Get soaked while protecting the forest in this rare Disney river rafting ride
Do you like getting soaked? This is the only raft ride in Disney World, where you board a vehicle for up to twelve passengers and then it’s time to pray to the God Poseidon so he takes pity on your soul. But hey, getting drenched from head to toe might just be the perfect way to cool off, especially during the scorching Florida summers.
The theme of this ride is environmental destruction, a topic that's incredibly relevant in today's world. As you wait in line, you'll even hear the distant sound of chainsaws, symbolizing illegal workers destroying trees as if we were in the Amazon. Once on the ride, you'll catch whiffs of smoke and see charred tree stumps, painting a bleak picture of our planet's current state. Keep an eye out for a truck loaded with tree trunks and destroyed bridges, all caused by one of the most dangerous creatures on Earth: humans!
There aren't many raft rides in Florida to compare to Kali River Rapids. The only ones that comes to mind are Popeye at Islands of Adventure and Congo River Rapids in Busch Gardens. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Busch Gardens, so how does this Animal Kingdom attraction stack up against Popeye?
I’d say that Popeye is the better ride, honestly. There are a few reasons behind this.
Popeye definitely has a theme that's more charming and fun. It's bursting with vibrant colors, cool animatronics, and, of course, the beloved character Popeye himself, which adds a nostalgic touch. While Kali River Rapids offers valuable lessons about environmental destruction, it lacks the presence of a specific character to make the ride truly come alive.
You will definitely get soaked in Popeye. Seriously, it's like no one escapes dry. With numerous waterfalls and plenty of mini-drops, you'll be drenched for sure. Compared to Popeye, Kali River Rapids seems more tame. When it comes to getting soaked and having a good laugh about it, Popeye is definitely the reigning king.
Popeye is longer, clocking in at around six minutes, a full minute longer than Kali River Rapids, which is about five minutes.
If you've already experienced the top attractions at Animal Kingdom - Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris - then you absolutely must check out Popeye. Remember to wear sandals and leave your socks behind. It's a good idea to bring an extra t-shirt in case you get soaked from head to toe by the waterfalls. Now, just relax, have fun, and remember to appreciate and protect those trees as you enjoy the ride!
Will Kids enjoy it?
Yep, there is a good chance that they will really like this one. Kali River Rapids doesn’t even have a big height requirement at 38 inches, which means that even four year olds might be able to come here. It also helps that this ride isn’t as “intense” as Popeye or other raft rides out there. You can bring your little ones here before they try out Popeye or even other water rides like Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure.
Keep in mind that there's a chance your kids will get soaked, so it's a good idea to give them a poncho or pack a spare set of clothes to change into. Now go there and protect the forest!
