Grizzly River Run vs Kali River Rapids

[disfanRN]

We are going to Disneyland for the first time next weekend! Planning our trip we are wondering if anyone can tell us how these two compare? The description says heart pounding drops-is that accurate? Thanks for the help!

 

[DLR29]

Kali River Rapids is very tame and the only real part that got people wet was the one drop. At GRR, the boats are smaller and you actually get wet on the lift (sometimes the effects work) and also on the rapids. In my opinion it had a faster pace. It also does have 2 drops instead of one, and on the second, the raft spins on the way down. While it doesn't have the jungle atmosphere, the mountain environment is just as detailed. GRR is far superior in my opinion.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

They are the exact same ride, with different theming and no squirting elephants (and the bridge that controls them). Lots of fun in the CA heat we are having - 91 today!

 

[HydroGuy]

Obviously they are both water raft rides and you have equal likelihood of getting wet. I have yet to hear anyone say they prefer KRR over GRR. GRR has more drops and is longer. Also, the drier SoCal climate makes it more tolerable to get wet on GRR since in the warmer months (May-Oct) you will dry off fairly quickly. FWIW, GRR has free lockers near the entrance where you can stow your stuff and keep it dry.

 

[Stacerita]

I would say they are very similar. Drops are no different. GRR does seem longer though.

 

[HydroGuy]

They are the exact same ride, with different theming and no squirting elephants (and the bridge that controls them). Lots of fun in the CA heat we are having - 91 today!

Hey Yellow, I do not think this is true. Did you read this somewhere or is it just your experience?

 

[Mr. Pig]

I wouldn't say they are the exact same rides but they are similar. The one drop comes nearer the end on GRR and more in the middle of KRR. It looks like the drop on GRR is more intense than KRR but I really don't see people getting as wet as on KRR. I for one have gotten a lot more wet on the drop on Kali than I ever got on Grizzly. I think the drop on KRR creates a bigger wave than GRR. I think GRR overall moves faster with more water rapids action other than the drop. Of course this is my opinion and others may vary.

 

[ter-moo]

In my opinion (and I've been on both), there's really no comparison! GRR is far superior to KRR. It's longer, better-themed, has more rapids and drops and, just to warn you, YOU GET ABSOLUTELY SOAKED.

I won't even go near it in the winter months!!!

 

[Eaglefan9727]

YOU GET ABSOLUTELY SOAKED.

I wouldnt say that, Because this past April. I was on GRR and the whole boat was with my family and the only person that got soaked was my mom. A couple others got wet, But not like my mom while my fiancee and I only got wet from the lift from the squirting water fountains or whatever you want to call them. My mom took the soaking very good for a 70 year old.

Ive never been on the KRR ride before, So I cant compare the two.

 

[ter-moo]

I wouldnt say that, Because this past April. I was on GRR and the whole boat was with my family and the only person that got soaked was my mom. A couple others got wet, But not like my mom while my fiancee and I only got wet from the lift from the squirting water fountains or whatever you want to call them. My mom took the soaking very good for a 70 year old.

Ive never been on the KRR ride before, So I cant compare the two.

I must always be in the bad seat, then, because even with a poncho I manage to get pretty wet!

I think the worst place to sit is near the opening to the raft--the water seems to just pour in there!

 

[Eaglefan9727]

I think the worst place to sit is near the opening to the raft--the water seems to just pour in there!

That is the part of the raft my mom was sitting next to, So you might be right about that theory. My nephew was on the other side of the opening and he was the second wettest of the bunch.

 

[TinkandPooh]

In my opinion (and I've been on both), there's really no comparison! GRR is far superior to KRR. It's longer, better-themed, has more rapids and drops and, just to warn you, YOU GET ABSOLUTELY SOAKED.

I won't even go near it in the winter months!!!

I too have been on both and find that GRR is longer and seems to be more fast paced than KRR, however I can honestly say that I have been on GRR many times and I am yet to get really soaked. I will admit that I have come off GRR wet but not soaked........now on the other hand when I went on KRR I happend to be in the part of the raft that was facing backwards when we got to the bottom of the only drop and I along with several others in my party were soaked to the bone .....I mean not a dry spot on our clothes, bodies, hair, etc....... it was equal to just jumping into a swimming pool with your clothes on, I have never been so drenched on any ride in my life other than ones at an actual waterslide park...LOL
I would have to say I prefer GRR only because I like all the twists and turns and caves and just the whole entire path of the ride not to mention the fact that it does have several drops which is a big +.

 

[oscarkitty1]

In my opinion (and I've been on both), there's really no comparison! GRR is far superior to KRR. It's longer, better-themed, has more rapids and drops and, just to warn you, YOU GET ABSOLUTELY SOAKED.

I won't even go near it in the winter months!!!

ITA!! No comparison! We had been on GRR many times before our trip to WDW, and when we realized that we were at the end of KRR, we were like, where's the big drop??

Still, it was a lot of fun, and the que line was really cool!

As many times as I've ridden GRR, I've only gotten the geyser once, but it was at night! I love the aticipation of not knowing if it's going to get your raft! But I would rather not actually get it, cause it was a complete soaking!!

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it's better to say that you can get completely soaked on GRR.

I've seen rafts go by missing splashes and the geysers, and then rafts get completely soaked. I've been on a raft where half of the people were just wiped out with water while I got a nice sprinkling but no big deal (though I'll admit, I wear a poncho, but the poncho was just sprinkled on).

But I know nothing about Kali.

 

[avalon451]

Here's a quote from Unofficial Guide to Disneyland:

"What distinguishes Grizzly River Run from other theme-park raft rides is Disney's trademark attention to visual detail. Where many raft rides essentially plunge down a concrete ditch, GRR winds around and through Grizzly Peak, the park's foremost visual icon, with the great rock bear at the summit. Featuring a 50-foot climb and two drops -- including a 22-footer where the raft spins as it descends-- the ride flows into dark caverns and along the mountain's precipitous side before looping over itself just before the final plunge.

"When Disney opened the Kali River Rapids Raft ride at the Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World, it was roundly criticized (and rightly so) for being a weenie ride. Well, we're here to tell you that Disney learned its lesson. Grizzly River Run is a heart-thumper, one of the best of its genre anywhere. And at five 1/2 minutes from load to unload, it's also one of the longest. The visuals are outstanding, and the ride is about as good as it gets on a man-made river. While it's true that theme-park raft rides have been around a long time, GRR has set a new standard, one we don't expect to be equaled for some time."

 

[DoomBugger]

Here's a quote from Unofficial Guide to Disneyland:

"What distinguishes Grizzly River Run from other theme-park raft rides is Disney's trademark attention to visual detail. Where many raft rides essentially plunge down a concrete ditch, GRR winds around and through Grizzly Peak, the park's foremost visual icon, with the great rock bear at the summit. Featuring a 50-foot climb and two drops -- including a 22-footer where the raft spins as it descends-- the ride flows into dark caverns and along the mountain's precipitous side before looping over itself just before the final plunge.

"When Disney opened the Kali River Rapids Raft ride at the Animal Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World, it was roundly criticized (and rightly so) for being a weenie ride. Well, we're here to tell you that Disney learned its lesson. Grizzly River Run is a heart-thumper, one of the best of its genre anywhere. And at five 1/2 minutes from load to unload, it's also one of the longest. The visuals are outstanding, and the ride is about as good as it gets on a man-made river. While it's true that theme-park raft rides have been around a long time, GRR has set a new standard, one we don't expect to be equaled for some time."

Speaking as someone who has been on both rides many, many times I would say the above description is very accurate. GGR is far superior. KRR I've been on a bunch too and it just falls short, too bad they didn't try harder on KRR. We just rode GRR a couple times in a row this week and it is as fun as it was when I last rode it last summer.

Cool detail to watch for: All of the features / obstacles on the ride have specific names and they are written as you enter or descend into them. For example, I'll give one away... The first drop is called the Bear Claw for the claw-like guard that holds each raft before it allows them to go down the drop. The cave and the other features along the way have names, check it out, kinda fun!

 

[HydroGuy]

I wouldnt say that, Because this past April. I was on GRR and the whole boat was with my family and the only person that got soaked was my mom. A couple others got wet, But not like my mom while my fiancee and I only got wet from the lift from the squirting water fountains or whatever you want to call them. My mom took the soaking very good for a 70 year old.

Ive never been on the KRR ride before, So I cant compare the two.

GRR has two modes that Disney can adjust between. One is more wild and more likely to get riders wet. The other is less wild and less likely to get riders wet. They of course use the wild mode when it is warm out and mild mode when it is cold. April is in between so not sure which you were on. Just FYI.

 

[ter-moo]

I think it's better to say that you can get completely soaked on GRR.

I've seen rafts go by missing splashes and the geysers, and then rafts get completely soaked. I've been on a raft where half of the people were just wiped out with water while I got a nice sprinkling but no big deal (though I'll admit, I wear a poncho, but the poncho was just sprinkled on).

But I know nothing about Kali.

I wouldnt say that, Because this past April. I was on GRR and the whole boat was with my family and the only person that got soaked was my mom. A couple others got wet, But not like my mom while my fiancee and I only got wet from the lift from the squirting water fountains or whatever you want to call them. My mom took the soaking very good for a 70 year old.

Ive never been on the KRR ride before, So I cant compare the two.

Okay, I'll give on my "completely soaked" statement--what I meant was some PART of you will get pretty wet. Very few people come off "unscathed." Maybe it's best to say it's a much wetter ride than Splash Mountain.

 

[DoomBugger]

Maybe it's best to say it's a much wetter ride than Splash Mountain.

True. The point is you just don't really know on any good water ride, that is part of the fun to see how it plays out and who gets it.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

GRR has two modes that Disney can adjust between. One is more wild and more likely to get riders wet. The other is less wild and less likely to get riders wet. They of course use the wild mode when it is warm out and mild mode when it is cold. April is in between so not sure which you were on. Just FYI.

thats very true hydroguy...however, we went on grr yesterday and it was hot and they didnt even have the geyser going...

True. The point is you just don't really know on any good water ride, that is part of the fun to see how it plays out and who gets it.

we did get wet but not butt soaking drenching wet at all...didnt even get my hair wet...I wanted a do over