Disney Paris and Efteling

[Notinlalaland]

Hi. Has anyone been to both? How do they compare?
Been to Disney Paris a few times so thought might try something new.
Worried about jay being disappointing compared to Disney though.

[KimberWozRobbed]

I've been to both and prefer Efteling by miles. I was a huge Disney fan but feel over the last few years they have become very profit focused and all the bits of "magic" have gone from the parks. At Efteling there's less pressure to be having the best time ever. The accommodation is better. It's my favourite place that I have taken my three children to.

[Ricekrispie22]

Disney is more commercial. Efteling is more relaxed, people seem gentler. Efteling is more whimsical, and it’s about the finer detail. Disney is about the spectacle!

[SardineJam]

I have heard that Efteling is aimed at younger children therefore the rides aren't as 'thrilling' but I don't actually know

[Knittedjimmychoos]

One of my favourite topics op.

Been to Disney 4 times and efteling essentially 3 times but one of those was a week. How old are your dc.

We did efteling from around ages 3/4 and 8/9 for three years then Disney.
Roughly ages 6 and 10.

As you know Disney is fun, walk down main street and there's a buzz. Crossing parks at various points and come across wonderful parades and shows.
But it lacks the atmosphere of efterling.

My dc after a year of Disney were asking for efterling. Efterling is more magical because it feels more real. Tripping down little paths in vast wood coming across various fairy tales then stumbling across the fairytale Square in the woods. It seems to have more space than Disney.

Far more things to do when rides busy eg carousel Square which has at least 3 carosels and other old style rides. More play areas. The fairy tale wood can be revisited as many times as you like.
The accommodation and its location are far superior to Disney huge monolithic hotels.

After seeing and staying next to the efteling bosricjk lake (beautiful proper natural lake with reeds, flowers, sandman castle in the center, baby frog let's trees..) it was so depressing to see the Disney lake! Large plain lake surrounded by concrete! The acxmd has loads of natural play areas. You could have a pleasant stay without going near the theme park.

It's more authentic, every where your eye falls it will see something beautiful. It's oodles of Charm, old fashioned, magical.
Disney is very much a circus, gaudy lights, music, cheesy. There are no quirky surprises in Disney.
In efteling dc put on capes and ran around fairy tale forest pretending they were in fairytale.
They couldn't do that in Disney because there's no where to pretend really and get lost in imagination.
The castle and some of the shops is as close as it gets but you can't do that like efteling because its small and has hundreds of tourists flooding thru.

In July and August the park is open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. There are loads of entertainers all themed in the various squares. So the Arabian nights area has market stalls, fire jugglers...

In fairy tale forest sometimes Princess gets driven thru in horse and carriage,other characters wander around the large wood... So you'll be walking along and red riding hood will skip past you.

In dream flight square they used to have dance off between fairies and elves.

In conclusion we all really like Disney and will definalty return, probably when Disney expands the studios. But it's efteling where our hearts are. It's a very special place and we can't wait to go back.

[KenAdams]

Small hijack - is Efteling suitable for a 7 year old?

[Knittedjimmychoos]

Ken it's perfect for any age but especially 7 because of the fairytale wood.
. There are plenty of thrilling rides for older children.

George and dragon, similar to big thunder mountain, python, flying Dutch man etc baron

[Ukdad72]

Hi all.
Could anybody tell me what Eftling is like in the winter. We are considering 27th december for 2 nights?
Thanks

[Notinlalaland]

Thanks. Will give Efteling a go. Sounds fab.

[UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername]

We went to Efteling in winter, I think it was November? It was lovely. Cold but they had bonfires for you to warm yourself at, and hot chocolate or mulled wine. The only ride that wasn't open was Pirana. And there was a massive marquee with an ice rink and a huge slide. Definitely worth doing.