Jiko or Sanaa?

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Hi Everyone,

I really need advice from some good Disney dining experts such as yourselves!

There is a group of 6 of us going to WDW this January and we wanted to do a nice dinner after Animal Kingdom at either Jiko or Sanaa (we love themes). We have an ADR for Jiko, but I am now wondering if Sanaa would be better. Here are some details to help:

1. We are all adults;
2. We are not picky eaters (although some of us are pescatarian/vegetarian, but we've seen the menus at both restaurants and they both have great looking options);
3. We wanted to see animals if possible (from what I have read now, it doesn't sound like this is at all possible at Jiko, but possibly Sanaa);
4. We like a good bar/wine menu;
5. Unique offerings, without being crazy expensive;
6. This is all of our first WDW trip (besides me who went at 8 years old so it doesn't count completely).

Thank you in advance for any input and suggestions! All opinions welcome!!

-Kat

 

[MsTinkerChele]

From the things yous listed I defintely recommend Sanaa. Although Jiko has a more intimate atmosphere it is a bit more expensive than Sanaa and it seems Sanaa offers a bit more of what you are looking for. If you can do an early dinner maybe 6 or so the animals will still all be out. Sanaa offers floor to ceiling windows and they are always out and about.
As you have seen the menus the pricing for Sanaa is a tad cheaper than Jiko and. Jiko offers more in different spice wise.

My friend used to work at Sanaa and they took classes for wines to learn and be knowlegable with guests. Either im sure you'll enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

If it's dark outside at Sanaa, you will likely not be able to see the animals out the windows. And at dinner in January, it will probably be dark.

 

[kirrrby]

Sanaa is for adventurous eaters. If you like really authentic South African food it's a good choice. They also have some vegetarian options. Sanaa is going to be the inexpensive option of the two. Jiko has a more sophisticated atmosphere. We sat in the wine room last time we ate there. They also have the best wine/liquor options out of the two. Now animals, it will be too dark to really see them from Sanaa. But you can head out on a pathway behind the lodge and they have a few nightvision viewers.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

OK, please excuse my ignorance with this - but, if we keep the Jiko ressie, would we be able to walk around afterwards and see the animals? I read that they night vision goggles or something.

I mean, worst case scenario, we don't see any animals. We will have spent the whole day at Animal Kingdom anyway. We were just trying to be fun.

 

[kirrrby]

OK, please excuse my ignorance with this - but, if we keep the Jiko ressie, would we be able to walk around afterwards and see the animals? I read that they night vision goggles or something.

I mean, worst case scenario, we don't see any animals. We will have spent the whole day at Animal Kingdom anyway. We were just trying to be fun.

I believe you can walk around the resort anytime, just honor the quiet hours after 10pm. I believe the Savannahs are open 24 hours a day. But later into the night it might get harder to see some animals. Also All Ears says the Savannahs are covered with "Artificial Moonlight" at night.

 

[pixarmom]

We've been to both Jiko and Sanaa and I enjoyed both, but loved Jiko. My thoughts regarding the factors you listed:

1. We are all adults;

We've taken kids to both, but if we were looking for a date night location, it would be Jiko. The AKL lobby is beautiful and I like the open atmosphere of the bar area - just more interesting than the Kidani lobby/bar area at Sanaa.

2. We are not picky eaters

This definitely keeps Sanaa in the running!

3. We wanted to see animals if possible (from what I have read now, it doesn't sound like this is at all possible at Jiko, but possibly Sanaa);

That's right - no Savannah view from Jiko. (That's fine with me, because I actually prefer a pool view room over a Savannah view when staying at AKL!) The view at Sanaa was interesting, but as others mentioned, you won't be able to see much outside at dinner in January. If you are willing to make an early ADR, it might be different. But we usually book 7pm ADRs (and that's with kids!) so I'm not sure how early you're willing to eat.

4. We like a good bar/wine menu;

Jiko has a great wine list. Wine Enthusiast rated it among the top 100 best wine restaurants in the nation.

5. Unique offerings, without being crazy expensive;

I think both qualify - although Sanaa is definitely more unique, Jiko also offers an interesting menu.

6. This is all of our first WDW trip

Given the "wow" factor of the AKL lobby and the convenient walking paths around AKL, I'd definitely recommend Jiko. There is a small viewing area outside the Kidani lobby near Sanaa, but AKL offers more paths and is very pretty at night. We were able to see a few animals after our Jiko dinner and enjoyed walking around the resort.

Hope that helps a bit - have a great trip!!

 

[Pakey]

We bave been to both several times, we were at both of them about 4 weeks ago. We enjoy the food at both places very much.

Strictly on wine selection, I'd have to choose Jiko. We had 3 fantastic bottles again this time; they have a great selection.

Neither restaurant offer authentic foods but they are inspired by Indian/African flavors. Jiko has some wonderful appetizers and the soups are always incredible. However, I find the entrees to be more run of the mill. When we go to Jiko (usually a group of 6-8 adults) we like to share, especially the appetizers.

I think Sanaa's entrees are more adventurous and the pricing is more reasonable. Also, portions are "heartier". Our Jiko dinner was over $1000 for the 6 adults; Sanaa was about half that. This was for appetizers, entrees and wine--we do not eat desserts.

 

[cbg1027]

I love both places, I wouldn't say one is better is than the other because it's an apples and oranges comparison.

Sanaa is more casual restaurant and offers more Indian influences foods. It's the cheaper of the two, with entrees running about $20. In January, the only chance you would have of seeing the animals from inside the restaurant is to get an ADR for opening time, 5:30 I think. If you go later than 6, you probably won't be able to see anything out the windows.
The wine list is much smaller at Sanaa, but they do have a full bar with some specialty cocktails.

Jiko is more upscale and has African influenced flavors in somewhat upscale food preparation and presentation. The wine list is large and all South African. Cost is higher since it is a signature experience with entrees running around $30-45. There is no view of the savannahs at Jiko. I agree with Pakey that their strength is mostly in the appetizers. I like to order a soup or salad, and then a meat-centered appetizer as my entree, which leaves room for one of their great desserts.

Both places have pretty unique offerings. You can explore the resorts after dinner and go out to the savannah viewing areas for a chance to view the animals.

If it were me, I would pick by deciding on cheaper Indian influence or more expensive African influence. Or just flip a coin. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[JenSop]

I honestly love both of these restaurants and have eaten at both several times.

Price-wise, Sanaa will be cheaper.

Sanaa has more Indian inspired dishes, whereas Jiko has more African inspired dishes.

At both places, the food is excellent.

The windows at Jiko look into the pool courtyard area - but right at the lodge area, so you really don't see the pool per se - you more so see the foliage that's near the window at that end.

Sanaa has big ol' windows overlooking the savannah. I have always seen animals there every time I have gone. (I have not gone in the winters.) The decor at Sanaa is great too - very whimsical. I love it.

At either place, you are certainly allowed to observe the animals from the various viewing areas. The animals are out all night. I've done the night vision goggles thing too (but only in Jambo House.) It's cool. Both buildings are beautiful and have great observation areas to watch animals.

 

[madalex]

I have been to both multiple times (and am going to both again during our trip in Feb 2012), but I prefer Jiko over Sanaa. It is more expensive, but that extra expense is worth it.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

As a South African, I would say Jiko is definitely more authentic if you want African flavors (as long as you don't cop out by ordering the filet with mac n' cheese ). Sanaa's menu is more Indian-influenced (and even that's a stretch if you've been to authentic Indian restaurants). That said, Sanaa is very good for a casual Disney restaurant, with some interesting flavors that aren't very common in WDW.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Thank you to everyone for your input!

I think we've decided to stick with the Jiko ADR. This trip is to celebrate my 30th bday and DBF's 35th so I figure if we blow the food budget on some delicious food and bottles of wine, it will be well worth it and I will gladly eat Clif bars the rest of the trip.

 

[kirrrby]

Jiko has an amazing wine if you like dry reds. I believe it was called Old Faithful Hound. We added an ADR for our trip for Jiko just because of the wine.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

Jiko has an amazing wine if you like dry reds. I believe it was called Old Faithful Hound. We added an ADR for our trip for Jiko just because of the wine.