Has anyone been to De Efteling in The Netherlands recently?

[TattiePants]

I’m after some tips for visiting De Efteling later this month with the DCs (8 & 13). We’re staying about 30 minutes away so we’ll aim to be there in time for opening but as we have limited time, I’m trying to make a plan in advance. Is there plenty of parking, what’s the food like / should we take a picnic, how big are the queues (we’re there last week in August which is slightly quieter according to their website)?

DH & DS like fast rides whereas DD & I prefer more sedate rides so we might split up for part of the day. What are the must see rides and attractions?

Anyone?

We were there last year, we stayed onsite so can't help with parking. It is very accessible from public transport if that makes a difference. There a lots of options for food so i wouldnt bring a picnic personally. Polles kitchen is a must for pancakes. There are lots of thrill rides George and the Dragon, Vogel rock, Baron, Flying Dutchman, Python etc and as we went during the first week of July the crowd levels were low with no major queues. Symbolica, dream flight, the rapids ride and the old fashioned carousel were good rides but more sedate. We really loved our time there.

De Efteling is amazing!

But will be busy as it's school summer holidays in Europe.

Enjoy!

And don't miss the Droomvlucht! (Dream Flight).

Yea, don't bother about the car.

If you need it to come over the channel, park and get the bus/tram/train.

You'll need to get an OV chip card, or can do it with your bank card.
Nobody, supermarkets (not sure about Public transport does Credit Cards in NL).

Public transport is excellent in NL.

We'll definitely be trying the pancakes! I've been watching some of the videos on their website and Droomvlucht and Symbolica look gorgeous.

A lot of schools will be back by the time we go so hopefully it won't be completely manic.

We are staying in 4 different places in Netherlands and Belgium so we'll be driving quite a bit.

OP, Dutch schools are divided into 3 regions that all have different summer holiday dates (so not everyone is off and back at the same time)….

As the Efteling is the nr. 1 attraction in Europe there will be people from all over Europe.

Have a great time!

It's an amazing place! Install the app to see real-time queue times, since occasionally there can be unexpected lulls.

The big, impressive ones (Droomvlucht and Symbolica) do have long queues, but they are really beautiful and worth the wait. Symbolica has 3 different routes, but they aren't very different (you see things from a slightly different angle, and one brief interactive bit is different). We did all 3 despite the queues, since it was DD's favourite!

We also really liked Fata Morgana, the carousels, villa volta (really cool!) , the miniature world, the wooden roller-coaster (fast!). Fairytale wood was a pleasant wander. DD liked carnival (I found it a bit odd).

We didn't think much of the show (Raveleijn). I would de-prioritise that.

Have a fab time!

Thanks @Nordicwannabe, that’s really helpful. We’re getting excited now!

Realistically as your not staying on site just enjoy the fairy tale wood, that could take a few hours, it's interactive much of it, largest living story book so much to see, I'd say the wood is 70%of the the experience of the park.

Rides, sedate... Droomvulcht, symbolica, whale ride, old cars....

But personally with only a day I'd try and stay still end of day, do fairy tale first, relax, soak in the very special atmosphere. Keep eye on app, I prefer the restaurant in anton piek plain, more variety. Pancake place is fun but they don't do any accompanying sources which I think they need

Even better ravejlin (sp) has restaurant, dinner is pricey but v good sandwiches etc for lunch and you get different view on the the show there.

Don't miss ravjlin show its fab, several times a day, don't 🤔 you need ticket now, there were little ticket machines, free just to make sure enough seats etc but don't 🤔 they even do that now.

Plenty of play areas to chill in and a 3d film, also fun. With surprising brilliant play area as you come out film.

So lots to do aside from wasting precious time in ride queues then from 4 ish... Turn ate tim to rides, as park filters out you will have far better chance of getting on something.

We stay on site so we do the above but use our extra time in morning to do rides, less rides middle of day and from 4 back to rides.

Also good Facebook page efteling for brits with helpful hints... Above poster is first person ever seen say didn't like the show!
It's short and v impressive and it's done by the puy du foy team there is so much to do it's not a typical theme park, it's over 65 years old, it's very beautiful. And yes carousels another good call, the only time we queued for more than half hour was for symbolica, in the morning but that's when it first opened. We never queue for more than half hour and with so much to do it's a waste. Fata Morgan drops layer in day.

Wow thank you @fragolino, they’re great tips about timings, the Facebook page and the show / restaurant. We’ve seen Kynren (also by puy du foy) a few times and the kids loved that.

One question, do the seats move around much on the 3d film? I get motion sickness so watching a 3d movie with a little movement is fine, lots of movement is a definite no! We might also have to give the faster rides a miss, DH is recovering from a dislocated shoulder so is a bit wary of being thrown around!

I belive they are changing the show, double check it's opens and changed. PAndadroon had one or two slight seat motions, Tree fell and the seat jerked. APART from that no.

For 13 python the twister coaster also seemed to have 5/10 min wait times, apparently they have put some ticket reserve thing on it which surprised me as its one of dc favs and always able to get on it.

One last thing, don't miss Indian water lilies in the wood, it's our favourite, it's a constant little show but can get missed (indish). Chinese nightingale is beautiful as is they way they have done cinderella (main fairy tale square near little cake shop). If you your going on Friday or Saturday it's open till 10pm or 11 and has extra entrainment laid on.

Wood is large it's twisting and turning and easy to miss stuff.

Fragalino and I clearly like different things . Whilst I thought the fairytale wood was fun (especially for little ones) I'd put the unusual 'experience' rides higher up the list. I guess you'll find out for yourself what suits your family, OP

Didn't realise that the show is by the Puy du Fou team. We're going to Puy du Fou this year and I had hoped it would be much better than that! Maybe the whole place just won't be our thing... Oh dear!