Idiots on Kali River Rapids

[cvemom]

She'll definitely not be alone. Everytime I've ridden Kali there's a 'Poncho onboard !" I never really knew why until the last time in July. The two women next to us put their ponchos on when we got on and I just had to ask WHY ? She said they like the twists and turns and up and downs but hate to get wet. Whatever ! Of course after every ride I think they might have something there when you walk around with wet underwear

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by PandyPaws
I once rode where there was an older gentleman opposite me who popped open a large umbrella when the ride began Now that looked a little silly but the expression on his face as he held that umbrella was priceless, and he, as well as all the passengers in the raft, giggled about it the whole ride through

ROFL!!!!

We wore our ponchos when we rode it 2 weeks ago...but that was because it was raining and we had them on anyway.

 

[rapriebe]

I'm with Uncleromulus. The best part of the ride is getting wet. I've seen people with ponchos on and they still walked off with wet shorts. If you happen to be the lucky one and get the "big wave" then there will be so much water that a poncho won't keep your seat dry.

We just wait till the end of the day and make it our last ride - that way we don't have to carry a backpack full of heavy wet clothes around the park. We take a dry change of clothes and go to the rest room that's right beside the ride and change. We wear water shoes on the ride so wet feet are not a problem. Even though you can tuck your feet up on the center bar, you can still ruin a good pair of shoes. If you don't want to carry around a backpack, you can store it in a locker.

The ride is so much fun that it is worth riding again, again and again. Hey, you are already wet so might as well make the most of it.

 

[waughzee]

The one time that I rode it, I wore a poncho. There was a man laughing at me, and making fun of me, but at the end of the ride, when he was soaked, and I was dry, he told me how smart I was.

 

[baileybelle]

Are you allowed to wear flip-flops? Can you take your shoes off and place them in the storage container on the raft and put them back on when the ride is over? Does the storage container on the raft keep things dry or would a storage locker better? Thanks ahead of time. :thewave:

 

[meandtheguys2]

We go in January and wear ponchos. I hate the cold/damp feeling, so I will sometimes take clothes too. Our other reason is that twice now, we have had ressies at RC and had to buy dry T's for the boys due to the AC in that place. Their lips were blue!

Have a great time, and ignore anyone rude enough to care what you do!

 

[slp87]

Are you allowed to wear flip-flops? Can you take your shoes off and place them in the storage container on the raft and put them back on when the ride is over? Does the storage container on the raft keep things dry or would a storage locker better? Thanks ahead of time.

My DH and I sent my DD on Kali, but we had her wear her swimsuit with wind shorts and a tee and brought flip flops to the park. She took off the tee and changed into the flip flops before riding, which worked out great. Since we weren't riding, we held onto everything for her, but I'm sure someone else will know how dry things stay in the raft container.

 

[robinb]

You can no longer remove your shoes and put them in the middle. We were our Tevas on Kali.

 

[NotUrsula]

If chafing is the concern, the ponchos are probably NOT going to be effective. While they will keep most of your hair and also your upper body dry, the water sometimes completely fills the boat for short periods during and right after the bigger drops, and *WILL* get under a poncho. I know this because I tried it with just that goal in mind, and it didn't do me any good at all; I still got wet britches and ended up miserable for the next 3 days.

We have a similar ride at our local 6 Flags, and I've experimented with how to prevent the chafing problem. Other than wearing a 2 pc plastic rainsuit with a tight drawstring waistband on the trousers(which is effective, but too hot in summer), the only way to be *sure* to dodge chafing is to change clothes.

I bought a pr. of lined ripstop shorts and a bikini top, then put a mesh t-shirt over it. I change into this before riding Kali or any ride where I'm liable to get very wet, then change out of it as soon as I've finished riding. I keep a large ziploc in my backpack to put the wet clothing in, and bring a swimmer's towel to use to dry off. Shoes are not a problem because we always wear sport sandals in the parks.

I don't trust the center well to keep our things dry. I just pack a large trash bag along, and we put our whole backpack and camera bag, as well as all wallets and watches, inside of it and knot it up before riding.

BTW, here's irony for you: DS insists on wearing a poncho on Kali, b/c he doesn't like getting hit with big waves of cold water. However, as soon as we finish riding, he invariably takes off the poncho, then heads for the nearest splash fountain with the goal of getting completely soaked!

 

[knnrock]

I'm glad I read this post. I never thought about wearing a poncho on the rapids, but I think I will when we go.

 

[natcam1996]

My daughter likes "thrill" of possibly getting wet so we don't wear ponchos. But we do rent a locker and store a change of clothes there in case we get soaked want to stay in the park longer. I also put a pair of sandals in the locker and change into them before getting on the ride. The other reason we rent a locker is that it seems that often enough too many people with large backpacks or lots of other "carry on" items load up the center storage so the plastic protector doesn't always do its job.

 

[stinkerbelle]

we NEVER wear ponchos on this ride...I don't see the point. The ride would be boring, IMO, if you stayed dry.

we make it a point for Kali to be the LAST thing we do at AK before heading back to our resort. we learned our lesson once (my denim capris turned into very long wet pants by 11:30am) and now save it for the end.

those with ponchos aren't silly - nor are the people withOUT ponchos...I just don't see the need to be sure I stay dry on a ride that involves water. you miss the point of the ride.

 

[TmnsnMD]

We have a "rapids" ride at the Busch Gardens in VA. I always wear a poncho. My DH and DS always laugh at me -- what is the fun in THAT! Well I learned my lesson the first 4 times I rode this ride. I ALWAYS was the one person in the raft that ended up under the waterfall section. I learned quick not to wear thin / light colored shirts or shorts. DH and DS also laugh at me when I end up soaked -- so I figure wear the poncho and have fun laughing at them when they get soaked!

Well even with the poncho on I still end up wet, just not as wet as I would have been if I had not been wearing it. Remember I am the one that always ends up under the waterfall. I have never gone on this ride that I didn't end up there. I try to tuck the poncho tight to my legs to help with the water in the seat. I have fun on these rides no matter what. I do bring a change of underwear for everyone just in case.

I'll be there with my poncho on in less than a week and can't wait!

TmnsnMD

 

[eleanor]

When I see what some people wear at WDW ponchos are the least of your worries.

 

[Cinderella37]

I'd definitely wear a poncho if I rode this ride - which I never will. I'm kind of prissy and I hate getting wet (especially my hair), so I've never been on it. My fiance hates getting wet, also.

When we have kids, he gets to take them on or else we'll have to lie and say it's broken until our kids are old enough to go on by themselves. My parents had me believing this about a rapid ride at Kennywood until I was practically a teenager.

We do enjoy Splash Mountain, though. We normally request to ride in the last row and really only get splashed. I hear that it's nowhere near as wet as Kali.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

In June I wore a poncho that I had bought in the sporting goods section of Wal-mart. It was longer & more substantial than the cheaper ponchos. It was long enough to tuck under my bottom. I changed into flip flops before I got on the ride & gave my shoes, socks, camera, & pouch to someone in my party who was not riding. I heard about the center compartment on the raft, but it was a good thing that I didn't use it. Both flaps at the top were open & there was at least an inch or two of water at the bottom of the compartment. My things would have been soaked.

 

[blowinbubbles]

This thread is a good reminder that I need to start looking for cheap ponchos to bring!

The one and only time I rode Kali River Rapids, I got *sooo* soaked, from head to toe! It wasn't so bad, though, except I got chilly after a while, until my clothes dried!

Oh, and *definitely*. . .*don't* go on one of these rides if you are wearing white shorts and no underwear! When I was in Universal Studios last year, this woman got on Bluto's river ride in front of me wearing just that. . . .*big* mistake! I won't even comment further on that one! LMAO!

 

[BriarRosie]

Originally posted by Uncleromulus
Well--
we always see folks with ponchos, but never had any on our raft.
To me (in the warmer months at least) one of the fun things on this ride IS getting wet!!

That's true! When I know I'm going to be having the possibility of being drenched that day, I prepare myself before leaving my resort. I wear my nylon shorts, a NON white shirt, and Teva sandals (to avoid squishy shoes and socks).

It's a good thing I don't mind getting drenched, because I'm usually the target the water aims for.

 

[mom of five]

to wear a poncho. I got drenched even with the poncho on!
Glad I scotch-guarded our shoes!

 

[Fire14]

I ride the ride like this at Cedar Point every year and end up having to go on it twice to get wet. The one time I rode Kali I didn't get what People were talking about when they said they got soaked I only had a few drops on me, I think they must have turned water WAY DOWN as it was Nov. and Even my DH didn't get that wet. I have since seen HOW wet you can get.