Chapter 7 - Animal Kingdom - Asia - Part 2 - Kali River
                                                                                            posted Aug 2022
After the experience on Expedition Everest in the last Chapter, we need to chill a little and do some local sightseeing before we try and tackle the Kali River Rapids. So, let’s venture through Serka Zong and take the road to the center of Anandapur, the mythical land the Disney Imagineers created in Asia. (Animal Kingdom)
We always include a map, so that we can help guests locate where we are within the park.
 
Just to retrack our steps, we entered Asia in the Animal Kingdom from Dinoland (See Animal Kingdom Chapter 6 – Asia – Part 1), then stopped off at the Yeti Museum. Of course, while there, we had to book a reservation with the Himalayan Escapes Tours to take the train excursion to the Base Camp of Expedition. Well, we couldn’t complete the trip because the Yeti in the mountain had torn up the tracks. After a rough roller-coaster ride, we finally made it back to the station.
Enough adventure for the time being, so let’s check out the sights and head over to Anandapur Township for some entertainment, shopping, and refreshments.
Discovery River Amphitheater

This is an amphitheater located along the Discovery River bordering Serka Zong.
The Discovery River Amphitheater is an outdoor theater with over 5,000 seats that has been home to several performances since it was built in 2016 and is part of the storytelling for the area.
Disney Imagineers have designed the amphitheater to split the Discovery River, into two “villages” on the two separate banks – the Serka Zong Marketplace (which is part of Asia) and the Discovery River shoreline (which is part of DinoLand).

In examining the smaller details of the Discovery River Amphitheater, guests will find fascinating detail inspired by Nepalese culture and architecture influenced by some of the most sacred places in the Eastern World. An example is the two gated portals marking the entrances to the amphitheater are painted with lotus flowers (“skydoor") icons on them, an important symbol throughout Asia that represents enlightenment (The lotus is also an important symbol seen during the “Rivers of Light” show).
The doorways themselves are marked with the “skydoor” icons that protect the inhabitants from evil spirits
The tiered stacked stones were influenced by those at one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal, the Pashupatinath Temple.
Guests will also see the colored prayer flags, garlands, lanterns and bells which are common in high altitude Nepalese Villages along the Kali Gandaki River and around Serka Zong. Metal poles that are covered in tangled wire, lights and signs are symbols of modern life in Nepal.

The amphitheater was originally built for the “Rivers of Light” Show.
Reference:
The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic 
Picture
Image: ©Disney
The amphitheater was built in 2016 for the “Rivers of Light” Show. But the original show was postponed, so Disney quickly created “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” as inspired by the 2016 The Jungle Book movie. This The Jungle Book was a remake of Walt Disney's 1967 animated film of the same name.
 
It was adaptations of Rudyard Kipling's collective works, The Jungle Book. The film is a live-action/CGI production, whereas, the original 1967 Disney film was an animated film.
Since Rivers of Light Show had to be postponed, The Jungle Book: Alive With Magic was created as a place-holder show. It was put together in only 40 days in order to meet the proposed schedule for opening the Amphitheater. The show was created so Disney would have a nighttime show as they finalized the Animal Kingdom’s Rivers of Light nighttime show.
 
The show had a lot of similarities to Rivers of Light because it also used water screens and other water features.  It was released in April 2016, about a month after Disney’s new live-action film The Jungle Book hit the theaters. The show was essentially The Jungle Book in concert. It featured classic songs from the film and displayed film scenes on water, much like Fantasmic! There were also live performers the singers sang favorites songs from the Film, while the dancers move to some truly intricate Indian-inspired choreography.
The Rivers of Light
The “Rivers of Light” nighttime spectacular is one of the best nighttime shows you can experience at Disney World. This long-awaited evening show at Animal Kingdom it was a great way to end the day. 

It takes place at the Discovery River amphitheater lagoon, between Discovery Island and Expedition Everest.
 
While the other parks ended the night with a fireworks display, Animal Kingdom did things a little differently with a beautiful light projection and water show.
Rivers of Light celebrates the beauty of nature and all living things with animal folklore, beautiful music, amazing projections and lighting displays, and stunning water features and effects.
The Show
 At the start of the show, two lantern sailboats arrive, each carrying a shaman storyteller and their apprentice. On the Asia side is Aditya and Ketu, representing the element of fire. On the Dinoland side are Aseema and Ambu, representing water. These characters never speak a word, and instead communicate through music, dance, shadow puppetry and magic. A narrator then explains the lantern festival pageant we are about to witness.
 
“Of all the gleaming planets in our vast universe, it is only here on Earth that water and light harmoniously unite to create the wonder of life. We most graciously welcome you to a timeless celebration of water and light with roots as far reaching as time itself. Here, where the forces of nature meet in harmony, the spirits of the animals are free to dance together in the night sky creating Rivers of Light. We are united in this special place to celebrate the magnificence and wonder of all living creatures, for in life we are all one.”

―Narrator
The music builds and four Animal Lantern floats arrive, a Tiger, a Sea Turtle, an Elephant parent and child, and a Great Horned Owl. As they move along the lagoon and the four lotus floats start to unfold and shoot water jets, the Animal Spirits inside the lanterns begin to emerge and take to the sky. This sets the stage for the last float to arrive, the giant Temple Lotus. The five lotus fountains begin to dance with the animal spirits, who are called into action by the shadow puppetry of the shamans.
Click on photo to enlarge
After the Dance of the Lotuses, a journey through the natural world begins, set to the original song "We Are One". The sequence starts as Aditya plays his horn to call the Tiger, who leaps onto the lagoon and roars, starting a journey through jungle environments. Aseema sends the turtle spirits onto the lagoon to take us through the ocean. The Elephant spirits appear to start off a trip through the African savanna, featuring a Lion and Cheetah chase. Finally, Aseema sends the Horned Owl to travel to North American mountain tundra and polar regions and the song concludes over a montage of animal families.
The music begins to rise again with a score inspired by Transformation and the Rivers of Light, the aurora borealis, begins to take shape as countless animal spirits dash into the skies, concluding with the breach of a humpback whale. The show enters its finale, the music becomes more ethereal and a starscape of animal constellations begins to take shape. The narrator returns for concluding remarks.
 
“Within each of us is a light. A light that shines in all living things. Here where fire and water bridge the earth and sky, our light rises on the wind to join the stars. As we journey on this great earth, may we remember the light we share. May we celebrate our bond with the natural world and the wonders that flow on Rivers of Light.”

―Narrator
The animal spirits return to their lanterns to become part of the starscape and a tower of torches emerges from the Temple Lotus to dance with the fountains of the four smaller lotuses for a final reprise of "We Are One".
 
The show's live cast was removed after September 29, 2018 as a result of budget cuts throughout Walt Disney World.
The Shaman characters would later make an appearance on December 31, 2019 in front of the Tree of Life for a special New Year's edition of Tree of Life Awakens.
©Disney
On July 16, 2020, the shows did not re-open following the resort's closure for the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Background:
Disney KiteTails Show
There is a third, secret viewing area, the lower level of the outdoor seating area for Flame Tree Barbecue in the center of the park. It offers incredible views of the show from behind the main area. The best part is that it is in the Shade.
There are two different versions of the show, one featuring Jungle Book music and characters and one featuring Lion King music and characters, which usually alternate throughout the day.  However, the pre-show is the same with smaller kites, windcatchers, and puppets based around aquatic characters from Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Incredible kites and windcatchers dance through the air to the beat of Disney songs during this high-flying performance. The show features large inflated 3D kites that are pulled along by jet skis—at least one of which per show is very large—as well as some smaller handheld kites used by performers back on land.
The music was very well timed with the launches (and the landings) of the various kites, which made for some fun showmanship.
 
Be awed by elaborate, three-dimensional kites of Simba, Zazu, King Louie, Baloo and more as they take flight above the Discovery River Amphitheater.
Disney KiteTails is a daytime lagoon show at Animal Kingdom that began performances at the Discovery River amphitheater in October 2021 as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary event.
The DinoLand viewing area of the theater is the primary viewing area. The Asia side is used as a staging area and landing spot for the character balloons.
Check the Animal Kingdom Times Guide for scheduled performances.


Soundtrack Preshow
  • Let's Go Fly a Kite
  • Under the Sea
  • Kiss the Girl
  • The Turtle Lope

Jungle Book Show
  • Jungle Book Overture
  • The Bare Necessities
  • Colonel Hathi's March
  • I Wanna Be Like You

Lion King Show
  • The Lion Sleeps Tonight
  • I Just Can't Wait to Be King
  • Hakuna Matata
  • King of Pride Rock
  • Circle of Life
Shrines

There are several Shrines in Animal Kingdom’s Asia. We are going to explore a few.
 
The principalities found in Asia appear to be thriving. Tea has long been the export of Anandapur and Serka Zong, and there are glimpses of this agriculture past from the shops to the tea trains of Expedition Everest. With travelers flocking through this area, family homes have been converted into hotels and eateries. And, the spirituality of Asia’s people has never been stronger, with shrines present throughout the land, some in a state of repair and others continually in use.

Expedition Everest sitting impressively on the shores of Discovery River in Animal Kingdom’s Asia. Across the river is a shrine built to pay homage to the mountains and the Yeti.
 If guests examine the shrine, they will note a number of interesting details. On the shrine are offerings such as fruits and carved animals, incense burners, and chalices are all on hand.
But most interesting detail of this shrine is its shape. If guests stand back and position your line-of-sight so that the shrine is situated directly in front of the Himalayans, the temple exactly silhouettes the peaks in the distance.
Click photo to enlarge
The Monkey Shrine
Picture
The Monkey Shrine on the Chakranadi River.

Being a mythical locale, Anandapur can incorporate a number of geographic features and architectural styles without incongruity. Arid plains and lush jungles sit side by side in harmony. Marble temples and weathered wooden structures blend seamlessly. The backstory of the Chakranadi River that it was born from the snowmelts in the Himalayas. Its nurturing waters soon reach warmer regions where a dense jungle grows and eventually flows into the Bugis Sea.

The Chakranadi River experiences springtime floods. This can be witnessed at a decaying temple near the edge of town. If you examine the area, you can see how the river has overflowed its banks and its waters have surrounded this structure. In dryer times of the year, the doorways are accessible, which allowed the gibbons to take over this shrine and made it their own.
In the Expedition Everest Queue, guests will notice several shrines and carvings honoring the Yeti.
Resources:
The Road to Anandapur
 
Architecture
Imagineers traveled to Nepal and surrounding areas to research local culture, architecture, food, and the legend of the Yeti.
The architectural style of the buildings was inspired by structures seen in Northern Central Nepal, specifically upper and lower Mustang, along the Kali Gandaki River.
Mustang is one of the Westernmost points of the yeti legends and a center of the Bon religion, a kind of sophisticated animist religion which predates Buddhism. Because of this, there’s tons of physical expression of ritual ideas, color, shape, and carved elements which make it easier for us to tell a story.
 
Buildings in this region are made of hammered earth, if you look closely, you can see the horizontal layers in the building façade. Plaster is usually poured or splattered on the surface of the buildings using huge ladles. You can see the little drips if you look closely.
It's a combination of stone buildings, like the tea warehouse, and "rammed earth" construction, where moist dirt is placed in a box frame and pounded with mallets until it's hard as concrete.
Shangri-La Trekker’s Inn & Internet Café – It’s a building located near Himalayan Escapes/Expedition Everest, but the only part of the building we can visit is the public restrooms. (It may be necessary if you stop at the Thirsty River Bar.)
 
Using earth-based pigments, the color of the buildings is packed with symbolism. Red on corners or around windows is thought to provide protection, while stripes on the roof represent the three spirit worlds. In the image below, the red building at the right is a gompa, a Buddhist prayer hall used for meditation. The building with the long stripes all the way down (created in the traditional way, by pouring paint down the wall from the rooftop) represents a wealthy family with ties to the monastery.
The Truck

As we make our way down the Road to Anandapur, we will pass the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck which looks like a broken-down bus, a broken-down bus that just so happens to serve ice cream.
Well, it is a broken-down Truck, because the front axle is broken. Since the owner could not afford to have it fixed, he decided instead of abandoning it to set up shop where it was, and what a success that was.  The operator of the bus has decorated every inch of his vehicle with murals and metallic art, depicting some of the wildlife and other famous sights of Anandapur.
Guests should look closely, because in addition to camels, monkeys, peacocks and tigers, they’ll also spot paintings of the royal towers and the Tiger Temple along the Chakranadi River.
And while it’s typical for the Imagineers to theme detail even snack stands throughout the parks, but to rare occasion that the main reason to visit a snack stand is to grab a photo. That’s the case with the ornately decorated Anandapur Ice Cream Truck.
While the menu here is simple, (See link to current menu below), this “broken down” bus is anything but simple. Bedecked in elaborately carved weathered wood frames are beautiful reproduction paintings mostly featuring the wildlife and cultural symbols from around Anandapur, a word that means “city of happiness” or “place of delight. Anandapur is a town in the Kendujhar district in the state of Orissa, India.
Click on photo to enlarge
The paintings cover just about every inch of the truck. Some of the paintings include the Maharajah Jungle Trek with tigers strewn about as well as pictures of the pylons. The rare parts of the truck that aren’t covered in these gorgeous paintings are immersed in a bright shade of blue. The outside of the truck is also covered in metal décor, adding another piece of mystery and allure to the truck.
 
Besides the decor, the truck also dishing out classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate or the always delightful chocolate and vanilla twist served in a waffle cone as well as Soda Floats and other beverages.
 
Current Menu:  
Searches:
Tiger Rapids Run

Asia opened to guests on March 18, 1999. It should have included the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Tiger River Rapids, both of which would be take place along the Chakranadi River in the village of Anandapur.
 
But, only parts of the Asia section of Animal Kingdom were ready on opening day, the Flights of Wonder bird show and one of the boat dock launches for the now defunct Discovery River Boats. (See Animal Kingdom Chapter 3 – Discovery Island)
 
The Tiger Rapids Run was to be a safari that would showcase all of the animals native to Asia in the park.
It was initiated to place on boats passing through a winding stream, this would differentiate it from Africa’s animal Safari which was a vehicle based one and showcased African animals.
 
This was very similar to the original concept for Jungle Cruise. Originally Jungle Cruise was meant to be a boat ride past live animals, but this idea was abandoned after Walt Disney and the Imagineers discovered all of the problems that happen when you combine nocturnal animals with a water ride (some of whom could swim). (See Magic Kingdom Chapter 9 – Adventureland – Part 1)

The concept of having animals on the boat ride was abandoned early in development though, as it would’ve been difficult to see them from the lower vantage point, unlike an elevated safari jeep. Plus, designers wanted to add an element of thrill to this side of the park, and it would be hard to take in the splendor of nature while zooming by on a rapids ride.
 
The animals we would’ve seen on the Tiger Rapids Run boat ride, like Komodo Dragons, and of course, tigers, get a new home along the Maharajah Jungle Trek walking tour instead.
 
The fast-moving boat ride plans were to feature special effects sequence simulating a forest being devastated by loggers. Much like it is today, the ride was to feature burning logs, but the original concept was with spectacular pyrotechnic effects that would shoot fireball explosions into the air above the fire. Two huge logs swinging freely above the boats were also in these early plans.
 
The year before the park opened, Imagineers ran into issues with the ride’s elements. Imagineers attributed part of the delay for this attraction to the test and adjust phase. The animal theme was replaced with one of deforestation. The final version of the ride opened nearly a year after the park debuted, with the new name of Kali River Rapids.
 
Unfortunately, some of the effects from the initial vision were missing. The raging forest fire with massive fireballs was reduced to some scattered flames. And all fire was completely removed in later years, leaving only a smoldering smoke effect.
 
In the end, more than half of the intended ride path for Asia’s boat ride was cut. To this day you can still see the unused land that was originally cleared for the missing half of the ride in aerial photos and satellite images.
Source:
Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids begins its voyage in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A river raft transports guests through a lush jungle that has been destroyed by rampant deforestation. Though this whitewater raft attraction certainly succeeds in educating passengers about an important environmental concern, the riders face the immediate threat of being drenched by splashes, waterfalls, and squirting elephants. Guests will get wet.
Backstory

One of the best known and oldest travel adventure companies of the area is Kali Rapids Expeditions. The business was founded by a local woman named Manisha Gurung who was concerned that her beloved country was being destroyed by illegal logging.
In and around the Anandapur Township, flyers like the one below has been showing up. It seems that the Tetak Logging Company is using slash & burn techniques and devastating the land. The local population is planning a protest meeting for Thursday evening to discuss what can be done about this problem.
 It was her desire to demonstrate that there are other, ecofriendly ways of generating income for her village. Kali Rapids Expeditions was named after the most thrilling section of the Chakranadi River, the Kali Rapids.
As visitors venture into Anandapur, they come to a structure elevated by stilts. The stilts protect the structure from floods during the springtime melt.
This is the residence of Kali Rapids Expeditions’ owner Manisha Gurung and her family. The stairs/ladder to reach the dwelling can be seen on the side of the building. If you look at the windows, you’ll notice the curtains are old shirts. This is a poor country and the residents make do with what they have. We also discover that this building sits at the edge of civilization and is the beginning of the queue for exotic adventures on the Kali River Rapids Expeditions.
 
Research:
Queue

It should be noted that the Kail River Rapids queue is one of the best queues in all of Animal Kingdom. The Imagineers put a lot of details and thought into designing this queue. Guests will go through a Kali Tiger Temple, see the Balinese puppets, the prayer wheel and the brass gongs as they stroll wind through the various chambers.
At the entrance of the queue there were Pass machines that were designed to look like podiums that an official might use to check and stamp passports and other administrative documents. Nearby, rafting supplies are being readied for transport to the Chakranadi River.

The queue winds around a rocky pass.
Kali is the multi-armed Hindu goddess who represents the destructive forces of nature, forces that change and reshape the planet.

As guests trek into the queue the jungle begins, and we can see an ancient temple in the distance.



With little shrines guiding the way.
Religious relics can be seen along the trail. Many of these have succumbed to the ravages of time, weather, and earthquakes. In addition, glimpses of the Chakranadi River can be seen through the growth.
As guests go down the trail they come to Tiger Temple, that is nestled deep in the forest.
As guests approach the temple, they will see one wall is covered in ribbons and several bells hanging from the rafters. Each ribbon represents a prayer left by a passing traveler. The bells represent answered prayers. It is believed that if a ribbon is removed, the prayer is nullified. Disney does not touch these ribbons and lets them deteriorate just as they would in “real life.” Occasionally, new ribbons are added, just like would happen at an actual temple.
This is a religious temple, the actual beliefs of the Anandapur people are a little ambiguous. This region of the world is dominated by Buddhism and Hinduism. It was the Imagineers intention to honor animals in the Tiger Temple. This is made clear as you first enter the building. A carved mahogany panel features eleven animals sacred to the kingdom.
 
Just past the panel is a large statue of a tiger. It looks like a domestic cat than the mighty hunter, his fierce countenance and stylized stripes leave no doubt as to the species. Tigers often grace the entrances of temples and shrines as they are considered a “guardian” deity as they keep evil spirits from entering. Tigers are admired for their ferocity, great strength, and grace. Around the Anandapur tiger’s neck are adornments and fruit has been left as an offering.
The tiger looks out onto a grassy hill. Here we find a number of statues, Buddhist angels, in various states of decline. Guests will notice, that a landslide has buried the back two statues. It’s probable, this mud flow was brought on by slash & burn logging activity nearby.
In the temple, behind the tiger are numerous religious artifacts that are only used for special celebrations. The objects are brought out and displayed in important ceremonies or religious pageantry.

The masks represent characters in Bali folklore. Performers wear these masks and interpret traditional narratives concerning fabled kings, heroes and myth
Just outside the temple, we see local peddler’s bike. He has come to the Temple to sell produce from his farm to the priests and merchants. It looks like he’s also cooking a meal for himself.
Click on photo to enlarge
As guests go deeper into the temple, we come across nÄgas. In Hinduism, King Cobras, nÄgas, are considered nature spirits and the protectors of springs, wells, and rivers. They are also susceptible to mankind’s disrespectful actions in relation to the environment. In the Tiger Temple, the nÄgas protects the Chakranadi River.
Note that the people of Anandapur have left an offering to this god.
The next room of the Tiger Temple is rather plain at ground level. However, but if guests look up, they’ll be overwhelmed. This is the Painted Pavilion and depicts a number of the Jataka Tales. These are the stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. There are more than 500 of these morality tales and they date back to 3000 BCE.
“The Fearless Lion and the Brave Elephant” is one of the stories depicted in the Painted Pavilion. The fable tells of a group of merchants being tormented by great beasts. The lion and elephant hear their cries, come to their aid, and kill the attackers. In return, the grateful merchants vow to honor the lion and elephant for all eternity.
 
 Guests should definitely stop here to in order to truly see the magnificent paintings on the ceiling.

Found:
Mr. Panika’s Shop

As guests continue our journey, they leave the Tiger Temple and enter Mr. Panika’s Shop.
Mr. Panika's office, the owner of the "business" may be "out to temple" as the signs indicate.
If guests pay attention to the details, they’ll notice the construction of the shop is far less sturdy than that of the temple. Mr. Panika is hoping to cash in on the budding tourist trade with tour groups like Kali Rapids Expeditions.
Mr. Panika’s Shop is a huge inventory from which to choose – and almost everything for sale here is animal related.
Cabinets are filled to the brim, wall space is at a premium, and the rafters are overflowing. This shop is a museum of sorts. Mr. Panika’s desk is overflowing with paperwork and invoices.
Guests see that Mr. Panika is very eager to make a sale. He is willing to ship anywhere you like just please buy something.
Kali River Rapids Expedition’s Office
 
After leaving the shop guests find ourselves in the Kali Rapids Expeditions office. There is an outdated slide projector displays faded pictures of our upcoming journey while the prerecorded voice of founder Manisha Gurung describes how her business came into existence.
The office is packed with details that help tell the story of this business and set you up for the adventure to come.
By the wall is a desk and guests see an old typewriter, telephone, and answering machine. Above are brochures for nearby attractions. They even sell cameras and film – the digital age hasn’t quite reached this remote corner of the world. A close observer will notice First Aid kits stored beneath the desk.
A notice on the wall from the Ministry of Public Safety attests to the lifeguard qualifications of Manisha Gurung, the owner of Kali Rapids Expeditions, as well as the guides on her staff.
Hanging on a nearby wall is the Royal Couple of Anandapur. If you pay attention while visiting the many shops and restaurants in the area, you will encounter their likeness again and again as it is customary to honor them in this manner.

In case the guests wanted know, here is a list of all of the rafts posted on the chalkboard and their current status. Included below is a short definition as to the name’s origin. There are more than 15 rafts not all are listed:
 On a wall to the right, there is a map of the Kingdom of Anandapur, surrounded by rafting paddles personalized by some of the seasonal employees and interns who have worked at Kali Rapids Expeditions over the years. The paddle in the upper right was signed by many of the Imagineers who traveled to Southeast Asia and help design the attraction. In addition to their names, some have produced beautiful artwork on the paddles, along with conservation messages.
There is also a repeating slide show hosted by Manisha, introducing guests to the river rafting company, the beauty of the local rainforests and the threats those forests face from loggers.
Hung on a side wall is the Raft Position Board. Here, guides can keep track of the various expeditions and their locations. If you pay attention, you’ll notice the names on this board actually correspond to the rafts you’ll be riding in.
Annapurna Orchid – Out – Sector 5 northern route – Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal
Monsoon Mama – Out – Sector 3 rapids run – The term “monsoon “ was first used in British India to describe a large, seasonal wind blowing off of the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea which brought heavy rains to Southeast Asia.
Darjeeling Darling – Awaiting use – Darjeeling is a Himalayan city in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is also a type of tea.
Sherpa Surfer – Awaiting use – Sherpa are an ethnic group of people from the most mountainous region of Nepal. Mountaineering guides in the area are also known as Sherpa.
Jungle Jumpapoo – Repaired – Jumpapoo is a type of Thai vehicle.
Bali Bumper Car – On reserve for Ohio tour group – Bali is an Indonesian Island and home to most of Indonesia’s Hindu minority in an otherwise Muslim country.
Java Jumper – Out – sector 5, southern route – Java is an Indonesian Island and one of the most densely populated places on the globe.
Baloo Meaway – Oars may need inspection – Baloo is featured in Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” and is also a favorite Disney character.
Himalayan Hummer – Rafting on Sector 2 with Himalayan – The Himalayas are a mountain range located immediately north of the Indian subcontinent and are sacred in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Prambanan Princess – Rafting on Sector 2 with Himalayan – Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Java, Indonesia.
Bhaktapur Bubbler – Awaiting Use – Bhaktapur is an ancient city in Nepal.
Durga’s Delight – Awaiting Use – Durga is a Hindu goddess and noted for having up to 18 arms.
Banyan Boy – Replenish supplies – The Banyan is the national tree of India.
Rajah Run Around – Seat Repaired – Rajah is an Indian term for a monarch.
Manaslu Slammer – Due back yesterday! – Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world

During the walk-through Tiger Temple and Mr. Panika’s Shop we have heard the unmistakable buzz of chain saws in the distance. This annoying sound has intruded on the serenity of the area and brought concern to the locals.

Moving to the next room, tea is brewing for the tour groups awaiting departure. Overhead, stylized paintings depict the various rapids that lie ahead. While in this room, an old radio receiver comes to life with a warning for tour company owner Manisha Gurung. The alert warns her that illegal logging is taking place along the Chakranadi River and all rafting should cease until this problem can be addressed. Unfortunately, Manisha is not in the office and does not get the message, so her guides continue to launch rafts into dangerous waters.
 


The queue for Kali River Rapids is amazing. This queue is could stand as an attraction on its own right.
There are many have no desire to ride Kali River Rapids. But they should experience the queue. When guests who are not interested in getting wet, they can simply tell the cast member and you can opt out before the loading area.

Discoveries:
Kali River Rapids Ride Experience 

You will get wet!
Kali River Rapids, Guests will have the opportunity to store your items in lockers that are located just to the left of the entrance to the ride.
 
Note: Don’t try to keep valuable items in your pockets, thinking that this will keep them dry; there are times when you get soaked on this ride—down to the insides of your pockets and further.        
As we mentioned Kali River Rapids was originally named Tiger Rapids Run before opening.
 
Kali River Rapids is an exciting trip through the Asian rain forest down the Chakranadi River. The journey is led by Kali Rapids Expeditions.
Kali Rapids Expeditions the owner and originator of the tour explains that their company's mission is: to show visitors the natural beauty of the area and demonstrate that there are non-destructive ways to bring revenue to their village. Just before reaching the loading area, a radio transmission warns that illegal loggers have moved dangerously close to the river.
 
This is no pleasure cruise. A group of illegal loggers are in the area, and they’re sure to cause trouble.
 
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the attraction is the attention to detail paid by the Imagineers, who traveled to countries like Bali, Thailand, and more to make sure that the cultural details depicted were accurate. Imagineers even brought authentic artifacts and placed them throughout. 
 
The ride was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering and manufactured by Intamin.
Note: Intamin Amusement Rides is a design and manufacturing company in Schaan, Liechtenstein. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. Below are ones that they manufactured for Walt Disney World:
Maelstrom                        Epcot
Kali River Rapids              Animal Kingdom
Frozen Ever After            Epcot
Plus, they manufactured many others for Disney World-Wide.

What begins as a beautiful tour of the lush jungle quickly turns into a lesson in the dangers of deforestation. Guests are shown the devastation created by illegal logging and end up soaked along the way.
The Ride
  • The loading area is a brightly colored wooden pagoda, decorated with Tibetan prayer flags. Riders are loaded from a rotating platform into 12-person rafts.
  • Each raft have is named with such names as “Kathmandoozy”, “Himalayan Hummer”, “Manaslu Slammer”, “Bhaktapur Bubbler”, and “Sherpa Surfer”.
  • As the rafts leave the dock, riders begin their adventure on the Chakranadi River, first ascending a 90-foot lift hill through a mist.
  • As the guests are going up the ramp at the very beginning of the attraction, they will get the scents of jasmine and ginger.  The scents are infused in the mist so that guests pick up on these native Asian scents as they begin the attraction.  Guests also smell smoke during the logger’s section so that you get a feel for the real logging environment. 
  • After the first massive lift hill, at the top, the raft floats through the path of gushing geysers, past a waterfall and emerge near a large rock formation that forms the massive face of a tiger which perfectly captures the adventure that is to come.
  • The water becomes choppier, and riders hear the sound of chainsaws and the smell of smoke. Around the bend, the lush vegetation gives way to charred tree stumps, and a fully loaded logging truck, which has slid perilously into the river, tries in vain to drive itself out.
  • Winding down the rapids, the raft passes waterfalls flowing down a granite rock face, before spinning and bumping its way along the whitewater.
  • Passing through a cave, riders are dampened further by dripping water, and by statues of water-carriers which spray water jets.
  • Then, the raft passes beneath a wooden bridge and past statues of elephants which also shoot water; these jets are controlled by park guests standing on the bridge.
  • Finally, the raft returns to the loading pagoda and riders disembark.
  • Moving further into an enormous pile of charred tree trunks, the raft passes through a flaming bridge of felled wood and then plummets down a 30-foot slide, soaking everyone in the resulting waves.
  • There used to be a fire effect that went off on certain sections of the ride. This hasn’t been in operation for a few years.
Research:
As we exit Kali River Rapids (probably soaked and wet), we'll cross a Bridge that goes over the Kali River ride and pass the Monkey Temple.
Well I hope we've dried off because our next adventure will be into the Maharajah's Jungle Trek. Where we will see Tigers, Excotic Birds and many Asian Animals  in a natural environment. Then we'll relax at the Yak and Yeti. After a relaxing lunch we'll go see the Flights of Wonder Show and stroll to get a view of the Tree of Life from the Asia to Africa walkway. So join us as our Pictorial Tour continues.
Picture
Afterword:
WDWMousing.com is designed to be a tour of Walt Disney World through photos. We have been to Walt Disney World countless times over the past 25 years and accumulated a magnitude of photos in that time. This website is an intention to combine two of our favorite pastimes, Walt Disney World and photography, and provide an insightful pictorial tour.
While doing so, we've done an extensive research of the internet and literary sources for background information on each area and attraction. The information is available, but most bits and pieces are scattered all over. WDWMousing doesn't intend to rewrite the stories, legends or data, but to try and collect it into one location with reference and links to the original articles and authors. And giving rightful credit. We've stumbled through quite a bit of mis-information, most of which came to life by fans because the origins were lost, forgotten or no one seems to remember. Over the past 25 years we've also lost most of the great Imagineers that helped develop, design and build the original concepts of Walt Disney World. So we believe it's extremely important to make sure that their efforts, intentions, details and creativity in making this Happiest Place on Earth isn't lost.
So we ask for feedback, insights, and suggestions.

Thank you
WDWMousing

    We would definitely like to hear from you.
    Let us know what your thoughts, suggestions, ideas, and absolutely, if we've missed anything.