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Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is an attraction located in the “Asia” section at the Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park.
At Kali River Rapids, you and 11 others, are launched on rafts into the turbulent Chakranadi River of India. The journey takes a frightening turn when passengers encounter illegal loggers who have destroyed the landscape and filled the river with debris.
The Attraction
As you wind your way through a very long outdoor queue area, you can enjoy birds and artifacts brought to Animal Kingdom from Asia. The queue area is incredibly themed so pay close attention as you make your way to the rafts.
Once through the turnstiles, you are on a very large rotating disc that moves at the same speed as the rafts. You will get right into a raft, seatbelt yourself in and off you go!
Mist and scents of jasmine greet you at the start of the ride. The raft heads upwards and then down a water fall. The raft sloshes back and forth through a rainforest and temple ruins, but then you smell smoke! The illegal loggers are burning the forest!
Your raft twists and turns through the rapids until you finally are returned to safety.
Touring Tips
-YOU WILL GET WET!!!!!!!!
-Kali River Rapids is a FastPass attraction. Get your FastPass, then take a walk through the nearby Maharajah Jungle Trek while waiting for your FastPass window to open.
-There is a plastic-enclosed, zippered protective area in which you can place your belongings, however this is not really very protective. As the day goes on, this area gets wetter and wetter. It is advised to bring a small garbage bag or 2 gallon Ziploc bag with you so your items can be placed in there and then put into the protective area in the raft. There is not a lot of time once you enter the raft to store your items, so be prepared!
-Don't miss the queue area, it is full of unique designs and artifacts from Asia.
-The drop is not very steep and is approximately 30 feet; while it is a longer drop, the thrill factor of the drop is similar if not a touch higher than the Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride in the Magic Kingdom.
-Wearing a poncho will help, but your feet will still be exposed!
-This is a GREAT way to cool off in the hotter months!
-You must be 38 inches tall to ride the rapids.
-Unless your child is frightened by fire, the ride is not considered scary.
Dining
Currently, your dining choices in Asia are limited to the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck. However, the Yak and Yeti, a new table service restaurant, is slated to open late this summer (2007).
Shopping
Mandala Gifts - Asian themed souvenirs, tiger apparel.
Interesting Facts
-Opening date: March 18, 1999
-Vehicle type: 12 person rafts
-Ride duration: 4:30 minutes
-Before the ride opened in 1999, the ride was originally going to be named Tiger Rapids Run, but was changed to Kali River Rapids because there were no Tigers to be seen.
-Guests standing on the bridge as you approach the disembarking station can and will shoot water at you through the elephants.
-Look for this “Hidden Mickey”: Along the entrance queue, keep your eyes peeled for stone statues in the grass. As you enter the next room, look at the lower left corner of the wall. Three of the plates on the wall above the bicycle form a classic Mickey, tilted down to the right. Although the ears and head aren't touching, the proportions are right.
It didn't help much that most of the time I had a three year old on my shoulders...
