"Enchanted" Afternoon

We had an "enchanted" afternooon... in the form of a trip to the Enchanted Forest - Salem's version of a Disney-esque theme park.

Maddox LOVED the little storybook houses... he ran from the three bears' house, to Snow White's house, to the wicked old lady's house from Hanzel and Gretel (here).  Each house had little scenes inside with scratchy recordings playing children's songs, and jerky animatronic models forever acting out the scene.  There were storybooks with children's rhymes in front of each... a huge favorite was the "crooked house" (you know, there was a crooked man, who walked a crooked mile; he found a crooked six-pence upon a crooked stile....).  The house, and everything in it, is actually "crooked," and tons of fun to walk through.

There was also a whole section devoted to Snow White (one of Maddox's favorite stories).  They saw Snow White's house ("she's beautiful MumMum... just like you!"  Awww...), the mine where the seven dwarfs work, and the wicked witch's lair - you had to walk in her mouth to get into the house - creepy!

After the storybook lane, there were other themed sections... and old western town, a European villiage, etc.  Throughout the park, there were several small tunnels that the kids loved.  They would twist and turn, and the kids would come out in an unexpected place.  It was not so much fun for the parents, who watched their kids disappear in a tunnel, and then were left to wonder where (and when) they would reappear.  We survived.

And then... the rides.  The rides were perfect for the boys' ages... just enough action to make it fun, but nothing too big or too scary.  Maddox is definitely going to follow my love of rollercoasters - he couldn't stop giggling, and wanted to go again and again and again.  I'm so glad to have a partner in my rollercoaster love!

They also had some smaller rides that were just as fun.  A huge hit was the bumper boats (for the kids) and the bumper cars (adults got to ride too). 

The verdict?  Definitely a good time.  Much more fun to enjoy with the kids (we had gone a few years ago, pre-kids, and didn't have half as much fun).  Worth the entry price (though it is steep!) for a once-in-a-while treat.  Perfect for the ages the boys are now... just the right dose of magic and a fun afternoon!