Sanaa or Boma?

[atm55]

Any views on these two restaurants?

 

[amym2]

Love them both! We stayed at AKV last October and ate at Boma for breakfast and dinner and Sanaa for dinner. We love Boma because it's a buffet and we can try a little bit of everything. Our kids (11 and 13) love the mac and cheese but also like to try the meats and sides. I love the soups and interesting salads. It's the one restaurant our kids request every time we visit WDW. We loved Sanaa as well, especially the bread service and sitting by the windows watching the animals on the savanna. The food and service was excellent, and they have a really cute kids' dessert called cookies and cream that DD loved (and was able to order even though she was 10). I have a feeling we'll be eating at Sanaa again.

 

[cigar95]

I really like Sanaa. But I love Boma. (It's the place I want an ADR the night before the asteroid hits.)

The wide selection is what tips the scale for me at Boma, but not everyone is enamored with it. On the other hand, I recall very few who came away from Sanaa with a negative impression.

Assuming you end up at Boma, as you seem like a wise person, my advice to first-timers is always the same - start with small helpings of lots of different dishes. Go back to the buffet four or five times to try things, even before starting dessert. You can always go back for seconds when you find something you like - which will probably be almost everything. And don't make the mistake of getting in the long line at the beginning if you're going to one of the other pods. Each pod can be approached separately.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Here is how we decided:

Boma is so expensive for dinner, but less so for breakfast. Sanaa can be significantly cheaper per person for dinner (depending, of course, on what you order). SO... we are doing Sanaa and Boma breakfast on our trip in July when we are paying OOP. For September, we are doing Boma dinner since we will be on the dining plan.


If cost is a factor and you are paying OOP, then I would pick Sanaa dinner or Boma breakfast. If you are on the dining plan, I would pick Boma dinner.

Oh- and one more thing: it might depend on how much time you have and where you are staying. From what I have read, Sanaa can take a long time - up to two hours. I imagine Boma would take less time since it is a buffet. Are you trying to get somewhere after dinner? How much time will you have? That might be a factor.

 

[atm55]

Here is how we decided:

Boma is so expensive for dinner, but less so for breakfast. Sanaa can be significantly cheaper per person for dinner (depending, of course, on what you order). SO... we are doing Sanaa and Boma breakfast on our trip in July when we are paying OOP. For September, we are doing Boma dinner since we will be on the dining plan.


If cost is a factor and you are paying OOP, then I would pick Sanaa dinner or Boma breakfast. If you are on the dining plan, I would pick Boma dinner.

Oh- and one more thing: it might depend on how much time you have and where you are staying. From what I have read, Sanaa can take a long time - up to two hours. I imagine Boma would take less time since it is a buffet. Are you trying to get somewhere after dinner? How much time will you have? That might be a factor.

 

[atm55]

I do like buffets, but then tend to eat too much. The kids love buffets, however, I think they'd like watching the animals from the windows of Sanaa. We're not really in a rush, but thanks for the tip in case that changes.

 

[xipetotec]

Any views on these two restaurants?

I would personally always choose Sanaa over BOMA. Until our last trip I would have said I love Boma, but I have to say our last meal there in October 2014 was actually awful... So even more emphasis on Sanaa, which was great.

 

[atm55]

I would personally always choose Sanaa over BOMA. Until our last trip I would have said I love Boma, but I have to say our last meal there in October 2014 was actually awful... So even more emphasis on Sanaa, which was great.

Thanks.

 

[cigar95]

Thanks.

I have to say that for a number of years I've been reading reports that Boma "isn't what it used to be", and every time our reaction after dinner is "once again, nothing to worry about".
I'm sure there is the occasional bad plate, but it's been a long time since my meal at Boma was anything other than the single best part of my trip. (Theme parks? Who needs theme parks?)

 

[kristenrice]

If you want a really special experience, book the "Dine with an Animal Specialist" lunch at Sanaa. It's about $50/person, but it is limited to just 12 guests and you get to eat lunch with one of the senior animal keepers at the Lodge. My kids (ages 8 and 10 at the time) really enjoyed asking a ton of questions. I thought that the quality of the experience combined with the wonderful food and great atmosphere made it well worth the $200 for our family of 4.

 

[Oneanne]

I've had dinner at Boma several times and always loved it, so this last trip I tried Saana instead - the Bread Course is to die for... and I almost did, trying to finish off all that Naan by myself. Next time I may need to do both.

 

[Travis B]

I'm in the same boat as one of the PPs in that we had breakfast at Boma and dinner at Sanaa on our last trip. I enjoyed both, a highlight being the naan appetizer at Sanaa that comes with the fantastic sauces. I recommend upgrading the app to include the full variety of sauces, which IIRC you can do for a few dollars or so extra. The view at Sanaa was nice, but we really only saw one or two deer-like animals in the distance. Out of the two I would vote Boma - I love the options that a buffet provides compared to the standard Disney entree, and after our visit Boma was place that left me wanting to try more.

 

[Minnie-Maniac]

Boma is a must eat for me and my family when we go to WDW. We love all the selections of food they have. We have never tried Sanaa which does look nice, but I would probably stick with our mainstay Boma anytime.

 

[sleepydog25]

A lot depends on your personal tastes, preferences, needs, family make-up, et. al. If you're looking for a way to try a wide variety of food, then Boma fits the bill. If you prefer food with a little more unique flair and more tailored to individuals and is a tad quieter, then Sanaa would be the preferred choice. For me? Like Boma. Love Sanaa.

 

[hockeygirl14]

Just ate at Boma tonight and the food was great. It was my first time and I don't eat a lot of meat but found plenty to eat and everything was delicious! It's pricey but I will be adding it into my rotation from now on.

 

[Aimee Smith]

If I was ever in such a predicament (which i hope i never am as we always MUST eat at both during our trip) I think Boma might just win for its exceptional variety and fantastic quality
either way you will not be disappointed at all whatever you choose
Happy Eating!

 

[kastoney]

Freshly prepared (and amazing food) wins out over warming trays and a buffet for me any day of the week.

 

[pezaddict231]

Sanaa, loved watching the animals from the windows and DD loved the child's pizza on Naan bread.

 

[disneybliss2]

We like both. Sanaa is quieter and more upscale feeling. Although Boma is a buffet, it is far from your standard buffet. It has a huge selection for the adventurous eater and those who aren't; there's something for everyone. While we enjoyed Sanaa, we prefer Boma. Boma is a must every trip, Sanaa isn't.