Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Questions

[Keyser]

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail looks like something that my kids would like. I have a few questions on how it works, though:
- I see that there is a requirement that kids under 7 need to be accompanied by an adult (or someone over 14). Does this mean that the adult has to climb around with them, or does it just mean the adult can hang out somewhere there, and watch?
- One thing we were considering trying: let the kids play here while the adults traded off going on rides the kids won't/can't go on (e.g. Screamin or Tower of Terror). Assuming we had fastpasses, the idea would be for one adult to stay at the Redwood trail while the other rode a ride, then switch positions. This worked well for us in WDW - e.g. letting adults ride Dinosaur, while the kids played in the Boneyard. Is there any reason this wouldn't be feasible?
- Are there any place I can find out details of the Wilderness Explorer activity there? It sounds like something my 10-year old might enjoy, but it also might be geared to much younger kids?
- More generally, is this the kind of place that a 10-year old (who enjoys playgrounds) would enjoy? Most of the pictures on Disney's website seem to show younger kids...

 

[cyclenut]

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail looks like something that my kids would like. I have a few questions on how it works, though:
- I see that there is a requirement that kids under 7 need to be accompanied by an adult (or someone over 14). Does this mean that the adult has to climb around with them, or does it just mean the adult can hang out somewhere there, and watch?

Watching is fine but you should be able to see your kid from where you are. I've seen some parents who think that being in the area is sufficient. The place is big enough where you must move around with them. Aside from a few of the slides and things, you should be able to do everything with them without having to "climb around". Like many things Disney, the area is meant for doing things together.

- One thing we were considering trying: let the kids play here while the adults traded off going on rides the kids won't/can't go on (e.g. Screamin or Tower of Terror). Assuming we had fastpasses, the idea would be for one adult to stay at the Redwood trail while the other rode a ride, then switch positions. This worked well for us in WDW - e.g. letting adults ride Dinosaur, while the kids played in the Boneyard. Is there any reason this wouldn't be feasible?

As long as you have enough adults to actually watch what the kids are doing it should be OK, but there isn't enough there IMO to keep them busy for more than an hour or so. Some kids are "done" in 30 minutes. Personally, I like the place and some kids would spend more than an hour, but you are talking about a group. Some are going to enjoy it more than others. I wouldn't plan for more than an hour.

- Are there any place I can find out details of the Wilderness Explorer activity there? It sounds like something my 10-year old might enjoy, but it also might be geared to much younger kids?

Sorry ... can't help you there ... maybe someone else? Try using the search function on this forum. I'm guessing you'll find out some information that way.

- More generally, is this the kind of place that a 10-year old (who enjoys playgrounds) would enjoy? Most of the pictures on Disney's website seem to show younger kids...

I think a 10 yo would enjoy it. There is more than just "doing" things. There are things to read as well. You can get a little history of the California wilderness as well. It all depends on the interest of the kid, but I think it is just right for kids that age.

 

[bumbershoot]

The wilderness explorer thing was fun for my son and also for the adults. If he likes little shows, the ceremony with Russell might be fun for him, eve if he doesn't want to take the WE pledge.

The climbing area seems to be fun; thankfully DS has always found other people (DH, or my sis in law, etc) to be with, b/c it doesn't look like fun *for me*.

Watch out for the height limit on SmokeJumpers; there's a minimum (42") AND a maximum. I'm 5'3" and am too tall for it, so some preteen males (and a few females) are going to not be able to ride (my 8 year old is already just above my shoulder so his time on Smokejumpers is limited).

 

[KateDrake]

I think you've got a great idea! We always try something similar when we are swapping kids. The only drawback I can see is that it is a bit of a walk from ToT over to Redwood Creek. We usually try to find somewhere closer like Bugs Land or Monster's Inc. so that we can make the switch more quickly. But those might not be a good choice if you have older kids.
I do love Redwood Creek, and we often go in the afternoon when lines for rides get long. It's a great place to get some wiggles out! And Russell is just adorable, I want to do the Wilderness Explorer program myself!