Strategies for keeping dry?

[shelemm]

How soaked/ wet do you get on the water attractions: Splash Mountain, Kali Rapids, Ariel's Grotto? And what do you do about it? Although I personally don't mind getting wet or even soaked, I am traveling with someone who is a bit more finicky than I am.

Should we bring along sandals to change into, or even other clothing?

It;s funny how so many guides say to do the River Rapids early... but I can't imagine everyone walks around the rest of the day soaking wet.

Thanks for all your help. My last time at WDW was 30 years ago!

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I always go to WDW in the summer. So I dry off in half an hour at the very most. One time I was wearing sandals, and I ran through the fountains in Universal, and my sandals were soaked for the rest of the day! That was a mistake! I couldn't walk around properley because my feet were sliding everywhere!
Anyway, I absolutely love getting soaked, I find it so funny. I'm actually disappointed if I get off a water ride and I'm not soaked!

ETA: Buy a poncho if you want to avoid getting wet. Or even, buy 2 ponchos. One to wear, and one to place on where you'll be sitting, as that is usually already wet!

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

How soaked/ wet do you get on the water attractions: Splash Mountain, Kali Rapids, Ariel's Grotto?

Ariel's Grotto - is a walk thru meet and greet with Ariel, with a water playground just outside - you can easily avoid getting wet there.

Kali - you could walk away dry or completely drenched - it depends on how your boat spins.

 

[JRawkSteady]

If you want to stay dry at Kali, you could wear a poncho. However, just to let you know...you will be completely dry within an hour (even if you are wearing jeans). The heat in Florida may be brutal, but you'll be begging to jump back onto Kali or Splash mountain yet again!

 

[MommyPoppins]

I agree with the previous poster that even if you get soaked to the bone, you'll dry off VERY quickly if the weather is warm. I think that there is just a small chance of getting very wet on Splash, even in the front I've never gotten more than a little wet. I've gone on Kali several times and always lucked out and didn't get soaked. One of my little ones did and I know he dried very fast because he never complained about being wet. I've seen LOTS of people on Kali with a poncho, but I've also heard so many times that they don't help on Kali. So, But, I think that is what makes Kali so much fun, the "what if" of the big drop and are you gonna get soaked. Also, just keep your feet up on the little foot rail in the raft and they won't get soaked, if you keep them down they will because the bottom of the raft fills with water.

 

[tmt martins]

I was just at DL and with a boat full of Adults (6) we were low in the water and all soaked.
I wear board shorts (had light sweats on over) ,water shoes (take socks off if needed) ,and Coolmax or Underarmor type shirts.

They all dry very fast and keep you cool even when very hot .I think they made this stuff for Parks and not Sports .

When cold I just through a Hoodie on and Poncho when I don't want to get wet at all.

 

[dmk1021]

I agree with the previous posters that you will dry off very quickly in the summer. One thing I've noticed:

Try not to wear jean (denim) shorts. When I get wet in them, they make this annoying squeaking sound and are way more uncomfortable than cotton shorts. That will maximize your (and your friend's) comfort and help you dry off faster, and feel the cooling effects of the water better.

Have fun!

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Here's a "cheap" hint. Dollar store sells rain ponchos for "you guessed it" $1.

It's not a bad idea to pick up some of those for the trip. You will certainly dry off very quickly (poncho or not) if you are going in the summertime but these are always good to have on hand and they pack extremely well.

 

[shelemm]

I agree with the previous posters that you will dry off very quickly in the summer.

Actually, I am going at the beginning of March, not the summer. Does the advice still appply?

 

[KAMommy]

I've never gotten REALLY soaked, except the second time I rode Kali last October, but that was fun!!! And even though it was mid-October, I was dry in a couple of hours (and believe me, there was not a dry spot on me anywhere!)

We did have a brainstorm that really helped us keep our things, if not our bodies, dry. We folded a couple of those big 2 gallon zip lock bags up in our sling packs. Before we rode Kali, we just rolled things a bit and slid bag, cameras, tickets and all down in the bag and zipped it up. We got off, un-zipped, and tossed the wet bags. It worked great, and you didn't have to worry about ruining your cameras and stuff.

 

[thadlo]

My kids and I aren't real fond of getting soaked. Before going on the ride we take off our socks, we put our jackets on (we go in Feb.). As we get on we push our shorts up and pull our jackets down as far as we can. The jacket covers most of our shorts cause they're shoved up under. The hoods go up and we're all set. Yeah, we look not so great, but once the ride is over we can just take off the wet coat. I guess a poncho would do the same but I hate to pack them and carry them around unless its raining.

 

[RivaLJ]

My DS4 and I got SOAKED on Kali last August. You know how they say the rains stop after 10 minutes or so? Well not this time! It must have poured for over 2 hours. We never had a chance to dry off! We froze in the Lion King show and on the bus back to the resort. SO it may be wise to wear a poncho on this ride!.
As for Splash Mountain- you don't get too wet.

 

[drp4video]

Kali-depends where you sit as stated above...I have worn a raincoat in the past and it does help. Make sure to tuck in under you too so your butt doesn't get wet. After I get on, I take off my shoes and put them in the center under cover so they don't get wet.

Splash-you won't get too wet, especially if you sit in the back of the log. In summer we request the front to cool off, in winter we sit in the back.

 

[Azure]

Kali River Rapids is VERY bad for you getting soaked. Especially if it's raining and you go around twice cause nobody else is waiting in line. Splash you just have to know where to sit. My brother ducked and I got S-O-A-K-E-D from him. My hint is don't wear denim jeans or anything that can't dry quickly.

 

[goofie4goofy]

Buy a PONCHO.

It may be true that you will dry off quickly, but some aras don't dry as quickly as others.....Yes, I am talking about the dreaded Fisherman's A$$. That horrible feeling when you have a damp bum that just does not dry....YUCK. Buy a poncho, it folds small and you can re-use it.

 

[Secondgradememories]

The oh oh comes when you are stopped at the top of the drop and you are backwards. We found that those poor souls were the ones who got soaked to the bone! So I guess it's not so much advice, but only a warning. At that point it's too late!
I agree with the previous posts about ziplocks and ponchos. We did the same - and Kali has a center compartment with a plastic lid to stow your stuff while you ride. The ziplock bag made it easy for us to get our belongings at the end of the ride in one easy, dry, swoop. Have fun!
And oh... the fisherman's bum brought back memories of cold trips on rough waters! Thanks for the memory!

 

[allisonswonderland]

My poor brother ALWAYS get wet....last summer he and his girlfriend came with my fiance and myself. He got wet on Pirates, Splash and the Malestrom (I am not sure where that wave came from but he got smacked) and then on Kali.....The gigantic wave swooped over him just as he thought he was in the clear....I still laugh. Anyway as we were leaving people were saying "are we going to get THAT wet?" One guy said "Hey dude did ya fall in?" I have never seen anyone that wet from Kali in my life. Well after he left, the curse became attached to me and I started getting wet on all of the rides, I hope it has left . We are going back in may

 

[UP Disney]

Actually, I am going at the beginning of March, not the summer. Does the advice still appply?

We go at the beginning of March. My recommendation is to buy the cheap $1 ponchos at Walmart - they are really small and can be carried easily. We will give them to other people in line after getting off. We bought 12 of them for the 4 of us.

 

[minijeanie]

I hate getting wet....and if you wear jeans it is even worse...takes all day to dry.

I would definitely wear a poncho on Kali Rapids(I won't go on cuz don't want to get wet)
We were in WDW one Sept. rained every day...cut trip short & went home
I hate rain...
don't care what anyone on boards here say...
rain stinks
especially if it rains consistently for 4 days in a row

so I will say to you.
if one day it looks like rain
wear open toed sandals
wear your ponchos
and dry your clothes in a dryer at night

just my advice

 

[tb3kids]

The Dollar Store rain poncho's, I must agree are the best for wet rides. Buy as many as you can for your trip! Have a great time.