If you visit any of the theme parks you will have the opportunity to get wet, wet, wet.
Whilst getting soaked is not exactly my idea of fun, there is no doubt that millions of people simply adore the experience – and my children are no exception. On a hot summer’s day I have to admit that a cooling drenching is quite attractive, but if you don’t want to get soaked to the skin then hopefully this guide will help you to choose wisely. Of course, you could throw caution to the wind and just do them all! Once wet you might as well get wetter!
My first experience of a water ride was at Animal Kingdom, where the Kali River Rapids can be found in Asia. I suppose I should have been a little cautious when I saw the number of dripping people exiting the ride, but, egged on by my children, I agreed to go with them. The attraction is beautifully landscaped, and you sit in a large round raft which seats 12. You have to be strapped in – which is an indication that it is going to get a bit rough, and there is a height restriction of over 38 inches. My advice is to make sure you leave anything precious with someone on dry land – don’t take your camera, for instance. If you want to be really cautious then do what some people do and wear your rain cape – but that really defeats the object, doesn’t it? The ride varies between drops and calm, flat stretches, but I have to say we got totally soaked – right through to the skin – and came off the ride dripping. Luckily we had left this ride until last and were able to change out of our soaking attire in the car, where we had left a change of clothes. If it is nice and sunny it really doesn’t take that long to dry. Did I enjoy it? Well, I think so………
My second foray into water rides was Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, which can be found in Frontierland. The ride is quite long, and you meet many characters from ‘Song of the South. ’ There are some good views of the park and I really enjoyed this part of the attraction. You are transported in a log with four rows of two seats, and there is no harness or lap belt, but you must be over 40 inches to take part. Lulled into a false sense of security by the rather gentle nature of the water ride, the final drop was quite exhilarating, if a bit scary for this wimp. We didn’t get soaked, but it does depend on where you sit.
I suppose my favourite water ride has to be Maelstrom, which can be found in the Norway section of Epcot. Whilst it is advertised as a ‘high seas adventure’ it is pretty tame. You sit in a Viking ship with four rows of seats and no restraints – there is no height restriction either, so the whole family can enjoy this ride. There is water everywhere, but you are unlikely to get so much as a drop on you. The ride takes you through a brief storm, past trolls and polar bears, and the final splashdown is pretty tame, although worth the odd scream. It is definitely one for the wimps, and is actually very popular with long queues at peak times.
Whilst getting soaked is not exactly my idea of fun, there is no doubt that millions of people simply adore the experience – and my children are no exception. On a hot summer’s day I have to admit that a cooling drenching is quite attractive, but if you don’t want to get soaked to the skin then hopefully this guide will help you to choose wisely. Of course, you could throw caution to the wind and just do them all! Once wet you might as well get wetter!
My first experience of a water ride was at Animal Kingdom, where the Kali River Rapids can be found in Asia. I suppose I should have been a little cautious when I saw the number of dripping people exiting the ride, but, egged on by my children, I agreed to go with them. The attraction is beautifully landscaped, and you sit in a large round raft which seats 12. You have to be strapped in – which is an indication that it is going to get a bit rough, and there is a height restriction of over 38 inches. My advice is to make sure you leave anything precious with someone on dry land – don’t take your camera, for instance. If you want to be really cautious then do what some people do and wear your rain cape – but that really defeats the object, doesn’t it? The ride varies between drops and calm, flat stretches, but I have to say we got totally soaked – right through to the skin – and came off the ride dripping. Luckily we had left this ride until last and were able to change out of our soaking attire in the car, where we had left a change of clothes. If it is nice and sunny it really doesn’t take that long to dry. Did I enjoy it? Well, I think so………
My second foray into water rides was Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, which can be found in Frontierland. The ride is quite long, and you meet many characters from ‘Song of the South. ’ There are some good views of the park and I really enjoyed this part of the attraction. You are transported in a log with four rows of two seats, and there is no harness or lap belt, but you must be over 40 inches to take part. Lulled into a false sense of security by the rather gentle nature of the water ride, the final drop was quite exhilarating, if a bit scary for this wimp. We didn’t get soaked, but it does depend on where you sit.
I suppose my favourite water ride has to be Maelstrom, which can be found in the Norway section of Epcot. Whilst it is advertised as a ‘high seas adventure’ it is pretty tame. You sit in a Viking ship with four rows of seats and no restraints – there is no height restriction either, so the whole family can enjoy this ride. There is water everywhere, but you are unlikely to get so much as a drop on you. The ride takes you through a brief storm, past trolls and polar bears, and the final splashdown is pretty tame, although worth the odd scream. It is definitely one for the wimps, and is actually very popular with long queues at peak times.