Sanaa Reviews? Please!

[L-Harper]

I'm thinking about an ADR at Sanaa, but am a little scared if its up our alley. The reasoning behind us possibly going to Sanaa is that our last 2 nights of our vacation will be at AKL and we really just want to relax, hence the ease of just going to Sanaa. We are not opposed to going somewhere else though. Thoughts?

It will be me, DH and our 2 boys who will be 2 & 4 when we go. Thanks!

 

[greengeen]

Sanaa is a lovely restaurant with tasty, unusual food.

However, if my kids were still that young, I would just go to Mara (the food court at AKL). It would be more to their liking and less stressful for you.

 

[LeahA]

This was our favorite restaurant last year and we will be going back next month!

We had the:
Indian Style Bread Service
Choice of 3 breads and 3 accompaniments
Serves Two $8.99

Breads - Naan, Onion Kulcha, Papadum, Paneer Paratha

Accompaniments - Red Chile Sambal, Cucumber Raita, Coriander Chutney, Mango Chutney, Garlic Pickle, Green Mango Pickle, Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus, Tamarind Chutney

Super yummy-our 3 boys even enjoyed the bread!

I had the:
Today's Sustainable Fish - served with seasonal Vegetables in a light Curry Broth $18.99

This was so incredibly good!!! I'm going to order it again!

My dh had the:
Slow Cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well Seasoned
Choice of two served with Basmati Rice or Five-grain pilaf
$18.99

Chicken with Red Curry Sauce
Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce
Beef Short Ribs

He enjoyed this as well!

The kids menu is pretty standard wherever you go. We went at lunch and could see several giraffe walking around in the savanna.

Don't overlook-worth the trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

We had the bread service and the vegetarian platter. Both were very tasty.

DS had the kid's pizza. Sounds boring, but it's done with flatbread style crust, and he said it was the BEST cheese pizza he'd had the whole trip, because of the unique crust.

We really enjoyed the meal, and plan to do it again on the next trip.


FYI, if you're staying at Jambo House, they have a shuttle that goes back and forth to Kidani (a seatbelt type of van, just in case you don't want that with your kids' ages...we did it with our 6 year old, but it was WEIRD, as he's still in a Nautilus at home b/c of WA laws and safety). But it ends at 9pm, so make plans accordingly so you're not relatively stuck like we were (no one told us it ended at 9, despite heading on over there just before 8!).

 

[L-Harper]

We had the bread service and the vegetarian platter. Both were very tasty.

DS had the kid's pizza. Sounds boring, but it's done with flatbread style crust, and he said it was the BEST cheese pizza he'd had the whole trip, because of the unique crust.

We really enjoyed the meal, and plan to do it again on the next trip.


FYI, if you're staying at Jambo House, they have a shuttle that goes back and forth to Kidani (a seatbelt type of van, just in case you don't want that with your kids' ages...we did it with our 6 year old, but it was WEIRD, as he's still in a Nautilus at home b/c of WA laws and safety). But it ends at 9pm, so make plans accordingly so you're not relatively stuck like we were (no one told us it ended at 9, despite heading on over there just before 8!).

This is another thing I can't wrap my head around is the no car seat thing for my kids. We live in a small town and they have never been in any moving vehicle without being in a car seat. The thought of a bus, van or anything is scaring me. I really need to get over this. How far of a walk is it? We will be in Jambo.

 

[Tinker_Belle]

We're staying at AKL and were a little apprehensive ourselves. It seems the lunch menu is a lot more mainstream...with sandwiches and burgers with an Indian/African flare. I think that would be your best option.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Sanaa (AKV):
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: C
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: B
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff helpfulness: B
. . . character interaction: n/a

* NOTE: Sanaa has good regional tasting food. Definitely
above average. Some believe the price to be slightly high for
the quality and volume of food. The main benefit here is that
one can view animals on the savannah while eating.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

The Scupper is demanding in his reviews, as am I. But his review of Sanaa, no offense, is way, way low.

This is a fine restaurant that is attempting to stay true to their roots.

The ambiance is great, not to mention the views. The food is regional but that is why you should be going there.

As for children, if you let them eat nothing but mac'n'cheese and chicken fingers, this is all they will eat. I was coddled as a child in my food choices and it stunted my appreciation of food throughout my life. I did over come it but it was tough. My kids always ate what we ate (by then we were adventurous) and they (now 21 & 17) are wonderful, appreciative and diverse eaters.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is another thing I can't wrap my head around is the no car seat thing for my kids. We live in a small town and they have never been in any moving vehicle without being in a car seat. The thought of a bus, van or anything is scaring me. I really need to get over this. How far of a walk is it? We will be in Jambo.

I don't mind riding a bus (ME type coach, city bus, Disney transportation (basically a city bus), etc), because they aren't designed to have seatbelts.

But the shuttle surprised us. I was imagining a bus, and then it wasn't. BUT it's not like they go on highways from Jambo to Kidani... BUT we should have just driven (we had a rental car with his Nautilus in it).

We were told that the walk was 10-15 minutes, but it was absolutely freezing and dark and we were tired...we chose to take the disney transportation bus (it was coming from the parks, stopped at Kidani then went to Jambo). I don't think we could have gotten the bus from Jambo to Kidani, but I'm not sure. If I were in your shoes, I would get walking directions well before your reservation, and take a look out there in the DAYlight, so that you're not feeling lost after your dinner.

 

[Pakey]

I think Sanaa is one of the best casual dining places at WDW.

The walk between Jambo and Kidani is about 8 minutes. We enjoyed the walk.

 

[movie77]

No offense, but unless you have physical issues I couldn't imagine driving between Kidani and Jambo house. Saana is great and is I think one of the best values at WDW. We took my parents on my last trip and my Dad was a little freaked out by the menu when he saw the word curry, but he loved the bread service and his entree which I think was the fish of the day. The slow cooked beef is also excellent!

 

[bumbershoot]

No offense, but unless you have physical issues I couldn't imagine driving between Kidani and Jambo house.

Nighttime, literally freezing cold, first day there, no one was helping us out with where the path started.

In those conditions, I'll take the vehicle. (and all those things were stated in my post)

 

[Silver Queen]

We have been to Sanaa several times both for lunch and dinner and we love it. We actually prefer lunch a little more because we know it will be light outside and we'll get to see the animals. There are some selections on the menu for people who prefer plain food, but we love the uniqueness of their food preparations. The chai cream dessert is light with a delicate flavor.
We will be staying at Jambo next month, but our first ADR is at Sanaa for lunch right after we arrive. I am looking forward taking our 18 month old grandson to Sanaa in the near future. He's served many different kinds of foods at home (hummus is one of his favorites) so I know he'll be fine and he'll love the animals.
If you do try Sanaa (and I hope you do). Look at it as an adventure. As far as transportation is concerned, if you really want to take a bus you can take the Downtown Disney bus to Sanaa...it stops at Jambo first. All of the other buses will take you from Sanaa to Jambo.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

Sanaa is as stated a good casual choice.Food,service are average to good with the exception of the bread service which is phenominal.We'll go back but would not push it over some of the other casual places that are truly gems.

 

[lakohls]

Guess I am going against the theme here, but I thought Sanaa was just ok. Service was excellent, theme on target, seating very comfortable, ADR was seated on time, convenient location as we stayed at Kidani. I went knowing food would be different than our usual taste & had chosen Sanaa specifically for that reason so that we could try something new. Also, my in-laws were with us and that have traveled extensively. MIL was very happy with the choice, but the kids & I honestly left a tad hungry. It is not on our list for the next trip.

 

[Diz Kids]

Our family loved Sanaa. We have three kids, 6, 4 and 2. I do have to say, our 2yo was very bad at the restaurant, and we had to take him out and walk in the lobby twice. That, obviously, could have happened at any restaurant. Even with his bad behavior we have fond memories of the restaurant. I am a very adventerous eater, DH is getting a little better about it, DD (4) is pretty good about trying new things DS(2) will try new things depending on his mood and DS(6) ate pizza just about every day we were at Disney. All of us loved it. The kids choices are pretty standard. I ordered the sustainable fish and it was wonderful. DH had the african spiced chicken breast and loved it. He ordered it with a little extra heat, as the waiter had let us know that the spice level is generally pretty low, but they can make things hotter if requested.

We were there in January, so by the time our 6:20 dinner reservation came along it was already dark. Had it been light out the addition of the Savanna view in the restaurant would have made our evening even better.

 

[starrysky]

We went to sanaa last year and while the food was good it was a little bit off. If it is to be indian be indian and don't mix it with other flavours/ styles of cooking. We love Indian food and have been lucky enough to go to india and the food is to be honest totally different from what they serve there and at your local indian restaurant. Thats not to say the food was bad just not what we expected even with the African feel as well. We did like the bread service and the adult drinks were good too.

Loved to be able to see Kidani and the theme of the restaurant is good but we wont be going back. Going to try Boma this time.

 

[eva]

We went to sanaa last year and while the food was good it was a little bit off. If it is to be indian be indian and don't mix it with other flavours/ styles of cooking. We love Indian food and have been lucky enough to go to india and the food is to be honest totally different from what they serve there and at your local indian restaurant. Thats not to say the food was bad just not what we expected even with the African feel as well. We did like the bread service and the adult drinks were good too.

Loved to be able to see Kidani and the theme of the restaurant is good but we wont be going back. Going to try Boma this time.

It is not intended to be Indian food. The premise is:

Sanaa means “Work of Art” in Swahili, which is fitting because the food artists at Disney’s Kidani Village are crafting unique dishes for Disney Guests in their flagship restaurant… Sanaa. As the menu professes, Sanaa is “The Art of African Cooking with Indian Flavors.”

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

We are returning to Sanaa in March. Unfortunately the best item of the night is no longer on the menu. It was a fantastic Cornish Game Hen. I believe the chicken breast has the same/similar preparation. I had the sustainable fish. It was good, but not what I was looking for (very light). I think I should have gotten something more adventurous. As for kids choices, Sanaa is fine for kids - even picky ones. They have pizza (it's on naan bread - my kids love naan but if you have a picky kid, don't tell them it is on naan), meaty macaroni and other standard choices. One thing I've learned on DIS is that if you like spicy foods, you can ask them to kick the spices up a notch or two.

 

[starrysky]

It is not intended to be Indian food. The premise is:

Sanaa means “Work of Art” in Swahili, which is fitting because the food artists at Disney’s Kidani Village are crafting unique dishes for Disney Guests in their flagship restaurant… Sanaa. As the menu professes, Sanaa is “The Art of African Cooking with Indian Flavors.”

Yes i was aware of that going in but as i said it seemed to us at least a little muddled. Like i also said the food was not bad just did not live up to our expectations.