Jiko and Boma almost the same price?!

[hannahdrewmom]

Wow... I never realized this before. We've always done the ddp when we went and never paid oop. Anyway, the first nigh before free dining we are staying at AKL. I really wanted to do Jiko but thought it would be so much more expensive then Boma. I just went to the allears though and Boma is $39 and the meals at Jiko are about $40. Granted I'd have to pay for drinks (but we'd normally get wine not covered anyway) and if we'd probably split a dessert instead of getting our own. But with that I'm talking about a difference of like $15 to get a signature vs. a buffet. Surprised to say the least!

 

[minnie mum]

You really shouldn't be surprised. While I love Boma's buffets, WDW buffets are never an economical choice, unless your party consists of HUGE eaters.

If you look at a lot of the signatures and average $10- 15 for an appy/soup/salad, $40 for an entree, $10 for dessert, $10 for beverages =$70 plus tax plus tip per person. You also have (generally) a much nicer, quieter, more 'adult' ambiance and (in my opinion) better service. Intangibles that also play into the extra price at the signatures.

So yes, you could eat at a signature for $15 more than dinner at Boma, if you were very careful about what you ordered. For me, if I'm going to eat at a signature, I don't want to restrict myself like that: I'm all about the more unusual appy or the 'signature' entree with a wine pairing. For us a signature is usually a once or twice a trip occasion, so we go all out. And the bill reflects that. I guarantee it's more than $40 each.

 

[TDC Nala]

Buffets are pretty high, but once you order an entree and some wine at Jiko you are now pushing about $60-70. If you want appetizers or desserts, add those in.

 

[havoc315]

And you just hit on the reason that signature restaurants are typically a poor value under the Disney dining plan. Because in most cases, they aren't *that* much more expensive than the 1-credit restaurants.

But it comes down to a different experience -- The buffets are $30-$40 for "all you can eat." That's unlimited appetizers, entrees and desserts.

If you aren't a really really big eater, and you pay buffet prices, you are subsidizing the big eaters.

At the signature restaurants, you're paying $30-$40 for 1 moderately sized entree.

Some people would prefer the all-you-can-eat angle.. others would prefer the higher quality entree, with the more limited portion.

 

[hintofspy]

TBH, I often eat at Jiko for *cheaper* than Boma, just by getting a flatbread, an app, and a dessert (which is PLENTY of food for one person), and sometimes even a glass of wine. It depends on what you want, food-wise, really.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

TBH, I often eat at Jiko for *cheaper* than Boma, just by getting a flatbread, an app, and a dessert (which is PLENTY of food for one person), and sometimes even a glass of wine. It depends on what you want, food-wise, really.

This is exactly my plan to be honest. I want a flatbread, salad, and a glass of wine. Not on the dining plan anyway so no worries.

But I found it ironic that on the ddp we would use 2 credits at Jiko and 1 credit at boma and really it's only a difference in price of like $10 a person. Yes they are different experiences...not worrying abou that... but I can't believe the price difference in dining credits.

PS- we aren't big boma fans so Jiko's is a huge bonus here to us! Signatures will definately be oop from now on... or we may just be going oop totally