BOMA's at AKL. To describe driving up to the Lodge would be like coming out of the jungle to this immense thatch-roofed village centered by our equivalent of what an African Palace must look like!
I use borderline tardiness (again!) as an excuse for valet parking, but, let's be honest, I'm getting darned fond of it!
*To put this in perspective, what is a few more dollars per day added to the cost of your trip for such a convenience. No rain, no walking, no GPS system to locate your car in the parking lot...If on a budget, do it every OTHER day!
You must enter the Lodge with your eyes open WIDE. The lobby is impressive and the mood is set as soon as the doors swish open. The lights inside are dim. The background music sultry. You can't help but be disoriented. Where ARE we? It FEELS like another country. The Lobby is HUGE and impressive. There is no better excuse to experience the AKL for a future stay than to make PS reservations for BOMA or JIKO. Tonight for us, it is BOMA.
I am dressed in my "African outfit"... (SIL comments, you have an outfit for every dinner don't you?) I am wearing an orange serape from Panama which my father purchased when I was in elementary school (gosh I must have been "big-boned" back then, still fits!) as well as feather and shell beaded earrings and the best for last... a real hand made African necklace that I won on EBAY!
I come bearing gifts for everyone... Pirates of the Carribean spyglass periscopes
(remember my stop in St. Augustine?) 
, M & M jars decorated with Disney Character "pogs", Animal Kingdom Collectors cards
(*issued when AK first opened ~ another EBAY find) ! But the best, I save for last after looking at my poor miserable DSisters and SIL I say I have something "special" for you girls!
They look at me and wonder what could I have that would possibly be "just for them"? I discreetly hold up a fresh stick of Secret "Glacier Mist" Anti-Perspirant gel and they all smile, push back their chairs, jump up and head for the ladies room!
*Remember, I went back with DD2 for nap and shower, leaving them to "bake" in Africa?... Oh the guilt! The looks on their fresh faces when they came back to the table was priceless! They were now free to enjoy their dinner without having to worry about "stinkiosity"!
Our server Lisa, was elegant, graceful, efficient and unobtrusive. Very, Very professional. I thought her style added to the enjoyment of the meal, as not every occasion requires a back-slapping, joke-cracking, first name basis type of CM. She was just right! Everyone ordered an "adult beverage"
(well, except for the kids of course!). I myself had interest in the house Merlot, as I had heard favorable reviews of African wine. I did indeed enjoy mine. The flavors were perfect for the variety of dishes we sampled.
The key word here folks is "Sampled". If you don't take a spoonful of everything you will never know what you are missing. I would recommend the first time you try BOMA's do not skip anything that you are not allergic to! This is an all you can eat buffet which changes based on the availability of fresh ingredients. There are always some dishes which do not change, but I would call ahead to get the menu if you are counting on something in particular. Tonight, we're in luck! We have salmon AND prime rib amongst the offerings.
The buffet is artfully set up in pods which allow you to visit different stations without feeling you are in a long line being herded through. If a certain pod is busy, just jump over to another. There is even a children's pod with the standard PBJ and macaroni fare for the children who know who they are and don't want to mess with that! A word to those parents: my SIL had DNiiece5 who was formerly considered in that class.
You know, "picky eater", she "won't try that", eats "like a bird"! You know the type... That child went back to the buffet 3 times and we never once saw "macaroni or PBJ"!
Her kids LOVED everything and proclaimed it their favorite restaurant! They ate like there was no tomorrow and SIL proclaimed "these are not my children!" Everyone ate their fill and then some before discovering...
DESSERT 
I'll take one of everything, thank you! Chocolate zebra thingies?YES! Simba's Paw Prints? OH, YES!! Lemon Meringue tartelettes? Give me MORE!
Do save room for dessert! It is part of the entire enjoyment of this meal! For about $25 per adult and $10 per child
(20% less for Disney Dining Experience card carriers; 10% less for AP holders) you receive a wonderful meal, which includes soft drinks, coffee, etc... and wonderful surroundings.
(If you like coffee, do NOT miss having a cup. It was outstanding.) Make sure also to look up at the light fixtures. DD2 was fascinated by them. Very unusual and beautiful!
*(Side Note: Being FL residents we have the Disney Dining Experience Card which saves 20% on all meals. The Mgr at BOMA's and every other restaurant we visited allowed us to use the card for our entire party saving hundreds of dollars for the week on our dining.
Good night all! Time to find the front door (do we go up to the next level, or down?) and make it home to the SWAN! I can feel my heavenly head hitting that heavenly pillow now! See you in the Morning!
*Disclaimer: Pictures rescued from Recycle Bin! View at your own risk!
it looks very similar to mine 
since the story continues over at the BWV...
Luckily, when I took Phoebe back for a nap Tuesday afternoon, I stopped by the Concierge desk and purchased 3 tickets in advance. These were given to the teens
and we promptly purchased E-Ride tickets for the upcoming Friday night for the "Adventurous Adults"! After getting ready and doing a little "silent" packing.. I am restless and decide to go exploring. It is not quite light out yet! Over to the Dolphin to wander around, nobody in sight. Walking in the pale pink light of an early sunrise. Beauty surrounds you, gets inside you, makes you feel "happy"! This is a mental snapshot, since unbelievably I leave my camera behind!
