Sanaa and Kids?

[Revf]

Anyone have experience with Sanaa and little kids (3,5,7)?

I thought they might like looking at the animals with an early dinner reservation. I am not too sure they will like the adventurous food.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The kids menu looks pretty good, it does have pizza, burgers, chicken breast, meatballs, something for everyone.

• 
  Cheese Pizza - Naan Bread Crust, Tomato Sauce, and Cheese with choice of one (1) Beverage and one (1) Dessert - $8.99
  Cheeseburger - Beef Burger, American Cheese, Roasted Potatoes, and Seasonal Vegetables served with choice of one (1) Beverage and one (1) Dessert - $8.99
  Fish of the Day - Fish of the Day served with Pearl Pasta, Seasonal Vegetables, and Sliced Apples. Choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water. Meets Disney Nutritioin Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitutions - $8.99
  Grilled Chicken Breast - Grilled Chicken Breast with Basmati Rice, Seasonal Vegetables, and Sliced Apples. Choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water. Meets Disney Nutritioin Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitutions - $8.99
  Meatballs - Turkey Meatballs, Coconut Cream-Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and Sweet Tomato Sauce with choice of one (1) Beverage and one (1) Dessert - $8.99
  Shrimp - Shrimp with Quinoa Pilaf, Seasonal Vegetables, and Sliced Apples. Choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani® Water. Meets Disney Nutrition Guidelines for Complete Meals without substitution - $8.99 Side Dish

 

[MouseMomx2]

Just keep in mind that there are not many tables by the windows and those that aren't will have virtually no view of the animals. You can, of course, view the animals from the path behind the resort and the balconies off of the lobby area.

As for the food, they have a pretty standard kids' menu so you should be okay. You could also consider going to the buffet at Boma and viewing the animals before/after you eat.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

We took my niece and nephew here when they were 6 and 5. They ate off the adult menu and enjoyed most of it. If you have adventurous eaters don't be afraid to at least split the Indian bread service, and you should try this even if only the adults partake.

 

[nfggirl5454]

I've been to Sanaa about four times, and my nephew, who just turned four last month, has been with me every time, and I think he's always enjoyed eating there. We've always been given a window seat, and he likes watching the animals. When we were there back in December, he had the naan pizza and ate almost all of it. I tried a bite of it and thought it was decent. One of the dessert options was a butterfly cookie that he could decorate with icing and sprinkles himself, and since he loves the Very Hungry Caterpillar and our local butterfly museum, he thought that was really fun. I would definitely recommend Sanaa

 

[JZCubed]

Just keep in mind that there are not many tables by the windows and those that aren't will have virtually no view of the animals. You can, of course, view the animals from the path behind the resort and the balconies off of the lobby area.

As for the food, they have a pretty standard kids' menu so you should be okay. You could also consider going to the buffet at Boma and viewing the animals before/after you eat.

It's Disney and our experience is that well behaved children are rarely frowned upon by those lucky enough to have been seated next to the window.

This is most likely true in Coral Reef and other places as well (except the Parades......where adults are rude).

I just finished recommending to another Dis'ser about going to Sanaa for a late lunch/early dinner to see animals in the daylight.

We've been juggling our plans, but have not yet ruled out Sanaa for our next vacation. Makes sense for our no-Park day if we get to Downtown Disney early in our vacation (as we are wont to do).

 

[itchin2go]

Just keep in mind that there are not many tables by the windows and those that aren't will have virtually no view of the animals. You can, of course, view the animals from the path behind the resort and the balconies off of the lobby area.

As for the food, they have a pretty standard kids' menu so you should be okay. You could also consider going to the buffet at Boma and viewing the animals before/after you eat.

THIS ... completely. We loved trying Sanaa on our last trip, but the view of the animals is exaggerated. If the food is not exciting for at least someone in your party, I would not go strictly for the views. There are better views to be had at AKL in the public viewing areas - though it's hit or miss.

My 13 year old, who is a picky eater, loved Sanaa -- in particular the breads with the dipping sauces.

 

[itchin2go]

It's Disney and our experience is that well behaved children are rarely frowned upon by those lucky enough to have been seated next to the window.

Not to be a wet blanket (probably too late!), but if you're suggesting that it would be okay for the kids to clamor around someone else's table in an effort to see the animals .... well, I wouldn't be so sure that this wouldn't be frowned upon ... by the affected diners if no one else. I wouldn't appreciate it myself. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Not to be a wet blanket (probably too late!), but if you're suggesting that it would be okay for the kids to clamor around someone else's table in an effort to see the animals .... well, I wouldn't be so sure that this wouldn't be frowned upon ... by the affected diners if no one else. I wouldn't appreciate it myself. Just my 2 cents.

Normally I would agree, especially if it was a herd of kids, but because the windows are so big at Sanaa and there is space between the tables people generally don't seem to mind as long as the child is well behaved and doesn't camp out there. I wouldn't recommend a parent just assume this is ok and it's probably a good idea to ask permission first.

 

[JZCubed]

Not to be a wet blanket (probably too late!), but if you're suggesting that it would be okay for the kids to clamor around someone else's table in an effort to see the animals .... well, I wouldn't be so sure that this wouldn't be frowned upon ... by the affected diners if no one else. I wouldn't appreciate it myself. Just my 2 cents.

The Golden Rule would seem appropriate, but you seemingly would prefer everyone be able to demand a window seat and subsequently have a right to obstruct the view.

Like I mentioned, it's the adults I worry about more than the children.

 

[itchin2go]

The Golden Rule would seem appropriate, but you seemingly would prefer everyone be able to demand a window seat and subsequently have a right to obstruct the view.

Like I mentioned, it's the adults I worry about more than the children.

Hmm. I kind of thought I was polite in my response.

So you not only think you know how pretty much everyone else will feel about kids clamoring around their tables, but you're also judging me because I don't feel the way you predicted?

I have eaten there once. In point of fact, I did not request a window table and I certainly did not "demand" one. I did not have a table anywhere near the window, and I did not see many animals. There's no way I would have sent my child, at any age, over to the tables by the window. To take a quick picture? Sure, that would be appropriate. Otherwise, I just wouldn't do it and I wouldn't like it if someone else did it to me.

As far as obstructing the view, well the tables and the diners by the window DO obstruct the view. It's just the way it is. I don't blame the diners ....

Maybe I (sadly) only remember the kids that parents allowed to behave terribly on my last trip. The kid at the Brown Derby who was allowed to squat in the corner of the restaurant and poop into her diaper ... for a protracted length of the time ... in full view of all the other diners. The kids who were allowed to crawl under the table for pretty much the whole meal and scream loudly ... again at the Brown Derby. The kids who screamed and yelled and argued with eachother next to us at Boma ... and the parents who screamed back - but changed nothing.

Regardless, you said kids would rarely be frowned upon ... presumably meaning that parents should feel free to allow their kids to bombard the folks with the window seats. Maybe I'm the "rare" one, but I thought I'd toss my opinion out there. I don't think I would be ok with it. I wouldn't presume that all (or most) others would be either. Truth is: I don't know if they would or wouldn't, so I don't presume.

I don't think that makes me a horrible person ... or someone you should "worry" about.

 

[HopperFan]

Not to be a wet blanket (probably too late!), but if you're suggesting that it would be okay for the kids to clamor around someone else's table in an effort to see the animals .... well, I wouldn't be so sure that this wouldn't be frowned upon ... by the affected diners if no one else. I wouldn't appreciate it myself. Just my 2 cents.

I am going to agree with you. Having eaten at Sanaa several times at the window, Coral Reef at the glass and not, CA Grill at the glass and not - there are many locations that have some tables with pretty views. I once watched the AK Parade from a perfect window view upstairs at Y&Y. You could include CRT during Wishes and the three EPCOT restaurants during Illuminations. I do not think it is appropriate for other guests to be standing next to our chairs and table while we are trying to enjoy our meal. Disney utilizes it's space well and the tables and chairs sit fairly close to each other and the glass. Yes Sanaa glass is big but I feel that is to expand the view deeper into the restaurant not to invite all to stand squeezed in next to our table.

Sometimes we have been "lucky" to sit next to a window but sometimes we worked hard with our schedule to be able to do so. I book Sanaa at opening for lunch or dinner, I arrive early (sometimes before the hosts) and then I request a window seat. For other locations we make the request, and we know it is just that, and then we are willing to wait for that table if it's an option. I don't think we are being rude when we have arranged our day and sat and waited longer than others for a certain location to expect our dining experience to be our own and not shared with strangers. Always has been our rule - where we are seated that is where we stay. If there are options, such as the observation deck at Ca Grill then we utilize those, otherwise our kids were never permitted to hang around someone else's table.

And FYI the views out on the path just outside Sanaa are amazing! I suggest arriving early to enjoy this broader view. These are a couple from the path -

 

[shelbyf31]

The first time we went the kids were 4 and 22 months. They loved it. My kids do eat just about anything and they love curry. We are going again on our next trip.

 

[disneybliss2]

Our girls enjoyed it, and we first went when they were 7 and 3. The meal options for kids are pretty standard and not that adventurous, so I wouldn't let that worry you. We made an early reservation with the hopes to be seated by the window which we were. It was nice, but there weren't many animals out and about. If you're going mainly for the animals, I don't think it's worth it.

 

[Golden Rose]

As a family, we love Sanaa, but I will say that my picky eater, DS10, doesn't much care for the food at Sanaa. He'll eat the bread, but he is not wild about even the kids' entrees. Everyone else in the family loves the food, including DD4. If you have a picky eater, you'll probably be able to find something, but you may not have many options and may not be able to get them to eat a balanced meal. I don't sweat it, and just make sure I have other meals at places I know he'll eat more the rest of the day.

We have had great luck coming early for our reservation and requesting a window table. (Honestly, our luck has been so good that we're due for a bad table next time, although I really hope our luck holds.)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Anyone have experience with Sanaa and little kids (3,5,7)?
I thought they might like looking at the animals with an early dinner reservation. I am not too sure they will like the adventurous food.

1) Kids work well at Sanaa.
2) There are lots of goodies that even picky eaters can enjoy
3) Plus, if you arrive by 4:00-ish, you should be able to wait for a window seat
4) Any later, gaining a window seat can become tricky.
. . . since the sun sets early in Flroida in most seasons, later ressies get littl eor no viewing time
. . . yes, there are lights on the savannah, but they are dim
5) Most folks stay quite a while once they get a window seat - just human nature.
6) And, even if they tarry arfter eating, Disney cannot ask them to vacate the table.
7) I have seen lots of folks who "are willing to wait for a dinner Window Table" be disappointed.

 

[MmmSuite]

Soooo is it frowned upo

1) Kids work well at Sanaa.
2) There are lots of goodies that even picky eaters can enjoy
3) Plus, if you arrive by 4:00-ish, you should be able to wait for a window seat
4) Any later, gaining a window seat can become tricky.
. . . since the sun sets early in Flroida in most seasons, later ressies get littl eor no viewing time
. . . yes, there are lights on the savannah, but they are dim
5) Most folks stay quite a while once they get a window seat - just human nature.
6) And, even if they tarry arfter eating, Disney cannot ask them to vacate the table.
7) I have seen lots of folks who "are willing to wait for a dinner Window Table" be disappointed.

Maybe I should cut my AK day short and make a 5:00 ressie. Hmmmm

 

[mombrontrent]

I have a 5:30 reservation here. I am planning on going after spending the day at Blizzard Beach which closes at 5:00. Would I be able to request a window seat at this time (I don't mind waiting)? While we are waiting is there somewhere that we could watch he animals?

Also is Sanaa generally ok with a teenager ordering off the kids menu? I plan on ordering the bread service for us all to share so that and a kids meal would be enough for DS15 who doesn't like anything on the adult menu, he would most likely order the grilled chicken or burger off the kids meal.

 

[cgattis]

Soooo is it frowned upo


Maybe I should cut my AK day short and make a 5:00 ressie. Hmmmm

I wouldn't cut a park day short just hoping for a window seat. Enjoy the park, enjoy dinner after, and walk the 10 steps out to the patio to look at the animals NOT through dirty glass, either before of after you eat--or both! I like the food, kids were ok (butterfly cookie also a hit), DH not so much; I look forward to going again.

And I guess since I'm posting, I'll weigh in on letting kids roam around others' tables...I didn't like it. The ones roaming around my table (and I'm not saying they're ALL like this), put their dirty hands (and mouths--ugh) all over the windowed and--AND--my table. Uggghhh. I do NOT need your kids putting their hands in their mouths and on the windows and on MY table, at Sanaa or anywhere else. (Please see the "that lady sneezed in my beer" thread on the theme parks thread...). Blech.

 

[rlovew]

A reservation at 5 or 5:30 that waits for a window seat is likely to miss having much viewing time at the window unless they are the first seated (I think they open at 4:30 and expect these seats are the first taken). If you wait until the family before you leaves except in the middle of summer you will have very little daylight to enjoy the view and there is not 1 at dark.