Have you ever read a fairytale and wondered what it would be like to stroll through the world of the characters? Have you ever desired exploring the three bear’s cottage, the crooked man’s house, or the seven dwarves’ mine? You can experience all these places and more if you visit Enchanted Forest in Turner, Oregon. Take your family on a walk through a magical forest while discovering all the wonders this park has to offer.
History:
The idea for Enchanted Forest was sparked in the 1960s when Roger Tofte, the founder, realized there was not much for a family to do in the town of Salem, Oregon. He decided a theme park was the perfect addition to the area, and though he did not have much time or money to make it happen, he did his best to pursue it anyway. He worked his way through the construction of the park slowly, building onto it after work and on weekends, and repairing watches to help finance his goal.
The people around him did not believe in his dream, and yet he persisted anyway. Even the banks did not believe in him, which made it difficult to obtain a loan to finance the finishing touches of his project. Eventually, Roger and his wife Mavis found a bank that took a chance on them, and they were able to open on August 8, 1971.
Attractions:
Enchanted Forest has many compelling attractions. As soon as you enter the park you begin a journey down Storybook Lane, meeting many different storybook characters along the way. Humpty Dumpty, the witch from “Snow White,” and Alice from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland are all among the friends you might make along this stone path through the forest. The path then leads you to Tofteville Western Town. In this section of the park, you will discover various enjoyable attractions such as the log cabin-esque playground and slide Fort Fearless, the log flume ride Big Timber Log Ride, and the classic Haunted House. In this area of the forest, they play a documentary recounting the tale of Enchanted Forest itself, from the moment that Roger had the idea for the park, all the way through to where the park is now.
After you have enjoyed a break to watch the film, your next stop will be the Old European Village. This portion of the park is home to even more attractions, including Pinocchio’s Playhouse, an indoor target shooting ride called the Challenge of Mondor, and live music by the band Possibly Irish. Across the stone path from the Gathering Hall where people dance and clap along to the traditional Irish themes, you will find a delightful show titled the Fantasy Fountains. This show is a demonstration involving water and lights dancing to music composed by the daughter of Roger Tofte, Susan Vaslev.
Every attraction mentioned so far makes for a wonderful afternoon, but in my opinion, the best part of the park is their Comedy Theatre. Also created by Susan Vaslev, the Comedy Theatre performs Susan’s takes on various fairytales, adding a comedic twist to them all. The theatre was opened in 1973, and Susan has written and directed every show performed, taking inspiration from “Fractured Fairytales” and the “Carol Burnett Show,” according to their website (“Enchanted Forest”).
Rides:
Along with their immense number of charming attractions, they also have a delightful selection of rides to take part in. One of the most popular rides is the Big Timber Log Ride mentioned above. On this spectacular adventure, you float through a logging mill, glide through the forest, and eventually make your way to a 40-foot drop where you are almost guaranteed to get wet. This ride is ideal on a hot summer day after you have been walking around, admiring the attractions for a few hours. Another rollercoaster present in the park is the toboggan-themed Ice Mountain Bobsled. On this ride, you make your way up a steep incline and through an icy cave full of twists and turns over 1,600 feet of track. This was the first ride that opened in the park. Other rides include the fantasy-themed shooting game Challenge of Mondor, the Haunted House, a carousel, and the Speedway Bumper Cars. Other options are available to children, such as the Kiddy Frog Hopper, the Tiny Tune Train, the Up and Away Ferris Wheel, and the Kiddy Bumper Cars.
Accessibility:
The only complaint I could ever come up with for this beautiful park is that it is built on a hill. There is a lot of uphill walking, which can be difficult for some people. There are many benches located around the park if you need a break, and they have multiple locations that offer refreshments if desired. They do offer to assist people in wheelchairs. They are willing to provide a person to push your wheelchair if you need or want that accommodation. They also have a golf cart that you can request a ride on if that is something that would assist you in your enjoyment of the park.
Why Should You Go?
Besides all the wonderful aspects of the park I have described so far and many I have left out, there is another reason why you should take your family to this truly enchanted theme park: the magic it holds. This park is so much more than just a bunch of rides in the middle of a forest. It is a place filled with love and a passion for keeping the childlike spirit alive in everyone. The employees and the family who owns the park have so much love for what they do, and you can feel it as you walk down the hand-laid stone pathways, admiring the handcrafted characters and listening to the music of the band that was created right inside that very park. You can feel the pure joy of everyone who enters the park, and the magic that joy creates. It is truly a spectacular feeling that everyone deserves to experience.
Opinions in the Community:
Don’t just take it from me; there are many other people in the community that would vouch for this marvelous park. I spoke with a man in the community who has visited Enchanted Forest almost every year since his children were born. He called it a wonderful place and went on to discuss his admiration for the park, saying, “It was one man’s dream, and he made it come true so he could share it with everyone” (Joe). Another woman I spoke with who has visited the park a similar number of times, expressed that “there are very few places in the world where such magic can be captured through little eyes” (Courtney). Many people have been touched by the magic and wonder this park inspires, and I recommend that everyone visit this truly enchanted park at least once in their lives.
Works Cited
“Enchanted Forest.” Enchanted Forest Theme Park, www.enchantedforest.com. Accessed 20 May 2021.
Courtney, Ruby. Interview. By Crystal Lohne. 20 May 2021.
Joe. Interview. By Crystal Lohne. 21 May 2021.