Is Mara worth a try?

[gillep]

I had the normal coffee every morning and it was fine (not instant at all). I don't even recall seeing cappuccino or espresso...but, I wasn't looking for that either so it could've been right in front of me.

It wouldn't be out near the regular coffee and refill station, it would be inside the area where you actually order your food to the left where they have the grab and go pastries. I actually just did an image search of The Mara online, and it appears that there is (was at the time of the picture) an actual espresso machine in that area, although the picture was very small and from the other side of the room so I could be wrong.

 

[Lorelai]

Okay, thanks! Very good to know!

 

[Lorelai]

I had the normal coffee every morning and it was fine (not instant at all). I don't even recall seeing cappuccino or espresso...but, I wasn't looking for that either so it could've been right in front of me.

Okay, I will likely ask someone because I could see myself looking right past it. And thank you again! This info has been so helpful!

 

[Lorelai]

It wouldn't be out near the regular coffee and refill station, it would be inside the area where you actually order your food to the left where they have the grab and go pastries. I actually just did an image search of The Mara online, and it appears that there is (was at the time of the picture) an actual espresso machine in that area, although the picture was very small and from the other side of the room so I could be wrong.

Oh thank you so much! I appreciate the info... and now I’m going to go search the online images too!

 

[Lorelai]

One thing that I don't think anyone has mentioned, is that you do have to actually go outside of the main Jambo building in order to get to the Mara. The walkway is covered, but if the weather is less than desirable, it can be a bit of a nuisance. As I said in my earlier post, we went there for breakfast every morning and on a couple of mornings, it was very cool, windy and rainy. We were a bit damp by the time we actually got inside. It's also close to the pool, so sometimes you need to watch your step as the pavement can be a bit slippery if someone from the pool has recently come through and dripped water everywhere. Small problems, but it's still good to know.

Wow...I had no idea. I just assumed it was accessible from inside the main house. Do you exit Jambo House sort of to the back, perhaps to the right of the check in counter?

 

[gillep]

Wow...I had no idea. I just assumed it was accessible from inside the main house. Do you exit Jambo House sort of to the back, perhaps to the right of the check in counter?

You actually exit on the first floor to go to The Mara and the pool and the lobby is on the 3rd floor. If you are in the lobby you can either take the elevators down, or you go down the stairs that overlook Victoria Falls/Boma, and go all the way to the first floor. If you were to go down the stairs that are to the right of the check in counters towards the wall of glass those actually take you to the savanna overlook, and not to the area where the restaurants and access to the pool/The Mara are. It is a little confusing at first, and I admit I still, years later, will sometimes take the wrong staircase, and then try to play it off as if that's what I actually meant to do .

 

[crazedprincess]

You actually exit on the first floor to go to The Mara and the pool and the lobby is on the 3rd floor. If you are in the lobby you can either take the elevators down, or you go down the stairs that overlook Victoria Falls/Boma, and go all the way to the first floor. If you were to go down the stairs that are to the right of the check in counters towards the wall of glass those actually take you to the savanna overlook, and not to the area where the restaurants and access to the pool/The Mara are. It is a little confusing at first, and I admit I still, years later, will sometimes take the wrong staircase, and then try to play it off as if that's what I actually meant to do .

That's actually one of our favorite walks... the outdoor walk to The Mara. It's so peaceful and lush.

We love The Mara! We would only eat there if we were staying at AKL, which you are.

 

[LaBelleVie]

On our first trip (May 2015), we were getting cranky at AK, so we just hopped a bus to AKL and had lunch at the Mara. We were really impressed with the variety of options. I had the falafel and zebra domes (both were DELICIOUS!), and my husband had the chicken Caesar salad. We definitely recommend it!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I’ve never been to a Disney resort quick service that I didn’t like.

From Roaring Fork to the Pepper Market and the food court at Pop Century, we’ve found them all to be very good. I would not hesitate to dine at the quick service at any Disney resort where I was a guest. IMO, they are a perk of staying on site because they are consistently decent places.

 

[Lorelai]

You actually exit on the first floor to go to The Mara and the pool and the lobby is on the 3rd floor. If you are in the lobby you can either take the elevators down, or you go down the stairs that overlook Victoria Falls/Boma, and go all the way to the first floor. If you were to go down the stairs that are to the right of the check in counters towards the wall of glass those actually take you to the savanna overlook, and not to the area where the restaurants and access to the pool/The Mara are. It is a little confusing at first, and I admit I still, years later, will sometimes take the wrong staircase, and then try to play it off as if that's what I actually meant to do .

Thank you for the excellent directions...and if I goof it up, I will just play it cool as well

 

[Lorelai]

That's actually one of our favorite walks... the outdoor walk to The Mara. It's so peaceful and lush.

We love The Mara! We would only eat there if we were staying at AKL, which you are.

Oh, so glad to read this. I’m sure we will enjoy the walk AND the Mara! Thank you

 

[Lorelai]

On our first trip (May 2015), we were getting cranky at AK, so we just hopped a bus to AKL and had lunch at the Mara. We were really impressed with the variety of options. I had the falafel and zebra domes (both were DELICIOUS!), and my husband had the chicken Caesar salad. We definitely recommend it!

Sounds fantastic! Now I can’t wait to try it!

 

[Lorelai]

I’ve never been to a Disney resort quick service that I didn’t like.

From Roaring Fork to the Pepper Market and the food court at Pop Century, we’ve found them all to be very good. I would not hesitate to dine at the quick service at any Disney resort where I was a guest. IMO, they are a perk of staying on site because they are consistently decent places.

Maybe we need to start with the Mara and do a little CS tour of WDW resorts! Thank you

 

[Koogs]

When we stayed at AKL in Nov. we ate at the Mara multiple times. We just wanted something relatively fast and the food at Mara was surprisingly good. They have mickey waffles in the morning so we ate breakfast there essentially every morning. We ended up cancelling our Boma breakfast ADR and went to the Mara again because the food was so similar but at a cheaper price point. We also had lunch there once and everyone was pleased with what they ordered. My sister got the stew and after trying a bite of hers I wished I had ordered that. It's rare to find something that favorable on WDW property!

I think this all depends on what you eat...
Boma brunch is really really good if you really make a meal of it. Sliced ham, bacon, tater tots, the baked french toast, fresh fruit, biscuits, jungle juice...
It certainly isn't an every day type of thing but it is quite a treat. And I was doubting the spending $25 on brunch going in.

 

[Splashboat]

Mara had pretty good food several years ago and then the menu was redone and it was terrible. A few years back they revamped the menu again due to customer feedback and it is much better again. (I spoke with a CM to compliment them on the change because we had started to only eat there out of desperation)
The crispy chicken BLT sandwich and the black Angus bacon burger are both really good.

 

[Anniefrances]

As a vegetarian, my fave resort QS is Mara - falafel burger and they will sub falafel for chicken on a salad. Plus butternut squash soup and cous cous. More options than the standard stuff.

 

[Lorelai]

This crispy chicken blt seems to be a fan favorite at The Mara...not to take anything away from the raves about the lamb stew, zebra domes and waffles with strawberries! I feeling as if I am going into our AKL stay with some really spot on recommendations.

 

[Danadanes]

Avoid the regular flatbread pizza - gross. My 7 yr old did love it "tastes like chuckle cheese". Ugh.

 

[RescueRanger]

The nights that they have ribs on the Boma buffet, they will some times have them available at the Mara. You say that you have eaten at Boma for breakfast, but have you eaten there for dinner? Hands down our favorite dinner buffet in all of WDW. Also, my family loves the zebra domes, except me. I am not a coffee fan.

 

[goofy kc]

We sometimes get Mara to go when we are at AKL. The flatbreads and falafel are both post-park in-room dining. Oh and zebra domes - a few for desert and a few to have with coffee in the morning.