Efteling 2017

[YippieKayakOtherBuckets]

With great excitement, we've booked a short break in Efteling for May half term. We're taking 3 yo DD and staying in an apartment in Bosrijk.

I've trawled lots of MN threads whilst planning the trip but I thought it would be good to get all of the insider knowledge on one thread. Is anyone else going this year?

We went at Easter, & then booked for the summer when they sent me an email offering 25% off

Loved it, just fabulous. My 6yo
thought Villa Volta was the best thing ever, we did it about 6 times in 2 days. Oh, & donkey lift your tail . Hotel was great (although on the next trip we're staying in Bosrijk).

Just great!

I have begun the time-honoured tradition of Laying the Holiday Clothes on the Spare Bed.

The weather forecast looks hot for next week - high 20s. Is there plenty of shade at the park?

Does anyone know if men can wear swim shorts in the pool at Bosrijk? I've never been to the Netherlands before so I don't know if they have similar rules to French municipal pools where the men have to wear speedos...

Yippie There are plenty of trees in the Efteling park. If you really want to get excited, Google Streetview has travelled round it (must get on and pack myself). Hope you have a lovely time.

No need for Speedos (I think that is true throughout the Netherlands BTW).

Yes they can wear swim shorts in the pool.

There is a long surprise fountain area...near the pancake restaurant...long raised area down the walking area where dc can jump on and off and get wet. The wood of course has lots of shade.

Very very cool and relaxed in the netherlands.

We went at Easter, & then booked for the summer when they sent me an email offering 25% off don't blame you. we did that too.

No need for Speedos

DH will be relieved!

Rejuvenating this thread for Efteling advice.
We're staying in Loonscheland at the end of August. Has anyone been there yet? Also can anyone tell me any more about which rides if any open early? Any other top tips?
I'm so excited I can't contain myself. 4 weeks to go

Hi Ccat!
No have not been to Loonsche yet but will be there - end of August too - am praying the weather cheers up by then
It looks gorgeous, its next to the other holiday village - so check that out too as that has gorg accmd as well.
No great rides open early, if you had toddlers the cars open early and tobogan I think, Its confusing to get access to the park, you will see people waiting by the large gates when you go in, but you go through the ocuptus cafe and out another door. Just ask for octopus cafe...we use the extra half hour to get in the queues first for the big roller coaster ride. You can get loads of goes on them before the park starts to fill up.
HOw old are your dc? The Pinocchio restaurant is lovely - little show ( food not amazing but OK nice carpaccio) don't miss the ravjiln show....depends on dc ages really. I cant wait either. 3 weeks for us

Ooh, maybe we'll be there at the same time. The other village looks lovely but I was feeling cheap when I booked and loonshe was about £250 cheaper. I'm hoping I won't regret it. My boys are 3 & 6 but neither will do rollercoasters so toddler rides are perfect.
I think I've read the entire website plus every review ever written on Efteling but they are all a bit devoid of useful information so it's good to hear from people who have been. Thank you x

Wow £250 cheaper we booked Loonsche as we had offer ( I think everyone gets offer to have 25% off in total ) after you visit.
We stay in the apartments in Bosricj central, when I looked the difference was a bit cheaper than 250...but still cheaper In Loonsche...but the apartment looked bigger ( the little huts) In Loosnche.

The other village has the pool - highly recommend that too - we used it in middle of the day, and both accmd areas look like they have really lovely play areas for the dc. We have been twice and still have not been to all the play areas within Bosricj itself! L looks like it has really cute areas too.

There are plenty of more gentle rides in the park for your boys, whale, cars, monorail, carosel square, vila volta is unusual - the room spins round I didnt like it - but dc loved it, fata morgana gentle but teeny bit scary in moments - but DC survived it! loved it second time round, Dromvulcht is lovely too - and gentle....You will need arm bands to go into the little pool, so take some with you.

The pancake restaurant is really cute as well.
Now - three weeks of rainy UK to plod through

Ooh are you there now IAdoreEfteling? Any top tips? Which rides are opening early? What's loonsche land like? I'm so excited, only 1 week to go!!!!!!

Just thought I would report back on our day trip to Efteling this week. Had an amazing day for DD's 7th birthday. Couldn't believe how short the queues were. Planning on returning and hoping to persuade DH to stay a night or two. Everything was amazing apart from a grumpy ride operator on Symbolica who made us sit in the back of a car so the kids didn't have access to the interactive console thing. It was so quiet we could have just got the next one. Apart from that the park was magical and staff were lovely. The Dream flight dark ride and Flying Dutchman were awesome and the fairytale village bit exceeded expectations.