Boma vs. Sanaa

[smkohn]

Taking a trip this June...just 93 days out now
We'll be staying at AKL for the very first time, I've only ever stayed at OKW and SSR before, so I'm looking forward to the new experience. Our first night we'd like to eat at one of the resort restaurants, but I can't decide which one. Has anybody eaten at both that can give me your opinion on which you liked better?

 

[Pakey]

I've eaten at both. I probably like them equally. Boma has some very adventurous dishes and a great deal of variety. If you are not adventurous, I could not recommend it. I enjoy the meat station and the soups. However, Boma is a buffet and it can be hectic and noisy. Drink refills can take awhile, especially if you are ordering alcohol. We often eat here for our arrival night dinner because we are starving after flying all day.

Sanaa is more laid back. There are windows overlooking the savannah and if you go before dark, you may see some animals (we have not; our table has not been located near one). The food here is very good but it's not as adventurous as Boma. The bread service starter is very good. I've tried all of the dips now and there isn't any I didn't care for. The entrees are quite large. Do not go expecting authentic Indian food though; you would be disappointed.

 

[missminniemouse]

We have been to both of these restaurants. I consider them both equally good.
If you want to try more variety, then go with Boma. Our kids have enjoyed Boma a lot and requested return trips there several times. I think they enjoyed Boma over Sanaa, again because of the variety of things that are available.
We had lunch at Sanaa last year and I enjoyed it very much. Our son didn't care for the shrimp dish that he ordered, but everyone else enjoyed their meal. Even though our table wasn't right near the window overlooking the savannah, we could still see out fairly well. After our lunch we went to the nearby observation area for the savannah and had a lot of fun taking pictures. We had 3 cameras with us.....all being used at once to capture animal pictures.
Enjoy your stay at AKL. We are DVC members and stay mostly at OKW. We did stay in Jambo house at AKL for a few days last year and loved, loved, loved it. Be sure to spend some time walking around the resort. There are so many wonderful areas to discover and enjoy.

 

[LeahA]

I have also eaten at both, Sanaa is my new favorite restaurant. I like Boma but not interested in doing a buffett this upcoming trip. We will be back at Sanaa in 14 days! I can't wait!

 

[M&C]

I know it wasn't asked, but I'd like to suggest Jiko if you want a choice at AKL. It's more comparable to Sanaa, but I think the food is better and more adventurous. I've eaten at all three and I really like Jiko. Added bonus, if you manage to get a seat at the chef's table (I think), they give you all kinds of new things to try. Yummy!

 

[cbg1027]

I've tried both, and while they are both good, I think Sanaa is better. It's my favorite 1 TS restaurant in all of Disney.

Sanaa is much more subdued and laid back since you don't have the loudness and hustle-bustle of a buffet. The food is better than Boma, but it is different. Sanaa is more Indian-inspired, whereas Boma takes more influence from African cuisine.

If you order 2 or fewer courses, Sanaa will probably be cheaper than Boma.

I don't think either one is bad pick, I just think Sanaa is amazing.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

My family is in the minority, but we REALLY dislike Boma. We have tried dinner and breakfast and did not enjoy either.

Now, Sanaa is a different story. We enjoyed this meal probably because it was more Indian than African. I guess we just don't like the African flavors. We told our server this when we went to Sanaa, and he was great. He helped us pick out things we would like, and it was delicious.

 

[mountdew1]

All 3 AKL restaurants are great. Choosing one really depends on what you want. Boma is African flavored, but tweaked for the masses. The more unique dishes are in the sides/salads area with the meats being standard meat, just with African style spices/flavoring. Sanaa is Indian flavored, a fair bit gentler than our local Indian restaurants, but is also slightly more upscale than most Indian restaurants. Jiko is Africian inspired, but presented in an upscale manner where the flavored are more refined than at Boma. If you want to try African flavors for the first time, I would recommend Boma as there is enough at the pods that is recognizable for most American palate just in case you don't like the more unique dishes. Boma is definitely the noisiest of the 3, and some people don't think the buffet is worth the cost, but we more than break even. Especially when you throw in the Zebra Domes. Those put it over the top. We greatly prefer Boma over the other buffets on property.

 

[canter2u]

After eating there by default(we couldn't get reservations anywhere one night and it was late and we were at one of the parks, and VERY hungry), we make sure we eat there at least once every trip. Boma is a huge buffet with at least 4 meat choices and twice as many success to add should you choose, with meat cutters right there for you tell the size of the portion and how well done. There are so many starch options of grains and potatoes, all with various treatments of spices and textures. Vegetable choices too all with a little bit of African or asian flavoring to make it unique. There is also a children station with favorites, if not less adventuresome fare of chicken fingers, Mac and cheese, pizza. There are many kinds of bread, hummus,salads and dressings. The dessert area is beyond extensive! I have eaten at Boma about 6 or 7 times and the menus and sauces and dressings, desserts, vegetables, soups (did I mention soups?! Carrot Ginger! Yum!), do rotate, but there are always 3 or 4 choices.
I have eaten at Sanaa too. And it is wonderful. At lunch the animals can come right up to your windows, the food is delicious, the service great. But it is so worth it to go to Boma and experience a little or a lot of these great dishes Nd flavors! I have not eTen at jiko. I do know you can easily drop $100 a person to eat there.
I am going to Boma when I am bribing my band there next month, and taking friends. I will go there in august with relatives. Wouldn't miss it!

 

[MSLRAC]

My family is in the minority, but we REALLY dislike Boma. We have tried dinner and breakfast and did not enjoy either.

Now, Sanaa is a different story. We enjoyed this meal probably because it was more Indian than African. I guess we just don't like the African flavors. We told our server this when we went to Sanaa, and he was great. He helped us pick out things we would like, and it was delicious.

Why didn't you like Boma for breakfast? We are staying at Kidani next trip and plan to try all 3 AK restaurants. I've seen many people that didn't like the spices of their dinner offerings but most really love breakfast.

 

[vinotinto]

I think whether someone likes one or both of these will depend very much on their individual preferences (more so than other less "ethnic" restaurants).

We did dinner at Boma in Oct 2009 and lunch at Sanaa in September 2010, and prefered Sanaa. The atmosphere at Sanaa was more intimate and quiet (maybe because it was lunch), whereas Boma's was very loud. The food at Sanaa had depth and seasonings, whereas many of Boma's main dishes were sweet. We had wonderful service at Sanaa. Now, I have seen great reviews of Boma, so I think it's an individual preference thing. I rather have a chili pepper in my seasoning than sugar.

We are staying at AKL ina few months and we have made ADRs for Sanaa. We also made ADRs for Boma, but only for breakfast.

 

[SCCLilo]

I vote Sanaa. The food is excellent, but what sets Sanaa apart is its location on the ground level of the savannah. We had a Zebra snacking next to us during half our dinner and giraffes and an ostrich a little ways away for the other half.

 

[TnTWalter]

what time to go to have the animals active and around. I've read to make sure to go when they're active but not sure when that is. Thanks so much.

 

[ctnurse]

I love sanaa and booked for our August trip. My son 7 loved it too the view of the animals. It is my one of my favorite places to eat at WDW.

 

[cseca]

I love both. It's always a struggle for me to pick just 1 out of the 2.
When we stay at AKV I always try to hit both places.

Like a PP said, Sanaa is Indian inspired while Boma is African.

But both places have really yummy food.

 

[bedogged]

what time to go to have the animals active and around. I've read to make sure to go when they're active but not sure when that is. Thanks so much.

They are really active after an afternoon shower! All the herd animals run around kicking their heels up.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

One thing that should be mentioned about Saana is that it is only "Indian-inspired." I love Indian food but was very disappointed in Saana- I was expecting more Indian food.. But, I did like this restaurant. The service was good and the restaurant details are beautiful.. Boma is a buffet with all that goes with that.