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Original poster

Can we have an Efteling appreciation thread?

66 replies

EarlofShrewsbury · 18/05/2025 11:19

I nearly didn't start this thread as I don't want the secret to get out...

.. but I've just got home after my first visit and I'm sad about it. It's the most wonderful place and I'm trying to stretch out the joy that little bit longer.

Efteling. The most magical place on earth.

The best way I can describe it is... you know when you're a kid and theme parks have that lovely sense of wonder about them, but then you grow up and when you visit as an adult the facade drops and you see them for what they are?

Efteling is like going to a themepark as an adult but getting that nostalgic feeling like being a kid again.

OP posts:
Original poster
EarlofShrewsbury · 18/05/2025 13:28

DucklingSwimmingInstructress · 18/05/2025 13:05

We didn't queue more than 20 minutes for any ride

I will say you can wait a lot LOT longer than 20 mins, you got lucky.

But we all love the Efteling. It doesn't have quite the character that it had 15 years ago imo, but it's absolutely lovely anyway.

We went recently when the youngest had a day off school. It was quiet and we could even stay sitting in the rollercoasters and go around again. It had such a lovely feel.

Also if you are disabled or have a child with special needs, you can get a 'facility pass' and that means you can wait in a separate area with benches and sometimes get on early.

We had a facilities pass but we didn't use it.

Some rides did have a 40 minute wait at some points but we waited until the school trips went home and the wait times decreased to try them. I loved danse macabre.

OP posts:
TranquilWater · 18/05/2025 15:24

We absolutely loved it too! We took Dd when she was 7 - it’s her favourite theme park ever. We were lucky to visit in a week when the Dutch and Belgian kids were in school, so it was really quiet and quick to access the rides. It might be worth looking up the school holidays for those two countries to plan your visit. We loved the original fairytale area, as well as the cutting edge experiential rides. There were some fast, thrilling rollercoasters too. Plus, the space, the trees, the lack of merch, reasonably priced food, it’s great!

TheEfterlingFan · 18/05/2025 16:54

Dance macabre will be new for us and I see they are planning a new ride!
The only thing I didn't like the look of was the new hotel near the entrance, apparently they took a wes Anderson film as inspiration...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Days out
Wildbird12 · 18/05/2025 17:35

Hi - where would be the closest airports to Eftling?

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 18/05/2025 17:38

What ages do you think Efteling is best for? We went to the Netherlands last year but didn't do Efteling because my kids were only one and three.

MerlinsBeard87 · 18/05/2025 20:21

Efteling is my happy place. Going back next week for our fifth time!

GemByTheSea · 18/05/2025 21:03

I would be interested to known what ages you all think it's good for, too. I have two daughters: 11 (but a she loves woods and fairies so not too grow-up for her age yet) and nearly 8. We have relatives in NL and I haven't round to going - do you think I've missed my window and the kids will be too old?

nordicwannabe · 18/05/2025 21:14

You haven't missed the window @GemByTheSea

There are plenty of big rides for thrill seekers (as well as little rides for smaller people) and it's genuinely magical for all ages.

Go soon though... because then you can go back more times!

StupidBoy · 18/05/2025 21:20

We lived in the Netherlands when my children were small and we loved Efterling although in all honesty it was such a long time ago I can't remember that much about it. I remember it was magical though. Glad to hear it's still going strong.

RumNotRun · 18/05/2025 22:10

My parents took me to Efteling 30+ years ago. I still remember the gnome (Pixie?) who was on a toadstool and as he told a story, his neck grew. Also the bins that would burp and say thank you when you put rubbish in them.

No one outside my family has ever heard of Efteling so it was great when I first read about it on here and realised that other people loved it too!

BaronessBomburst · 18/05/2025 22:18

I think that for teenagers in that 'meh' phase, the Efteling will not be so interesting, because nothing is. 😆
It's definitely suitable for toddlers. There's such a mix of rides and different areas that there's something for everyone. I've been lots of times (we only live about an hour away) but still haven't braved some of the roller coasters.
That said, I just asked my 'meh' teenager and he says he'd still go!

SkeletonBatsflyatnight · 18/05/2025 22:29

We're going later this year. Can't wait. I haven't been since I was 15 but I loved it when I was younger. Think I was 3 the first time I went. Hope my kids love it as much as I did.

Fantasticfrollics · 18/05/2025 22:38

For any Efteling experts, can you you give some top tips please? We would have to go in school holidays - so guessing avoid the main summer holidays? We would be happy to drive (North of England we but we've driven to France many times) but would it be better to fly and hire a car? What about accommodation? Best to book tickets direct? We have an (almost) toddler and a young teen so thinking about going next year. We've done DLP with the older one a few times but thinking Efteling would be good for a change?!

crumpetswithcheeze · 18/05/2025 23:13

There’s a fantastic group on Facebook called ‘Efteling just for Brit’s’ I would recommend. Absolutely loads of info on there. We went Efteling last year with our five year old, we can’t wait to go back!

TheSnowCanGoNow · 18/05/2025 23:37

Ooh, we go for the first time in 2 weeks and I’m even more excited now!

Bubbinsmakesthree · 19/05/2025 00:53

We absolutely LOVED Efteling. Even DH who is very much not a theme park person. Genuinely it was magical. We’d heard great things and it lived up to everything we had heard.

We went at the end of August which as I’d recommend as locals back at school but park still operating extended summer hours.

I think the absolute sweet-spot DC ages for visiting is probably between about 7/8 through to 11/12 though there is plenty to enjoy for DC on either side of that age range. But at those ages they are young enough to enjoy some of the (great) play areas and the magical feel but old enough for the rollercoasters. But really there is something for everyone.

We reminisce about Efteling all the time, I think it is probably the best thing we have ever done as a family Still plotting a return trip, maybe Winter Efteling this time?

WhereDoBrokenHeartsGo · 19/05/2025 01:24

I’m going next week and this thread just upped my excitement, thank you OP! We were there last year but since we’re getting the Amsterdam ferry we thought we’d stop by again! I’m going to Toverland as well but I’ve done zero research on it so no idea what to expect!

sanluca · 19/05/2025 08:07

TheEfterlingFan · 18/05/2025 12:24

Also efteling has a special owner ship system, I can't remember the details but it's some sort of charity ie make a profit but but not at all costs.

The Efteling is a non profit foundation. Profits are either put back into the park, nature and wildlife initiatives and they sponsor Villa Pardoes, a vacation home for families with disabled or sick children.

AnnaMagnani · 19/05/2025 08:25

Efteling is magical at any age!

Can see there might be a 'meh' phase for UK teens. If you are Dutch and have gone all your life, it still works for teens as they get into the nostalgia of what they loved when they were 3.

Hensintheskirting · 19/05/2025 09:17

I went to Efteling a few times 40dd years ago as I have Dutch family. We always loved it; stand out memories for me were Fata Mogana, the blue doves and the rubbish bins that spoke to you when you put rubbish in them!!! I’d love to go back but fear my kids are too old (14 and 11). I’m glad it’s still wonderful…

Original poster
EarlofShrewsbury · 19/05/2025 10:19

GemByTheSea · 18/05/2025 21:03

I would be interested to known what ages you all think it's good for, too. I have two daughters: 11 (but a she loves woods and fairies so not too grow-up for her age yet) and nearly 8. We have relatives in NL and I haven't round to going - do you think I've missed my window and the kids will be too old?

My kids were 11 and 8 and are young for their age. It was perfect for them.

OP posts:
TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 19/05/2025 10:30

We’re going to Duinrell and Efteling for a third time this year. Kids will be 18 and 15 and they can’t wait. There are so many lovely details in everything at Efteling. The rides are great and it is really chilled compared to DLP. Our first visit was a week day end of August and we didn’t wait more than 20 minutes for any ride. Then we did a May half term. This year going October half term.

throwawaynametoday · 19/05/2025 10:43

I absolutely loved Efteling, agree with all the comments, it's magical!

To the PPs worried they have missed the window - we've only been once, when our DC were 14 and 12, and we all loved it! I think the absolute sweet spot would be mid to late primary years, but there is definitely something there for everyone. If you have teens that are in a too-kool-for-skool phase then perhaps it would be trickier, but ours love a bit of whimsy and nostalgia so they enjoyed it all, even the parts that are probably aimed at younger children.

The show with the horses is well worth seeing.

HarrietBond · 19/05/2025 10:46

I'm very tempted by Efteling but am a bit concerned about the teen thing. My eldest is 14 and thoroughly bored by life. But did enjoy Europa last year, so I'm wondering what those who have been to both would say about the relative charms for teenagers? We all absolutely adored Europa and would happily go back and I did initially choose there over Eftleling as it seemed to be skewed to a slightly older audience.

3peassuit · 19/05/2025 10:51

We’re going with the DGC at October half term. It’s our first visit, we usually take them to Disney Paris but I’m increasingly disenchanted with Disney. Efteling sounds lovely, I’m just hoping the rain holds off for us.