HELP! BOMA or not with 2 younger chilldren

[lupp2217]

HI. We are going to disney at the end of June. We have a BOMA reservation because we needed 1 more and I have heard good things about it. However, the more I read the more unsure I get. It is me, DH, and DDs 5 and 9. They are not picky eaters, but I am not sure about the spices. Aslo, is the atmosphere neat for kids? Please tell me about it and if we should give it a go or not. TIA!

Our other ADRs are Cape May Cafe, WCC, CR, CM, 50sPT, Rainforest DTD, and Ohana breakfast.

 

[B-Ride]

IMHO the spices are not an issue but others would disagree. However, they do have more standard kid's selections like nuggets and fries if your kids have problems with the spices. As for atmosphere there aren't "games" or things for kids but it is still kid friendly.

 

[HeidiGW]

Boma is our of our family's favorites. Two of our children are exceptionally picky and its the fav of our worst eater! They have kid friendly items (like chicken, fries, mac & cheese, and plenty of fresh fruit...grapes, watermellon, etc. They have wood-roasted beef that is wonderful and mildly seasoned on the outside. I have found exposing the kids to buffets like this--they are willing to try little bits of "other" foods when they know there are items they like--and it opens them up for trying new things outside "the world." Good luck.

 

[melly_jane]

we stayed at AKL last year and had dinner at Boma once. we're going back in Sept. and we're definitely doing Boma again! Like the others have said there are the regular kids staples there ....the other food is slightly different and very delicious!! a great restaurant to visit for sure! we felt perfectly comfortable being there with a 2 yo and 5 yo last year.

 

[Nadjalu]

Hopefully I can shed some light on the "spices". Most people think African food is "hot" spicey, it is not, however it is sweet.
They use a lot of sweet spices, like cinnamon, even on the meat.

We did not like Boma, not that the food was bad, it was good IF you like your dishes to have a sweetness in the background. We do not.

They do have a pretty good "plain" food bar for the kids.

 

[Haley]

They always have stuff like penne pasta and marinara sauce, mac n cheese, chicken strips, etc.

Boma is great but not as exotic as people make it out to be.

 

[2Tiggers]

I am a little nervous like you are. This is the way I feel about it and maybe it will help you. I think it will be fun to try it, even if we do not like it we can say we have been there. I will never wonder what it might be like, or if we would even like it. It will be a fun experience! And our own experience. We won't be going off of someone elses opinion. Although I love to hear peoples opinions...

So try it, you might like it. If you don't like it maybe you can fill up on zebra domes... I hear they are great! That is my plan anyway.

Hope this helps! Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[leebee]

Don't be afraid of Boma! Yes, there are African-inspired dishes, but there are many, many other offerings on the buffet! There is always a roasted chicken and a roasted meat (usually prime rib) and sometimes another meat, like pork, and usually salmon. There are many kinds of cold salad, some as "foreign" as grated carrots with raisins, but there is also always a large, tossed salad, several soups, and then there's the peanut rice (yes, tastes like rice with pb sauce) on Monday and Thursday! There's always a large assortment of fruit, several varieties of hummus, potato wedges ( a tad spiced, not sweet but not hot either), and a bunch of more exciting, authentic dishes. Kids' buffet, from which adults can also eat, will include chicken fingers, mac and cheese, pasta, meatballs w/red sauce, french fries, etc. Even if you decide you don't like the African-inspired food (some of which has cinnamon- but not sugar- some with curry, etc, different grains, veggies, etc), there are always the DESSERTS!! TO DIE FOR!!

Like I said, don't be afraid of Boma. Even if you don't care for it all, you will go away full! It won't be a waste of your money! It's my family's favorite restaurant at WDW!!

 

[umieesa]

I so agree with a previous poster that the food is sweet! I have eaten many different types of cuisines from various African countries, and I can definitely say that Boma seems to only focus on the types that have sweet flavours in their savoury dishes. Everyone has different tastes and it is very popular, but none of us enjoyed our meal there (btw my kids are the exact same ages as yours).

It really is a matter of taste, but IMHO I would say choose somewhere else.

 

[mickeynut1]

We put off trying Boma because we were afraid it was too different......but once we tried it, it became one of our favorite places to eat and we go at least once every trip . Plus as others have said.....there is a kids section that has chicken tenders, french fries, mac & cheese, etc that don't have the spices like some of the other dishes . The buffet is full of variety so even if you didn't like the African dishes, there are plenty of other things to choose from and you won't go away hungry .

 

[doccoc2002]

Go for it!!! My DD's(who were 5&3) are pretty picky and they LOVED the food! They also have amazing desserts...BTW there are some ADULT ONLY ones...They have a kids area which I saw a lot of adults getting food there too. It is worth a try. We can't wait to go back in Sept to eat there again and see the animals as well! Everything is labeled and if you have any questions the chefs are right there cooking and will answer all your questions.

 

[POOHDRMR]

My dd is super picky-no cheese,no soggy chick nuggets or hamburger buns,no stringy meat,no butter,no onion etc and she actually loved this meal and asked for it again this year.We arrived alittle early and looked around and went out and watched some of the animals and she loved the resort.She tried some different things and liked some-I told her before that there would be different foods and she didn't have to eat what she didn't like so she gave things a try.She probably tried alot of things but didn't eat that much of any one thing but it was enough for a meal.She liked the meats-roasted chicken and some kind of steak.I was more worried about my husband and almost cancelled between the two of them but I really wanted to see the resort and it was the favorite meal of all of us.

 

[lupp2217]

Thank you for all the great responses. I am still not sure. We will have to think on it and decide in a couple days.

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Give it a try, and like others said-think of it as an adventure. Make sure you tour the resort a bit while you're there too. It's beautiful.

The first time we went to Boma, my DD was 4...I don't think she had anything from the kid's buffet (chicken strips, etc.). We had so much fun trying this and that and even had fun trying to repeat the names of the dishes. I still remember her favorite: **FuFu** which is "sweet and white potatoes mashed with coriander and cinnamon". She talked about FuFu for the rest of the trip (or else she just liked saying it ).

 

[amshowers]

Even if you don't care for some of their African inspired dishes you will not go hungry. Don't worry you can have meal of garden salad,reg. prime rib and potatoes, kids can have nuggets, fries, mac&cheese.I honestly can't imagine anyone not enjoy the yummy soups & desserts they offer, they're alone worth the trip.

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

My little ones LOVED Boma. We got there early and checked out the animal viewing spots which made the atmosphere that much more great. I have pictures of the food if you would like to see some!

 

[arielmomma]

My family (including children 3 & 6) really enjoy Boma ( In fact we have a reservation there in a few weeks!) Spices aren't an issue at all for my family. I will admit, however, my kids are not chicken nugget and Hot dog lovin' kids. They love the prime rib, chicken, couscous, fruit, etc. It is a huge buffet with lots of different choices to satisfy even my uber-picky husband. I wouldn't hesitate to take your kids to Boma!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

My boys loved Boma when they were younger .

 

[lupp2217]

OK. I think you have all talked me into it! Sounds like a great time and then we won't always wonder whether or not we should have tried it. Thanks for all the great inout and yes, I would love to see pictures Disney First Timer.

 

[fluffycow333]

I think you will enjoy it . As others have said there are plenty of things for picky eaters, and since it is a buffet if you see something you're not sure of you can try a little bit and get more later if you like it. Boma is my favorite.