Animal Kingdom - Kali River Rapids
Animal Kingdom Asia
Kali River Rapids
- There is a height restriction of 38” in effect here and parents may use the “child swap” option.
- Lightning Lane: Yes
Those looking for respite on a hot day will certainly find it at the Kali River Rapids at the Animal Kingdom. When you see the numerous signs that indicate that you WILL get wet, believe them! Just be sure to soak in the sights of the well-themed and interesting queue before you get soaked yourself.
Tip: If you don't want to get wet, wear a rain poncho. You might want to bring extra clothes in case you do get wet.
The theme of conservation found throughout the Animal Kingdom is the premise of this exciting attraction. The ride is based on how the destruction of a rainforest by an outlaw logging company threatens the ecological balance of the area.
You
begin your experience wandering through a long and winding
path that is lined with knee-high prayer shrines similar
to those found in Nepal. You’ll pass rock-lined ruins
amidst overgrown tree roots, interspersed with wonderful
lush landscaping. The crumbling remnants of the statues,
long past their days as objects of worship, still command
a sense of power and dignity. When you enter the temple,
take note of the sandals lined up outside of the place
of worship as is the custom. Wandering through the painted
shrine, you’ll encounter 15-foot tall feline statues and
discover a magnificently carved, animal frieze that serves
as a room divider. Looking up, you’ll find hand-painted
murals on the ceiling, each of which tells a legend of
Bangkok. No detail is spared in creating the Asian atmosphere.
Prior
to boarding your raft, you’ll pass through a boathouse
where television monitors show slides of the Himalayas
that tells the tale of illegal logging and the loss of
animal habitats.
A
circular, slowly rotating boat dock leads you to the waiting
rafts, some which are aptly named “Manaslu Slammer”, “Banyan
Bay”, “Kali Bumper Car” or “Sherpa Surfer”. Each round
raft seats 12 around the perimeter with a space in the
center with a plastic cover to protect anything that you
don’t want to get wet. Please note: if you plan on removing
your shoes, you cannot go barefoot. You may want to bring
some beach sandals to slip on.
Your 4 ½-minute adventure along the Chakranadi River (“river in a circle”), begins with a steep 90-foot climb through jasmine and ginger-scented mists, continues on through the river’s main channel and bumps and careens past a waterfall. You’ll float through a thick, lush jungle and hear the calls of the wildlife within. As you bounce along the churning waters past the bamboo thicket, you’ll hear the chainsaws and smell the smoke as a precursor of the carnage that lies ahead. The lush, vivid greenery of the rainforest is reduced to blackened stumps as you dart past a logging truck perched precariously over the bank. Your wild journey has one drop and before you know it, your journey through the forest is complete. Beware the bridge with the smiling faces is watching you.
Handicapped Accessibility: Guests using wheelchairs must be able to transfer from their chair to board the raft. Guests who experience neck or back problems or suffer motion sickness, and expectant mothers should not ride this attraction.
