Ponchos really????

[Krcarson13]

We were in the AK today and we rode the Kali River Rapids twice. The stranget site I saw all day were the MANY people wearing ponchos to ride it. Am I missing something? First, I didn't get all that wet, yes I got wet but ponchos???? Isn't the point of this ride TO get wet? These people probably wear sunscreen at night! I am baffled.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

This gets me abused by my family but I actually have a poncho wrapped around my legs from my knees down over my feet. I don't mind being wet but I HATE wet socks and shoes/sneakers. I know I should just bring flip flops and change before getting on the ride but I don't like to carry anything for the most part. Last October after we got off, the people who were on the raft with us said.."that is smarter than it looked and I wish I did it" so it's not completely nuts (just mostly nuts).

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Absolutely Ponchos..... the LAST thing I want to do is walk around the parks with wet britches, or go into an air conditioned restaurant, and it look like I wet myself when I sit down, and get sick during a vacation I planned for months and months. The runny mascara and eyeliner alone can scare the hot dogs out of ANYONE .... however, visiting this year so close to Halloween, it might be a good thing!!

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

The first time I ever rode it I got soaked from head to toe, so much so my sneakers squeaked when I walked and we had to leave the park so I could go back to the hotel and change.

Since then I've never gotten that wet again but more than I really like. It's funny you posted that question because I'm seriously thinking about wearing a poncho or not riding it for the first time.

 

[Monty]

See it all the time. I don't understand considering that it's hot out. It's a nice way to cool off. Usually the side with the heavier people get wet the most.

Quoted for truth!

I'm not small [260-ish] and It seems I always get drenched. My advice? Sit opposite me!

 

[ShookieJones]

For me - I get soaked I don't care. For my wife and daughter? when they get wet? They're absolutely miserable and I end up having to buy both of them new sets of clothes (may just be an excuse to shop who knows) or our day at the parks will end. So never mind ponchos - if I good get one of @Bob Saget 's beloved zip lock bags in human sized I would outfit my wife and daughter before riding Kali.

 

[Jeff456]

Do they not inflate the base of the boat depending on the season so people don't get so wet when it is cold? When I went on it in August, EVERYONE got drenched.

 

[Goofycanuck]

Chafing - not my idea of fun.

 

[NewfieFan]

I've done it both ways (with and without ponchos) and I can see the argument for both. It's not fun walking around in wet clothes (even in hot weather). But I have gone on the ride just to get wet to see if it would cool me down - It does a little but then I'm cursing the wet clothes afterwards.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

For me - I get soaked I don't care. For my wife and daughter? when they get wet? They're absolutely miserable and I end up having to buy both of them new sets of clothes (may just be an excuse to shop who knows) or our day at the parks will end. So never mind ponchos - if I good get one of @Bob Saget 's beloved zip lock bags in human sized I would outfit my wife and daughter before riding Kali.

I'm liking Tina more and more LOL!

 

[Pooh Lover]

Saw MANY people there last week absolutely dripping wet coming off the ride. No fun even with Florida's temps. Some things never feel like they dry completely.

 

[DisneyGirl3820]

My daughter and I learned the hard way. We, too, thought ponchos were kind of goofy (no pun intended), but we were SO wrong. After we went on the first time we managed to go unscathed and then took another ride....well, let's just put it this way, I will NEVER ride the rapids again without a poncho! My daughter and I got COMPLETELY soaked and I felt so embarrassed walking back though the park. My husband kept trying to mkae me feel better by saying, "Don't worry, it's Florida!" which did not help. People were whispering, "guess that lady was on the rapids....ha ha." Worst experience at AK ever. Do yourself a favor....wear a goofy poncho and you'll be happy you did.

 

[flynnibus]

the raft ride at UNI is like jumping in the pool. Ponchos are not enough.. bring extra clothes and shoes.

many people like getting splashed, but not soaked.. ponchos are a reasonable balance to get that.

To the OP.. you could say everyone shouldn't care about getting splashed in the pool.. you're already wet right? Well not everyone wants the same thing

 

[disneygirl76]

We were in the AK today and we rode the Kali River Rapids twice. The stranget site I saw all day were the MANY people wearing ponchos to ride it. Am I missing something? First, I didn't get all that wet, yes I got wet but ponchos???? Isn't the point of this ride TO get wet? These people probably wear sunscreen at night! I am baffled.

We saw this a lot. There is a difference between just getting wet on a ride and getting absolutely soaked. We just choose not to ride it b/c we don't want to run the risk. If you hit the ride "right", you could get drenched!!!! Yes, that is kind of the point, but being soaked isn't much fun. Speaking from the fact that it poured on us for 4 days and I got soaked, its not fun.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

The only time I didn't get soaked from head to toe on Kali was when I wore a poncho.

Isn't that the way it works? We carry ponchos in our bag every day because having them automatically means it won't rain.

 

[NebraskaMinnie]

Taking our 10 year old for the first time so not riding isn't an option. I usually pack an extra pair of shorts/underwear and plan on changing afterwards in the bathroom. My husband hates that I pack him some too but he appreciates it now, since one year I didn't and we were drenched and he (well he had a rough time walking around the next day.) My sister was along with us that year and something about getting soaked on this ride just switched her from having a great time to being ready to go home- seriously she was never the same after until the plan trip home.

Like you said to each their own but why not have a plan b- poncho or some extra panties on hand to spare yourself the worst case.

Don't know who said it but you are so right about Universal's water rides Popeye's and Dudley's- OMG, I ordered a tankini with swimshorts and plan on just wearing that under a t-shirt for that day! Ridiculously wet- but also ridiculously fun!

 

[disney1077]

My mom and me always get soaked on Kali so we have decided that next year we are going to wear ponchos. I dont care how silly I look, it is not fun walking around soaked with your clothes sticking to you.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

For me its i hate being wet but my husband loves the ride so i go on it with a poncho

 

[Krcarson13]

I am clearly in the minority here and I still don't get it. What we did was went on the ride after we ate and about an hour before before we left the park. And btw I am 330 lbs and watches my 90 lb daughter and just a few lbs heavier ( she reads this so I had to be discreet) go backwards over the drop room the direct opposite of them and they got it and I was bone dry so the weight thing doesn't hold up to me. We went right back on and I was sideways and got soaked on the left side.

 

[DisneyWall-E]

I also don a poncho when I ride. I dont want to walk around soaking wet all day, but I still enjoy the ride.

 

[rsoxguy]

I hate this attraction. The last time that I rode, I was drenched from head to foot. My sneakers squished with every step for the rest of the day. Every air conditioned room provided a new experience in chills. People looked at me as though I was an idiot, and I usually don't get that until they've heard me speak. Ponchos? I wouldn't go on this thing again unless I was covered from head to toe in Saran-Wrap. Double portion.