Hot summer, my MK day- staying at AKL-Kona or Sanaa

[samsonjs]

I am trying to be realistic and avoid walking around in the heat as much as possible for our family in a couple weeks. I am always bad about booking restaurants on our MK day. I know we will be doing rope drop, leave by 11ish, return in the evening. Do you think for dinner it would be best to walk over to Sanaa for a 5pm reservation from Jambo house then take the bus to MK or take an uber to Kona Cafe and then monorail to MK?

I guess, with the heat of summer, I’m trying to avoid complexities and make it as calm as possible for everyone. If you have a better option, I would love to hear it.

Or should I do a heavier lunch at one of these place a then do quick service dinner in MK? We aren’t super heavy eaters. I also have not been to Disney in summer, though I’ve spent time in FL in the summer.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Seems like either of your options would work well. I'm probably more of a Sanaa person than Kona person, but both are really nice places to eat. If you're trying to avoid the heat as much as possible, remember there is a courtesy van that goes back and forth all day between Jambo and Kidani, so you might not even need to walk! If you do make the walk from Jambo, I'd grab the first elevator you get to at Kidani, which is Zazu, just inside the parking area. Then take the elevator to the second floor and walk the air conditioned hallway to the main lobby for Sanaa, which is just downstairs from there.

Enjoy your day! Dealing with the heat is definitely something to plan for.

 

[sponica]

I don't eat when I'm hot, so a heavier lunch wouldn't work that well for us. I'd be inclined to get to the monorail loop for dinner and then go to MK though.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’d do Kona. There would be a lot of temptation to me if I did Sanaa for dinner to just stay at AKL for the evening. It is not a quick haul out to MK from AKL. With Kona putting you practically at MK, it would be a lot easier to head into the park after.

I wouldn’t look for a heavy lunch, but then I don’t consider Disney QS a light meal. The meals tend to be big even and they don’t exactly shine in the salads and veggies area.

 

[pooch]

We tend to split QS meals so we don’t feel stuffed afterwards.

 

[jimmymc]

I would lean towards Kona, but definitely get a reservation, since the Great Ceremonial House can be madness before dinner.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I can see your point about the heat, but I love Sanaa too much to skip it! (Plus, like @thanxfornoticin said, there is a shuttle you might be able to catch.)

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[samsonjs]

I’d do Kona. There would be a lot of temptation to me if I did Sanaa for dinner to just stay at AKL for the evening. It is not a quick haul out to MK from AKL. With Kona putting you practically at MK, it would be a lot easier to head into the park after.

I wouldn’t look for a heavy lunch, but then I don’t consider Disney QS a light meal. The meals tend to be big even and they don’t exactly shine in the salads and veggies area.

We always do breaks so I know we would return, but Sanaa doesn’t open until 5 so I think you are right that we may want to be at MK after we eat. I think we will Uber to Polynesian and then plan a reservation for 5.

I have also found that the QS are better shared between our family or sometimes I order the kids meals if I want a soda too.

What time should I leave AK to Uber over? 45 minutes prior? I have heard they may be strict about when we are allowed into the resort before our reservation.

 

[samsonjs]

I can see your point about the heat, but I love Sanaa too much to skip it! (Plus, like @thanxfornoticin said, there is a shuttle you might be able to catch.)

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I think we may try to do a take out one afternoon as our quick service by the pool.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We always do breaks so I know we would return, but Sanaa doesn’t open until 5 so I think you are right that we may want to be at MK after we eat. I think we will Uber to Polynesian and then plan a reservation for 5.

I have also found that the QS are better shared between our family or sometimes I order the kids meals if I want a soda too.

What time should I leave AK to Uber over? 45 minutes prior? I have heard they may be strict about when we are allowed into the resort before our reservation.

I’d do 45 mins. I don’t see them turning you away for arriving 30 mins or less before your ADR.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I am not a bus person but the bus is ice cold and the monorail is not.

 

[Mazz519]

Kona for Breakfast Sanaa for Dinner that what we usually do

 

[NickC]

We would do: Egg rolls on the way out of the park. 4 oclock HDDR show and Sleepy Hollow for a snack later on.

 

[erinch]

Personally, I would go to Boma, checkin in at the 20 minute early mark, and be in the first wave to get seated.

Sanaa is great, but you will lose half an hour of your rest time to get there 20 minutes ahead.
Kona is just a zoo. Lunch in the afternoon hours is not so bad, but all the people milling around for Kona and Ohana just adds that stress of all the crowds.

Boma being a buffet means you don’t have to wait for food to be served and you can ask for the check as soon as you order any off menu beverages. Then you’re done with dinner and straight on to MK, rather than travel to Kona, then travel to TTC , the. MK. That gives you bus to TTC, then MK and ciuts out a leg.