Sanaa after AK day

[delgrec]

What time would we need to leave AK for a 5:00 reservation at Sanaa? I really want to eat there (so does DH) but we would want to do our best to see the animals while eating from a window seat, hence the 5:00 ressie. We will have DS 4 and DD almost 3 with us. Will it be a big production to eat there, then take a bus to DTD where we can catch the boat back to our resort? (POFQ).

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I am not sure how much of a "hassle" it will be to do this.... but I have the exact same plan for our AK day in June!!!!!!!!!


AK till 4pm
Bus to Kidani
Sanaa @ 5pm
Wander over to Jambo House and look around
Bus to DTD
Shop?
Bus to POP

 

[cbg1027]

I would plan on being at the AK bus stop for AKL at 4:30.

Once the bus comes, it's a pretty short ride to Kidani - like 5 minutes.

I wouldn't call it a big production, but it will take at least an hour to get back to POFQ after you finish dinner.

 

[Pakey]

Since the bus spacing is about 20 minutes you need to leave enough time in case you just miss it. The ride itself is less than 10 minutes and it's a short walk from the bus stop to Sanaa.

The DTD transfer after is fine too if you don't mind the amount of time it takes.

 

[Karlzmom]

I don't know about the "hassle" factor of the buses, as I always rent a car but I can say the our Sanaa dinner after our AK day was one of the highlights of our trip in my opinion. We got there a bit early for our 5p dinner and got to walk out onto the observation deck for a few minutes and then got a lovely table by a window....I'd never seen a giraffe run before...very cool in my book. If it were me, I'd look at it as whatever "hassle" was involved it would be well worth it....Oh, and I loved the food, too!

 

[JenSop]

Sanaa is one of my favorite restaurants. It's actually my favorite 1 TS place on all of Disney property - it's that good. I've eaten there three times and every time has been excellent in every way.

Once the bus comes, it really is a 5 minute drive to the resort - but get there early so you can walk around and watch the animals from the observation areas.

 

[delgrec]

Thanks everyone! I am sold! Booking ADR's on Thurdsay.

 

[delgrec]

So I just realized that sunset is at 5:35 on the day we would be going to Sanaa (5:00 reservation). Is this going to seriously impact what animals we see? Will they be out at 5 when we are seated??? I think the kids would be very disappointed if we didn't see any. Lunch is not an option because we will be doing Tusker House for breakfast and will not be hungry enough for a TS lunch. Hmmmmm.....decisions, decisions!

 

[BriarRosie]

I have a suggestion for the trip back to POFQ.

If I were at the Kidani bus stop and I saw an Epcot or DHS bus arrive before a Downtown Disney bus, I would jump on that and use that as the transfer hub to the Port Orleans.

You never know how long you'll need to wait at each bus depot, but I think it's possible to wait just as long at the parks or Downtown Disney. You might as well jump on the first bus that takes you away from AKL.

Magic Kingdom was not a consideration because you'll be going out of your way to get back to Port Orleans. If you were staying at a Magic Kingdom resort, I'd suggest that bus first.

 

[JenSop]

So I just realized that sunset is at 5:35 on the day we would be going to Sanaa (5:00 reservation). Is this going to seriously impact what animals we see? Will they be out at 5 when we are seated??? I think the kids would be very disappointed if we didn't see any. Lunch is not an option because we will be doing Tusker House for breakfast and will not be hungry enough for a TS lunch. Hmmmmm.....decisions, decisions!

The animals are out all the time. They are only called in for a couple hours every morning for health check-ups, etc. You should have no trouble seeing the animals and enjoying them on your visit.

 

[delgrec]

I have a suggestion for the trip back to POFQ.

If I were at the Kidani bus stop and I saw an Epcot or DHS bus arrive before a Downtown Disney bus, I would jump on that and use that as the transfer hub to the Port Orleans.

You never know how long you'll need to wait at each bus depot, but I think it's possible to wait just as long at the parks or Downtown Disney. You might as well jump on the first bus that takes you away from AKL.

Magic Kingdom was not a consideration because you'll be going out of your way to get back to Port Orleans. If you were staying at a Magic Kingdom resort, I'd suggest that bus first.

Thanks for the thoughts. The reason I was looking at going to DTD after is because I could then take the boat back to POFQ. Even with this as an option, would you still recommend your plan?

 

[delgrec]

The animals are out all the time. They are only called in for a couple hours every morning for health check-ups, etc. You should have no trouble seeing the animals and enjoying them on your visit.

Oh great. I thought I had read somewhere that the animals are brought in a dusk or something like that. I guess maybe not.

 

[disneyquestions]

We are doing the same thing. I plan on leaving the park around 4pm just so we have plenty of time to walk around the Lodge and see everything. After all, Disney hotels are almost an attraction in themselves!!!!

 

[JenSop]

Oh great. I thought I had read somewhere that the animals are brought in a dusk or something like that. I guess maybe not.

Nope! They're always there!

AKV is our home resort and I've stayed there 4 times - I LOVE the animals. We even did the Wanyama Safari, so we learned ALL about those animals at AKV/AKL. They call them in with wood-block sounds every morning. The animals come in voluntarily at their specific call. On our one trip, the Eland (cattle type animal) made his bed right outside our balcony every night - he had a little dirt patch that he slept on. He sort of became our buddy on that trip - it was awesome.

Now you've got me missing it - and I still have over a month before my next trip!

 

[BriarRosie]

Thanks for the thoughts. The reason I was looking at going to DTD after is because I could then take the boat back to POFQ. Even with this as an option, would you still recommend your plan?

It all depends how quickly you want to get back to POFQ. None of the Disney transportation choices will get you back quickly.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I would plan on being at the AK bus stop for AKL at 4:30.

Once the bus comes, it's a pretty short ride to Kidani - like 5 minutes.

I wouldn't call it a big production, but it will take at least an hour to get back to POFQ after you finish dinner.