Kali Rapids Expeditions

Our last stop in this part of Anandapur (and the culmination of the Kali River Rapids queue) is the booking office for Kali Rapids Expeditions. Catering to the new wave of ecotourism in this part of Asia, Kali Rapids Expeditions makes its business on showcasing to tourists the natural, untouched rainforests of the Anandapur region.

The office is packed with details that help tell the story of this business and set you up for the adventure to come. The wall to the right features 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 actually includes the names of the Imagineering team members who helped create the attraction. In addition to their names, some have produced beautiful artwork on the paddles, along with conservation messages (some of which have been obscured by guest-produced graffiti).

A notice on the wall from the Ministry of Public Safety attests to the lifeguard qualifications of Manesha Gurung, the owner of Kali Rapids Expeditions, as well as the primary guides on her staff. This space also features a repeating slide show hosted by Manesha, introducing guests to the river rafting company, the beauty of the local rainforests and the threats those forests face from loggers.

The voice you hear is that of an actress, but just before the attraction opened in 1999, it was decided to also include a slide with a picture of Manesha Gurung. The woman seen on the slide was actually a Walt Disney World Security Hostess assigned to the Asia site during construction. On one occasion, she was posted at the entrance to the Maharajah Jungle Trek, where the ceiling of the structure is lined with Asian newspapers. Being of Southeast Asian descent, the Security Hostess was able to read Sanskrit and passed the time perusing the articles above her. She soon discovered, however, that several of the articles covered distinctly non-family-friendly subject matter. Once she brought this concern to the attention of the Imagineers, the problem was quickly rectified and the Security Hostess was brought on the project as a consultant. The photo of her as Manesha Gurung was the Imagineers' way of saying, "Thank you!"

The opposite wall of the booking office includes this chalk board on which the team can track which rafts are out of service or on different parts of the river. The names all draw inspiration from Asian places and things, including a reference to The Jungle Book with a bit of wordplay (Baloo Meaway).

There are plenty of other details in the office to reward those who take the time to pause and look. There are maps and pamphlets on things to see in the region, a frame displaying the first 100 rupee note earned by the rafting company and the ubiquitous portrait of the rajah.

Of course, like many prop-filled locations in the Disney Parks, there's even more to see when you look up. The rafters here are stocked with canoes, paddles, netting, coolers, life preservers and all manner of other equipment the teams leading an expedition might need.

Moving along the queue, you pass through the booking office into what would be the working office for the rafting company. Here, you'll find less marketing and more functionality. There is some nice art along the walls, paintings of the rafts and their passengers exploring various stretches of river (despite popular urban legend, that's not intended to be Michael Jackson in one of the rafts). There's also another map of Anandapur, this time placed on a desk where guides can use it to chart their course.

Pay close attention, too, to the books on the shelf and the broadcast coming in over the radio. That detail in particular serves to establish the fact that all is not well in the forests of the Anandapur District.

Finally, it's time to board your raft for a trip along the Chakranadi ("river that flows in a circle"). If you survive the geysers at the top of the lift, be sure to take notice of the rockwork on the river's edge. It forms the shape of a tiger's head. In concept phase, this attraction was to be called Tiger River Rapids and feature glimpses of live animals. It was later decided, though, to keep the tigers on the Maharajah Jungle Trek where guests could spend more time appreciating them.

Your raft is enveloped in the beauty of the rainforest, when suddenly the trees around you seem to vanish. You float into an area where illegal logging activity has stripped the mountaintop of trees. Flames burst from the burn zone, and a logging truck nearly slips off a mud bank, spilling its load in your direction. The only escape is beneath a fallen tree and down a waterfall (the first such effect ever built on a whitewater rafting attraction).

You make it back safely (and soaked) to Anandapur Township, but hopefully also come away with a new appreciation for nature and a desire to help preserve and protect it.

The Painted Pavilion

A popular spot for tourists and locals alike in Anandapur is the Painted Pavilion. This cultural center is especially well-trafficked by guided tours and school groups and is a place where one might often find storytellers, poets, dancers or musicians. While it's fairly unassuming on the outside, the interior walls and ceiling of the pavilion are spectacular, with every inch covered in ornate painted murals and colorful carvings.

The murals of the Painted Pavilion retell a handful of the Jataka Tales, a collection of Indian fables and morality tales dating back thousands of years. The tales chosen to be represented here, of course, relate specifically to messages of conservation and man's relationship to the animal world.

High in the ceiling are the tales of "The Hare's Sacrifice" (The compassionate hare offers himself so a beggar can eat) and "The Tortoise and the Geese" (The tortoise must close his mouth for the geese to carry him).

In the story of "The Jackal and the Iguana," the iguana teases the jackal, for only the foolish pretend to be kings. "The Monkey King" then tells of a ruler who desires the fruit from the monkey's tree.

In the story of "The Banyan Deer," one deer is offered each day to stop the slaughter of the hunt. The king of the deer sacrifices himself, and his compassion teaches the human king to care for all living things.

"The Swan with the Golden Feathers" tells of a father who returns as a swan that gives the gift of one golden feather each day.

"The Fearless Lion and the Brave Elephant" is the story of a lion and elephant who hear the frightened cries of a group of merchants. They bravely go to the aid of the merchants, killing the great beasts that threaten them. The merchants vow to honor their compassion forever.

Mr. Panika's Shop

One of the larger establishments in Anandapur (and along the queue for Kali River Rapids) is Mr. Panika's Shop. As the sign says, "Looking is FREE!" so come on in. From the ornate carving he's placed over the threshold to the "Welcome" plaque and wide variety of merchandise, Mr. Panika knows how to attract customers.

Mr. Panika's Shop is essentially an antique store, but he offers for sale just about anything a tourist traveling in these parts might have an interest in. In fact, Panika caters specifically to tourists, offering special prices to out-of-towners and deals for those who pay in U.S. dollars.

Looking for statuary, masks, carved walking canes, tapestries? You name it, Panika's got it. He even has one of these for sale:

Stumped? Why, it's a camel saddle, of course!

Along the edge of the shop is the desk where business is done. There's a portrait of the royal couple, naturally. Also look for family photos, a framed business license on the wall and postcards from Panika's travels. What you won't find is Mr. Panika himself, but according to the sign he has posted, he's just at temple and will be back soon.

Just to the right of the desk is a flight of stairs leading to the upper portion of the shop. Look up, and the first thing you might find is this modest cot. This isn't where Mr. Panika sleeps, though. This is for the shopkeeper he hires, so that he can be available for customers straight away in the mornings.

The Panika family lives in upstairs quarters beyond this door. Note the "Privacy" sign and the shoes left on the stoop.

There's more evidence of the Panika family out in the backyard. The tri-cycle is loaded down with goods that Mr. Panika has either just brought to the shop to unload or that he is planning to carry to a neighboring town for trade. There's a well in the yard for fresh water, and this is where Mrs. Panika does the family's laundry. We can also tell that the Panikas are relatively new parents. Notice the infant rocker sitting just outside the back door.

Anything & Everything a Chap Can Unload

The tight, winding streets of Anandapur Township, which make up much of the queue for Kali River Rapids, are lined with street vendors peddling their wares to tourists and locals alike. There are farmers, basket weavers, punched tin artists and more.

Most of the props that you see in these vignettes are authentic. So much so, in fact, they were acquired directly from real street vendors in Asian villages where the Imagineering team traveled for research. On more than one occasion, the team actually purchased every single item a vendor had, including his bicycle and even the tiny chair on which he would rest between customers. Don't feel bad for that anonymous entrepreneur, though. The money he earned in exchange likely supported his family for a year.

A common sight in this part of Asia is a bird market, where one can find dozens of bird cages filled with feathered stock. Here in Anandapur, the Imagineers tried to capture the impression of the bird market... only without the birds. While birds can be seen and heard nearby in proper aviaries, it would have been against Disney's animal care practices to keep so many cooped up in such small quarters (no matter how authentic to the story that may have been).

Among the streets and vendors can also be found more of those wonderful place-making graphics, implying a rich and detailed world beyond what we can visit within the park. Need Anandapur currency? There's apparently a "money changer" just around the corner from the bird market.

Looking for a place to stay? May we recommend Ekt's Hotel? They offer cheap prices, a friendly staff, nice views, fans in most rooms and a bathroom with running water on both floors. Of course, for those seeking luxuries, a mattress and toilet paper are "just a little extra."

Religious Traditions and an Environmental Threat

Throughout the village of Anandapur (and the queue for Kali River Rapids), you can find examples of Asian religious artifacts. There are symbols representing both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, along with offerings of all sorts left by the people of the town.

Nearby, a series of stone statues have fallen victim to a landslide (notice that the heads of the statues are all at the same height, since they once sat together on level ground).

This is just one example of the damage being caused by illegal logging activities in the Anandapur District. The cutting of the forest (distant chainsaws can even be heard in this area) means the rains can more easily wash away the soil. A protest against Tetak Logging Company is being planned. Fliers posted around the village invite concerned citizens to attend an upcoming rally. It may be the last chance to stop the destruction and preserve Anandapur, its ancient artifacts and the people's way of life.

The Tiger Temple

Crossing the Chakranadi River, we come to the main part of the village of Anandapur... in what is actually the queue space for Kali River Rapids. This is one of the most spectacularly detailed queues in any Disney Park. The first building we come to in the queue is the Tiger Temple.

The temple demonstrates a reverence for the tiger and for nature in general. A large stone tiger stands at the center of the temple, surrounded by offerings of various kinds.

Throughout the temple, you can find other items used ceremonially to honor the tiger and the gods of nature. There's everything from candles, bells and gongs to shrines and Balinese puppet costumes used in processions.

In the Floodplain

The Chakranadi and Kali are two of the primary rivers that flow down from the Himalayas and through the Anandapur District, feeding into the Bugia Sea. In summer, when the snow on the lower portions of the mountains begins to melt, the rivers overflow and flood part of the neighboring area. Anticipating this, structures built closest to the floodplain have been constructed on stilts, so they'll still be protected when the waters come.

The home beneath which Fastpasses are distributed for Kali River Rapids is one such structure. Power lines feed into the residence, strings of beads provide an element of decor and old shirts create makeshift curtains for a bit of privacy. In dryer months, access to this home is from the steps up the back. In a flood, a small boat would be relied upon.

The ebb and flow of water across the floodplain has affected life here for thousands of years, although the path of the flooding has changed from time to time. In recent decades, the ancient temples near the water's edge have sustained significant damage. A revitalization project is underway to help restore the temple ruins to some of their original glory.

Of course, with the workers away for the day, groups of gibbons and siamangs have wandered over from the nearby jungle to examine the scaffolding. (This story line also affords Disney's Animal Programs team opportunities to provide enrichment for the animals in their care. As long as props, like the pitcher in the photograph below, look like they may have been left behind by project workers, they can be used to create interest and mental stimulation for the apes.)

The floodplain not only helps tell the story of this region, but also contributes to one of the principle themes of Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom: the balance between the natural and the man made.

Anandapur Local Food Cafes

Additional dining options in Anandapur include the Local Food Cafes. While in the real world of Animal Kingdom we may know that this is simply the quick service extension of Yak & Yeti, within the world of our story of Asia, it's a collection of shops operated by individual proprietors. Each window offers the same menu, of course, but their look and style are unique.

Around the corner from the Local Food Cafes, courtyard seating is provided for patrons. It's a bit tossed together, with different styles of tables and chairs intermingled.

The courtyard is also home to a number of other businesses. None of them are actually accessible to the theme park guest, but each contributes to the story of Anandapur, helping make this feel like a real place.

There's the Association for Tourism, Anandapur District. A sign on the door lets us know they're "Out to Lunch," but will be back soon:

Along one stretch of the courtyard can be found a series of vendors specializing in metal work, including iron and brass. Judging by the wares on display, this is a great spot to pick up a new cooking pot or some ornamental pieces.

Further enriching the story are a series of ads painted and posted on the walls of the courtyard. Kali River Pure Drinking Water isn't a product we can actually purchase, but the presence of the ad both enhances the look of the area and reinforces the Kali River as a real place. Later, we may choose to sign up for an excursion with Kali Rapids Expeditions, taking a raft down either the Kali or Chakranadi River.

There are ads for Yak & Yeti Hotel and Restaurant, No. 1 Toys (such a modest name), the Continental Palace hotel in Anandapur and Arasan's Fireworks Factory in Sivakasi.

You may even come across an ad for the latest offering from Himalayan Escapes Tours & Expeditions. They're now providing rail service on their "Flying Yak" steam locomotives, from nearby Serka Zong to the base camps at the foot of Mount Everest. As their slogan states, you can get "There and Back with the Flying Yak."