Hello everyone!
I finally got around to posting the pictures of the Boma buffet from our September trip. You can check it out by clicking here:
http://www.diningindisney.com/animal-kingdom-lodge-boma-flavors-of-africa/
Just a quick story about our dinner at Boma (which was back at the end of September.) We arrived for our 4:40pm advanced reservations about 20-minutes early and there was a little bit of a crowd already waiting so I had to stand in a short line to get checked in. We ended up waiting for about 10-15 minutes before they actually opened up the restaurant so I was able to walk through and get some pictures of the untouched buffet! (before all the hungry crowds jumped on it.) 
Of all the times we’ve eaten at Boma we never experienced buffet lines like this before. At one point, while waiting for 15-20 minutes in line for the Spit Fired Prime Rib, I looked back and counted 40 people in line! It stretched from the right side of the restaurant near the Prime Rib table all the way back to about mid-way through the dining area. Mind you this was a Sunday night, but holy cow was that a long time to wait in. It was like the “Perfect Storm” of buffets because as the night went on the crowds dispersed from the Prime Rib area and slowly moved to the dessert tables like a Hurricane moving up the East Coast. Everyone must have been eating the same things at the same time as you could see the lines forming at the next logical area of the buffet. It moved from salads, to soups, then to meats, then finally over to the coveted dessert bar. It was almost like a herd of cattle gradually moving from one area of the buffet to another as the night went on! Sure enough towards the end of dinner we looked back and the lines were building at the dessert bar!! OH NO! I will not lose out on Zebra Domes without a fight! My wife immediately dispatched me to the dessert area with orders to stand in line and not come back until I had enough desserts for both of us (well, she was much nicer about it than that but I’m in BUFFET BATTLE mode so that’s what it felt like!) I immediately walked very briskly (and yes, I contemplated running through the crowds of women and children but figured I would look like a nut and would end up knocking over a few tables which wouldn’t go over too well with the staff) to grab a plate of whatever I could get my hands on. I was in luck……..I ended up getting some tasty treats including the zebra domes, cookies, yummy fruit tartlets and a very good Peach Crumble. Success!
Looking back I’m not sure if it was the mere thought of getting to an empty dessert bar (which I now know is a near impossibility in Walt Disney World) or whether I was just locked in the moment of feeling like I was in a Buffet Battle with hundreds of other hungry people (a battle I was NOT going to lose.) But it was one crazy night at the buffet which felt more like a Hot Dog eating competition with Takeru Kobayashi to eat as much as you can as fast as you can so you don’t miss out on the Zebra Domes at the dessert bar!
I can’t be the only one who feels this way……..hmmmm……or am I ??
Bottom line is that Boma still takes the cake in my book for best buffet in Walt Disney World. Long lines or not.
Enjoy the pictures and try not to salivate on your computer keyboard too much!
Technorati Tags: Boma, Disney Dining, Buffet, Walt Disney World, pictures
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Vacationing at Walt Disney World takes lots of energy! To paraphrase the famous saying, a vacationing family moves on its stomach. To nourish and refresh guests, Disney World has 300 dining locations, plus portable food carts, offering a grand total of 6,000 menu choices.
Even so, the question of what’s for breakfast and lunch and dinner and snacks can be daunting. Is it in our budget? Is the line too long? Can we be seated? Will everyone like it? Can we eat with the princesses or other Disney characters?
Here is a four-step guide to finding the food and dining source that is right for your family. Find the sentence that best describes your group, then read suggestions to plan your food and dining.
Option 1: We want to save as much as possible, including quick meals in our room.
If your family is on a tight budget, you will need to plan your meals carefully. Plan to brown-bag a few meals, such as eating cereal in your room and carrying your own snacks. You can still enjoy a wide variety of fun and interesting foods.
Suggestions:
- Buy packaged food at the resort shop and food court. A package of muffins costs about $3, compared to $1.50 for one muffin in the theme park.
- Eat at counter-service restaurants at your resort and in the parks. Most adult meals are around $5-7, with children’s meals around $4-5. You will find traditional fast food like burgers and pizza, as well as an appealing variety of ethnic foods.
- Bring food from home or stop at an Orlando grocery. You will find many stores within 20 minutes of Disney World.
Bonus: Look for special packages that offer the Disney Dining Plan for free. Keep reading for more about the Dining Plan.
Option 2: We are willing to splurge on a few meals, but want to save money when possible.
If your family is cost-conscious but would like a few splurges, plan to eat at counter-service restaurants and use the tips under “Eating on a Budget.” Select one or two table-service restaurants or perhaps a character dining experience for a special treat.
Suggestions:
- Eat most meals at counter-service restaurants at your resort and in the parks.
- Decide together what special restaurant will be most appreciated by your group. If you want to dine with the Disney princesses or other characters, you may prefer a character meal, which costs about $15-25 per person.
- If you are comfortable following a few rules, consider the Disney Dining Package. Keep reading for more details.
Option 3: We want hassle-free dining and are not too worried about cost.
If you want worry-free dining, most Disney World dining options are open to you. Some table-service restaurants are very crowded, so be sure to make advance dining reservations beginning 180 days before arrival.
Suggestions:
- Add the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package. In fact, this program was designed just for guests like you who want the greatest convenience. It includes one table-service meal, one counter-service meal and one snack for each day of your vacation. You have to go by the rules to use your dining credits, but you will find many options and an overabundance of food offered. The cost per day is $38.99 per person age 10 and older and $10.99 for each child age 3-9.
- If you haven’t made advance dining reservations before arrival, contact Guest Services at each park or your resort for assistance.
Option 4: Fine dining is most important.
If you prefer unique and special dining, you will find a wide variety at Walt Disney World. Make your advance dining reservations up to 180 days in advance to be sure that you can be seated at your choice of restaurants.
Suggestions:
- Choose restaurants from the restaurants that Disney classifies at Signature Dining and Special and Unique Dining.
- If you want all meals included in your vacation package, consider getting the Magic Your Way Premium Package. This package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at the 100 participating restaurants plus other recreation and entertainment benefits.
Whatever your budget and dining preferences, take time to learn about the restaurants and other dining options at the Disney theme parks and resort hotels. Get a travel guidebook or two, and check Internet resources for more information. Make notes on restaurants that seem interesting. Call for reservations for table-service restaurants in advance; Disney accepts reservations beginning 180 days before your arrival. Being prepared will make your Disney World vacation less stressful and more fun.
Anne S. Easterling is the author of the EZ Fun Guide to Walt Disney World (ISBN 0-9768890-2-1), a unique travel guide that features color-coded park maps, easy-to-read checklists that cover resort hotels, recreation, restaurants, shopping and more. The 15 planning sheets help you personalize your vacation plans. She also hosts an online resource at http://www.ez-wdw.com, where visitors can download a free ebook titled “The EZ Fun Guide to the Magic Kingdom,” a 10-page PDF travel guide to the happiest place on earth. The book is available on Amazon.com and direct from the publisher at the web site above.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Easterling
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There are many ways to save money when you’re dining in Walt Disney World and below are some of the best ways we’ve been able to find. Take advantage of some of these tips and make your next trip to Disney a little easier on the wallet.
• Buy fruit at the fruit stands located throughout the parks for under $4 per item
• Share a counter service meal since most Disney portions are huge
• If you’re an Annual Passholder you’ll be able to receive 10% off at many restaurants
• For the least expensive Character breakfast try Chef Mickey (Contemporary Resort) or Ohana (Polynesian Resort)
• Eat a late breakfast and consider it breakfast AND lunch (same for a late lunch)
• Order from the kids menu at the counter service restaurants (can’t do this at sit down restaurants though)
• Consider the Disney Dining Plan for your length of stay
• Want a really good inexpensive lunch? Try “Earl of Sandwich” at Downtown Disney.
• Try dining outside of Disney as many local restaurants offer really good deals
• Best buffet deal in Disney? “Trails End Buffet” at the Fort Wilderness Campground.
• Order a-la-carte at the counter service restaurants if the meal has something you don’t want. It will be cheaper.
• If you’re staying at a Disney resort, purchase the Refillable Mug for $11.99 plus tax and for the rest of your stay the drinks (sodas, ice tea, coffee) are FREE.
• Eat breakfast at your hotel room by buying breakfast foods at local grocery stores and making coffee (most Disney hotels offer a coffeemaker)
• Bring small snacks with you into the parks
• Have an AAA membership? Bring your ID card to the Swan and Dolphin as many of the restaurants in those resorts will give you a 20% discount
• Drink a lot of water? Go to the local grocery store and buy 6-packs or cases of bottled water. It’s much cheaper than paying $2.50/bottle at the parks.
Have some more tips? I would love to hear them so email or comment!
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