Tell me about Boma...

[tjknitz]

I'm thinking of switching my ADR from Sanaa to Boma. I keep going back and forth on this. I very much want to try the bread service at Sanaa, but I keep looking at the menu and I'm not sure my kids are going to enjoy Sanaa as much (they will be 7 and 4). I know that Sanaa is a Table Sevice restaurant and you can potentially see the animals if you get a good seat and if it isn't dark (we are dining at dinner so chances are we won't see them). We plan to explore the resort after dinner anyway since we've never seen AKL.
My main question....is Boma just a standard buffet? Do they have any fun entertainment for the kids? (Like Ohanas has the limbo and fun things like that....does Boma do something similar?)

 

[rpk1951]

BOMA does not have a show or entertainment. It is also not a standard buffet. I think it is my favorite on property. They have a huge selection of African dishes to try along with a few American standards for the kids. It is well worth a trip.

 

[pwdebbie]

We think the Boma buffet is outstanding. There is no entertainment factor for children during the meal. But you said you are going to explore the resort after dinner, and that will be a lot of fun for them. We not only walked outside to the viewing area, we went down some halls to look at the views also. Outside, if it is dark, you might be able to get some night vision binoculars or sit by the fire.

 

[gonzalj1]

Boma is one of our favs. DW and I love the fact that the food is African inspired and includes flavors you won't get at most other places. The kids (13 and 11) like to dabble in some of the different flavors but do fill up on the usual kids stuff like mac and cheese and chicken fingers. So it gives us a nice way to have something different and still get the old favorites for the kiddos.

We haven't been to Sanaa but its on our list. Just tough for us to bypass an old favorite. I don't think you can go wrong either way as the kids menu at Sanaa seems to include some of the more usual options - albeit with a twist.

 

[blackmamba10000]

This is one of two must do restaurants for me every trip. I think the selection would appeal more towards your kids. They have more exotic type foods such as couscous, watermelon rind salad, and other African inspired dishes. But, they also have standard mash potatoes, chicken, macaroni, etc. For dessert, I recommend the zebra domes for you, and cookies, brownies, and fresh fruit for your kids. I think you would love the quality and selection of food here. And the atmosphere is lively and fun, so even though there's no show, I don't think your kids would be bored. Hope this helps!

 

[tjknitz]

Thank you!!!! This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for. I had my husband take a look at both menus and he said that he thinks Boma would be a better choice. I had my heart set on Sanaa so I was hoping someone would give me great reviews of Boma to help change my mind.

 

[doubleosix]

Thanks for all the input shared. I have an upcoming Boma ADR and I have never been before so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[wdwrich]

Count us as Boma fans too. We think it's the best buffet on property, and for our Dec 2015 trip, it may be the only buffet we do.

 

[DizDaD7]

Having stayed at AKV twice & visited numerous times, it's hard to go wrong with either....

1st off to OP You'll definitely see animals regardless, ( unless you are near/ facing bar area ) but almost all have views of the savannah...Some obviously better than others.. Animals WILL be out to graze and mingle to...They're so close it's almost like you can reach out and touch them..Make some extra time to explore here.

Now at Boma's which not only is our favorite Buffet...But Buffet doesn't do this place justice ( FAR FROM A BUFFET ). Besides the ambience, service, choices of food ( both dinner & desserts ), flavor. Here you'll most definitely want to add some extra time before and/or after dinner. This resort has ooo much to offer beyond the TS restaurants...Just the lobby will have you in awe, and the lounge which overlooks, Boma too...The firepit outside & inside, and all the fantastic cm's which will give you a history/cultural lesson as well.

I can go on & on, but as you can see I pretty much like Boma's..

 

[IndyRnRfan]

We have not done Sanaa but we have done Boma. Boma, as others have mentioned, isn't your typical buffet. It is very good with a variety of food. Our picky 8 year old(chicken and mac and cheese) found plenty to try and like. However, Sanaa, I have not heard a bad review and this is on our list next time we visit.

 

[ThistleMae]

A

I'm thinking of switching my ADR from Sanaa to Boma. I keep going back and forth on this. I very much want to try the bread service at Sanaa, but I keep looking at the menu and I'm not sure my kids are going to enjoy Sanaa as much (they will be 7 and 4). I know that Sanaa is a Table Sevice restaurant and you can potentially see the animals if you get a good seat and if it isn't dark (we are dining at dinner so chances are we won't see them). We plan to explore the resort after dinner anyway since we've never seen AKL.
My main question....is Boma just a standard buffet? Do they have any fun entertainment for the kids? (Like Ohanas has the limbo and fun things like that....does Boma do something similar?)

As others have said, Boma is wonderful! It is also my favorite buffet because of all the different food offerings. And...there are still enough choices for your children if they tend to be picky. I can't say enough good things.

 

[L&Lfan]

Both are fabulous. I'd choose Boma in your particular situation. But please try Sanaa in the future. The bread service and 9 dipping sauces alone are worth the price of admission. And the vindaloo is out of this world!

 

[DizDaD7]

Both are fabulous. I'd choose Boma in your particular situation. But please try Sanaa in the future. The bread service and 9 dipping sauces alone are worth the price of admission. And the vindaloo is out of this world!

Not to mention Real..Coffee..The Pressed coffee pot is Excellent, and the best value of anything in WDW, for sure..

 

[Lanie]

Boma is great! Love love LOVE that restaurant! We tried Sanaa last trip and while it was good, it has more of an Indian influence, which is not my favorite cuisine. I also prefer the fact that Boma is a buffet, so you can try a bunch of new things and go back to your favorites.

 

[tjknitz]

Just from all of you posting I am very much looking forward to BOMA now in Sept.....WOW! Thank you all for the fantastic reviews - I'm super excited!

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Boma is my favorite restaurant on all of Disney property. It is not a standard buffet, they have African and Middle Eastern items as well as standard fare. There is not specific entertainment for the children, but the food makes up for that in my opinion.

Here's my vlog where we went to Boma - you can see what it looks like. We were there for brunch in this video.

Disney World Vlog Day 3,Part 2, November 2014 - Animal Kingdom & Boma!:

 

[kreckl]

BOMA!

 

[Ava]

We had dinner at Boma last Sept and loved it. The food is delicious and different from any other restaurant we've been to on property. There were also plenty of tamer choices for my 5yo and 16-month-old to enjoy. If you have any vegetarians in your group I HIGHLY recommend Boma; we're all veg and it was probably the best meal we had all week.

 

[Farps]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! Boma, but I do want to try Sanaa and Jiko one of these trips.

 

[midge3426]

I think that you either love Boma or you don't. We heard all the excellent reviews about Boma and decided to try the restaurant, but we did noit like Boma, at all. We have not tried Jiko or Sanaa and we disliked Boma so much that we are afraid to try these other restaurants.