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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:
alpinia · 19/05/2025 10:57

Efteling is great! If you are staying in the area for a few days at least Beekse Bergen Safari Park is really lovely too, and about 20 minutes away from Efteling. Easily one of the nicest animal parks around. They also have a great winter light walk if you are doing Xmassy Efteling.

SeaBaseAlpha · 19/05/2025 11:00

I'm off to Efteling on Friday! I'm very excited, although very unhappy about the weather forecast!

I went randomly last summer whilst visiting the area, with no knowledge of it.. it was brilliant! On a hot summer's day with a 4 year old we didn't see much of it, so I'm looking forward to seeing it all this time.

The only worry is I may have overhyped it to DH who didn't come last year, so he has high expectations!

Original poster
EarlofShrewsbury · 19/05/2025 12:22

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.

How did may half term compare to last week of August for crowds?

I can't decide between the two. DD had additional needs so we try to avoid crowds.

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Bubbinsmakesthree · 19/05/2025 17:28

EarlofShrewsbury · 19/05/2025 12:22

How did may half term compare to last week of August for crowds?

I can't decide between the two. DD had additional needs so we try to avoid crowds.

Show quote history

Weekday end of August last year was v manageable - mostly queued 10-15 mins for rides, some straight walk-ons (especially later in the day), a few longer queues but nothing more than 30 mins. Their app is very useful for checking queue times and avoiding popular rides at the busiest times. There's loads to do that's not rides (open play areas, fairy tale forest etc) so you're not just shuffling from one queue to the next. Their website has a colour coding system for busiest days so you can try to plan to avoid (day we went was coded as a medium day).

REDB99 · 19/05/2025 17:35

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?

Definitely haven’t missed the window! My DD is 8 and we’re going on our third trip this summer. We love it and she can’t wait to go back.

REDB99 · 19/05/2025 17:40

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?!

I’ve been at Easter and summer and didn’t find the summer queues that bad, the park is open until 10 so you can get on loads when it gets quieter. I’m in the NE and get the ferry from North Shields to Amsterdam, it’s a very easy drive. Definitely join Efteling for Brits on Facebook, loads of tips and advice on there.
It does seem expensive to stay on site but it includes park tickets for your arrival and departure days. We’ve always stayed 3 nights and love staying on site but are staying off site for the first time this year to explore more of the area.

milski · 19/05/2025 17:43

I love Efteling. We stayed at Duinrell and went there one year then De Kempervennen Center Parcs another year and visited Efteling again. A day is never enough. It's so beautiful and has such a variety of rides. I fell like comparing Duinrell and Efteling is a bit like comparing apples and pears. Both fruit but completely different!

milski · 19/05/2025 17:45

Top tip is to go in the final week of the summer holidays. We found that the Center Parcs had cleared out that week, as a lot of people had gone back to school, and the queues at Efteling were fine.

Vivienne1000 · 19/05/2025 18:00

I went as part of a school trip, last year. We had a great day and it was surprisingly quiet.

Sprookjesbos · 19/05/2025 18:03

We went last summer and absolutely loved it! Stayed onsite and it was absolutely magical. One of my favourite bits was the show, Caro. It made me and my DH cry.

I'm trying to persuade him to book a trip in the Christmas holidays, has anyone done that and it is really expensive to go that time of year? Considering forgoing a trip away at summer to do a few days there in December!

MaggieFS · 19/05/2025 18:07

It’s on my list for May half term next year, hopefully, as I think the kids will be the right age. I’d love to hear how a busy it is then, plus feedback on staying on site vs. Centreparcs which is somewhere else we’d like to go, and I’ve heard is less expensive in the Netherlands.

BaronessBomburst · 19/05/2025 18:12

Sprookjesbos · 19/05/2025 18:03

We went last summer and absolutely loved it! Stayed onsite and it was absolutely magical. One of my favourite bits was the show, Caro. It made me and my DH cry.

I'm trying to persuade him to book a trip in the Christmas holidays, has anyone done that and it is really expensive to go that time of year? Considering forgoing a trip away at summer to do a few days there in December!

The Dutch schools don't break up until the last minute for Christmas, so if you went at the beginning of the holidays it should be quieter.
I'll look up the holiday dates for this year and next.

postitnot · 19/05/2025 18:13

My teenagers (15 and 17) love alton towers and disney, would they be too old? It sounds gorgeous and a nice idea for an October half term adventure!

BaronessBomburst · 19/05/2025 18:19

The Christmas holiday is actually a bit earlier this year. They break up on the 20th.

Can we have an Efteling appreciation thread?
Can we have an Efteling appreciation thread?
TheEfterlingFan · 19/05/2025 18:39

No one is too old.

There are lots of different rides and areas it's all just themed really well, there are rides like python, Dutch Hollander, George and dragon and the baron etc.
For thrill seekers who want lots of rides europa Park maybe better but as a all around immersion experience it's fabulous for all ages.

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