Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom Closing in January 2025 for Refurbishment

Posted: Tuesday December 10, 2024 10:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will temporarily close for its annual refurbishment starting January 6, 2025.

Kali River Rapids overview

Disney has not announced a reopening date yet, but Disney says it will reopen in march 2025. For the 2024 refurbishment, the attraction reopened in mid-March.

For details on Kali River Rapids’ refurbishment history, click here. You can also view a full list of current and upcoming refurbishments at Walt Disney World here.

Kali River Rapids overview

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JoeCamel15 days ago

Maybe they could have a flaming oil tanker drop into the river?

Professortango116 days ago

If the ride had music or animated figures or even effects beyond waterfalls and geysers; then yes, I would agree. As it is, it is very pretty and the flume is pretty fun. But, as I said, it doesn't even rank in my top 10 rapid attractions.

J454616 days ago

i think GRR is a proper Disney level RR attraction. Love it, my fave ride in DCA. KRR is not good at all imo, way too short.

Professortango116 days ago

Better, certainly. But I also find the ride itself pretty dull. I love Popeye and Bluto's due to the fun energy of the rapids, not because the effects are groundbreaking. I would kill for Disney to build something that fun with their level of craftsmanship in regards to effects, figures, and themeing. Disney has 3 rapid attractions now, and they have failed to create one that breaks my top 10. Think of what Disney did to log flumes with Splash Mountain. What they did to simulators with Star Tours. They changed the game. I just want Disney to give us a Disney-level rapid attraction.

Captain Culpepper Cline16 days ago

Kali is an 8 because of the spectacular queue and visually pleasing ride and great messaging also guest interaction at the end. 2 points off because it’s too short, not all original effects working, nothing added during refreshes.

UNCgolf16 days ago

Kali has never been close to great, but it was definitely a better experience (in general; not comparing it to GRR) when it still had all of the effects.

DCBaker18 days ago

It appears Kali River Rapids has reopened today:

Professortango129 days ago

Kali is a 4/10 for me. GRR is a 6/10. Neither are great, but GRR is certainly better than the snooze-fest of Kali.

JohnD29 days ago

I'm doing a combined WDW/DL trip in May. Will be interesting to compare Kali River Rapids with Grizzly River Run. Yes, I already suspect Grizzly is far better.

DCBakerFeb 28, 2025

According to updated operational hours, Kali River Rapids is set to reopen Friday, March 14:

Professortango1Jan 22, 2025

If only they would close it longer to turn it into a worthy attraction. It is, without question, the most boring rafting ride I have ever experienced. And is within a short drive of the best rafting ride I have ever experienced.

JohnDJan 06, 2025

That's some conspiratorial thinking, right there. It's the annual winter refurb. Who wants to ride a rapids ride during the height of winter? I rode it in December once and got completely soaked. I was miserable. I couldn't get back to my room quick enough for a hot shower and change of clothes. It closed today, BTW. https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/kali-rapids/news/06jan2025-kali-river-rapids-closes-for-annual-refurbishment-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

surfsupdonDec 11, 2024

I always wonder....is it a refurb for real, or is it closed because of low ridership and cash needed to staff and operate? Is the refurb really not as long, they just keep it closed longer?

DCBakerDec 10, 2024

Disney has added the following refurbishment timeline on the Kali River Rapids page: Kali River Rapids will temporarily close for refurbishment on January 6, 2025, and is expected to reopen in March 2025.