Sanaa Worth the Trek

[SwanVT2]

We have a non-park day and are trying to decide if Sanaa is worth the trek from the Dolphin for lunch. We have a great zoo near us at home, so seeing animals would not necessarily be the draw, so much as the food (which looks great). However, I am reading mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. Should we stay and enjoy a pool day at the Dolphin, maybe take a ride on the Swan paddle boats, and have dinner at Tratorria, or should we take the trek to Sanaa? We have a daughter, age 5, to consider as well (i.e. traveling).
Thanks!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We loved the food and the service at Sanaa.

But keep in mind, you aren't just seeing the animals. They are wondering around. Possibly being fed. Possibly doing other things. All while you are at lunch or dinner.

I guess I don't see Animal Kingdom or the animals at the Lodge as anything like a zoo.

 

[OhThePain]

All three TS restaurants at AKL are worth the trek, IMO (we really like The Mara too, but no CS service is worth going out of the way for). We like to go to Sanaa for lunch on our pool days, whether staying at AKL or not. Really good food (I highly suggest the bread service, as do most people), great service, nice atmosphere. The restaurant opens at 11:30 (there is a little opening ritual they do), the closer you get to that time the better chance you have of getting a window seat. Plus, the trek to AKL really isn't that bad. From the Dolphin it is just a walk or boat ride to DHS and then a bus to AKL.

Every restaurant/hotel/attraction/whatever gets positive and negative reviews. Things you love other people hate and things you hate other people love. You can't listen to reviews online. Don't let some random person who you will never know convince you not to try something. The only opinion that matters is your own and the only way to form an opinion is to try it yourself.

 

[lovin'fl]

For us it is but my twin DDs-19 do not like it. So check out kid menu to see if your DD will be happy. My adult DDs do not like the adult menu at Sanaa. They don't like Boma dinner all that much either but can find enough to eat there. They also don't like Spice Road at Epcot which is somewhat similar. But DH and I and DS-21 love Sanaa as do my SIL and BIL so we go frequently. And we would make the trek over. Though would try to book it before or after doing FP at AK. And we prefer Sanaa lunch over dinner. And for a non park day....we definitely would go over.

 

[Jennasis]

It was for us!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We have a non-park day and are trying to decide if Sanaa is worth the trek from the Dolphin for lunch. We have a great zoo near us at home, so seeing animals would not necessarily be the draw, so much as the food (which looks great). However, I am reading mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. Should we stay and enjoy a pool day at the Dolphin, maybe take a ride on the Swan paddle boats, and have dinner at Tratorria, or should we take the trek to Sanaa? We have a daughter, age 5, to consider as well (i.e. traveling).
Thanks!

Sanaa is great, but it's not worth breaking up a resort day for. The Swan/Dolphin have a fantastic pool complex and a great restaurant right by the pool. My vote would be to enjoy your day at the Dolphin and the Boardwalk area.

 

[wdw&sonny]

All three TS restaurants at AKL are worth the trek, IMO (we really like The Mara too, but no CS service is worth going out of the way for). We like to go to Sanaa for lunch on our pool days, whether staying at AKL or not. Really good food (I highly suggest the bread service, as do most people), great service, nice atmosphere. The restaurant opens at 11:30 (there is a little opening ritual they do), the closer you get to that time the better chance you have of getting a window seat. Plus, the trek to AKL really isn't that bad. From the Dolphin it is just a walk or boat ride to DHS and then a bus to AKL.

Every restaurant/hotel/attraction/whatever gets positive and negative reviews. Things you love other people hate and things you hate other people love. You can't listen to reviews online. Don't let some random person who you will never know convince you not to try something. The only opinion that matters is your own and the only way to form an opinion is to try it yourself.

This!

And it's Nahtazu.

 

[gharter]

All of the restuarants at AKL are amazing. IMHO, much better than Trattoria, unless you don't like African or Indian food. There are plenty of good restaurant at the Swan and Dolphin to try as well, if you don't want to do the trip.
Personally, we love AKL, and the trip would be worth it to us. YMMV.

 

[JZCubed]

We have a non-park day and are trying to decide if Sanaa is worth the trek from the Dolphin for lunch. We have a great zoo near us at home, so seeing animals would not necessarily be the draw, so much as the food (which looks great). However, I am reading mixed reviews on Tripadvisor. Should we stay and enjoy a pool day at the Dolphin, maybe take a ride on the Swan paddle boats, and have dinner at Tratorria, or should we take the trek to Sanaa? We have a daughter, age 5, to consider as well (i.e. traveling).
Thanks!

I have a drive-in in my town & I drive a convertible, and I still go to (and recommend) Sci-Fi Dine-In, despite the fact that I think the food sucks.

We stay at Dolphin - Cabana has excellent food.

And I don't find any food at Disney worth a special trip.

But if there was one place that I might travel for - it's Sanaa, even if you/I have a great zoo nearby to home.

You can spend all day at Dolphin and just make it to Sanaa for an early daylight dinner.

If you think it's too much, don't go, but this is one place that I would consider to travel.

Think of it this way - one'n'done.

 

[rwdavis2]

Sanaa is an excellent restaurant.

 

[Airb330]

But if there was one place that I might travel for - it's Sanaa, even if you/I have a great zoo nearby to home.
You can spend all day at Dolphin and just make to Sanaa for am early daylight dinner.
If you think it's too much, don't go, but this is one place that I would consider to travel.
.

Agreed completely. A day at the pool then Sanaa sounds like a great non-park day.

 

[Spencer Wright]

I love it and highly recommend it IF you can take a Lyft. Last August it was about $17 in the middle of the day one way.

Does a five year old need a car seat (I know nothing about children)? I understand that can complicate things.

The restaurant is very cool, and the animal viewing areas are absolutely fantastic!! The Kidani Viewing area outside of Sanaa is amazing and you really see a high density of animals up close. You can hear the giraffes chewing and the zebras snorting all at the same time.

The food is delicious, and while it seems really exotic its pretty tame with a nice flare.

 

[SwanVT2]

I love it and highly recommend it IF you can take a Lyft. Last August it was about $17 in the middle of the day one way.

Does a five year old need a car seat (I know nothing about children)? I understand that can complicate things.

The restaurant is very cool, and the animal viewing areas are absolutely fantastic!! The Kidani Viewing area outside of Sanaa is amazing and you really see a high density of animals up close. You can hear the giraffes chewing and the zebras snorting all at the same time.

The food is delicious, and while it seems really exotic its pretty tame with a nice flare.

Dinner is significantly more expensive, so we'd like to stick with lunch. My family seems interested in making the trek for lunch. My only concern is we will have had a busy day at MK the day before. If we take the bus from HS, which stop at AKL do we take to get to Sanaa? Thank you!

 

[k2kten]

I just returned home from a week at Disney and loved Sanaa so much that i ate there twice! I stayed at AKL so i didn't haven't to travel but in the future, even if i'm not staying at AKL, i'd make the trek just because of how much i loved Sanaa (and i'm not a very adventurous eater).

 

[Capang]

Unless the food is REALLY appealing to you I’d stay at your resort and eat at Trattoria. Our meal at Sanaa was ok, but far from great. Our meals at Trattoria on the other hand were fantastic. The service at Trattoria was also far superior to our service at Sanaa. Your experience may differ, but I’d never go out of my way to eat at Sanaa again.

ETA: with a 5 year old I’d probably skip it for sure if your child is not an adventurous eater.

 

[10CJ]

I think you would need to bus to AK, from there get on a bus from AK to AKL. Then do the same in reverse. The other option would be to take a Minnie Van one (or both) ways.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Sanaa looks like such a beautiful place. I would like to go there and try the bread service, but no one in my traveling group likes Indian food.

If you decide to stay at your resort, I’d pick Il Mulino or Blue Zoo over Trattoria.

 

[10CJ]

I forgot to say I love AKL and Sanaa and think it would be worth the trip!