Credit: DisneyOne disappointing guest experience on Kali River Rapids at Walt Disney World Resort revealed deeper, disturbing issues with the water ride. Just weeks after closing for refurbishment, the Disney’s Animal Kingdom attraction experienced serious, ongoing technical problems.
Kali River Rapids was one of the first attractions Walt Disney Imagineers conceived for the fourth Central Florida Disney park. “Skim across an erupting geyser, drift below a canopy of lush vegetation and be whisked along fast-moving rapids,” the attraction description reads. “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!”
Guests will walk away either slightly damp or soaked, so Walt Disney World Resort recommends storing valuable items in free lockers near the entrance to Maharajah Jungle Trek, another Asia attraction. Bring an extra change of clothes or a towel on cooler days, but expect the Central Florida sun to dry you off in minutes in the heat of summer!
Given the nature of Kali River Rapids, it closes more frequently for inclement weather than most Walt Disney World Resort rides. However, ongoing issues with the water attraction allegedly have nothing to do with the temperature or precipitation.
Earlier this month, a distressed Disney Park guest shared that they were stuck in direct sunlight on Kali River Rapids for “hours” until Disney cast members safely evacuated them. Weeks later, issues persist.
According to Walt Disney World Resort guests and the My Disney Experience app, Kali River Rapids hasn’t opened for at least three days. A Disney cast member explained that “technical issues” kept popping up, even after a weeks-long refurbishment in January and February.
“Unfortunately it seems like the couple months that they closed for refurb they didn’t get a whole lot done because it’s still closing frequently,” the Disney cast member wrote.
This week was the last straw for Kali River Rapids–a part broke that couldn’t be repaired or reattached.
“They’re going to be down for a week,” they explained. “Something broke and it’s going to have to be replaced.”
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t officially confirmed that Kali River Rapids will remain shuttered for a week, but the ride hasn’t reopened. As of Thursday, March 28, the ride is still closed.
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