Grizzly River Run

Challenge the rampaging rapids of Grizzly River Run. Embark on a white-water rafting adventure along the foaming torrents of the Grizzly River and up the craggy granite mountain ominously known as Grizzly Peak. The 6-minute journey through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains culminates in a thrilling, spinning plunge down a runaway river.

The Grizzly River Rafting Company has converted a former mining operation into a natural wonderland for thrill-seeking rafters. Your voyage begins placidly enough, as your 8-person raft gently drifts past long-forgotten remnants of the California gold rush. Soon, however, you're whisked up an approximately 275-foot-long conveyor belt and deposited into the foaming waters atop Grizzly Peak. Amid the stunning natural vistas and lush pine groves, a growing sense of unease builds as the river speeds up and you dart in and out of ancient caverns, shoot down unexpected gorges, and wind your way around sharp turns.

Your adventure takes you up the iconic grizzly bear shaped mountain named Grizzly Peak. How did such a natural wonder come to be? According to ancient legend, the peak was once a giant bear named Oo-soo'-ma-te, whom A-ha-le the Coyote transformed into stone to watch over and protect the land. Amidst the raging water of the Grizzly River and the howling wind shooting through the rocky caves, the great bear's spirit can reportedly still be heard roaring at those who dare to intrude upon the sacred mountain.

The raft trip around Grizzly Peak begins with the rafts being lifted up a wooden conveyor that runs under leaking pipes that spray water on the riders. Upon reaching the top of the conveyor, the rafts are dropped into the water to descend the peak, passing through a cave and bumping against a log jam. The climax of the ride drops the rafts down into a geyser field. The final drop has a unique element in that the rafts are spun as they begin their descent.

As with all flume-type rides, there must be a location to store or drain the water in the upper sections of the flumes when the pumps are shut down. The original plan was to create a large, underground basin beneath Grizzly Peak to hold water. This would have required costly excavation and construction. Upon looking at the final layout of California Adventure, it was noticed that the Pacific Wharf area of the park had a water element meant to simulate a tidal basin. The tidal basin is located across a walkway from Grizzly River Run and became the catch basin for water from the raft ride. The rise and fall of water in the tidal basin serves the dual purpose of providing a location to store water and being a scenic element that simulates a rising and falling tide.

Touring Tips

• Grizzly River Run is a FastPass Attraction. Even with Fastpass, the standby lines can still be pretty long. Try riding first thing in the morning before queues develop, or during the afternoon parade.
• During warm hours on peak days, the standby line can get up to 60 minutes, though lines can be practically non-existent on cool days or late in the evening.
• Expect to get wet, and sometimes quite so, on your unpredictable journey along the Grizzly River. Grizzly River Run is a great way to cool down during a warm day at Disney California Adventure Park. If you'd prefer to stay as dry as possible, souvenir rain ponchos are available for sale at the adjacent Rushin' River Outfitters shop.
• Lockers are located next to the 20-foot tall grizzly bear statue, complete with kayak paddle and life jacket, that marks the entrance to Grizzly River Run. Be sure to store any electronics or items that might be damaged by water. The lockers are free for the first 2 hours and $1 for each additional half-hour.
• This is a pretty wild water ride, so don't ride it if you have heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness or other conditions that could be aggravated by a rough coaster. Expectant mothers should not ride, either.
• Koda and Kenai, from the recent Disney film Brother Bear, can be found at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, just across from Grizzly River Rapids.
• Ask the cast member at the entrance to the queue for a rider switch pass. When the rest of your party exits the attraction, two people may return through the Fast Pass entrance.

Facts

• The attraction's name comes from Grizzly Peak, the bear shaped mountain that the rapids flow around. It was built by Intamin.
• It is similar to Kali River Rapids in Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Shipwreck Rapids ride in SeaWorld
• The ride is one of three in American Disney Parks taking the names of former Opryland USA attractions. A similar ride at the now-defunct park in Nashville, Tennessee was called the Grizzly River Rampage.
• The ride was designed with the ability to control how wet riders get depending on weather, but be warned that even a warm day can feel cool if darkness falls while you're still wet.
• Height of Grizzly Peak is 110 feet.
• Height of Grizzly River Run lift is 45 feet.
• The length of the ramp is 300 feet and ride's longest drop is 22 feet.

Hidden Mickeys

• After your raft goes up to the top and turns to the left there is a rock formation. Just after you go up the first hill and turn left, when you approach the front of the bear by the claw, on the left side there are holes on the wall. A big chunk of rock blocks a direct view of it but three of the holes form a Mickey. There the indents in the rock show a hidden Mickey.