Grizzly vs Kali

[snowy76]

Okay, we're usually WDW junkies but for our next trip we're thinking of finally going to DLR and I'm just starting to gather information. I had one random question to anyone who has ridden both Grizzly River Run at DCA and Kali River Rapids at AK in WDW -- compare the two please? Some aspects seem similar but honestly, Kali sort of seemed over really fast and other than the drenching at the end we sort of asked ourselves "is that it?"... this was to the point where we skipped it on our last trip. Is GRR any better? TIA

 

[spazzyjazzy]

We have never been to WDW but, we love Grizzly River Run. I have heard that it does not compare.

 

[MateasMom]

Hmmm. I've ridden both and I'm sure there is a difference but can't really think of it right now We're used to Grizzly but though Kali was perfectly fun. I think it's probably much tamer. Not because I remember it being tamer, but because I know the height limit was very low (definatly lower then GRR) and because my 7YO who hates GRR enjoyed Kali. I remember Kali being more 'themed. GRR doesn't really have alot of 'decor' going on and if I remember correctly Kali did.

 

[bellelinus]

I've been on both with my three daughters and we much prefer GRR -- it seems like a wilder ride, yet we have always gotten less soaked than on Kali.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I may be wrong, but I recall Kali basically being a single loop - a ramp up, a tour around, a splash down, another curve, and back to the loading zone.

Aside from being longer, GRR has several twists and turns, and, I think, two drops? I've been barely spritzed or soaked on Kali, always soaked on GRR.

Dirk

 

[iceskatejen]

GRR is much longer and has 2 drops. It's the tallest, fastest rapids ride in CA, that much I know.

 

[rsschneck]

Kali has a covered area to put purses and items that you don't want to get wet.

Grizzly has no place on the ride to keep your items dry (I think there are lockers outside of the ride check with a CM).

Grizzly is longer and you have the potential to get wetter than on Kali. The wetness depends on how the boat turns while you are going down the drops. Kali has the one waterfall at the end that gets everyone wet. Grizzly is a better ride IMO. From what I understand the Grizzly Fast pass is separate from the rest of the fast pass system. So, you can get a FP for Grizzly and say a FP for TOT at the same time.

Please, do not wear white t-shirts or shorts if you ride either ride. This is Disney not Hooters!

 

[bellelinus]

There are free lockers just outside of GRR to store your items for up to two hours without a charge. There isn't a place in the middle to put things you want to keep dry (although I've had times on Kali when things in there got pretty wet) so you need to do the locker before getting in line. The lockers will give you a little slip of paper with a number on it so that you can access your things after the ride.

 

[jakoky]

hi there, i think my whole family(me, dh, dd-15, ds-12, dd-10) way preferred grizzly at DL...we must have rode it 10-12 times in our visit in may, seemed like a wilder ride than Kali...and we got quite wet 1/2 the time and absolutely soaked the other half.....also preferred space mountain in DL but i think i liked splash mountain better at WDW.....have a great time
sharon

 

[HydroGuy]

We are DL vets and just did Kali RR for the first time a couple weeks ago. Here are some comments:

1. I agree with others that GRR is wilder and longer - and more fun

2. Hardly anyone knows that GRR has a "disconnected" FP. That means that when you pick up your Soarin FP, for example, and it says you cannot get another FP until say 1PM, this applies to all FPs at DCA except for GRR where you can get one right away.

3. We were at WDW during a rainy/humid time. So if you got wet on Kali or otherwise, you stayed wet. One of the things I love about DLR is that if you get wet, the arid conditions means you will dry off - especially in the warmer months.

Bottom line? No need for ponchos at GRR unless it is a colder day or you just cannot stand to be wet. Plus, as noted by others, they have free lockers at GRR.

 

[dletz]

I've only ridden Kali a few times and we got drenched. I have never worn a poncho on a water ride except for 1 time on Kali, because I wanted to ride, it but wasn't willing to get so soaking wet I was uncomfortable. I think on Kali, if you manage to hit the main water soakers (the top of the hill and the bottom of the hill at the end) you are a drowned rat, and the others are not nearly as bad. On Grizzly you turn so much and there are so many more opportunities to get wet that while I have seen people come off dry, you get a more even soaking throughout the boat.

I also like the CA temps better, so after Grizzly we have a chance to dry off, wheras in FL it was so humid that our clothes did not dry out at all even though the temps were in the 90s.

Also the wettest my daughter ever got for Grizzly was the time she was standing at the observation platform waiting for her dad to come down. It was a nice day, so I didn't say anything when she got close to the edge. Down came a boat and a huge wave comes over the side and right on top of her. The look of surprise on her face was priceless. I stood there laughing at my 3 year old totaly drenched. The rest of our party got off the ride, and she was the wetest of all.

 

[snowy76]

I may be wrong, but I recall Kali basically being a single loop - a ramp up, a tour around, a splash down, another curve, and back to the loading zone.

Yeah.... that's how I experienced it. Not much to write home about, IMO.

From the sounds of it, GRR seems much better! Thanks for all the replies!

 

[AStamm]

I wasn't all that impressed with Grizzly, and am not a fan of Kali either. Both are over way too fast. My DS and I used fast pass for the ride and were almost off it by the time my DH came back from a quick bathroom break. For the length of the ride, it wasn't worth getting so wet.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Grizzly beats Kali by far! Longer, faster, wetter, bumpier...
It may just be me, but I'm always getting soaked on both of those rides. So I always wear a poncho now. (Available at the store next to Grizzly for $7/pop, or get one at the Dollar Store!)
Have a great trip!

 

[Yookeroo]

I wasn't all that impressed with Grizzly, and am not a fan of Kali either. Both are over way too fast. My DS and I used fast pass for the ride and were almost off it by the time my DH came back from a quick bathroom break. For the length of the ride, it wasn't worth getting so wet.

Most people wouldn't think of getting wet as the price you pay for the ride.

 

[hawkrn]

just got back, and as a WDW vet I can tell you that Grizzly is better. But I got absolutely drenched (dripping off of me). There was "haze" that day so no direct sunlight and if I hadn't been staying at GC I would have been miserable. I always seem to dry off at WDW. Space mountain and pirates are better at DL too.