Efteling is it worth it and where did you stay?

[Rowenaravenclawsdiadem]

Would love your opinions. Am looking for next year, tickets aren’t released yet. But looking at first week of summer hols.

I have a dd with asd, have already contacted them about what we would possibly need to make it easier for her.

Thanks

We freaking love Efteling! The whole place is utterly charming and there are things to entertain all ages. We've stayed at Loonsche Land. It's all very child friendly (although I can't say how it would be for a child with ASD) and there's an app which tells you how long the queues are for each ride and so on.

Thank you! And could you see it in a day or need more?

Went in the summer and stayed in loonch land cabin for 2 nights.
3 days was enough to explore at a leisurely pace.
Really lovely setting in the woods, calm atmosphere. Not too commercialised. Less manic than Disney.
Very enjoyable trip.

yes it was absolutely wonderful! We went in September in term time and stayed in a woodland house in Bosrijk and fell in love - all of us - with the charm of it! It didn't feel like a money grabby plasticky theme park at all! We're looking into winter Efteling now for next winter as the only drawback was that the big rides have a very high minimum height so ds who was five was frustrated not to be able to go on anything and dh and I had to do baby swaps and go alone. But god it's amazingGO GO GO! We're going to Disneyland Paris next September and I'm not that excited as I'm worried it'll pale in comparison to Efteling. I only found out about it on mn!

And could you see it in a day or need more?

With each night you stay in Efteling accommodation, you get entry for both days IYSWIM, so if you stay one night you get two full days (and also you can enter half an hour earlier). I'd say you want at least two days which allows you to go back and repeat all the rides you like best. If it all gets too busy at the main attractions, there are areas/rides which are calming and relaxing.

Second everybody else, it doesn't feel money-grabbing or a rip-off, e.g. the food isn't noticeably more expensive than normal restaurants, and all very nice. The breakfast in the Loonsche Land hotel is very substantial.

Have a look at when the Dutch school holidays are, and try and go whilst the Dutch kids are in school - it will be a lot less busy!

The park had hot food dispensing vending which my asd boy loved. We stayed in a 2 bed lodge at Loonsche. Not cheap but very quiet. We walked to the park, and back, and to and back sometimes when he needed a break. There was a few get-your-feet-wet if you can’t balance areas as Loonsche and he played there during the day if he wanted a break too.

We did mon-fri and stayed in a woodland house in Bosrijk. You don’t get access to the pool in Loonsche Land but if that doesn’t bother you then it’s quite a bit cheaper.

The park itself is fab - ours were 4 7 and 7 when we went, we went every day and enjoyed every minute of it.

We went the last week of the summer hols as Dutch kids are back at school which might be better if your daughter struggles with crowds.

We loved it and I’m hoping we can go back next year. We flew to Amsterdam and drove from there which was easy peasy.

Best holiday we’ve had

@OneEpisode - did you really think it was not cheap?! It’s only about £900 for five days which includes park tickets!

Oh even if you plan to eat in your holiday home (although I believe the hotel is also very nice) I would recommend at least one breakfast at the restaurant. The characters eat with you, the children love it.

Can I ask what your experiences have been regarding travelling to Efteling. I've been considering going but I'm getting a bit confused about travel options.
Do most people self drive or fly?

We took the tunnel and drove stopping on the way there and back.
Maybe I’m cheap!
My asd boy detested any character so we had breakfast in our lodge (and often dinner too, usually lunch in the park).

We have travelled to NL quite a bit and fly to Schiphol then usually use public transport to get around - we live very near an airport with a direct flight. But I suppose it depends where you're travelling from and your family's luggage requirements.

Would it be to young for a 9,10 and 12 year old??? Thinking of going next summer

*too

No! Plenty of rides for young adults to enjoy too. Some height restrictions though which could cause family conflict! Some rides are for all, some for those over 110cm, 120cm and one 132cm.,

Ours are 17, 15 and 13 too old maybe?

We loved it and were fully grown adults in our thirties! We actually were staying at a euro camp called Beekse Bergen and drove there.

Yes I was reading up on that. What is Beekes Bergen like?

We loved it. Our daughter was 1 when we went. We like a cheap and cheerful eurocamp. The safari park was brilliant - you get in to it free when you stay there. We hired bikes and rode down there. It was end of season when we visited so it was quiet, the restaurants food was fab.

Been several times and it is brilliant. Always stayed at Efteling Hotel as it’s so convenient and 2 days of park entry are included with an overnight stay.

Look at Little Clogs Holidays as they often get exclusive packages with local hotels including Efteling tickets too.

However if you can possibly avoid the busy August holidays then do. We usually go midweek in our half term holidays as the Dutch kids are often at school then and you spend far less time queuing.

Beekse Bergen is good, too. Best to stay on the Vakantiepark there rather than the holiday accommodations on the safari park itself which is further away from the other facilities.