At a Glance
Duration: 3 minutes, 30 seconds
Look Out For: spinning, one 25 ft drop, some piped-in smells, and YOU WILL GET WET
Opening on March 18, 1999, Kali River Rapids is an exciting raft ride that will leave you both soaked and environmentally conscious. But how scary is Kali River Rapids? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Kali River Rapids has a ride duration of 3 minutes and 30 seconds. While you may spend a few extra minutes in the ride vehicle during loading and unloading, the actual ride is relatively short.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Kali River Rapids has a height requirement of 38 inches. Disney also warns that those with back/neck issues or those prone to motion sickness consider skipping this ride.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Kali River Rapids ride vehicles consist of circular rafts seating 12 passengers facing inwards. The seats are situated in groups of two – with a space between each group – so this could be a great fit for those wanting to sit close to a loved one. Each passenger gets their own seatbelt and has access to the circular handlebar in the center of the raft.
4. How Does Kali River Rapids Work?
Kali River Rapids works like a standard Disney water ride, pulling the raft along a submerged track. While it may look like an off-the-rails whitewater adventure, the entire ride is controlled – even the 25 foot plunge.
5. Is Kali River Rapids Scary?
Kali River Rapids is not intentionally scary. While there are certainly a few thrills, dips, and a whole lot of water, the ride itself lacks any spooky theming whatsoever.
There is, however, a pretty jarring scene depicting deforestation – complete with piped-in smoke effects and smells. In my opinion, the open-air setting of the ride prevents it from being too intense in the sensory department – but compared to the gorgeous, lush jungle surrounding the rest of the track, some guests may be bothered by the sight of smoldering embers, bare stumps, and an overturned logging truck.
6. How High is Kali River Rapids?
Kali River Rapids does not involve heights. While there is a pretty substantial lift at the beginning of the ride (you can see it from the loading station), the lush jungle setting prevents you from seeing any change in elevation whatsoever. However, if you or a loved one is especially sensitive to slow, anticipation-building lifts of any kind, it could be issue. Fortunately, once you reach the top of the lift, you’ll just slide gently into another river section. The 25 foot drop comes later in the ride, after the deforestation scene.
7. How Fast is Kali River Rapids?
Kali River Rapids does not go very fast. While there are some slight accelerations along the whitewater sections and a very controlled drop that gathers some speed, a good part of the ride is just a slow drift through the jungle.
8. Does Kali River Rapids Have Drops?
Kali River Rapids has one 25 foot drop. Aside from the very small dips and turns along its track, the whitewater “plunge” is definitely the highlight thrill of this attraction. While it might seem a bit daunting, this drop is much less intense than most in Disney World due to its very controlled nature and fairly shallow incline. In my opinion, it feels more like an accelerated slide downwards than a true drop like you might find on other water rides like Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean.
9. Does Kali River Rapids Cause Motion Sickness?
Kali River Rapids may cause motion sickness to some riders. Due to the drifting nature of the ride, your circular raft will spin almost constantly throughout the attraction. Though the spinning is mostly slow-paced, Disney does explicitly warn those prone to motion sickness, so be aware of this before hopping on the ride.
10. Is Kali River Rapids Claustrophobic?
Kali River Rapids should not be claustrophobic for most riders. Due to its open-air setting and short ride duration, this ride does not feel overly confining, in my opinion. However, those prone to claustrophobia should be aware that there is a seatbelt and the excellent theming around the ride can really make you feel like you’re trekking deep in an isolated jungle.
11. Are There Animatronics on Kali River Rapids?
There are no animatronics on Kali River Rapids.
Kali River Rapids Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. After following a fenced trail through a jungle landscape, you’ll make your way through several exquisitely-themed open-air rooms complete with tons of artifacts and other amazing props (very similar to sections of Expedition Everest‘s queue).
These covered sections offer a nice break from the sun and also have fans in some areas – making it a fairly comfortable queue considering its lack of air conditioning. You’ll finally reach the loading station – marked by a large gazebo-type structure – and prepare to board the rafts.
Kali River Rapids Ride Walkthrough
Once boarding, your raft will very slowly drift off of the rounded loading station and climb the large lift, lasting about 60 seconds. As mentioned before – it might seem like you’re about to take a plunge when you reach the top, but you’ll only slide gently into another river section.
You’ll pass waterfalls and other lush landscaping as you lightly ricochet over some mild rapids. From there, you’ll enter the deforestation scene where you’ll encounter smoking stumps and an overturned logging truck. The 25 foot drop happens as you exit this scene, but as I mentioned, it’s not terribly intense.
The rapids pick up speed and intensity from this point onward, and you’ll find yourself zipping through the whitewater rapids and getting sprayed and dripped-on by fountains and other hidden water-features. From there, the ride will slow as you drift your way back into the loading station.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Kali River Rapids? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from The Unofficial Guides:
