Ben A.
Yelp
As a kid, I always wanted a treehouse-- not one of those cheesy, pre-fabricated pressboard things from Playwell, but a real treehouse. In my eight-year-old brain, I had it all envisioned: rope ladders, a fire pole for quick escape, systems of pulleys and ropes that would allow me to raise snacks and drinks from the ground below.
Of course, the only real problem with this is that we lacked an actual tree that could facilitate such a structure. Instead, my dad built a large room on high stilts next to a Chinese Elm. It actually was lots of fun... The source of many childhood memories (and well, injuries)... and though we put a pulley/ rope/bucket system on it, it really wasn't what I had thought a treehouse should be.
I suppose this is why when I first saw Redwood Creek Challenge trail, I remembered those Crayola blueprints I had drawn as a kid. Truly, this is what I had in mind all those years ago. A seemingly endless series of wooden platforms, connected by stairs, cargo net climbing structures, and swinging plank bridges provides shade for various kids activities like mini tire-swing zip lines, enclosed slides, and low-stakes ledge scurrying. A small Brother Bear themed cave attraction kinda plays second fiddle to the coolness of the Disney treehouse you always dreamed of (not that impractical one over in Adventureland, either.)
As part of the entire California themed park motif, there are little signs about various California flora and fauna, particularly those one might encounter in the more wild parts of our state. At various times of the year, the place takes on different holiday themes. Currently, this is where you will find Santa Claus at the park for photo opportunities... But be prepared to wait in line.
I have to also add that I am very impressed by the redundant safety features of this attraction, even for Disney. There are nets under nets under nets, and plenty of evidence that things are hyper reinforced with steel cables and girders one might expect on an aircraft carrier instead of a kids theme park attraction. The ground throughout is largely comprised of that squishy fake rock material they put under swing sets at the park. Each mini ride is staffed by cast members, who run a pretty tight ship even with the little kids.
My only "area of improvement" for this attraction is the lack of little kid activities all the way up inside the structure. The Imagineers aimed a little higher on this one, with respect to age. After navigating several "obstacles" to get to the top, 4-8 year olds are rewarded with... a half-functioning Osborne Fire Finder (seriously, look it up, that's what it's called)... that is mounted too high for most kids to see and spin around, let alone understand.
Other than that, I really do like this place. It is relatively contained, and a welcome respite for weary parents who are ready to have a seat for a little while, while the kids run around.