Jump to content
  TPR Home | Parks | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram 

Photo TR: Martin & Cheryl Visit Portland, OR!


milst1

Recommended Posts

Cheryl and I did not slow the pace after the TPR Weird Japan trip. After coming back from Japan (which was my Spring Break), we jumped on yet another "long" flight, and headed to the crazy world that I had only previously seen on Netflix, Portlandia!

0001.thumb.jpg.01c666082966a10fec5238ad32a164e9.jpg

This is how we roll.

0002.thumb.jpg.e33de78cfff066554a4f3e83d43dbaa9.jpg

Oregon is green. Is it possible that we left in the dark and arrived at dusk? Maybe that's the wrong plane photo.

0003.thumb.jpg.2264cd51884f59d2ba6df110cba1471e.jpg

SNAFU at Hertz PDX.

0004.thumb.jpg.5c5470e3486ad80dff77348e265ca437.jpg

Morning breakfast at Big Bear Diner!

0005.thumb.jpg.28ca5fe4d3707684933bcee36f4da2a1.jpg

Apparently breakfast and brunch are regional pastimes in Oregon. There are a million breakfast places, all with long lines on weekend mornings.

0006.thumb.jpg.592c6e91b9f48c19aabecfb06938a7dc.jpg

I want my breakfast to have a philosophy. Of course I forgot to photograph the food, but it was good!

0007.thumb.jpg.b161656619c2776f7d1d19e3dfcc22b5.jpg

First stop!

0008.thumb.jpg.45f8cfc6f2b3692087ed1edc18e19b24.jpg

Entrance. You can see that my camera window is not opening properly. Time for a replacement.

0009.thumb.jpg.91378ced62d1410f98459b766c9e7ec0.jpg

It looks like I'm peering through a crack in the wall to see Cheryl get her wristband. Better yet, I'm hiding inside one of the many trees.

0011.thumb.jpg.624fd8e836d122b633ddca3e4b15d88e.jpg

Of course Cheryl had to go back to the car to change out of her heels. Such a girly-girl.

0012.thumb.jpg.05697f5779464ae62b417f3959c4289b.jpg

Awwwww.

0019.thumb.jpg.e0c9ed6a161ee4aec4311a45b18b3a52.jpg

It's a smaller, wetter, hillier, low-budget Efteling Sprookjesbos with some Disney ripping-off.

0020.thumb.jpg.676700d45a9f0169c5b06256999ba671.jpg

Now you know what they really looked like.

0021.thumb.jpg.af4307e9ed04363a600012090b70db8c.jpg

Welcomed by a bunny.

0022.thumb.jpg.1f5eae0c8409ebde91652f9b0557b522.jpg

Unfortunately, the pics don't do it justice. It's very cute.

0023.thumb.jpg.4600c88f1d44732606d7eb4598735406.jpg

My only decent shot of the actual dwarves.

0024.thumb.jpg.62232acb97adfb7ec86e779f78202734.jpg

I think this is the money shot for this park.

0025.thumb.jpg.e6f2cba5e5174972b23688dada34cf0d.jpg

Cheryl slides! Taken from my tree hiding place.

10.thumb.jpg.388444b534f64214b3528eac797255f0.jpg

Start at Castle.

13.thumb.jpg.70a8e6f08db4dfeae53b74a29016a084.jpg

This staffer let me take a picture of the great coats they wear.

14.thumb.jpg.dba8ff5d00f589efce5504da090868aa.jpg

The castle.

15.thumb.jpg.f4983425e1383d4e6e4c4ffc46aa910a.jpg

Humpty.

16.thumb.jpg.ab860972968cbd14a2b587c646e3ed39.jpg

LMM.

17.thumb.jpg.9eb4d2b93422e3863f43e519036947b5.jpg

Everything grows here.

18.thumb.jpg.ffa27e9cfa2504b12de57d87f8530e21.jpg

Alice.

0026.thumb.jpg.ca87692d01cf5909dabecdb0f428f57a.jpg

Awesome animatronics.

0027.thumb.jpg.d831d91eed20bc7a51f259bd07902381.jpg

I think this is Goldilocks.

0028.thumb.jpg.bd1c6dd4abb1b9978a9d6d46373e88d5.jpg

Crooked man.

0029.thumb.jpg.e660c40ed0b32ce97ecdb703715cb8d5.jpg

The history of the hoodie.

0030.thumb.jpg.88524666d3c157b2d5a933f4bb83572e.jpg

I would not live in a pumpkin if my name were Peter Peter.

0031.thumb.jpg.e11aec9dd3e42ab06136b655c9d1c197.jpg

Time for credits.

0032.thumb.jpg.1241fc4c97c50b7dfad5032877960629.jpg

Yes, we counted it because we are whores. And there is a little coaster part. This is one of the only parks where having a flume constitutes local theming.

0033.thumb.jpg.a49776bd92f5829fd04ed93c12a40116.jpg

Nice clean midway, but small.

0034.thumb.jpg.b25f3b6a58ebac3f3dc3bb3b11395857.jpg

This is the part that's worth the trip.

0035.thumb.jpg.ff2eed9fd8ae81e96892827ce2e0b8ca.jpg

The forecast said rain all weekend, but when we called they said this was meant to be experienced in the rain.

0036.thumb.jpg.be33054323dad77bb4fd2e96e5d86942.jpg

This reminded me a little bit of Lost Coaster at Indiana Beach, but there are actually few similarities, all the coasters are blending together, plus I'm an idiot.

0037.thumb.jpg.a151206cc2d20fac0133857f557a7b98.jpg

Here I'm hiding inside a tree inside the car going up the lift hill.

0038.thumb.jpg.fc3597df6e9d3deb506dbba9ad3b0230.jpg

Yah!

0039.thumb.jpg.2457d08214be5cd1c0b1f170ad34505f.jpg

This ride is violent, fun, and deathproof.

0040.thumb.jpg.ba0d86ca521f2a9188981a86edfe941e.jpg

Shooting dark ride.

0041.thumb.jpg.9a9d0735ac244c8b29be078311b0ff56.jpg

Haunted House.

0042.thumb.jpg.198a93c805770901dd057812121ff700.jpg

Fun haunted walk-through.

0043.thumb.jpg.bc53b55388104be09b2aa89448eb325c.jpg

Just changing a light bulb.

0044.thumb.jpg.60b42e5684d855ac480ada6fc2ac8bf7.jpg

Big scenes.

0045.thumb.jpg.40b8b19fe3a1aded4490012522bc560d.jpg

Sorry the camera doesn't do justice. It's huge.

0046.thumb.jpg.f300c234c0218be61fd5bd5a2e011ca0.jpg

Cheryl is very fond of animatronic rats.

0047.thumb.jpg.8050029a0b5a2ddb1856f644ba408386.jpg

They have a film about the park that is continuously running. We had to leave and they missed a merchandising opportunity by not having a DVD for sale. I would have paid $24.99, sight unseen, but not a penny more.

0048.thumb.jpg.bd96bc1580be680113e1a542a34df5ef.jpg

Heading for the exit.

0049.thumb.jpg.4d102f799dc58b190bd6f50fbcce4dbf.jpg

Nice cuppa joe first. It was rainy chilly.

0050.thumb.jpg.f66fae3240ecb3e64be1d30d5d495e72.jpg

I will say that the park is not cheap with the wristband, which is $24.95 over and above the $10.75 admission. You can save by going with the tickets and hit the four big rides once each for $13.30 instead. We would have done some re-rides had the weather been a little better and had we not had a date with another park. Enchanted Forest is worth a visit. It's clean, pleasant, friendly, and has some unique charm.

0100.thumb.jpg.65b08fc68648a29a03b702aa69d46d57.jpg

On to Oaks Amusement Park!

0101.thumb.jpg.6f86049927e3b3db348043015b795096.jpg

It's a very different kind of park; it's more of an open midway.

0102.thumb.jpg.39026526b2b72c6e8cbd9e72c405ab67.jpg

First credit

0103.thumb.jpg.0767621559051b48f6c9605b40992487.jpg

Wonderful OTSRs.

0104.thumb.jpg.6b38502771cbdaed413c22bedb6db24c.jpg

There's a Scrambler.

0105.thumb.jpg.1caf2a280bdaa5dd08038e05d113b428.jpg

And a Rock O Plane

0106.thumb.jpg.afe4fd9e414e2f8847517adebdffdebe.jpg

Choo Choo. We missed the Rock O Plane and the train because it really started to rain after we got the credits. I think the rides stayed open, but we were done.

0107.thumb.jpg.43a736d6f283a8487201ebfe39efc089.jpg

99.5FM The Wolf, playing your favorite country hits.

0108.thumb.jpg.97c65f0160506da75d3a0ec696a50d8f.jpg

Carousel pavilion.

0109.thumb.jpg.742ba48fd830af6c3954afed521c305f.jpg

Ahh, credit!

0110.jpg.73aafb07cf06429f9e032b14cba5b684.jpg

That expression is what you call smug self-satisfaction mixed with self-hatred and disgust.

0111.thumb.jpg.fa7f528a5c2514abfac11d05e9bb0f38.jpg

I used to love these things. But I haven't been on one since one of those arms broke off and someone got killed.

0112.thumb.jpg.9b66bfa03188510154cf8226576ad4c4.jpg

The rest of our short journey was spent catching up with some friends of Cheryl and enjoying the crunchy-granola-ness of Portland.

0113.thumb.jpg.65c278533cfc1f382712e9133b4cc3c3.jpg

This was our breakfast waitress' modified recumbent bike. She was a character right out of Portlandia.

0114.thumb.jpg.6923e16990669289d3142d90ee7d31c4.jpg

And no trip to Portland would be complete without a visit to Voodoo Doughnut. Yes, you can get donuts with bacon on them.

0115.thumb.jpg.8244d2237fe5d715a077815d876ef75e.jpg

Cheryl's friends' kids demonstrate how to kill a gingerbread man doughnut. Yes, he has red jelly inside. Thanks for joining us on our Pacific Northwest sojourn!!!!!!

Edited by milst1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 19
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Congrats on #1100, Martin!

 

And Enchanted Forest is a great little park. Did they still have the

Dancing Waters running there? Continuous and fun, in it's own way.

And I always thought the Haunted House walk-thru was one of the

best in any park.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the love, everyone! We did really like Enchanted Forest. I'd like to go back on a summer's day, but it was still a good experience. Oaks was a little disappointing. We didn't see a dark ride there actually. But we'd go back for a new credit, of course. I'm also sorry that we didn't take pictures of all of the great food.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the love, everyone! We did really like Enchanted Forest. I'd like to go back on a summer's day, but it was still a good experience. Oaks was a little disappointing. We didn't see a dark ride there actually. But we'd go back for a new credit, of course. I'm also sorry that we didn't take pictures of all of the great food.

 

The dark ride at Oaks closed last year (maybe the year before), but you didn't miss much. Especially if you rode The Challenge of Mondor at Enchanted Forest. One of my favorite shooting dark rides. I had to ride it twice just to see everything I missed while concentrating on the shooting aspect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You were just down the road from me at Black Bear Diner! I think the Oregon parks are well worth visiting if you know what to expect; I don't think there's anything left quite like our Enchanted Forest. Glad you guys had a good visit!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for the TR, particularly the part on Enchanted Forest. I really love this little park. I need to get back there sooner, rather than later. My twin grandsons will be just about big enough to enjoy the park soon. Maybe not this summer, but certainly next.

 

They have a film about the park that is continuously running. We had to leave and they missed a merchandising opportunity by not having a DVD for sale. I would have paid $24.99, sight unseen, but not a penny more,

 

I have no idea if it's the same story as shown in park, but here's a great video that tells the story of the park and the family that owns and runs it:

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oaks park was always my home park growing up and I've always been frustrated by their lack of ambition given the great location. It helps to realize the park has been run as a non=profit since 1985. They're primary interest seems to be in having a picnic grove and wedding venue (and skating rink) at the neglect of the rides area which has potential.

 

I can't help but imagine a Grona Lund style compact city park

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Still have yet to go to Enchanted Forest or Wild Waves Theme Park. I suppose I aught to. The Black Bear Diners are nice. I think the original was built in Mt. Shasta, but they've since expanded quite a bit. The one in Long Beach, CA isn't to bad.

Edited by Gnome
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the TR! I did not think Enchanted Forest was still open, and so have not sought it out in the 5 years I've lived in Seattle! D'oh! I'm sad to hear that Lewis & Clark's Big Adventure is gone from Oaks Park, because while it was crappy, it was SO AMAZINGLY crappy that it fantastic (to me, anyhow). Did you go, or at least peek in at the roller rink? It is a really, really nice wooden floored rink, and they still have an organ that they play occasionally.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the TR! I did not think Enchanted Forest was still open, and so have not sought it out in the 5 years I've lived in Seattle! D'oh! I'm sad to hear that Lewis & Clark's Big Adventure is gone from Oaks Park, because while it was crappy, it was SO AMAZINGLY crappy that it fantastic (to me, anyhow). Did you go, or at least peek in at the roller rink? It is a really, really nice wooden floored rink, and they still have an organ that they play occasionally.

 

Apparently the roller rink is still quite popular, and the hours for the roller rink are extended beyond the outdoor rides, but we really didn't do more than glance over in that direction, sorry! But thanks for checking out the report.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^^^Next month might be a good time to go to Wild Waves. Base prices for two of the weekends are only $9.99--in fact, it looks like all tickets are at least half off through June! I've heard opening day is quiet (not sure how smoothly it usually goes), and I guess the water park is a massive draw since the tickets are cheapest when it's closed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sad to hear that Lewis & Clark's Big Adventure is gone from Oaks Park, because while it was crappy, it was SO AMAZINGLY crappy that it fantastic (to me, anyhow).

 

I forgot how craptactular is was.

 

 

^^^Next month might be a good time to go to Wild Waves. Base prices for two of the weekends are only $9.99--in fact, it looks like all tickets are at least half off through June! I've heard opening day is quiet (not sure how smoothly it usually goes), and I guess the water park is a massive draw since the tickets are cheapest when it's closed.

 

Just remember that if you go alone, many the Wild Waves' flats do not allow single riders.

Edited by larrygator
Link to comment
Share on other sites

"That expression is what you call smug self-satisfaction mixed with self-hatred and disgust."

 

Great report! I love Enchanted Forest, but the only time I was there – decades ago – I was on my own and I was too much of a wuss to go through the scary walk-through alone. The whole park was pretty much empty. Must get back some day.

 

Never been to Oaks; looks well worth a stop. Isn't that the park that had a Harry Traver coaster in it, way, way back in the day?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use https://themeparkreview.com/forum/topic/116-terms-of-service-please-read/