Kali River Rapids Tips

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm on a roll thinkin' up questions today...

Because we've always gone to WDW in December, January, or February we always skip Kali. DH and I are going in May. I'm thinking we'll want to ride it for sure. Here's the question part: What tips can you give to avoid being completely, miserably water-logged on Kali??? Is this even possible??? Here's what I was thinking: bring cheap disposable ponchos, bring a couple garbage bags to tie our backpack up in, bring a pair of el-cheap-o flip flops to wear for footwear then toss after the ride, or wear comfy sandals that can get wet and still function. I hate squishy soggy tennis shoes and clothing. That would make me insane. I'd even bring a full change of clothing if I had to. LOL! Anyone else have any techniques or other things to add? I want to at least ride this thing once. We never have.

 

[Master Yoda]

Wear a poncho and shoes that can get wet. That is really about all that you can do. Rest assured that you will see a number of posts that claim "I never get wet" "You will only get splashed a little" yadda yadda yadda. That might be true for some that have only ridden the ride a few times or just have unbelievably good karma but it is not true for everyone. One thing I can guarantee you is that at least two people on every raft will get soaked at the bottom of the big drop. If you are not one of those two unfortunate souls please let me know what that is like because ever single time I have been on Kali I have been one of those 2 people. My own kids will not even sit next to me on that ride anymore.

 

[Captain Hank]

I like to think of Kali as water roulette. Most of the people in the raft will get splashed. Two people will get water in places they never imagined.

So, do you feel lucky?

 

[Philo]

My advice is not to worry about it and just get wet!

The sun will dry you out quickly (I got drenched on both Kali and Bilge Rat Barges at IOA in January and still dried out).

I've always thought that the ride is less fun if you have to get yourself prepared and then there is no real 'Oh NO, I'm heading right for that waterfall' feeling which is basically what make the rides so fun.

All I do is take a plastic bag to put things like a wallet, camera, tickets in. Stick that in my backpack and then put that in the holder in the centre of the craft.

Just remember not to go on it right before you leave the park or right before a dinner reservation. If you go on just before you grad a quick meal you can sit in the sun and be dry in no time.

EDIT: Actually is a good idea to plan footwear as your shoes won't dry out so quickly and you could end up with blisters

As for staying dry on the ride, I've heard all sorts of things about balancing the weights, leaning forwards etc but nothing is solid - just too many variables. All you can do is sit on a dry seat so you don't get a wet behind before you even begin!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

So, do you feel lucky?

Not particularly. :brick: I'm generally the big loser. :ROFLOL:

 

[MicheleK]

One thing you can count on is your feet getting soaked, wear or bring flip flops or you'll get blisters for sure.

I've been on Kali countless times and sometimes I'm one of the two to get "drenched" and sometimes I just get a little wet. By little wet, that means your butt will be wet, which in my case causes chaffing (sp??).

I recommend you either do the poncho thing or take an extra pair or shorts or allow ample time to dry off before "walking" around. I did Kali last year in late May in the morning, got soaked and then continued to do the rest of AK, then it was off to MGM and finally ending the evening at MK. Well by the time I was at MK, my chaffing had gotten so bad it was bleeding . I went to the nurse and she recommended I go next door to the baby changing area and purchase some Balmex. It helped, but not enough. I managed to stay until after Wishes and then waddle out of MK back to our condo.

Just my little tale of woe.

 

[fosse76]

I've never understood people who go on water rides but do their best to stay dry. The point of a water ride is to get wet. If you don't want to get wet, don't ride it. Getting wet is 90% of the fun.

 

[fizzle75]

For some reason, I always get soaked on Kali...maybe it's because I'm so heavy that my weight spins the raft around as we go down the drop!:lol:

Back in December of '06 we were on Kali about thirty minutes before park closing and the ride operator kept letting us stay on. We ended up riding about four or five times in a row and we were soaked to the bone, the really bad part is that central Florida was experiencing a cold snap during our trip and we almost froze to death! Despite the icicles hanging from our frozen noses, we had a blast and it ended up being one of my favorite WDW memories.

My advice would be to wear crocs or flip flops since they dry really quick and pray that there's a fat man on your raft.


I'll be happy to volunteer by the way!:wave:

 

[DisneyDancer312]

i have a little brother that always had a stroller so we just all put flip flops in there and switched when we went on the ride. as far as getting your clothes wet. u will dry off quickly...i think the best part is gettting soaked by thats just me! hope u enjoy the ride ! we'll be there in may also!! :sohappy:

 

[Thiger]

I love getting wet on this ride. Its my fav of all water/flume/canyon style rides. The funny thing is: be prepared to get mocked if you have a cheap poncho on. Someone looked at me and said 'do you know what they call people like you?

I said: clever?

they laughed, but yeah, in my defense I bring the ponchos for rainy days and wore my nice sneakers to AK instead of my 'postal shoes, ie. through rain through sleet through snow'

Best bet: Poncho & sandals

You have to go through and just appreciate KRR's que. It's the most beautiful one built yet, IMHO. Esp the broken budda's near the giant cat statue...wow

I love the bollywood posters too

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Oh! I just thought of something! I could run down to the beauty supply store and get a bunch of those disposable foam flip floppies that you get at the nail salon when you get a pedicure. I can see DH's response now...it prob'ly include a lot of cursing...:ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

 

[Disneybird]

Well it's too bad I won't be there when you are because you could ride in the raft opposite me and stay very dry. I always seem to be the wettest one that gets off. But it's so much fun. :ROFLOL:

 

[KaliSplash]

Hi there ! There's a reason Kali is in my name. We love this ride. The only thing is it's too short.

As to staying dry, why? JK!

There are two approaches. One is to make it the last thing you ride before returning to your hotel for lunch or the night.

Then there is this approach, which we have used several times. Put on your bathing suit, a T-shirt and flip flops and be there first thing in the morning. Rent a locker and store a complete change of clothes, including towels. Ride Kali as many times as you wish. Go to locker and retrieve clothing. Go to nearest bathroom and dry off and change. Return wet clothes to locker. Yes, it takes several steps. But we once rode Kali 7 times in a row right at park opening and then changed and yes, it was worth it!

 

[Craig & Lisa]

The best advice I can give you is don't get on it and stand outside during a rainshower. :animwink:

 

[Scooter]

Here's a tip:

Don't wear a white T-Shirt or Blouse.

 

[tcwickings]

Plan on getting wet to really wet.

 

[dhoywdw20x]

My advice is to suck it up, if you get wet O Well, it might be a scorcher and you'll ride it again. We once rode it in February 6 times in a row before any of us got soaked. So its purely luck. Good Luck!!! Get WET!!! and have a Magical Day!

 

[dreamscometrue]

Go on a hot day and you'll dry.

 

[H20Babie]

I'm generally the big loser. :ROFLOL:

Me too; and a water logged one at that. But that's half the fun! Also makes DS laugh like a hyena.

Here's a tip: Don't wear a white T-Shirt or Blouse.

Beat me to it!

 

[One Lil Spark]

Not just a white tee! Make sure your bottoms aren't white or very thin khaki either! I made that mistake once. :zipit:

I bought a poncho at WalMart before my trip last month for $.98. They come in a really small pouch so they take up no room at all to keep in your bag. I'd stock up on those.

**THREAD DRIFT ALERT**

Fizzle75, I'm in Franklin. :wave: Nice to see a fellow WDW lover so close.