Sanaa Lounge vs Nomad Lounge

[ten6mom]

Hi all...

We have just one day at AK and are debating between the Sanaa Lounge and Nomad Lounge. We have never been to WDW.

I know Sanaa is at the Lodge and not in the park, so we would have to leave the park on our only AK day to go there. Recommendation I got earlier was to be sure to go during daylight hours to see the animals, so it would be a chunk our of our day to do that.

Nomad Lounge is inside AK, so no leaving and coming back necessary.

Do you have a preference/which would you choose? We have a dinner scheduled the same afternoon for about 4PM so we would probably only be interested in beverages and perhaps a snack.

 

[Best Aunt]

When is your trip? Currently Sanaa is the only restaurant open at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I don’t know how easy it is to pop in there at this time.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Nomad Lounge is one of the best spots in all of WDW. I would not leave the park just to go to Sanaa.

 

[ten6mom]

When is your trip? Currently Sanaa is the only restaurant open at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I don’t know how easy it is to pop in there at this time.

Trip begins November 17.

Yes, as newbies I am actually not sure how easy or difficult it will be to get there and back. Transportation in general is a big unknown for us.

 

[ten6mom]

Nomad Lounge is one of the best spots in all of WDW. I would not leave the park just to go to Sanaa.

Ok, that's good feedback. Thank you!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I would not leave AK just for a drink at Sanaa. Only a handful of tables in the dining area face the windows and if I recall, the bar area is completely hidden from the windows behind a wall (separating it from those dining). Plus travel time is a killer.

We love Nomad and it's conveniently located.

 

[mara512]

If you are in AK one day I would not leave for drinks and snacks at Sanaa. Nomad lounge is a great spot.

 

[cyndiella]

Nomad Lounge is one of the best spots in all of WDW. I would not leave the park just to go to Sanaa.

I would totally agree with this!

 

[kastoney]

If you are just interested in drinks and snacks Nomads is unquestionably the way to go. It is our most favorite place in all of Disney World. Its beautifully themed, you feel tucked away from everything, and oh those drinks. The Annapurna Zing is by absolutely favorite, but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

I think for snacks they have cut the menu down a bit but the bread service is always good. Not sure if they are doing this in current times, but previously you could also order appetizers or enhancements from the Tiffins menu. If that is the case the Gobi Manchurian (fried cauliflower) is not to be missed.

 

[SmartyBacon]

.

 

[bakerworld]

Been to both many times - love both - Nomad Lounge is a much better experience for less travel time and more relaxing with a choice of indoor (AC) or outside (padded lounges) seating. The drinks are the same - at least they were a year ago.

 

[AliceIn]

We are going for lunch at Sanaa on a non-park day for their burger (arguably the best on property), and later in the week for dinner after the park closes.

 

[holden]

Nomad is a must do for us every trip!

 

[chicagodisneyguy]

Nomad Lounge is one of the best spots in all of WDW.

I agree with this 1000%. We stop in there every AK day and have some apps and a few Kungalooshes.

 

[kwdw]

I love Sanaa, but given you have one day at AK, you've never been to WDW, and you have dinner plans, I'd say Nomad's. You don't really have time to leave the park just for a drink and snack. Sanaa bread service is AWESOME, but it's alot of food if you have dinner planned at 4.

 

[marikujawa]

Nomad Lounge is outstanding. The food and service are both great - it's a must-do for us on every trip.

 

[erinch]

You will see animals on the savannah on the safari at AK, and then enjoy
Nomad!

 

[Katie1174]

I agree whole heartedly with the other opinions.....Nomad all the way. We also go to Nomad on each and every AK day of our trip, which is at least 3-4 days worth of AK. We love sitting outside and having a few drinks and some small plates, especially the bread service and the cheese board, but I believe the cheese board isnt an option right now. Such a relaxing time and the service has always been top notch.

 

[Farro]

Nomad Lounge is great.

When we went we just walked right in and always able to sit outside. Now I'm reading people having 30 -60 minute waits...kind of takes the luster off of Nomad for us.

If you go there, maybe try and go at off hours?

 

[PumpkinSpice]

While I adore Sanaa, I would not leave the park in the middle of the day, unless I was going to Sanaa for lunch, and I had another AK park day planned. As everyone else is suggesting, definitely do Nomad Lounge, and save Sanaa for another time when you can eat a meal there.