, lentil salad, corn chowder. Enjoy - great choice. Boma breakfast is wonderful too.