Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids is the wettest ride in all of Disney World. (OK, maybe some of the water park rides are wetter.) It also may be one of the most disappointing rides Uncle Walt's boys have designed. (Yep, Dad said disappointing.)

 

 

First the story ...

 

Kali River Expeditions invites you to explore Chanranadi River where you can see the incredible beauty of the area.

 

Kali River Rapids

Photo by Jeff_B.

Location

The rapids are located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom between Maharajah Jungle Trek and Expedition Everest.

 

Dad's Animal Kingdom page

The Preshow

Disney has great preshows and this is one of the most elaborate in the park. As you wind through the lines you'll see shrines, statues, ruins and overgrown landscape. (Notice at the temple shoes are lined up outside. The Asian custom is to remove shoes before entering buildings.) You get to a television screen where the proprietor tells you about the environmental impact of illegal logging.

The Attraction

Photo by Tom Arthur

You step on to a rotating platform where you get loaded into a 12 person raft to take a ride through the rain forest. Your raft climbs a 90 foot hill (what goes up ... one of Dad's favorite songs). During the climb you see the beauty of the rain forest. Birds are chirping, the air is scented with jasmine and mint. You reach the top and float through a cavern where the water drips freely from the ceiling. Then things change.

 

The water becomes choppier. Chainsaws can be heard. A smoke smell fill the air. You turn a corner and the beautiful forest becomes a burned out wreck. There are charred trees and trucks burned by the river. Stumps are everywhere. Everything is blackened by fire. Suddenly what went up must come down. You tumble down a 20 foot fall where everyone gets absolutely soaked.

 

Or maybe not.

 

See why Dad avoids this ride

• Reason #1
• Reason #2

Finally, you go under the bridge where guests can pummel you with squirt guns.

That's it.

The Postshow

Pretty much the same as the preshow except you walk backwards. (Yes, there are monitors every few feet to make sure you are walking backwards. Silly, you just walk out the same path you came in on.)

Video

See a family get a bit wet.

 

Fun Facts

Here are some interesting tidbits -

• The rafts are named. Some of the names are Banyan Bay, Kali Bumper Car, Sherpa Surfer.
• The rafts hold 12 riders who sit in pairs.
• The working name for the ride was "Tiger Rapids Run".

TripAdvisor compares Kali River Rapids and Popeye's Bilge Rat

 

History

This ride opened in 1999. There was an accident in 2007 where 6 people were hurt in a boarding accident.

Dad's Ride Information Table

Kali River Rapids
Description: Take a relaxing boat ride through a tropical forest.
Height Requirement - 38 inches	Fastpass: YES	Length of Ride: 5 minutes
Type of ride: River Rapids ride
Dad's Ratings Toddlers Pre-Teens Teens Adults Grandparents - 3 4 2 1
Other Information: If nothing else gets wet, your shoes will

The Fine Print

Here's some small print information

• Like the sign says, you might get wet.
• Guest may rent translation devices or use Assisting Listening Receivers at this attraction. They are available at Guest Relations
• You should be free from any back, neck or similar problems and not be pregnant if you ride this ride.
• Guest must transfer from a wheelchair, motorized scooter or ECV to enjoy this attraction.

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Dad's Bottom Line

So, why is Kali River Rapids the most disappointing ride in Disney World? You go up 90 feet, you climb all that way and there is only 1 drop and it's only 20 feet. Most rides of this type will have multiple places where you can get absolutely soaked. But not Kali. You might get a little wet, but not everyone get's soaked. Disappointing.