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See photos, get details about adventure-filled Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure! Updated February 20, 2008. Related info includes--- HOME :: Latest News :: Disney's California Adventure :: Sunshine Plaza :: A Bug's Land :: Paradise Pier :: Hollywood Pictures Backlot :: Grizzly Peak :: Condor Flats :: Pacific Wharf :: California Adventure General Info Feel the "call of the wild" in Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure
White water rafting fun: the Grizzly River Run raft ride
What's the wildest, most exhilarating ride in Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure? Easy---it's the Grizzly River Run rafting adventure!You'll board a multi-person, round-shaped raft that'll soon have you heading into the wilds of landscaped-like-the-great-outdoors Grizzly Peak Recreation Area. First, you'll be launched into a gently churning river, and then you'll be hoisted up a tall mountain. From there, you're released to let gravity take you on an uproarious downhill run. Unlike at similar rides in other parks, non-riding guests in Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure may meander up a path, where they may watch the action from several different viewing points. Less adventuresome non-riders may enjoy the fun while remaining completely dry. Others, who want to join in on the gets-you-soaked fun may wait at a viewing area directly adjacent to the splash pool! (And, no, there's no splash guard!) On a hot day, standing next to the splash pool and getting caught in the "rain" each time a raft plunges down & throws up a torrent of water, is great, refreshing fun all by itself! High Sierra-themed playground: Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure is a magnet for kids ready to stretch and run their wiggles away!This huge, 2 acre area (just across from the entrance to the raft ride) contains a gigantic play structure for children. The rustic theme of the Grizzly Peak area is carried out in the playground: wood beams, workers in "park ranger" uniforms, and a "ranger station" built of logs. When I climbed around in this "monster" for the first time, I was alone, and I was pretty darned proud of how well I had done. (Actually, I wanted to test it out to make sure I could climb in it before bringing the grandkids here! I wasn't sure that I could!) My pride-of-accomplishment vanished when I climbed the mesh ladders and trails again with my 9-year-old grandson (on another visit.) He zoomed past me, climbing the rope ladders as if they were escalators! (Alas, poor me! I didn't look like the hearty, trail-ready grandma that I'd wanted to appear as being!) Adventuresome, athletic children can easily spend an hour here...if your plans have that much extra time built into them! Live storytellers get the children---and the adults, too!---involved right along with them as they weave their tales. Disney Characters & other Grizzly Peak funMeet Chip & Dale or the Brother Bear characters!
In Grizzly Run at Disneys California Adventure, you'll have the chance to meet strolling Disney characters to grab an autograph or take a photo of them with your kids. The Disney characters that you will meet here tie in with the "rustic" nature of the area. Here, you see Gabriel meeting and greeting the familiar old-time Disney characters, Chip and Dale. (As usual, I never can remember which one is Chip and which is Dale! I do remember that the ,B>different-colored noses should give me a clue!)
In this photo on your right, you see Gabriel meeting one of the bears from the movie "Brother Bear." Several of the "Brother Bear" characters were roving around the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail on the afternoon that I took these photos. 
There's also a "nature" trail in this section of Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure. Most of the trail consists of man-made "natural" items! For example, a man-made sequoia tree, a cement trail marked with "paw prints" of passing bears and other wild animals, and plants that appear more like garden shrubbery than real forest specimens. I do have one very favorite thing to look at along the "nature" trail, though---it's a REAL cross-section of an ancient tree...and its rings are marked with world events happening at various stages in the growth of the tree (e.g. "This tree ring was being formed during the Revolutionary War"). If your child isn't too bent on running ahead to the play structure, you could slip in an interesting little science lesson here! ....Family vacations make life more fun! Plan yours today! Use this website to help you with ideas!
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There are many paths made with meshed rope within the play structure that you'll need to maneuver. Hint--don't try to climb this thing in heels!
The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail has many other fun features that your children will enjoy. There are slides (such as the cute "hollow log" slide seen in the photo here), "creeks" in which to dip your feet on a hot day, a mini-rock climbing wall, and a "fire jumper" rope ride.
The themed area of Grizzly Peak at Disneys California Adventure has a very attractive gift shop done, of course, in the same rustic style as the other attractions here. I like its log cabin look. The merchandise here varies somewhat from stores in the rest of the park. In keeping with the Grizzly Peak theme, the wares in this shop are more outdoorsy.
