The Kali River Rapids water ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is set for a longer-than-usual refurbishment period next year.
Like other water-based attractions, Kali River Rapids tends to temporarily close for a few weeks each year for maintenance. This downtime is often scheduled for January and February after the busy holiday season has wrapped and well before spring break brings in another large wave of tourists.
The ride was last closed starting January 2 through February 10, 2018. In 2019, however, guests won’t be able to experience Kali River Rapids from January 7 through March 22.
This will leave Animal Kingdom without two attractions in its northern sections, as the Rafiki’s Planet Watch area of the park, along with the Conservation Station and Wildlife Express train, is scheduled to remain closed until spring 2019 for its own “extensive refurbishment.”
Other parks around Walt Disney World will also be affected by seasonal closures after the holiday crowds are gone. Waterpark Typhoon Lagoon will close for an annual refurbishment on January 6, just as Disney’s other water park, Blizzard Beach reopens after its own refurbishment which began on October 28. In the Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan’s Flight — often seen with some of the longest wait times on Disney property — is scheduled to close on January 7 until February 2.
None of these temporary closures are likely to result in noticeable changes to the rides. The same can’t be said for some other Magic Kingdom attractions already shut down or scheduled to be shuttered soon.
Trains for the Walt Disney World Railroad have been parked at the Main Street Station since December 3, and will remain there until the summer as part of the construction for a roller coaster themed after the movie “Tron,” set to open in Tomorrowland in 2021. The same project will also force the closure of the Tomorrowland Speedway starting Jan. 3. When it reopens on May 18, the Speedway will feature a rerouted track — the first major alteration to the attraction in 20 years.