What to do with backpack on Kali river rapids?

[meganbear]

Since we will be leaving for WDW a week from today Pinkbounc ), I have a bunch of last minute questions, so forgive me for asking a lot of questions in the last few days.

We want to take a backpack to AK, but we don't want to put it in a locker. In the backpack we want to take flip flops and a rain poncho for Kali---we don't want to get soaked--especially our tennis shoes. Our backpack is the material that is water resistant, but will that be enough? Should we perhaps bring a plastic garbage bag and put our backpack inside it?

 

[OLT2004]

There is a storage compartment in the center ring of your raft.
The cushion is hinged and opens up.
Hope this helps!

 

[tjmw2727]

There is a storage compartment in the center of the raft for storage. It still gets a bit wet so watch out for cameras, watches and such. I usually bring a ziplock or two and put anything that can't get wet into the ziplock then into the backpack and then into the center compartment.

TJ

 

[paras4ri]

Just wondering how big that compartment is. Can it fit stuff from several people?

 

[meganbear]

Thanks! But I'm curious as well---how big is the compartment? Lets say that another person riding has a backpack as well---will two fit in it? There will be seven in our party, how many people does this ride hold?

 

[natcam1996]

I don't remember the compartment as overly large so it depends on how much you and your co-riders have to stuff. We generally rent a locker at the front of AK and put most of our stuff there. Sometimes, we even put a change of clothes in there in case we get really soaked and don't want to wait to dry out. I sometimes keep a pair of sandals in the the locker and switch to them before we get on. It keeps my walking shoes/socks dry.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

The compartment is pretty small...I didn't bother trying to store my backpack in it. Instead, I brought a white kitchen size trash bag and stowed the whole backpack in it, as well as our socks and sneakers, and held it between my legs when we rode KRR. It worked well.

BTW, if you're going to put on ponchos and sandals like we did, change into them before you get to the spot where you get on the ride. It's a continuous loader, and the CM's weren't too happy that I was holding up the line to get the Teva's on! It was definitely worth it though, as I was one of the ones who got drenched on that particular ride!

Afterwards, we gave away our ponchos to some other people waiting in line. Alot of people were asking if I had purchased them in the park. Nope, Walmart, 87 cents, I smiled.

Then we just had to carry the wet trash bag around for awhile till our feet and sandals dried in the sun, then changed back into our sneakers and socks and pitched the trash bag. Next time I'll remember a hand towel from the hotel for drying off our feet.

The ride is not as scary as I thought it would be. The only real excitement is wondering which two of the 12 riders is gonna get soaked after the hill

 

[bunnyfoo]

Originally posted by AuroraluvsPhillip
The ride is not as scary as I thought it would be. The only real excitement is wondering which two of the 12 riders is gonna get soaked after the hill

Out of curiosity... how big of a drop is the hill?

 

[buzz2400]

The compartment is somewhat small since I believe 10 people go on at a time. New rule from last year is that you have to wear shoes on this ride. People used to take off their shoes and put in compartment. They won't let you do this anymore so make sure you have sandles. Your feet do get drenched. I usually put all my things in a plastic bag (from the food store, walmart, etc.) within a plastic bag and then put everything back in the backpack. If a lot of people have things to put in compartment the flap does not go all the way down and things do still get wet. Also if you wear a poncho your bottom still might get wet.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

The drop is nothing...believe me or I wouldn't ride it...

Tuck your poncho under your behind before you sit down. Your lower legs and feet will get wet and if you don't put the hood up some water will go down your neck.(This is if you're in the seats that get the full force of the water)

I think there are 12 seats to the raft in groups of 2.