Efteling

[teaandlotusbiscoff]

We are due to go to Efteling for the first time over the Easter holidays. DC has additional needs and we have sorted out the access pass / wheelchair hire. We are planning to drive and have booked for three days there. Any tips or advice?

It’s lovely, are you staying in the houses on site?
If so, look out for the bed time story by Mr Sandman. It was in Dutch, however the staff quickly realised we spoke English and happily came and chatted with the kids.

The app is great for queue times.

My kids still talk about the musical toadstools, the bins that talk when you put rubbish in them and the food! Deep fried swirly potato sticks with salt & vinegar powder! The little wooden carts are great for wheeling kids or bags & jackets around.

We had such a good time and I recommend it to everyone instead of Disney.

I have two comments, after dark it’s VERY dark getting around to the on site accommodation. You need a torch or phone.

We booked the medieval banquet at the Jousting and the portions were tiny and the food was just ok.

I would do a supermarket shop outside the park to stock up. We arrived late and there wasn’t any food options. We checked in and hopped back in the car.

Take arm bands or life jackets if you are using the hotel pools for any DC that aren't strong independent swimmers. We thought our nearly 7 year old would be ok without as they usually were but they made us buy some there before letting us get in which was a bit of a faff. To be fair the pool did have a strong current/ small lazy river type bit which might have been where they were coming from.

The mad house said it was suitable for any height so we went in expecting a sort of crazy fun house, however it is one of those rooms that spins with scary noises and makes you think you are upside down in a haunted house. We slightly traumatised our son (who did the double loop triple corkscrew rollercoaster without fear, but this ride was psychologically scary). I wish we'd skipped it.

Head for the Droomvlucht fairy forest dark ride first thing if you can as it is incredibly popular. It's the only ride we queued nearly an hour for, but the next day we tried for it first thing we got straight on and rode three times in succession. It was everyone's favourite ride from our trip. You'll have a blast though I'm sure- we loved it there!

Very much looking forward to it! We’re staying in Bosrijk which means we’re able to use some of the pools as a part of our deal.

I’ve seen about the turning mad house, so it sounds like it’s scarier than the one at Legoland? As we’ve previously done this with no issues.

I love the madhouse (villa volta, it's called) but it is a bit unnerving for a small kid!

The Dans Macabre is new and gets long queues.

One or two of the rides are showing their age a bit but I love the Efteling. Just one world of warning, there are a couple of ride that are, ahem, slightly politically incorrect in my view. Stereotypes of lands, one might say.

The staff are very friendly and helpful and it's clean - when we went to Chessington World of Adventure my kids were shocked at how shoddy it was in contrast.

How many are you in all? Usually you can take 2 helpers with you if you have the access/facility pass.

DC is 13 and claims to ‘love horror movies’ so I think they’ll be okay with it . Though they did seem a bit scared when seeing the Baron ride! We’ve got two people with disabilities and both passes say they are able to take one person with them, there’s four of us going in total.

has anyone eaten at the Burgundian heroes dinner? I love the look of it, but it’s only available on one night we’re there at 5pm and DC can’t eat after 6pm due to medication

Re. the bins, they actually suck the rubbish in and say ‘paper hier!’ The children’s presenter Maggie Moate, has a few Efteling videos on YT including how they made the bin one. Your dc might enjoy these before you go.

They got rid of the cannibal ride which was a bit non PC. It’s now teacups!

Have a great time!

I felt very dizzy in the villa Volta and had too close my eyes until it stopped.
Enjoy so many gorgeous squares to sit in and enjoy a glass of wine, lots of food options don't fret about booking restaurant.
Enjoy

We took our 2.5 year old on Villa Volta - we had no clue what it was, but saw there were no height limits and it had started to rain 😂 he was fine!

You’ll have a brilliant time!

Have you joined the Efteling for brits facebook page? Lots of advice on there.
but I think the best advice is to not over plan and just discover for yourself and enjoy. It’s nothing like Disney where you need to plan and pre book everything. The rides are magical and you can explore the fairytale forest for hours, even with older kids

The Baron was a bit much for me bit at 55 I reckon I'm entitled to find hanging over a long direct drop a bit hard on the stomach. All the other rollercoasters were fine.

@Sourisblanche cannibal ride? Which one was that, not the stereotypes of countries I hope?! Or was it where the teacups near the pirate shop are now?

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress It is actually boats not teacups (my mistake) but it used to be Monsieur Cannibale! It is opposite Vogel Rok.

Dh is Dutch and we have an aunt who lives very close to the park so I have spent many hours in that place! Still love it though and my dc do too, even though they are all older teens now.

Good lord, Dutchies were challenged when it came to tact and sensitivity at times weren't they? Monsieur Cannibale, Zwarte Piet... 😂

We are going and I'm excited! My dc will be 4 and 7 so we will stick to the little rides.

Any intel on charging electric cars nearby or at the park would be gratefully received!

There's a whole area for them. If you speak to one of the guys who direct the cars to the right place, he'll sort you out.