Simbas Cub House v. Boma's

[pigby]

Went to Bomas for dinner a couple of years ago - that's myself, DH and DD (now 9). My DD didn't like the food - in fact she ate hardly anything.

Now we're ready to give it anoother try, so I have already booked my ps for next month - 7pm. I am now thinking about letting my DD go to Simbas from about 6.30pm to 9.30pm, whilst we have dinner and then one or drinks at the bar afterwards. I understand that they serve dinner there for the kids -at a set time?

If anyone has done anything like this, I would like to know about your experiences. She's pretty good at making friends with other kids but also says that 'she's a bit nervous as she doesn't know what it will be like'.


Sue

 

[zakatak]

Hi Sue,

We've done this before with our two children (6, 4) and are doing it again in two weeks. They had a blast, ate their dinner, and played while dh and I (and dd 2) ate at Boma. It is much easier keeping one child occupied than three!

I say, go for it! If not for the entire 3 hours, at least 2 would be good. If you do get drinks after dinner, take them up to the fireplace in the lobby, grab a couple of chairs, rest your feet up on the fireplace and enjoy! That was our favorite thing to do after BOMAs... ahhhhhh....

Have fun!

Karen

 

[BevS97]

my dd enjoyed Boma's but we used Simba's for a few hours while we had a lovely meal in Jiko - it was heavenly, not that I don't adore my daughter, but a few hours of grownup conversation in a lovely restaurant was worth every penny of the kids club.

My dd was 4 1/2 when she went, I've just asked her what she thought and she said 'it was fun there was lots of animal toys, I enjoyed it.' They had a menu to order dinner when we arrived, I think it could be served at a number of times, they did a craft or two, there are computer games for the older kids, and lots of toys for younger ones, and when we picked her up around 10pm they were all settling down in front of a video on pillows.

I can't remember the timings that we used, but we dropped her off, and then had time for a drink in the bar before we went down for our meal, ate a very leisurely meal, and strolled around outside looking at the animals before heading in to pick her up.

I would definitely recommend it,

Bev

 

[Magic2000]

For our first visit to BOMAs, I wasn't sure if my youngest would enjoy the food or atmosphere, and she had been asking to go to one of the kids clubs. She went to Simba's and LOVED it!!! Her favorite thing was coloring with markers!! She got to choose her own dinner (Hotdog, FF, Chocolate milk) and they also watched some Disney movies. She was only there for an hour, but she really had a great time. After we were through with dinner, we went get her, and then walked around the hotel, saw all the animals, and shopped in the gift shop. Its a beautiful hotel!

My family LOVES Bomas - its a must do every trip. Allison usually will join us for dinner now - she does enjoy Bomas too. But she's been asking to try Simba's again.

 

[pigby]

Wondered if 2 hours might be enough. If we had a wait for our 7pm ps - I know that long waits for Boma's have been mentioned on these boards and if we were slightly delayed in returning to pick her up, would this be a problem at Simbas? Also would you book her in for say 6.50pm if your ps was for 7pm?

Do you think I should pre-book the club before leaving the UK - bearing in mind that this is scheduled for the night after we arrive?

 

[Magic2000]

You may want to call and ask if you have to pre-book Simba's. At the time my DD went, I did have to make a reservation - but that was not long after Animal Kingdom Lodge opened. On the night Allison went, there were only about 6 other kids there, but we were there a little early (maybe around 6:00 PM).

When we dropped her off, we did tell the ladies we were going to be eating at BOMAs, but we did not have to give a time of when we'd be back. They told us to take our time and enjoy!!

 

[pigby]

Just rang Disney Dine to book - as one of the guidebooks suggested, but Disney Dine asked me for credit card first and then said - with Simbas I need to call them direct. I did so and they said I could book in at 6.45pm but they didn't ask me for how long DD would be staying - they did need a credit card - said if I had booked it via Disney Dine, I would have had to give my card number - UH?? I wasn't given a booking reference.

They have DD's name, anyway so I think we'll just turn up. Maybe we'll keep that ps for 3 people instead of reducing it to 2, just in case.

 

[BevS97]

Hi Pigby,

I booked my DD into Simba's from the UK before we travelled. I know we had to say when we would be dropping her off, but only give an approx. idea of when we would collect her. I think she was there about 3 hours, but we had a drink in the bar first, and a leisurely meal - looking at my plan, we have a PS type confirmation number that I was given when I called. I can't remember if I had to confirm it with a credit card or not, I think I probably did.

Bev

 

[NotUrsula]

I've used all of them except Simba's (AKL is just not our thing) and I have always been asked for a CC to hold the spot. It is my understanding that you have until 24 hrs. previous to cancel without penalty, after that, there is a charge for no-shows. I've never been a no-show, but I think I was told that the charge is 2 hrs. fees. Only once did we consider cancelling late, last yr. at WL when DH came down with a stomach bug in mid-afternoon. We did cancel dinner, but I decided to take DS to the club anyway, so that he could play while Dad took advantage of the opportunity to rest in child-free quiet.

When I reserve, I always book for 4 hrs., even though DS has never stayed that long. There is no penalty for picking up the child earlier than you originally said you would. (That is, if you can pry the child out of there; most of the time DS does not want to leave.) We were at NLC 2 weeks ago, and out of curiousity, DH asked what the minimum charge is if the child doesn't want to stay; the CM said it is 15 minutes.