Khali River Rapids....imp. question????

[d96j97]

Can anyone give me the "low-down" on the speed and drop of Khali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom? I have a 6 year old dare devil and an "almost 8" year old that isn't fond of any big drops. We were there 2 1/2 years ago and my oldest had trouble on "Goofy's Barnstormer". I figure they could have heard him screaming at Epcot.


We tried to prepare him that it was a roller coaster and he insisted on going on it. He was 5 at the time. In May, my DH and by two DS's are going and we hate to miss rides like the Khali River Rapids. We would love to do it as a family rather than switch off.

We know that bigger rides are a "no no" for our oldest but would love to squeeze in Khali River Rapids and Splash Mountain if possible.

 

[jpd3]

The big drop is only about 60-75 feet. It could be scary if you go down backwards. Be ready to get wet if you do!

 

[jl3614]

Kali rapids is mild - although you may get wet. I took my chicken 5yr old on this last year, he loved it.

Splash Mountain does have one significant drop. When you visited a few years ago, it may have been at the end of the ride - it is now in the middle. This may scare him - just tell him to close his eyes at the appropriate time, this helped for my son. By the time the ride was over he had decided he liked the hill.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by jpd3
The big drop is only about 60-75 feet. It could be scary if you go down backwards. Be ready to get wet if you do!

actually - if I remember correctly from watching the travel channel yesterday - it's only a 40 foot drop. and it's not the steep at all I don't think.

but yes - you will either get wet, drenched, or soaked.

 

[CamColt]

My chicken kids did this in December at ages 7 & 3 1/2. They were fine with it.

 

[christophfam]

I am considering brining sandals along in my backpack to change into before this ride. I've never been on it, but have heard how wet you can get. Wet feet is not something I want to have, but I'm not sure I really want to lug around sandals all day either. Would a change of socks do? What do you all suggest? I will be riding with DS8, DD5, DG70. Does how tall you are affect how wet your feet will get?

Thanks for the help.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by christophfam
Does how tall you are affect how wet your feet will get?

Thanks for the help.

Nope - it's russian roulette...you could ride and stay somewhat dry...you could ride and be drenched to the bone. There is no "safe seat" on the boat - as it turns at it's own will.

There are lockers available for rent - I suggest putting sneakers/socks in there and wear sandles (quick dry/rubber ones) onto the ride. you HAVE to have something on your feet during this ride - do not go barefoot.

you can put your feet up on a "bar" in front of you - but you'll still get wet.

there is a "dry zone" in the middle of the boat - where you can put a purse/backpack. And stuff DOES stay dry in there - however you have to share that with everyone else on the boat at that time - best bet is to get a locker if you a worried about an expensive camera getting wet.

 

[Jackie H.]

And if I remember correctly they won't let you take off your shoes and put them in the middle compartment - although some people do after they pull away from the dock.

If you go down the hill backwards, you will get soaked. We rode three times in a row and I went down backwards everytime. In fact, everytime I have ridden the thing, I go down backwards and get totally soaked! It spins around (not too fast or anything) and you never know how it will spin before it goes down the hill.

When I say soaked, I mean like jumping in a pond wet. Water was running down my legs when I stood up. But my feet did not get wet - I just put them up on the foot bar and they were fine.

I think you kids will be OK with it. It isn't a big drop and the ride is very short - too short IMO.

Splash Mtn is a longer ride and really quite relaxing and tame until the big drop. There are a few smaller drops along the way - and one is in the dark - but they are just a few feet. The big drop has a slow ride up to the top and that may built up some fear in him. When our daughter rode it for the first time, I just held her tight going up the hill and then kinda covered her eyes going down. She loved it!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by d96j97
We were there 2 1/2 years ago and my oldest had trouble on "Goofy's Barnstormer". I figure they could have heard him screaming at Epcot.

I'm so relieved someone else found Goofy's Barnstormer scary! I rode it once and that was plenty for me. However, I love Splash Mountain. Haven't done Kali yet, so I'm reading these responses with interest.

 

[Harambe]

I am a ride chicken and I went on this in January. It is really fun! The drops just don't feel bad to me if we are in a boat in water (for example, PotC). You will get soaked - wear Tevas on the day you do AK.

 

[KevinFSU]

We rode it in February. My son and I got moderately wet as we were going backwards when the raft goes over the geyser type fountain shooting up towards the beginning. These old people seemed to get a good chuckle out of seeing this. Now everyone laughs at those that get wet, but it just seemed like they enjoyed watching that a little more than they should have...lol. Ah, but at least there is a thing called karma. It was lovely seeing them go backwards down the big drop and disappear for a split second behind the wall of water crashing down on their heads. I got the giggles over that one.

 

[mugglemom]

We had to wait forever to get on this, like over an hour with no fast passes left!

It was very short and in my opinion not worth the wait. We went over the drop backwards and did not even get slightly wet. The couple opposite us got wet but not soaked and everyone else was lightly sprayed with mist.

I have ridden better raft rides in other parks and was really disappointed with this one. Just not up to the usual Disney standards!

 

[jaysue]

Wear your Tevas - wet socks are no fun at all

You will get a touch wet, you may get soaked

Now compared to Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges in IOA, KR is a "dry" ride - on that ride you WILL get wet, you have a good chance of getting soaked



thanks
jaysue

 

[stal]

We were allowed to stay on for about 7 times in a row, but had to get off as they were closing the park. We were very wet

 

[Kate-n-sam]

How do you handle being wet after the ride? Do you change your clothes? I can't imagine I'd be very comfortable walking around with wet shorts all day...

I rode it once and didn't even get mildly wet, but watched the other side of our raft get drenched....it was very funny! I'm sure I'm in for it this time

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

On our Nov trip my chicken 6 yr old daughter loved this ride! She did great! That drop does not go "down" nearly as fast on a raft as it does on the flume on Splash Mountain. It seems delayed because of the weight. IMO.
We bought cheap ponchos at Walmart and were really glad. People were begging us to give them away as we were exiting. Its much funnier when you know you will be staying confortably dry and not walking around with wet underwear! Yuck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Also keep in mind that 2 1/2 years is a long time and your son may love these rides now. Last April my 3yo was scared of many rides at Universal, even the ones that he'd gone on previously and liked and the ones that I didn't consider scary. Last month I brought him back to Universal and to WDW and he loved almost everything. The rides that scared him last year he now laughed at. The main exception would be 3D shows--those still scare him. He went on Dinosaur one time and didn't hate it, but didn't want to ride again.

He went on Tower of Terror 5 times, Splash and Big Thunder several times, etc. He did all the rides that he was tall enough for. That year had made a lot of difference in his development and understands "pretend" a lot more than he used to and is more daring overall.

Start small with your son and see how he reacts and then go from there. And have fun!!!!

T&B

 

[d96j97]

I value all of your opinions and will look forward to the "Khali River Rapids" now.

After that...maybe Splash Mountain as a family.

Thank again!!!!

 

[kel3420]

Do you normally take a complete change of clothes with you or do you wear ponchos?

Thanks

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Last November after riding Kali River Rapids we stopped at nearby restroom and saw a wet little 2 or 3 year old boy kind of "hiding" in one of the stalls watching his Dad drying his underwear under one of the POWER dryers! Very funny sight!