Divisive Disney Ride Shutting Down For Months

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Guests experiencing Kali River Rapids, Disney ride at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Disney World

Credit: Disney

A divisive Disney ride is shutting down next week and will be unavailable for months before Guests can experience it again.

Disney World Guests will either be excited or disappointed to hear that Kali River Rapids, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is shutting down on Monday, January 9, for an extensive refurbishment. While, initially, the closure appeared to be indefinite, Disney has updated its official website, informing Guests that the ride will remain closed for little over two months.

Kali River Rapids
Credit: Disney

As of this article’s publishing, Disney World’s website states, “Beginning January 9, 2023, Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will undergo its annual refurbishment. The attraction is expected to reopen in mid-March.” While an official date is yet to be announced by theme park officials, the attraction could be unavailable until March 16, approximately, shutting down for little over two months. It is important to mention that Disney officials can modify and update this information anytime, extending the closure should they deem necessary.

The attraction is certainly divisive, as many Guests are unhappy with it, and some even consider it needs to be scrapped and rethemed, as it’s nothing interesting. However, some fans, yours truly included, think it is the perfect ride to cool down on a hot summer day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Kali River Rapids
Credit: Disney

While Kali River Rapids will be unavailable in the next few months, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has many rides and experiences for you to enjoy! The Park is home to Pandora – The World of Avatar, a fully immersive land that hosts two of the most popular and advanced Disney rides; Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park is also home to other popular attractions, including Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, DINOSAUR, It’s Tough to be a Bug!, and Kilimanjaro Safaris, with rumors of upcoming attractions inspired by Disney’s hit films Moana and Zootopia.

Expedition Everest at night
Credit: Disney

As if that wasn’t enough, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is also home to world-class entertainment offerings like Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!, and Tree of Life Awakenings — which recently received a significant change to celebrate the latest Avatar film.

More on Kali River Rapids

Disney describes the thrilling ride as follows:

Raft Down a Rip-Roaring River

Skim across an erupting geyser, drift below a canopy of lush vegetation and be whisked along fast-moving rapids. Graze gushing waterfalls and bedrock amid the raging current. Then, as the harmony of nature is disrupted, you’ll plummet down a dramatic 20-foot slope!

Kali River Rapids
Credit: Disney

You Will Get Wet

You will surely get splashed on this attraction—and you may even get soaked. Guests wishing to remain dry are encouraged to bring a waterproof poncho, extra clothes or a towel to dry off.

Lockers for mobile devices and other items you want to stay dry are located across from the entrance to Kali River Rapids and are available during your ride (on a first-come, first-served basis).

Do you like Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below!

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