Grizzly Spinny Water

We haven't done anything with Grizzly River Run in a while. The ride is so cool but it spins a bit too much for me.  It has actually been several years since I last rode this. Maybe this November is time to try again. With any luck the weather will be cold and rainy and I'll ride this and never dry out.

Grizzly River Run at Disney California Adventure is the ultimate water ride for anyone who loves the thrill of white-water rafting and doesn’t mind getting absolutely soaked in the process. Nestled in the heart of the Grizzly Peak area, this ride sends you careening through rapids, spinning around river bends, and plunging down waterfalls, all while desperately trying to convince yourself you won’t get that wet. Spoiler alert: you will.

The whole experience starts as you approach the majestic Grizzly Peak, where the silhouette of a bear’s head carved into the mountain looms over the ride. It’s like the bear is saying, “Welcome to my domain. You’re about to get drenched, but hey, it’s gonna be fun!” The theming here is pure rugged wilderness, with nods to California’s national parks. There’s a definite sense of adventure in the air—an outdoorsy vibe that makes you feel like you should’ve packed a granola bar or at least worn quick-dry clothing.

Once you board your circular, 8-person raft, the calm before the storm begins. You start off by gliding peacefully through a scenic forested area, taking in the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. It’s all very serene and lovely, and you might be tempted to think, “Hey, this isn’t so bad.” But don’t let the tranquility fool you—the river’s about to turn wild.

As the current picks up, your raft gets tossed into the first set of rapids, and suddenly you’re spinning and splashing as water sloshes over the sides. There’s no telling who’s going to get the worst of it—the raft rotates unpredictably, and someone (usually the person who thought they’d stay dry) ends up right in the path of a tidal wave. The best part? The looks of sheer panic and laughter as everyone tries to dodge the inevitable soaking.

And then, of course, there’s the big drop. Grizzly River Run doesn’t mess around with its finale—after bouncing and spinning through the rapids, your raft takes a sharp turn and heads straight for a steep waterfall. The drop sends you plummeting down, water crashing all around you, and at this point, staying dry is a distant dream. You’re soaked, your shoes are probably squishing, and you’re laughing because what else can you do when the river gods have made their decision?

The ride’s layout is designed so that no two trips down the river are exactly the same. The circular rafts mean you’re constantly spinning, so everyone gets a chance to face the rapids head-on (and the waterfall, for that matter). The unpredictability of it all is what makes Grizzly River Run so much fun—you’re never quite sure when the next splash is coming, and there’s a shared camaraderie in the fact that you’re all in it together.

The theming and scenery are top-notch, with the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains recreated down to the last pine tree and rocky outcrop. It’s easy to forget you’re in a theme park as you’re careening through the rapids, surrounded by towering cliffs and roaring waterfalls. And the bear-shaped Grizzly Peak looming overhead adds a touch of mystique, like the mountain itself is watching your every splash-filled move.

By the time you exit the ride, there’s no denying that Grizzly River Run delivers on its promise of adventure and wetness. Whether you come out drenched or merely damp, the ride is a thrilling, hilarious, and thoroughly refreshing experience—especially on a hot California day. And if you’re lucky, you might even dry off by the time you’re done laughing about how soaked you got.

So, if you’re ready to embrace the chaos of the river, climb aboard Grizzly River Run, where the rapids are wild, the drops are steep, and the chances of staying dry are about as slim as a bear wearing a raincoat. Just remember: in the wilderness, it’s every rider for themselves—so hold on tight, and let the river take you for a spin!

And now the continuation of the long story:

Rise of the Resistance: Thanks to Brandon!

Finally, the group arrived at their next big adventure: Rise of the Resistance, one of the most epic rides in all of Disneyland. But as they approached the entrance, they saw the sign that crushed the spirits of many hopeful riders: a 180-minute wait time.

"180 minutes?!" Kevin exclaimed, staring in disbelief. "That’s longer than it takes to fly to Batuu!"

"Yeah, that’s three hours," Lissa said, doing some quick mental math. "Three hours standing in line with these kids? I don’t think I can survive that."

Just then, Brandon confidently stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear.

"Don’t worry, everyone. Thanks to me and my DAS pass, we don’t have to wait for three hours!" he declared proudly, holding up the golden ticket to fast-passed glory.

The entire group cheered as Brandon strutted past the massive line of disappointed tourists like a galactic VIP.

"Brandon, you’re the real MVP!" Steve said, clapping him on the back.

"I told you guys," Brandon replied, still beaming. "Having me around is like having Jedi-level powers."

As they all bypassed the endless line of hot, tired park guests, Lincoln couldn’t help but quip, "Now I know how Han Solo felt skipping the line at the Death Star."

The families were ready to dive into the full Rise of the Resistance experience, with Brandon leading the way like the hero of their day.