Redwood Creek Challenge and Pirate's Lair

[Anna1227]

We are planning a trip to DLR when DD will be a little over 2 1/2. I was wondering if the Redwood Creek Challenge and Pirate's Lair would have any parts that would be fun for her, or if they are more for older kids. Thanks!

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Oh my, there are lots of things for the very little ones in Redwood Creek as well as Pirates Lair.
Let's start off w/ Redwook Creek. There's lots of running around and climbing that she can do and there are also things for kids that I wish I could do, but those might be for kids a little older. I'm not quite sure on that. But there is this one slide that I absolutely loved called the Rock Slide or something like that. It's for little kids and it curves, so I just got stuck riding down it. But it was fun. There was also a Brother Bear thing where you go in a cave, put your hand on a certain spot and it tells you what animal you are. There's also the Brother Bear show that they have there and I believe they stay afterwards for pics. I haven't seen it in a while.
As for Pirates Lair, it's also another place where she can run around and explore. But since the floor is consisted of hard sand, you might want to watch out for scraped knees. If you go in the caves and stick your hands in certain areas, things will pop out and it might scare her. But there's a chest where Davy Jones' heart is supposed to be and if you put your hand on it, it feels like it's beating. There's also a pirate locked up in a jail cell that scared me bc of how lifelike it was. I think she will have fun climbing up to the lookout tower and running around through the caves. Jack Sparrow also appears at the end of the island for a character meet and greet. There are also singer/musicians called the Bootstrappers who sing and play hearty tunes. I believe on the weekends, there's a guy named Bootstrapper Bill who plays the penny flute. He's a friend of mine, so you can give him a friendly hello (he's the only 1 who plays the penny flute). There's also a show where Jack Sparrow comes out and battles pirates for a treasure map. There aren't specific times for the shows, so you might have to ask a CM when the next showing will be.
And for one last note, there is a restroom on Pirate's Lair on the far right side of the island, but there isn't a restroom in Redwood Creek as far as I can remember. So I think that she'll have fun, just watch out for older kids running around though. Hope I helped and have fun!

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

My 2.75 yr. old loved both when we went last fall! There were lots of fun things for her to do. And they were great places for her to let off some steam and just run around. She tried just about everything to do in both places. I think that both were just about her favorite places there, besides seeing the princesses.

Have fun!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I think your 2 1/2 year old would also love Toontown (DL) and Bug's Land (DCA). There are a lot of things their size to explore and climb on.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

The Redwood Creek Challenge area is so wonderful........when we have gone, it seems to be emptier than the rest of the park. Plus its cooler, shadier, and they have the neatest bug/nature sounds going. It is a very nice place to walk through.

When we were there, a CM took my 2 small kids, and 2 other kids, to an area with a little creek. They each picked a different colored rubbber ducky, dropped them in the water for a duck race, and followed them downstream to the "finish line". And the funniest part was........to get their ducks to race faster, they each had to say "quack quack quack....." over and over. My kids had so much fun doing this, and it is hilarious to watch the video.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

you know last time this was the two things we missed. i know were going to meet jack (arrr) this time but maybe i should look at the red rock play place too

 

[avalon451]

I didn't get over to Pirate's Lair and neither did DD13. This time, we will. I have to meet Jack. Aarrrrrr!

All I need is one pirate leer, and I'll be happy!

 

[jenjersnap]

All three of mine loved Redwood Creek Challenge. My youngest was tired when we went to Pirate's Lair so he stayed in the Ergo carrier. Jack passed by us quite casually as I was walking with him and said, "Oooh ... don't worry, he'll fall off in 18 to 24 years."

I was noticed by Jack! I felt special!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

how cute

 

[bumbershoot]

My youngest was tired when we went to Pirate's Lair so he stayed in the Ergo carrier. Jack passed by us quite casually as I was walking with him and said, "Oooh ... don't worry, he'll fall off in 18 to 24 years."

I once heard him talk to a lady (who had been stalking him a bit) with a baby in a Bjorn, and when he finally looked her way he kind of jumped back in shock, and then said something about whether she knew about the barnacle hanging on her.



For the Redwood Trail area, may I make the suggestion to bring a couple changes of clothing and SHOES?

We are always prepared with extra clothes and shoes for our son when we go to DCA, and we always feel very sad for the children who are being yelled at to stay OUT of the water b/c their parents don't have clothes/shoes for them. My husband experienced a parent actually *screaming* at their children about it on our recent trip.

Not that you would do that, but my son has SO much fun in the water play areas (and there's a little creek with "stones" in the trail) and he's always SO glad to play and get soaked, and then have warm dry clothes to change into, that I always suggest people be prepared so their kids can play to their heart's content. (see my September and May trip reports for pictures of how wet a kid can get in DCA)


All of that said...we didn't really enjoy the Redwood area as much as other kids and families might. For the adults it was too scattered, hard to keep track of the kid, and no guarantee that the kid won't just run out (especially since it's near Grizzly where my 41.5 inch kid is desperate to go). For Eamon, it was really frustrating that they have a very cool attraction in there that's for kids over 42 inches (and under a certain height). But your under-3 might not notice that or care.

They also have the Koda and Kenai show in there, so if your kiddo has seen Brother Bear it might be fun.


Pirate's Lair is fun to roam around in/on/around. But if they go into the caves/caverns, know that they go THROUGH. You can't just wait outside, b/c the kiddo might just keep going to the other side. (so if you have issues with being in caves like me, or if you're worried about fitting through relatively small spaces like my hubby was, it's good to know in advance and keep the kiddo out, or bring someone brave and slim who will go in after your child) My guy is 4 and still hasn't been in the caves, b/c I think he'd get spooked, especially with the little surprises inside of them (I got brave, and my January trip report has a picture or two of them). But staying outside is still fun, and if you're there during the Jack Sparrow meet and greet, as long as people are polite to him and recognize that he IS a pirate, he can be great fun to meet.

 

[Anna1227]

Thanks so much for the replies! It sounds like they are both something we should check out on our trip. She loves to run around and explore.

Thanks for the tip about the extra clothes and shoes. That's definitely good to know!

 

[BlueBayou]

Not that you would do that, but my son has SO much fun in the water play areas (and there's a little creek with "stones" in the trail) and he's always SO glad to play and get soaked, and then have warm dry clothes to change into, that I always suggest people be prepared so their kids can play to their heart's content. (see my September and May trip reports for pictures of how wet a kid can get in DCA)

Ditto about the extra shoes (or have them wear crocs). I have been very surprised at how much fun my kids (now 7 and 5) have with some of the smaller Disney things - like those stepping stones. We probably spent 40 minutes in the stone/small slide/cave area two years ago.

They also got a big kick out of the interactive washboard band that plays across from GRR sometimes. (might be called the '49s miners or something - I can't recall)

 

[dizneekrazee]

My kids loved the Pirates Liar last time we were there (we also used to love Ton Sawyers Island). At that time, my kids were 8, 4, and 2. They all had a blast. We did the meet n greet with Jack, but just me and the 2yo went up. My step-mom and the CM took tons of photos of me and Jack. Jack was doing his regular "drunk" jokes and all, and the man in line in front of me said "I cant wait to hear what he will say to you!!" Needless to say, Jack Sparrow invited me out for a drink!!

We did Redwood Creek Trails only once, that was in December of 2002. I really couldnt tell you why we never went back, the kids had a blast!! So did DH!! We will definately go back this year. If I recall right, my DS and DSS were both 3.5yo when we went. My younger 2 boys will love it this year (5 and 3 when we go). Maybe I could get DH to take my oldest to do something else if he doesnt want to do anything there.