CONFIRMED: A Disney’s Animal Kingdom Ride Is Temporarily CLOSING in January

Yet another Disney World ride is closing in January.

Big Thunder Mountain

January 6th is shaping up to be quite a day at Walt Disney World. One of the resort’s best-known — and often busiest attractions — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, is closing for a refurbishment that is scheduled to last AT LEAST a year. Now we’ve learned that another people-eating attraction is closing that day as well, though it should be down for much less time and in a different park.

January 6th will see Animal Kingdom’s Kali River Rapids close for refurbishment. This is an annual event for the attraction, as — like with most water rides — it’s too cold for most riders during January and February (yes, even in Florida), so Disney takes the opportunity to refresh and repair what needs maintenance.

Kali River Rapids

The closure will likely have a noticeable effect on Animal Kingdom’s wait times, particularly the park’s busier rides, as Kali River Rapids is often in the Top 5 longest average waits at the park during most weeks, behind only the Pandora attractions and/or Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari.

According to Disney, Kali River Rapids will reopen in March of 2025.

©Disney

Kali River Rapids, which first opened in 1999, is described by Disney as “a thrilling whitewater adventure through a lush jungle in the heart of Asia” where riders can “…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

Kali River Rapids, one of Animal Kingdom’s busiest attractions, is scheduled to close on January 6th for its annual winter refurbishment. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Walt Disney World’s refurbishment calendar.

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