Hi Lisa,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, and thank you for your question.
Kali River Rapids is one of my family’s must-do attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It’s so much fun to try to predict who is going to get the most soaked!
Walt Disney World Resort’s
park rules require guests to wear shoes and shirts at all times, which makes the swimsuit question a little open to interpretation. It is at the sole discretion of the Cast Members to determine if your swim attire is appropriate and does not detract from the experience of other guests, so it's possible you would be asked to cover up if in a swimsuit. For my ride down the Chakranandi River, I usually wear athletic attire – think breathable running shorts and a moisture wicking tank top. I find I’m dry within 30 minutes of exiting the attraction because the Florida sun is so strong, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a very sunny park. We usually throw flip flops in our backpack and then switch into them just for the ride so we don’t get blisters later from wet socks and shoes. There are lockers located right near the entrance to the attraction if you prefer to store your backpack during your ride. I also see many guests wearing ponchos on the attraction – be sure to purchase inexpensive ones before your trip, as they charge a premium for them in the theme parks. This is a good thing to pack in your park bag anyway, as it does often rain in Florida.
Lisa, enjoy Kali River Rapids! Take time as you move through the queue to look at the details and take in the story of the attraction. It has a wonderful conservation message in addition to being a super fun rafting adventure!
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Robyn