Review: Two Magnificent Meals at Sanaa
It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Sanaa. Our most recent review called it Walt Disney World’s Best Food You’re Not Eating. It has regularly cracked our List of Top 10 Table Service Restaurants. So we were pretty excited about the opportunity to try two magnificent and new-to-us WDW dining experiences at Sanaa during our recent stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Before we get ahead of ourselves (since it is a hidden gem that some of you probably haven’t even heard of, much less dined at), Sanaa is a table service restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village. That’s the Disney Vacation Club expansion to the hotel, which is accessible from the main lodge via a walking path, shuttle bus, or car.
Sanaa is frequently cited as a hidden gem among Walt Disney World fans and other blogs like this one. We are far from the only ones who sing its praises, but the combination of its off-the-beaten-path location and its relatively adventurous menu makes Sanaa a non-starter for many guests. However, in the eternal wisdom of Indiana Jones Adventure (no, not “look not into the eyes of Mara”): “real rewards await those who choose wisely.”
We’re not going to fixate on Sanaa’s theme too much here but it bears mentioning that the atmosphere at Sanaa is exceptional. It’s a beautiful mix of African art, including handcrafted artisan pieces, and stunning views into the Sunset Savanna.
The seating area is also perfect, with a variety of styles and plenty of booths to break up the space. The venue is bursting with detail, including patterns, textures, beams, and even a canopy overhead.
Walt Disney World recently expanded mobile order service options and the ability to check-in for reservations via the My Disney Experience app. There were several changes, with the big one that we really like being able to view current availability, wait times, and join a virtual wait list at participating table-service restaurants.
These are all positive developments that would be welcome enhancements to My Disney Experience even in normal times. They’re especially great for those Walt Disney World guests like us who don’t plan where we want to eat six months in advance.
Lost in the shuffle was the expansion of Mobile Order Table Service To Go, which is exactly what it sounds like. This service was quietly rolled out to select table-service restaurants–or restaurant, singular, at the time since it debuted only at Sanaa. It has since been added at Kona Cafe, and will debut soon at the Wave of American Flavors. We’d expect it to roll out at many more resort table service restaurants by 2021.
Visitors to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village can now place a to go order from a selection of items on the table-service menu inside the restaurant and pick up the food. You can then eat at poolside tables outside, in your room, or wherever else (within reason).
We placed the order from our room, hit the ready/prepare order button, then walked over to Kidani Village.
After only a few minutes of walking around the lobby there and doing some zebra-watching, our order was ready. Total prep time was under 20 minutes.
Rather than eating at Kidani Village, we opted to take it back to our room, a value studio at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House.
I’ve always had the dream of feeding Sanaa’s bread service to a giraffe from our balcony, like a dreamy scene from Citizen Kane. Although given the present circumstances, it’d probably be more like something from The Last of Us. Neither scenario was in the cards this particular day, and not just because I’m too selfish to share with some free-loading giraffe. Rather, because our view was of the parking lot and some dumpsters, not the savanna.
But I digress. I probably don’t need to re-review Sanaa’s spectacular bread service, but just in case, it was spectacular. Probably would’ve been better devoured immediately, but was still excellent ~12 minutes later.
There’s also something to be said for eating it in pajamas while sitting in bed watching Must Do Disney with Stacey. Now I know what those Wall Street bros mean when they yammer on about a “power lunch.”
For our other entree, we ordered the African-inspired Biryani: Fragrant Rice with Seasonal Vegetables influenced from the Cape of Good Hope. Also fantastic. A rich dish and succulent dish with a complex flavor.
My vote was for the Grilled New York Strip Steak, but that seemed like too ordinary of a choice at Sanaa–and also a risky proposition for our first attempt at Mobile Order Table Service to Go. Maybe next time!
The next morning, we returned to Sanaa for their new to us breakfast.
This debuted a few years ago and, I’ll be honest, I totally forgot about it. When Walt Disney World announced reopening restaurant options at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I thought this was new new. We’ve stayed at Jambo House and Kidani Village several times since this started, but we’ve always opted for Boma or the Mara.
Since breakfast at Sanaa is new-to-us, I’m guessing it’s all new to many of you. As such, I’ll walk through the process.
It starts by heading into what’s normally the bar and lounge at Sanaa, which is set up with a variety of cold grab & go options. You can buy these and be on your way, or order a hot meal at the register.
After ordering, you receive a numbered animal, which Cast Members then use to find you in or around the restaurant’s seating area.
At present, all orders are served to-go. It’s like the current Mobile Order set-up, minus being able to do it in-app. Once you receive your order, you can dine in the restaurant’s seating area, take it back to your room, or go wherever (again, within reason–no feeding the giraffes).
We were literally the only guests in the restaurant at this point and it’s been months since we’ve dined indoors, so we opted for the savanna view over our room’s dumpster/parking lot vista.
Selfishly, we were pleased by the lack of people…but also hope this isn’t the case on a regular basis. It’d be a shame if breakfast at Sanaa were eliminated due to a lack of popularity. (Maybe it was just because we ate so late?)
It’d be a shame if breakfast at Sanaa were eliminated because it is fantastic. Seriously, this might be the best counter service breakfast in all of Walt Disney World. (And we say that having just enjoyed the exceptional breakfast at Primo Piatto only a couple weeks ago.)
For our first entree, we picked the Eggs Benedict: Two-poached Brown Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Spice Route Hollandaise, Arugula, and Berries. Pretty unadventurous by Sanaa standards with only a few mild notes of seasoning, but we wanted to see if a “counter service” breakfast could pull off Eggs Benedict.
They can and they did. This dish was competently made, and on par with what you’d get at any table service restaurant around Walt Disney World. That’s not the most effusive praise, but keep in mind that Walt Disney World is treating–and pricing–breakfast at Sanaa as a counter service meal.
Next up, the Shahi Tukra French Toast: Saffron-scented Sultan Raisins, Whipped Chai Cream, and Almonds.
This was the real deal. We’ve previously raved about the Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast at Ale & Compass (home to the current “Best Breakfast at Walt Disney World“) but this might be better than that entree. The saffron and other spices are the perfect twist on the familiar dish, with the heavy chai cream providing blissful decadence.
The Shahi Tukra French Toast is a distinctly “Sanaa” dish, while also being a sugary and approachable breakfast treat. This earns our highest recommendation–I can only imagine how perfect it’d be on a crisp fall morning while sitting on a balcony and watching giraffes.
There were a couple more breakfast items we wanted to try at Sanaa, but those will have to wait until next time. That is, if we can convince ourselves not to order the Shahi Tukra French Toast again. (The Eggs Benedict was also good, but not that good.)
Ultimately, both of these meals were magnificent, great “new” ways for us to enjoy one of favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World. However, the “Sanaa Dilemma” remains the same as always. For first timers reliant on Disney transportation, getting to and from here is too much of a time commitment.
Conversely, Sanaa is unquestionably worth the trek to Kidani Village if you’re staying at Jambo House, have a rental car, or drove to Walt Disney World. If you’re a longtime or regular Walt Disney World visitor who has still yet to get out to Sanaa, you really need to stop sleeping on this hidden gem and make a meal here happen. It’s off the beaten path and getting to it can be a hassle, but it’s such a delightful change of pace–both figuratively and literally–that it truly deserves your time and effort.
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YOUR THOUGHTS…
What do you think of Sanaa? Have you done Mobile Order Table Service to Go here? What about the counter service breakfast? Is Sanaa worth the time and effort of getting there? Where does Sanaa rank in terms of dining at Walt Disney World for you? Have any favorite dishes at Sanaa? Any questions? Hearing your feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts or questions below in the comments!
I can vouch for the more generic, less adventurous Boere Breakfast (Sanaa’s version of the generic bounty platter). Fantastic, outstanding. We were there last September and couldn’t believe we got that for a quick service credit on the dining plan.
We stayed at Kidani Village 9/8-9/14, and ate Sanaa breakfast on our departure day (we too typically opt for Boma). There were 4 or 5 parties eating there around 9 am on a Monday.
Those eggs benedict were a revelation. I consider myself an eggs benedict connoisseur, and that variation is hands down my favorite ever. Such complex and unexpected flavors! I hope they persist on the menu – I will make an effort to eat breakfast here on future trips.
There are only 2 value studios that face the parking lot. I was always told they didn’t assign them unless all the others were filled. How did you wind up in one? Reports are that Jambo is a ghost town. And they moved dumpsters over there now, too?
I don’t know the numbers, but two seems implausible. Presumably, the entire hallway leading to our room faced the parking lot. We’ve been lucky with past room views, so I can’t complain too much about this.
Jambo House is a ghost town, but that’s because the hotel rooms are not open, nor are any of the dining options. I don’t know what current occupancy numbers are like for DVC, but they’ve been increasing.
Tom,
http://www.parkinfo2go.com/dvc-akv/floor5.php
All the rooms in white along the front of the hotel there (where the value rooms are) are regular hotel rooms, not DVC.
Wow. I had no idea…and sorta wish I still didn’t know.
Not like we were “entitled” to a better room, but even with rising occupancy, I cannot imagine that every other Value Studio was filled.
I keep reading that non-resort guests will not be allowed on resort property unless they have a dining reservation. For our December trip we are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. From your experience, if we were to drive to AKL and tell them we were doing mobile ordering or quick service do you think we’d be allowed to park? We’ve certainly done this in previous years but wasn’t sure with the current state of things. Thanks for all of your recent posts! Incredibly helpful as we plan our first trip during the virus!
If you go on a weekday this should be possible, but it wouldn’t hurt to call ahead and ask. I was able to dine at Geyser Point on a weekday despite not staying at Wilderness Lodge.
I absolutely love breakfast here! We generally stay at moderates so on non-park days I’ve brought my parents and nieces here and it’s so fun to explore the whole resort. The animals. The unique gift shops. The ping pong and corn hole games around the pool area. Awesome cast members. It’s so nice and starting your morning here is a treat.
Have been to Sanaa last year and this year (9/23/209). Lov e Doinoing anywhere in Animal Kingdom. Love Boma for the variety aND HOPRE IT WILL BE AN OPTION AGAIN SOON.
LOVE JIKO FOR FINE dINING.
Ever since I started reading this blog and learning about WDW, Sanaa has been at or near the top of restaurants I have wanted to visit. What plans we have now to visit involve a large family trip where we will probably rent a house off-property, but I am still hoping to end the trip with a night or two at AKL with at least one meal at Sanaa.
Of course, when I first started reading I was dreaming of making a couples trip for my 40th birthday. That was last year. Who knows what will happen or when, but I keep reading and planning and learning so that the rest of my family will be able to have as smooth and spontaneous a trip as possible. I have you and Sarah to thank for that.
Hopefully at some point, you get to have the trip you began imagining and planning. In the meantime, a couple nights at AKL and meals at Sanaa (even with its reduced menu) should be a nice consolation–or way to tide you over.
Just curious…you mentioned you were staying at Jambo House. So has AK Lodge reopened?
Just the DVC villas on the fifth floor. And maybe the sixth without any Club offerings.
I just made an offer on a DVC resale listing at AKV, and this post has me crossing my fingers even more that it is accepted. Sanaa was our favorite meal when we stayed at AKL-Jambo a few years ago, and it would be so lovely to visit again someday soon.
We own at AKV. Good luck on the contract. We LOVE it there!
Thanks for the info as I did write a lengthy comment on how have not been able to get an ADR and we are staying there. I got my answer yet sorry to hear our discount can’t be honored but knowing we can do to-go helps. Because of your wonderful info my guess we can expect will surely won’t get an ADR now lol…thanks though as this family vacay is our once in a lifetime. Jambo!
OMG… you guys ordered our perfect breakfast combo! Hollandaise in almost any flavour makes me happy. And… Chai cream WHAT??? Currently drooling. Loved Sanaa already for lunch/dinner, but I would consider trading a Boma breakfast to try Sanaa’s 🙂 I miss Disney SO MUCH IT HURTS. When, oh when can I get my next Disney fix?
Boma’s breakfast is still better overall…but this is cheaper and was pretty delicious!
We traved on one of our down days from Contemporary to Sanaa for lunch – I beleive it was last wednesday.
Well worth the trip just for the Indian-style bread service. Had lunch inside overlooking the animals. I had the Tandoori chicken, my wife was full from the bread and only opted for the seasonal soup which turned out to be more than enough, and my son had the potjie with goan seafood curry. Ended meal by sharing the chocolate mousse
Turned out to be one of the most memorable meals for our 2 week stay.
Tom – wondering were you there the same day? You had mentioned in another post about the zebras being frisky. During lunch the family got some facts of live leasons from the zebras. Not sure it happened same day.
“Tom — wondering were you there the same day? You had mentioned in another post about the zebras being frisky. During lunch the family got some facts of live leasons from the zebras. Not sure it happened same day.”
No, we were not.
I’ll be blunt here–we’ve seen a lot of zebra “friskiness” at Kidani Village over the years. A lot. I don’t know if it’s just luck, but they seem to be going at it just about every time we’re there. Probably the main thing I’ve learned about wildlife from AKL is that zebras are horny.
Just last year at this time we tried Sana’a for breakfast for the first time. I also ordered the French toast and was very pleasantly surprised. It was extremely soft and fluffy. But the one thing that made it memorable was sitting at the window and watching the animals roaming around. It was so relaxing and the perfect way to start the day at Animal Kingdom.
We are looking forward to trying Sanaa. I have been eyeing it for months (when my first 180 day dining was scheduling) and rebooked it a few weeks ago when our 60 day window opened up. We are ending up leaving AK early to make a 5pm reservation- I want to be sure we can actually see the animals while we are eating before it gets too dark. Though the breakfast service sounds amazing too! I wonder if we tried to go there for breakfast before AK… we are staying at Coronado, so not too far and we will have a rental car. Just wondering if they’ll let us in for breakfast if we aren’t staying there?
I’m always a good Eggs Benedict eater, but I like it more classic than adventurous. This sounds like it might fit my dining desires. I may have to try it next week. The French toast looks pretty good, too.
I wouldn’t consider it “adventurous” per se, but I really like the Spicy Chorizo Eggs Benedict at Grand Floridian Cafe. Favorite version of the dish at WDW, off the top of my head.
So just to clarify you don’t need s reservation for either the mobile order to -go table service or the breakfast right? We’re staying at AKL for the first time over thanksgiving and we’re not ready to dine in doors yet but both of those options sound amazing! Btw, are masks required around the outside of the resort when others aren’t nearby?
Thanks for getting me excited again!
You don’t need reservations for either. Masks are required except when seated at your table.
The to-go option sounds like a good alternative if you can’t get a dinner reservation, but I’d venture to guess they don’t do discounts (TIW/DVC/passholder) even though it’s the same meal?
That’s correct regarding discounts–for now. Also worth noting there’s no requirement (or even an option) to tip, though.
Oh oh ……… if mobile orders are as good as when you sit down and eat , that means we’ll have trouble getting reservations when they do open up .
Quit telling people………..
Great restaurant and very good food.
If you drive to AKL, will security allow you to pick up a mobile order at Sanaa (or The Wave or Kona Cafe)? Since the reopening, security has been strict about only allowing in those with resort and dining reservations.
I have not heard of this being an issue and know a number of people who have done it (without hotel stays).
Beyond that, AKL is much more lax than pretty much any other resort (outside the All Stars, maybe) with visitors, at least in our experience. Huge parking lots that rarely fill up and no real issues with people parking and then going elsewhere.
Excellent news! We drove over from the Boardwalk Villas for a late lunch at Sanaa last week. (We choose the latest lunch reservation to avoid as many people in the restaurant as possible.) The security guard asked me my name, reservation time, and when I made the reservation, so I was concerned I would not be let in for a mobile order. I would like to order dinner from Sanaa during a future stay. I have been eyeing the biryani for a long time, so I am glad to hear you enjoyed it.
You have me missing favorite restaurant, at my home resort. 🙁
Thanks for this review. We always dine at Sanaa – at least once – during every trip. Prefer over Boma & Jiko (tho’ love those options as well).
Looking forward to returning “home.”
Thanks, Tom.
Hope you’re able to get “home” soon! 🙂