Enchanted Forest, Salem OR

I have this bucket list- like a literal list that I wrote a few years ago where I want to go, explore and see in my beautiful state of Oregon. (I gotta find that list and check things off!) 

On my list was this amusement park an hour outside of Portland. It's called Enchanted Forest. And, I am a fan of fairy tales and the drama, beauty and at times truth in that magical land in my head. You know, good always wins, the prince is this amazing guy that saves the princess, and the princess is beautiful, usually strong willed and knows what she wants. Any ways, its all so enchanting and exciting. And, there is always a moral to those story book tales. 

I've been asking locals if they had been to the park and if they had, to tell me their stories. I lot of people said they grew up going there during the summers with their parents. They now bring their kids or grandkids. I love that. And, you guys! I love that it's still family owned and operated! I love the dream they had in 1971 to open this little gem in Salem. 

I gotta say, my boys LOVED it. and the simplest thing was their favorite. It was this big slide at the Mother Goose's shoe house. We had to sit on these felt blankets and race down. I Cant count the amount of times they went down that slide. It was so exciting for them! YES, they LOVED all the rides, there aren't a lot to choose from, but we went on the ones we could countless times and that was pretty much amazing for my gang. Oren was super into this rollercoaster that he called a transformer. He still talks about it. It's bobsled rollercoaster. But, in his two year old mind, he had taken a ride in a real transformer and his little life is changed. We couldn't get him off the boat bumper cars for a good fifteen minutes. He just kept getting back in line. Simon's favorite was- goodness, everything! Jasper loved hanging out at the kiddy land, and once we bought him a wood sword at one of the gift shops, his day was made and now he sleeps with it. My husband loved watching the boys eyes light up when they got excited about the smallest things, that was his favorite. My favorite is the Log ride. At the end of the day with no lines we went on it a few times. Family Favorite for sure. 

I loved that we can bring our own food and waters in the park. I packed a light snack of healthy treats to save room for the churros and soft pretzels. We got icecream and watched an Irish band perform a show in the English Village. Got lost in Pinocchio's Playroom, played all the games our quarters can buy, and rode all the rides more times then I can count. So, that said, I do recommend getting a Ride Bracelet. It's just stress free, and you don't need to count your tickets or disappoint your kids when your out of tickets. I saw a few melt downs in the park when the parents said "sorry, out of tickets". However, if you do get too many tickets, they will refund you at the end of the day. So that's cool. 

Park hours and prices Click Here . 
 

We didn't do the Haunted house because I don't care for those or anything that brings me fear. But, everything else was fun and excitement at each corner. I did expect princesses and such, but I didn't see any. The theme is more "storybook" like Alice in Wonderland, Hancel and Gretel feel. With a western town with Indian caves that the boys explored with my cell phone. Goodness, they loved it. All the little surprise caves and nooks.

When you go, go with the eyes of a child. Then, it's magical, exciting and unforgettable.