KALI RIVER RAPIDS – DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

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Learn more about Kali River Rapids and what else there is to see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in our Ultimate Guide to Planning your Disney Holiday!

WHAT ARE THE KALI RIVER RAPIDS?

Step aboard the rafts on the Tibetan Chakranadi River [which translated apparently means river which flows in a circle] thanks to the Kali Rapids Expeditions Company. The Expedition company want you to see how beautiful it is on the water here in Anandapur. This trip is exactly what it says on the tin – and you’re in for a wild, whitewater rafting ride! Sit down, buckle up and join your crew of 12 expedition members as you float unguided through lush rainforests, past temple ruins and then face the horrors of greedy and illegal logging in Asia before returning to the safety of Anandapur.

WHERE ARE THEY?

Nestled in the Asia area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the River Rapids are a part of the much needed and relied upon tourism industry of fictional Anandapur. Follow signs posted by the Kali River Rapids Company that lure you in.

HOW LONG DO THE KALI RIVER RAPIDS LAST?

The ride lasts around 5 minutes we think – it feels much quicker.

WILL WE GET WET?

Yes, you will get pretty wet indeed. Not just a sprinkle or a splash, this is a serious amount of water. Be prepared.

ARE THERE ANY RIDE RESTRICTIONS?

You need to be 38 inches, or 97 centimetres to ride for your safety. Jensen was just under 3 when he first sailed on them.

DO I HAVE TO WEAR SHOES?

Yes, you do – take sandals and change out of your normal shoes to ride, or you’ll have squelchy feet all day.

POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT KALI RIVER RAPIDS

POINTS TO NOTE

The theming as always, is incredible – spend some time really looking and taking it all in. There are genuine props bought in by Disney from Asia, everywhere.

Remember to see if you can spot the portrait of the Royal Couple of Anandapur in the queue – they’re also in every shop in Asia too!

If you look carefully, you can see the Cola bottle on a power pole, acting as an insulator, just like they do in small Asian villages. I had no idea about this and only learned about it when I got home!

This isn’t a scary ride. It’s just wet. Very, very wet. There are lockers provided.

Listen for the chainsaw in the queue! The loggers are getting close!

We ride just before we leave – soggy children are one thing, but if the weather is chilly, soggy and cold children are quite another. If it’s blisteringly hot, ride it early and you’ll dry out fast!

We take ponchos with us – other people have taken bin bags and cut arm holes in them, or just worn as little as possible and popped their clothes into a locker. Wear sandals instead of your normal park shoes because walking about squelching is not fun.