What time would you recommend eating at Sanaa?

[MinMou]

My husband and I try to eat Indian food wherever we travel, and I am hoping we can go to Sanaa when we finally go to WDW. But when? I definitely want to go during daylight, so I figured it had to be lunch time. I am concerned about getting to and from AKL and not losing too much time at AK. I had considered going for dinner, but I figured that transportation would be more hectic then, and plus we are going in winter, when sunset is earlier. I am also concerned that my family won't want to leave AK park once they get there if they get really involved in something.

How strict are they about keeping reservation times?
How busy are the buses to and from AKL?
Is there a best time to go?
Are the animals active enough at lunch time to make it worthwhile to go then, or should we try for an early dinner?

 

[tomatecerise]

At opening. You have A fun opening ceremony, They feed animals at 11am and you can see them having their lunch too. The first come, the first Window Seat.

 

[amym2]

We had a 5pm ADR in October and it was perfect! We had a window table and had plenty of time to watch the animals before it got dark. As long as you aren't trying to leave AK at closing time, you shouldn't have trouble catching the bus to AKV, and it is only a 5min bus ride.

 

[JZCubed]

My husband and I try to eat Indian food wherever we travel, and I am hoping we can go to Sanaa when we finally go to WDW. But when? I definitely want to go during daylight, so I figured it had to be lunch time. I am concerned about getting to and from AKL and not losing too much time at AK. I had considered going for dinner, but I figured that transportation would be more hectic then, and plus we are going in winter, when sunset is earlier. I am also concerned that my family won't want to leave AK park once they get there if they get really involved in something.

How strict are they about keeping reservation times?
How busy are the buses to and from AKL?
Is there a best time to go?
Are the animals active enough at lunch time to make it worthwhile to go then, or should we try for an early dinner?

Without a Parade, there is no mass exodus during the day at AK that would cause transportation to be hectic. This will change now that there is an evening presentation of Jungle Book...and Rivers of Light....but that's later in the evening.

Also, if you've been to AK, you can re-enter the Park later in the day/evening without a Park Hopper tix.

The 'best time' to go to Sanaa is when there is daylight if your intent is to see animals.

 

[mckennarose]

We had an early lunch, at noon, three weeks ago and the animals were very active.

We plan our resort visits (Sanaa, Ohana, etc.) on our "off days" (non park days) so we don't have to worry about rushing or missing anything. It might be worth it to try for an off day rather than miss time at AK.

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

We had a 1:00 lunch here in early December last year and the animals were very active. We've always driven, so can't comment on the buses. Hope you enjoy-it's our favorite restaurant at WDW!

 

[Ceryssa]

We ate at lunchtime, around 1 or so, and saw lots of animals out moving around. We didn't have much of a wait for the buses to or from AKL. I totally get the concern about not wanting to leave AK--I never want to leave once I get there I do what another poster suggested and book the first reservation of the day, and then head over to AK after that.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We prefer the lunch over the dinner.
. . . the fare is a little lighter
. . . the price is better
. . . the appys and salads are the same
. . . the lower number of people eating
. . . the ability to see animals on the Savannah

 

[chamonix]

I wouldn't waste all that time to go from AK at lunch. Eat a late breakfast or brunch somewhere else and then eat an early dinner at Sanaa. You confined sunset times online. We've had great experiences going for an early (daylight) dinner. Leaving the lark isn't hectic at that time.

 

[SunnieRN]

The transportation from Animal Kingdom Park, to Animal Kingdom Villas, (where Sanaa is located), is very quick as they are located so close together. I'm not sure what the lunch hours are, but it would be a nice afternoon break, especially if they have night time activities.