Sanaa - Thoughts?

[disneyquestions]

I really want to have a meal at the Animal Kingdom lodge because I would love to see that resort. I don't want to do Ohana breakfast because DH hates breakfast, so I'm thinking of Sanaa because its 1 credit.
For those of you who have been there - what are your thoughts of the place??


TIA!

 

[treehugnmama]

We didn't care for it at all and wouldn't go back. We wanted t o go for the same reason you stated and so many people on her loved it. We did not but the resort was cool and we ended up booking the next triP there.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Sanaa is at Kidani Village and 'Ohana is at the Poly. Your post was unclear on that.

Sanaa is GREAT. It's not ordinary. It holds true to its ethnic cooking and does not offer burgers and hot dogs and such so the "average" family may find it weird. Food is a bit spicy.

Beautiful restaurant and savannah view also ... Great.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Sanaa: (rev 1/23/11)
. . . 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: C
. . . character interaction: n/a

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

 

[Pakey]

Compared to the majority of 1TS credit restaurants at WDW, I think it's pretty good.

OP, Sanaa is in Kidani, not in Jambo (main AKL). It's about a 10 minute walk from Kidani to see the main resort.

 

[disneyquestions]

Sanaa is at Kidani Village and 'Ohana is at the Poly. Your post was unclear on that.

Sanaa is GREAT. It's not ordinary. It holds true to its ethnic cooking and does not offer burgers and hot dogs and such so the "average" family may find it weird. Food is a bit spicy.

Beautiful restaurant and savannah view also ... Great.

OMG how dumb of me!!! I don't know why, but I get the restaurants at the Poly and AK mixed up! But either way, I mean that I want a 1 ts credit meal at AK.
Thanks for correcting me!!!!! I may end up at the Beach Club for my Narcoossee's reservations without this site!!!!!

 

[RabbitFood]

We loved Sanaa! We ate there for lunch a few weeks ago and were very happy with it. The bread sampler with the chutneys and other sauces was terrific. We eat a lot of Indian food, and Sanaa had the best raita we've ever tasted.
I can't imagine giving it a "C" in quantity--we all took away leftovers.
We were seated by the window and had a lovely view of the savanna.
It's one of our new favorite restaurants.

 

[disneyquestions]

We loved Sanaa! We ate there for lunch a few weeks ago and were very happy with it. The bread sampler with the chutneys and other sauces was terrific. We eat a lot of Indian food, and Sanaa had the best raita we've ever tasted.
I can't imagine giving it a "C" in quantity--we all took away leftovers.
We were seated by the window and had a lovely view of the savanna.
It's one of our new favorite restaurants.

Awesome - thanks! I know I will really enjoy it, but DH... hes a meat and potatoe kinda guy... and the only spices he likes on his meat is salt and a little pepper!!! But I really do want to see that resort, and I know we will never just go there just to see it. Anyway, thanks again for the review - so much to think about!!!!

 

[mamaprincess]

It's a gorgeous restaurant. Go for an early dinner and request a window seat so you can watch the animals. My dh can't stand Indian food. He had the New York strip and scallops for an appetizer and loved them both. I had the sustainable fish which was very mild and enjoyed it very much. It is one of the best 1ts restaurants on property and the setting can't be beat.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I had lunch there yesterday. The staff was wonderful, our waitress was very knowledgable. Our seating was great... we saw all the animals out and about. I ordered the roasted califlower and the club sandwich. Within 3 bites of the califlower I was turning green. I pushed it away. I thought the bread on the club sandwich would help calm me down... but I was throwing up within minutes and this continued for about 2 hours. It didn't agree with me, and I'd be scared to go back. The seasonings were just a bit much for my tummy. Sorry if TMI, but it's very spiced and not for the sensitive.

 

[disneyquestions]

I had lunch there yesterday. The staff was wonderful, our waitress was very knowledgable. Our seating was great... we saw all the animals out and about. I ordered the roasted califlower and the club sandwich. Within 3 bites of the califlower I was turning green. I pushed it away. I thought the bread on the club sandwich would help calm me down... but I was throwing up within minutes and this continued for about 2 hours. It didn't agree with me, and I'd be scared to go back. The seasonings were just a bit much for my tummy. Sorry if TMI, but it's very spiced and not for the sensitive.

OMG! Did you tell them?? What did they say?? I mean, I can't understand how it would effect you so quickly though, so maybe it was really something else, and the "new" flavours just triggered it? Who knows, but thats terrible for you!!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We really enjoyed it there.

I had the Tandori Chicken and it was good - not too adventureous or too spicy, I thought. Even our kids liked the breads and dips.

Definately worth a TS credit - it's one we plan on going to next time we're there as well.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

OMG! Did you tell them?? What did they say?? I mean, I can't understand how it would effect you so quickly though, so maybe it was really something else, and the "new" flavours just triggered it? Who knows, but thats terrible for you!!

The server saw that I barely touched it, and I politely said that it didn't agree with me. She took it off the bill without me asking. I told her she didn't have to because we were on the DxDDP. I still tipped her as if it were on there. She was wonderful.

I did some research tonight online to see what made me feel so terrible. They use coconut oil in their cooking. I'm allergic to tree nuts including coconuts. I only notify some restaurants of allergies if I need something to be made special (like at Ohana)--but normally I just read the menu and try to be smart without doing the 'talking to the chef' thing. Between the spice, my acid issues, the coconut.... I think it all was a bit too much for my body to handle. When I my throat starts to close from allergies it does more or less gag me and will trigger me to throw up. So it was probably a combo of both... but it's good to know they use coconut oil because it's not openly communicated. For those who just try to read the menu and not order what they can't have, this is something that is unforseen and good to know in advance. Also to realize if spice isn't for you, be careful and ask before you order.

 

[madalex]

Compared to the majority of 1TS credit restaurants at WDW, I think it's pretty good.

+1 to this. I like Sanaa very much and will be going there for dinner during my trip in a couple weeks.

 

[Mattix]

We ate at Sanaa in February and it was my wifes favorite meal of the trip. I am a little less adventurous, but I still really enjoyed the meal also. It is worth the time to see the AKL. We usually arive an hour or so early and explore before our meal.

 

[DisneyCG]

we went to Sanaa two years ago, and none of us enjoyed it at all. The food had unique flavours, but not in a good way.... I got this shrimp dish, and all it came with was plain white rice, and shrimp in a bowl, and then there was this weird sauce to put on the rice and shrimp, and the sauce made me gag. Another person got the fish, wrapped in banana leaves, and she did not like it either.

All around we did not enjoy Sanaa at all, and would never go back.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is amazing! I would love to stay there one day. We went to Boma for dinner one night, and it was fabulous, although it is buffet style, so if you are looking for a sit down restaurant where you get served, maybe try Jiko- it is on the more expensive side of restaurants, but I hear the food is excellent. Haven't been there myself so I couldn't tell you, but I hear it's good!

Enjoy!

 

[wasabi girl]

Sanaa is great IF you like their cooking style. It is a gorgeous restaurant, great staff, animal viewing can't be beat, but the menu isn't quite as mainstream as most Disney restaurants.

I love AKL. It is gorgeous. Have you thought of trying Boma? It is in the main lodge and is a 1 credit meal. It's a buffet and they do a pretty good job of accommodating everyone's palate.

 

[MelissathePooh]

We've had excellent experiences at every meal we've had at Sanaa. The menu is not mainstream, but its not necessarily what I would call "spicey" either. Now if salt, pepper and ketchup are your basic spices - yes, it may seem a bit outrageous.

Again though, we've enjoyed it for all aspects: food, atmostphere, service, etc... Both my kids ages 3 and 7 love it there as well.

 

[DjdBrit]

Our family ate at Sanna last April and LOVED it! I enjoyed the food SO much, my 10 year old really liked the short ribs The whole experience was very nice, we were staying at Kidani and I would LOVE to go back to eat there.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I had lunch at Sanaa the first year it was open, and thought it was really good. The food was tasty, and I thought the prices were very reasonable for Disney.