Boma or Sanaa?

[MamaMeggie]

Headed to Disney in less than 2 weeks and I'm starting to second guess some of my ADRs after reading lots and lots of Dining reports. Right now I have Boma planned after our AK day, but then I realized that Sanaa is also 1 TS credit (yes?), and am considering switching. What would you choose? I've never eaten at either, or been to either AKL or Kidani.

 

[Mikka]

Sanaa, as long as you like Indian food. Boma has more selections for picky eaters, but it's still a buffet. Sanaa's food is better quality. The animals are a nice bonus, too.

 

[perditax]

Boma is a big buffet with slightly ethnic (African/S. African) food. They've toned down the spices a lot for American palates over the years.

The last time I looked at Sanaa's menu, it looked like typical Indian food I'd get at home.

I ended up choosing Boma last time for more variety, but it was very crowded. 30 minute wait past our reservation time.

 

[MamaMeggie]

Oh, another brilliant realization. We are having brunch/lunch at Tusker House so that probably really similar to Boma? So I should switch.

Are there night vision goggles at Kidani Village to see the animals? It will be Feb so definitely dark.

 

[DeanDoug]

I can't help you with credits, but I love both Boma and Sanaa. If you're a true Indian food lover, I disagree that Sanaa is that. Surely some entrees are Indian inspired, but it is surely not an Indian restaurant. Boma is wonderful. I took a look at the Tusker House menu and it is much different than Boma... much more limited and not the same items, so I wouldn't compare the two. Boma is vast.

So to respond better to your question, it depends on what you are looking for. A TS meal with an animal view (no goggles in the restaurant), or a buffet with many options (less intimate) with the option of seeing animals after. There isn't a wrong choice, just depends on your desire.

 

[sleepydog25]

Good points by the other posters, and I'll add my reflections, as well.

Boma: Greater variety of food, noisier ambiance, and no animals can be seen from the restaurant
Sanaa: Better quality, less variety, less noisy and crowded than Boma, animals can be seen during daylight hours

As others noted, it depends on what specific experience you seek. Neither place has full-on authentic menus, though they are elevated beyond typical American flavor profiles: mild curries, some cinnamon/clove, splashes of peppers and paprikas, and the like, but nothing overly adventurous. We prefer the more laid-back vibe of Sanaa with its solid selection of wines and other adult beverages which we pair with the complete bread service and its 9 different dipping sauces. It's a meal all by itself. Best of luck deciding!

 

[NDFamily]

What would I choose? Sanaa for one reason and one reason only: the bread service. It would be two reasons if they still had the boerewors with onion salad but they got rid of it. However if you're using a dining plan I'm not sure how it would work getting the bread service as it is an appetizer.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

I have eaten at both Boma and Sanaa. Love them both.
I'd suggest check out the menu for Sanaa on allears see if any of the dishes appeal to you.
It is a tough choice.
As PP's have said Boma has a vast buffet with many choices.
At night is has a very busy atmosphere the later time that you eat.
One nice thing about Boma, after you are done eating you can go outside and they have the night vision goggles to use to see animals on the savannah.

 

[DisneyDetective]

I much preferred Sanna as I felt Boma was really busy and loud. Sanaa has lovely authentic Indian style food and you also get to go out and check out the animals.

 

[MamaMeggie]

I discovered that several other people had posted this same question, so thanks to all of you for answering yet again! One suggestion on another thread was to have a glass of wine and order the bread service at Sanaa, and then go to dinner at Boma. Maybe the best of both worlds? I'm thinking there won't be a show at Animal Kingdom that we'd need to stick around for, so we could head to Sanaa around 6 and then to Boma for our 7:30 reservation.
We aren't usually buffet people at home, but we recently took the kids to an Asian buffet with Chinese and sushi options and they loved it, so I think they'd like the variety of options at Boma. But I really want the bread service!!

 

[sleepydog25]

I discovered that several other people had posted this same question, so thanks to all of you for answering yet again! One suggestion on another thread was to have a glass of wine and order the bread service at Sanaa, and then go to dinner at Boma. Maybe the best of both worlds? I'm thinking there won't be a show at Animal Kingdom that we'd need to stick around for, so we could head to Sanaa around 6 and then to Boma for our 7:30 reservation.
We aren't usually buffet people at home, but we recently took the kids to an Asian buffet with Chinese and sushi options and they loved it, so I think they'd like the variety of options at Boma. But I really want the bread service!!

While a great idea to hit Sanaa early then on to dinner at Boma, I would caution that the bread service is extremely filling, especially if you go for the full 9 sauce version (which is the only way to go, I think). If you do the bread service at 6 then head to Boma at 7:30, you might find yourself with less appetite than you think, thus paying a lot for a buffet. Just a thought.

 

[DizDaD7]

Headed to Disney in less than 2 weeks and I'm starting to second guess some of my ADRs after reading lots and lots of Dining reports. Right now I have Boma planned after our AK day, but then I realized that Sanaa is also 1 TS credit (yes?), and am considering switching. What would you choose? I've never eaten at either, or been to either AKL or Kidani.

Others covered most of the points. And we've eaten at both multiple times..Each & everytime we've had exceptional meals, with great service.Both are very different though, in terms of experience/dining. I know this doesn't help but I'd flip a coin, maybe. This is always a tough choice because there are 3 Excellent TS here & along with the Mara (QS) that makes these decisions so hard.

Sanaa, as long as you like Indian food. Boma has more selections for picky eaters, but it's still a buffet. Sanaa's food is better quality. The animals are a nice bonus, too.

Not so sure about that one, It has other things that aren't so ethnic.
Hate when people call it that, because it doesn't do it any justice..It's way more than any buffet IMHO.. This

I can't help you with credits, but I love both Boma and Sanaa. If you're a true Indian food lover, I disagree that Sanaa is that. Surely some entrees are Indian inspired, but it is surely not an Indian restaurant. Boma is wonderful. I took a look at the Tusker House menu and it is much different than Boma... much more limited and not the same items, so I wouldn't compare the two. Boma is vast.

So to respond better to your question, it depends on what you are looking for. A TS meal with an animal view (no goggles in the restaurant), or a buffet with many options (less intimate) with the option of seeing animals after. There isn't a wrong choice, just depends on your desire.

AGREED!..Well said.
As I was stating. Very hard for us to decide in this case.

What would I choose? Sanaa for one reason and one reason only: the bread service. It would be two reasons if they still had the boerewors with onion salad but they got rid of it. However if you're using a dining plan I'm not sure how it would work getting the bread service as it is an appetizer.

True the bread service is excellent...But she can always just pay for that separately..

I discovered that several other people had posted this same question, so thanks to all of you for answering yet again! One suggestion on another thread was to have a glass of wine and order the bread service at Sanaa, and then go to dinner at Boma. Maybe the best of both worlds? I'm thinking there won't be a show at Animal Kingdom that we'd need to stick around for, so we could head to Sanaa around 6 and then to Boma for our 7:30 reservation.
We aren't usually buffet people at home, but we recently took the kids to an Asian buffet with Chinese and sushi options and they loved it, so I think they'd like the variety of options at Boma. But I really want the bread service!!

Keep in mind that around 6 or so it will be probably close too, if not still dark..You won't get a good visual of the animals..Or maybe for not very long..Also remember, Boma has a nice lounge right above the restaurant that overlooks it..That is an option.

While a great idea to hit Sanaa early then on to dinner at Boma, I would caution that the bread service is extremely filling, especially if you go for the full 9 sauce version (which is the only way to go, I think). If you do the bread service at 6 then head to Boma at 7:30, you might find yourself with less appetite than you think, thus paying a lot for a buffet. Just a thought.

Yes...This is true..Very filling..

 

[NDFamily]

True the bread service is excellent...But she can always just pay for that separately..

Yes...This is true..Very filling..

We couldn't do both on the same night because of how filling the bread service actually is. Typically we just order that as well as one or two other apps and that feeds our family of 3 and we walk away absolutely stuffed.