As always, it was just the three of us—me, Nacha, and Noah and somehow, that already made the day feel complete. There’s a certain comfort in traveling as a small family, where even simple decisions feel shared and easy.
We decided to try Roaring Rapids, a water ride we had been curious about since the day before. Before heading out, we made a small but thoughtful preparation, we bought ponchos from a nearby store close to our hotel. It wasn’t anything special, just a simple purchase, but it turned out to be helpful. The ride doesn’t completely soak you, but you do get splashed depending on your seat, and having that extra layer made us feel a bit more ready, even if part of the fun is really just getting a little wet.
When we arrived, the wait time was around 50 minutes, and this time, you could really feel that you were waiting. But somehow, it didn’t feel wasted. The queue itself was thoughtfully designed, with a cave-like theme, detailed rock walls, and dim lighting that slowly pulls you into the story of the ride. It didn’t feel like a plain line, it felt like you were already inside the experience, even before stepping onto the raft. There were no big or funny moments while waiting, just a quiet kind of anticipation building as you move forward little by little.
Nacha stood beside us with that familiar mix of emotions, excited, but also a little scared. It was written all over her face, that combination of wanting to try and not fully knowing what to expect. And maybe that’s what made it more meaningful, seeing her choose to go through with it anyway.
When the ride finally started, everything shifted from calm waiting to a mix of laughter and nervous energy. As the raft moved along the water, there was this constant feeling of unpredictability, you couldn’t really tell where the next turn would lead or when something surprising would happen. Then we entered the cave, and everything changed. It became darker, the sounds echoed around us, and for a brief moment, it felt still, almost quiet, like something was about to happen. Then suddenly, there was movement, a drop that caught us off guard, and in that moment, we saw what looked like a dragon. It all happened quickly, but it added just enough thrill to make the experience exciting without being overwhelming.
We came out of the ride laughing, a little wet, and fully present in that shared moment. Nacha was still herself, still smiling, still light and when we asked her if she would ride it again, she said yes without hesitation, only adding that maybe next time, we should skip the line. It was such a simple answer, but it carried the whole experience in it.
One thing that made this ride even more special for us was how we filmed it. We used a DJI Nano and chose to go hands-free so we could fully enjoy the ride without worrying about holding a camera. Noah wore it using a magnetic necklace mount, and it worked well in capturing the full POV. It allowed us to stay present while still keeping a memory we could go back to. Although we did notice that the necklace tends to move around during the ride, especially with all the motion, so if you’re planning to do the same, a head mount might be a better option for more stable footage.
Looking back, Roaring Rapids was one of those experiences that felt full in a quiet and simple way. It wasn’t just about the ride itself, but everything around it, the waiting, the small preparations, the mixed emotions, and the laughter after. If you’re visiting Shanghai Disneyland, this is something I would genuinely recommend for families, for kids, and even for those who just want a light but memorable thrill.
Just come prepared, maybe bring a poncho, and allow yourself to enjoy it without trying to control every moment. Sometimes, the best memories are the ones that happen while you’re simply there, sitting in the raft, holding on, and sharing the ride together.
Love lots,
Princess Joem 💜
