Is Mara worth a try?

[Lorelai]

We were there last week for one night and our QS meal there was wonderful.

Do you recall what you had? I’m hearing all these great things about the stew. Lol

 

[Lorelai]

If staying at AKL, absolutely yes. I wouldn't make a trip to AKL just to eat at Mara.
Decent food options. Beware that lines at dinner (especially if raining) can be very long.
You order your food and get a pager when your food is ready.
One night on our last trip, we had a 20+ minute wait (between waiting to order & waiting for the food).
On the plus side, the food isn't sitting out & is made to order.

That’s good to know - thanks!

 

[Minnesota!]

It's fine. Basic, filling, average. Nothing I Have had has been "bad", but selection is small. Love the Zebra Domes in the fridge, though!

 

[Fldisneyfamily4321]

I ALWAYS make a trip to AKL ( fav resort ) even if staying somewhere else and eat at Mara love love love the butternut squash soup .. I get some lunch and look around for a bit .. it’s pretty relaxing .

 

[DisBuckMan]

Now please tell me of these Zebra Domes - we always go to the Boma breakfast (it’s out fave breakfast buffet) but those famous domes are only at the Boma dinners...or so I hear.

Zebra domes are also available in a 4-pack from The Mara. They're in the cold case with the cupcakes over by the drinks.

 

[vettegirl]

Do you recall what you had? I’m hearing all these great things about the stew. Lol

I had a grilled chicken salad that had a hint of curry and my 3 year old had a delicious hamburger with fries. I thought about the stew as it looked great, however I was craving a salad.

 

[Harambe]

Now please tell me of these Zebra Domes - we always go to the Boma breakfast (it’s out fave breakfast buffet) but those famous domes are only at the Boma dinners...or so I hear.

Oh no - you can get them right at Mara over in the refrigerator section (maybe not always!). They are kind of a cookie bottom topped with coffee mouse. You can see them if you go to Allears, go to the Boma menu and click on all the photos of food there. They come up.

One of the best casual lunches I've had at Mara (again, years ago!) was all from the refrigerator section! Black olive hummus, chips, and zebra domes for dessert, all eaten by the pool with a virgin pina colada from the pool bar!

 

[gillep]

Oh no - you can get them right at Mara over in the refrigerator section (maybe not always!). They are kind of a cookie bottom topped with coffee mouse. You can see them if you go to Allears, go to the Boma menu and click on all the photos of food there. They come up.

One of the best casual lunches I've had at Mara (again, years ago!) was all from the refrigerator section! Black olive hummus, chips, and zebra domes for dessert, all eaten by the pool with a virgin pina colada from the pool bar!

They should always be available in the refrigerators in The Mara, if they aren't out for whatever reason just ask and they will bring them from the back. I have seen many people grab them at all hours of the day.

 

[mcurran]

It’s fine. Zebra domes highly overrated in my opinion but some really like them. The restaurant, like most other counter service locations in deluxe resorts is too small, feels like an afterthought, and is shoehorned in a forgotten area. Food is fine. My least favorite part is the paper straws (because regular straws not allowed due to animals). If you’re there go ahead and eat there on a pool day or something.

 

[Lorelai]

Zebra domes are also available in a 4-pack from The Mara. They're in the cold case with the cupcakes over by the drinks.

Thank you!!

 

[Lorelai]

I had a grilled chicken salad that had a hint of curry and my 3 year old had a delicious hamburger with fries. I thought about the stew as it looked great, however I was craving a salad.

Sounds good! Now I'm actually feeling really good about not booking every single meal at a table service venue while we are back at the resort. We need a little unstructured down time once in awhile. Thank you!

 

[Lorelai]

Oh no - you can get them right at Mara over in the refrigerator section (maybe not always!). They are kind of a cookie bottom topped with coffee mouse. You can see them if you go to Allears, go to the Boma menu and click on all the photos of food there. They come up.

One of the best casual lunches I've had at Mara (again, years ago!) was all from the refrigerator section! Black olive hummus, chips, and zebra domes for dessert, all eaten by the pool with a virgin pina colada from the pool bar!

Thank you! This is sounding better than I'd hoped!

 

[Lorelai]

It’s fine. Zebra domes highly overrated in my opinion but some really like them. The restaurant, like most other counter service locations in deluxe resorts is too small, feels like an afterthought, and is shoehorned in a forgotten area. Food is fine. My least favorite part is the paper straws (because regular straws not allowed due to animals). If you’re there go ahead and eat there on a pool day or something.

That's exactly what we will do... Sounds like a decent option for a pool day/evening. Thanks!

 

[MrsHammer]

We stayed at AKL in 2016 and ate breakfast at Mara every morning and we had dinner there once. Our food was always good. I had a flatbread chicken pizza that was really good, with couscous as a side item (it was awesome...I craved that for weeks after we got back home). Plus, my daughter and I had Mickey waffles with strawberries and whipped cream every single morning for breakfast for a week there!

 

[Shellyb84]

It is our favorite resort QS so far!

 

[Lorelai]

We stayed at AKL in 2016 and ate breakfast at Mara every morning and we had dinner there once. Our food was always good. I had a flatbread chicken pizza that was really good, with couscous as a side item (it was awesome...I craved that for weeks after we got back home). Plus, my daughter and I had Mickey waffles with strawberries and whipped cream every single morning for breakfast for a week there!

oooh...Mickey waffles with strawberries - sounds wonderful! Hey, did you try the cappuccino or espresso there? Is it real, as in, actually brewed? I know some QS places lean toward instant drinks.

 

[gillep]

Oooh...

oooh...Mickey waffles with strawberries - sounds wonderful! Hey, did you try the cappuccino or espresso there? Is it real, as in, actually brewed? I know some QS places lean toward instant drinks.

The Mickey waffles with strawberries and whipped cream is really good. I don't know about the cappuccino or espresso as we are usually club level and I use the Nespresso there, but the iced coffee is the gross stuff out of a machine, they do have delicious pressed pot coffee for I believe about ~$9 that you order at the same place you would order espresso or get the grab and go baked goods.

 

[GusGusTheMouse]

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!

 

[MrsHammer]

oooh...Mickey waffles with strawberries - sounds wonderful! Hey, did you try the cappuccino or espresso there? Is it real, as in, actually brewed? I know some QS places lean toward instant drinks.

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.

 

[MrsHammer]

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.