Kali River rapids clothing question

[BraveLittleToaster2]

My older kids would like to ride Kali River rapids for the first time on our next trip. I have done it many years ago but can't remember what I wore. Can they wear their rashguards and swimsuit bottoms? Also I saw something about shoes being required. I would hate to have their only pair of sneakers soaked. I know flip flops aren't allowed but what about water shoes?

Any tips on how to dress for this...where to change for afterwards or before or wearing a poncho or a suit etc...

Thanks for any help!

 

[Alesia]

Why do you think flip flops aren't allowed? That's pretty much all I ever wear at WDW - I will not wear sneakers there.

I have never changed my clothes for it.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We haven't and wouldn't change clothes for it, either. There aren't any changing rooms or anything like that. We do tend to wear fast-drying, athletic-type clothes when we go to AK (no denim, for sure). I thought swimsuits were on the "not allowed" list for the main parks, but I'm not sure. I have never seen females wear a swimsuit, guys could probably get away with it, as long as they wear a shirt. You can wear flip flops anywhere in the parks, there isn't a rule against that.

 

[Chevy]

Two years ago my daughters wore rash guards with matching swim shorts. They were short, and clearly swimsuits, and no one said anything. I suppose they were no worse than daisy dukes. The adults wore quick dry athletic clothes. We all wore sporty sandals. The kids did have skirts to wear over it the rest of the day.

 

[Marlyn]

We go in the summer. We look at getting wet as a bonus. Having said that though...even when not summer we would wear flip flops and quick drying clothing...or put a poncho on if you want to

 

[MainMom]

When is your trip? If it will be hot you will dry really quick. Otherwise, if you don't want to get wet, wear a poncho. We wore dri fit clothing and dried out really fast. I also scheduled this fast pass as our last ride before we took an afternoon break. We were dry by the time we got on the bus.

Just FYI, if they like Splash, those of us in the first two rows got totally soaked on one side. I was not expecting to get THAT wet.

 

[pa. dad]

My older kids would like to ride Kali River rapids for the first time on our next trip. I have done it many years ago but can't remember what I wore. Can they wear their rashguards and swimsuit bottoms? Also I saw something about shoes being required. I would hate to have their only pair of sneakers soaked. I know flip flops aren't allowed but what about water shoes?

Any tips on how to dress for this...where to change for afterwards or before or wearing a poncho or a suit etc...

Thanks for any help!

There is a ride very much like the Kali rapids at Universals Islands park with a Popeye theme.
They now have driers that you walk into that dry you off that cost 5 bucks. They soak you then they charge you 5 bucks to get dry.
Once you're in the raft, they are pretty lenient about removing shoes and guys shirts. its the wet platform that they require shoes for not the inside of the raft,

 

[BraveLittleToaster2]

Okay great thanks! I guess we will just plan to do it before a break time so we can head back to our hotel. Only reason I mention it is because my daughter doesn't like to stay wet. But yes it will be hot so perhaps she will change her mind.

 

[pens4821]

I would wear some type of moisture resistance shirt/shorts. They dry quite fast.

We were just there and it was closed. Going next August, and not sure what we want to do. We are sneaker people, and the thought of walking with wet shoes is horrible. Although, it'd be hot enough that everything else would dry, sure the shoes wouldn't take long. Not sure on whether to just skip it or not. Sounds refreshing on a hot day but the wetness could cause issues (rubbing of the legs and wet feet).

 

[got15]

We wear clothes that are lightweight and dry fast. My husband does pack a pair of flip flops in the stroller for him to change into. I usually wear a pear of Tevas on AK day and the boys wear their Keens. We also use Kali as our last ride of the day- I would love to do it more- but we usually get super soaked and there is no where to change. I have a love hate thing with getting wet but dont want to wear a poncho on a water ride (beats the purpose).

 

[CAS239]

You're shoes don't always get soaked. Anytime I ride I put my feet on the bottom bar in the middle and my shoes have never had more than a drop or two of water. Rest of you will be soaked if you're one of the lucky ones, but if you position your feet right you can avoid wet shoes

 

[drp4video]

Like was said, if it is hot you will dry fast. In the past, we have carried a pair of flip flops and put them on before we got on the ride. We put our other shoes under the tarp in the center to stay dry and they were fine. I am not a fan of walking around in wet shoes. This works. If you don't want to carry flip flops after the ride, make sure you have cheap ones, like for a buck or two, and toss them when you are done.

Other option as was also mentioned, is to safe this ride for the last ride of the day.

(we always get on, and remove our shoes real quick and put them under the tarp, then put them back on when we get out...shhhhh)

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

DD has worn her swimsuit (one piece) and a pair of shorts and flip flops on the ride. Afterwards she dried off (yes, we brought towels) and changed or we headed back to the resort (FYI AS Music is literally 2 minutes by car). Typically we ride it during the last hour of park time so we can go back to the resort to swim or get cleaned up

 

[NYCANC]

Went in Oct. and we always wear sneakers to the parks. I had flip flops in my backpack for everyone. We changed out of our sneakers and put that and my backpack in the lockers by the rapids. We also wore dry fit clothes and made the rapids one of the last things we did for the day.

 

[Dani C]

Another option on keeping shoes dry is to put some plastic shopping bags or small trash bags in your park bag or pockets. Put them over your shoes and, as noted, put your feet on the middle bar. No need to change shoes and more protection than just the bar. (My shoes have gotten rather wet, through to the socks getting damp, with only keeping my feet up on the bar as the raft turned just wrong.)

 

[tomatecerise]

That

The first Time we were drench. All my underwear were wet and i made noise with my shoes.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

Another option on keeping shoes dry is to put some plastic shopping bags or small trash bags in your park bag or pockets. Put them over your shoes and, as noted, put your feet on the middle bar. No need to change shoes and more protection than just the bar. (My shoes have gotten rather wet, through to the socks getting damp, with only keeping my feet up on the bar as the raft turned just wrong.)

The only time we rode Kali, my DH and I did this. We got some very funny looks as we were sitting there, putting our feet (with tennis shoes on) into a shopping bag and tying it shut on our feet. This guy next to me said, that's smart! Feet stayed dry...the rest of me did not fair so well even with the poncho on. We do not ride Kali anymore. Not worth it to us. But the bag on feet solution is a good one if you don't mind the looks, and you can be quick. You don't get too long seated before the ride takes off.

 

[mindeola]

I am the person in the raft that always gets soaked to the bone. Every. single. time. I just war quick drying clothes. The Florida sun always dries me out fairly quickly. I am another that wears flip fops all day long in the park. It is not an issue on that, or any other, ride.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

On previous trips, I had never gotten TOO wet on Kali. I kind of scoffed at the people who put on ponchos and covered their purses. This last trip, however, I got seriously soaked. I couldn't have been more soaked if I had taken a shower under a waterfall. I might just bring a poncho next time (especially since next time is in December).

My feet, however, aren't a problem as I tend to wear supportive sandals that will dry quickly - Tevas, Chakos, etc.

 

[snowman]

And don't wear a white cotton shirt!

My very first ever Disney trip, in 1999, my (now) ex and I went on Kali. We had seen the plentiful signs advising us that we would get wet, probably very wet. Well, there was a young couple in our raft....looked to be on their honeymoon. She was wearing a white t-shirt. Needless to say she was the hot seat that time and was soaked....and transparent. When we got back to the beginning the CM asked if we wanted to stay on and go around again. She was very pointed and angry with her "NO!" No idea who she was, but she has become part of my Disney memories.