By Brandon Hill on May 14, 2025 • ( Leave a comment )

2023: Disney Trip – Animal Kingdom Lodge – Sanaa

A Day of Wild Beauty: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Lunch at Sanaa

With a second full day in the Disney area and no park tickets planned, we decided to slow the pace and piece together a series of memorable experiences that wouldn’t break the budget. After checking out of Pop Century Resort, we set our sights on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge for an early lunch at one of my favorite hidden gems—Sanaa.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is more than just a hotel—it’s a journey into the heart of Africa. Inspired by the great safari lodges of the Serengeti and the cultural richness of sub-Saharan design, the resort greets you with soaring thatched ceilings, intricate wood carvings, woven textiles, and glowing lanterns that evoke the warmth of an African sunset. Just beyond the lobby’s grand windows stretches a living savanna, where giraffes, zebras, ankole cattle, and other exotic animals roam freely in the tall grasses. Whether you’re standing on an overlook or enjoying the view from a guestroom balcony, the experience feels like stepping into a nature documentary—with all the comfort and storytelling Disney is known for. During our visit, the lodge had just finished setting up its towering Christmas tree, and the mix of African decor with festive holiday touches made for an unexpectedly beautiful sight.

Tucked away in Kidani Village, Sanaa blends the bold, earthy flavors of African cuisine with vibrant Indian spices, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Sunset Savanna. As we sat beside massive floor-to-ceiling windows, we watched antelope and ostriches wander by while savoring a spread that took me back to my childhood in the Republic of South Africa. The bread service—paired with a variety of sweet, spicy, and savory accompaniments—was a standout, and the main dishes were equally flavorful. From the textures of the food to the warm, patterned fabrics draping the restaurant, Sanaa is a sensory experience that captures the spirit of Africa in every detail.

For this scrapbook spread, I selected an African safari-themed background paper to match the earthy tones and natural textures of the day. I included a lot of photos because there was simply too much I wanted to remember. The left-hand page features images of the grand lobby, including the lodge’s seasonal holiday decorations, taken just before Thanksgiving. A few photos were slightly cropped to remove someone we chose not to include. The right-hand page highlights our time at Sanaa—photos of the restaurant, our meals, the view out to the savanna, and even a shot of the Sanaa logo. I chose to keep embellishments to a minimum for this layout; the rich colors, architectural details, and sheer number of photos told the story all on their own.

If you’d like to watch how this spread came together, be sure to click the video below. It’s one of my favorite layouts—not just because of the photos, but because it captures a moment that felt both peaceful and powerful, like the quiet hum of the savanna at sunset.