Sanaa lunch or dinner

[parkbr]

Hi,

We're going in end of December and I wonder if Sanaa dinner might be too dark to view the animals.
We currently have 5:35 and 5:10 reservation for dinner, and 11:30 lunch, and I wonder if the dinner reservations are too dark and too early. They are scheduled on non-park days right now.
If it is just two of us, then it's okay, but we have a toddler, whose eating time is rather on schedule.
We normally have dinner around 6:45-7:00 at home and sometimes bit later on the weekends.

My biggest worry is that we might not be able to see any animals if we go during lunch.
But maybe we won't see anything during dinner because it's too dark and my DD can't really see through the night vision glass? (or can she?)

Please share your thoughts and experience!

Thank you.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

There are no night vision glasses actually at Sanaa. You would have to go out on the savanna before/after your meal to use them. There are however large windows downstairs at Sanaa that you can see wildlife from at all hours, unless it is dark, then it is really hard to see out. It is going to be random as to what you see and when however as the wildlife is free roaming. I would think that lunch would be better than dinner for wildlife viewing.

 

[Alice777]

I had the same worry as you. If you go 11:30 am, you'll be the first one so you can request to be seated next to the window.

From what I gathered from all the experts here, you'll able to see animals at 11:30 am especially if you get the window seats.

I think dinner can be more tricky. Dinner starts at 5:00 pm so you might not get the window seats...depending how many requested window seats? And since you are going in December, sunset is around 5:30 pm? so by the time you sit down, you might not have enough time to enjoy the animals.

I couldn't get 11:30 am but got 11:35 am for us.

 

[Belle5]

This might sound shocking but having had dinner there several times and lunch, as well...we prefer dinner. We don't need to be near a window and it doesn't need to have daylight for us to have the optimal experience at Sanaa. We have decided that we can enjoy the animals whenever we would like by simply walking around outside but we find the restaurant itself to be more beautiful at dinnertime. We also enjoy the dinner menu more.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

This might sound shocking but having had dinner there several times and lunch, as well...we prefer dinner. We don't need to be near a window and it doesn't need to have daylight for us to have the optimal experience at Sanaa. We have decided that we can enjoy the animals whenever we would like by simply walking around outside but we find the restaurant itself to be more beautiful at dinnertime. We also enjoy the dinner menu more.

We are of the same opinion. Saana is lees about the animals and more about the restaurant/food for us. We prefer it after dark.

 

[Alice777]

Yes, I can understand food is more important and than seeing animals but for people like me, this will be first and last (for a very long time) experience so having opportunity to seat by the window and see animals out the window as we eat is a big plus for me. All my ADRs for November is based on unique experiences (something I won't experience at home) since I don't know when I'll be back at WDW.

 

[Lisa F]

sunset is around 5:30 in december. I'm not sure if the animals are more or less active around dusk. we have a 6:45 for our first night because we are flying in that day but we are staying at Kidani so will check out the animals from the lobby with the night vision goggles there if we can.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Yes, I can understand food is more important and than seeing animals but for people like me, this will be first and last (for a very long time) experience so having opportunity to seat by the window and see animals out the window as we eat is a big plus for me. All my ADRs for November is based on unique experiences (something I won't experience at home) since I don't know when I'll be back at WDW.

Keep in mind that sitting near a window is not guaranteed. There are different seating areas, a couple of which have no views of a window. I think your best bet at seeing animals if that is really important to you is to come early and spend some time on the savanna overlook.

 

[Alice777]

Keep in mind that sitting near a window is not guaranteed. There are different seating areas, a couple of which have no views of a window. I think your best bet at seeing animals if that is really important to you is to come early and spend some time on the savanna overlook.

My ADR is for 11:35 am so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I believe restaurant opens at 11:30 am but I will still be there before 11:30 am to request. If not, as you suggested, we will spend some time walking around. Thank you

 

[parkbr]

I had the same worry as you. If you go 11:30 am, you'll be the first one so you can request to be seated next to the window.

From what I gathered from all the experts here, you'll able to see animals at 11:30 am especially if you get the window seats.

I think dinner can be more tricky. Dinner starts at 5:00 pm so you might not get the window seats...depending how many requested window seats? And since you are going in December, sunset is around 5:30 pm? so by the time you sit down, you might not have enough time to enjoy the animals.

I couldn't get 11:30 am but got 11:35 am for us.

Actually, ours is also at 11:35. We are planning to get there bit early and request the window seat. I think it is possible.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

It's possible to ask, its also possible to be told no. There are a couple of specialized lunches that take place there, including the lunch with an animal specialist that require a large area. I don't THINK you will have a problem right at opening, but just be aware.

 

[parkbr]

This might sound shocking but having had dinner there several times and lunch, as well...we prefer dinner. We don't need to be near a window and it doesn't need to have daylight for us to have the optimal experience at Sanaa. We have decided that we can enjoy the animals whenever we would like by simply walking around outside but we find the restaurant itself to be more beautiful at dinnertime. We also enjoy the dinner menu more.

Hey, just saw your banner! Are you going in Dec? Dec 9/10??
We're there from Dec 11!

I have a 2 year old, and it'll be a BIG thing for her if we can spot the animals. That's why we want to go. As for the night vision goggles, etc, we will have dinner at Boma once, so we can experience them at that time, earlier in our trip.

 

[parkbr]

yes. I hope we can get the window seats!

 

[sleepydog25]

Lunch. Animals are usually active during that time. If you go at opening, then getting a window seat shouldn't be too tough. Love the bread service with all nine sauces. Worth the visit alone.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Lunch. Animals are usually active during that time. If you go at opening, then getting a window seat shouldn't be too tough. Love the bread service with all nine sauces. Worth the visit alone.

The bread service is probably our favorite appetizer at Disney!

 

[Belle5]

Hey, just saw your banner! Are you going in Dec? Dec 9/10??
We're there from Dec 11!

We shall see you there! Yes, we arrive early on Dec. 10 and plan on a resort day before hitting the parks midday Dec. 11. We will stay through the 20th! Enjoy your visit with your little girl!

 

[kdlucie]

Question for those who have been there....we have a 5 pm reservation on 11/21...the day we are spending the whole day at AK. Our original plan was to leave the park around 4 to go to dinner at Sanaa and then come back for rivers of light... Obviously it depends if that happens...but is this a realistic plan? Has anyone tried it ? Thanks!

 

[Lisa F]

My ADR is for 11:35 am so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I believe restaurant opens at 11:30 am but I will still be there before 11:30 am to request. If not, as you suggested, we will spend some time walking around. Thank you

you'll probably be good. yes, nothing is guaranteed, but I have always had good luck when booking a meal right at opening and showing up early to request.CA Grill window, tank seat at Coral Reef. It is the time when they have the most flexibility all day.

 

[Lisa F]

Question for those who have been there....we have a 5 pm reservation on 11/21...the day we are spending the whole day at AK. Our original plan was to leave the park around 4 to go to dinner at Sanaa and then come back for rivers of light... Obviously it depends if that happens...but is this a realistic plan? Has anyone tried it ? Thanks!

that depends entirely on what time RoL is offered. and no one really knows yet. if the first show is at 5:30 (right at sunset) and 2nd show is at 7pm it's going to be tight. Assuming you are out of there in exactly an hour you can probably be in line just on time for your FP+ if you fastpass it. I would not count on getting in standby only a half hour before the show.

if they expand hours and the last show is at 8 instead of 7 you should be just fine. I have a 5pm dinner at CA Grill and a car for first week of december the only night I can fit it in. So obviously I am hoping for a second show at 8 and I will use my FP+ on it and go without the rest of the day. if it's at 7 i don't think I will be able to make it.

 

[parkbr]

The bread service is probably our favorite appetizer at Disney!

Is that a separate order or just a bread that comes with the meal?