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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Efteling v Disneyland Paris

21 replies

usernotfound0000 · 17/09/2019 11:57

I'm looking to book one of these for next year. We have DD1 who will be 5.5 and DD2 who will be almost 2 when we go. We've been to DLP before when DD1 was 2.5 and we loved it, I know that she will absolutely love it if we went. But I keep hearing lots about Efteling, has anyone been to both? Does it have the same magic as Disney? It is a few hundred pounds cheaper for the same dates but I don't want to be driven by price! Any advice welcome!

OP posts:
PenguindreamsofDraco · 17/09/2019 12:56

Efteling x a million! It is magical.

Septembersunrays · 17/09/2019 17:21

Me! I've been to both and several times.

We think Disney is fab, great fun... Love the parades, shows... Big thunder mountain is outstanding as is ratatouille.
But it has a more circus atmosphere... Bright lights.... We had an annual pass and will definitely go back when the new areas are built.

Efteling is incredibly atmospheric. It's far more beautiful over all. You don't feel its as theme park in the same way as Disney. It's in a natural wooded setting so just walking around is enjoyable.

The fairy tale wood is exquisite. Watching my young dc run to each new tableaux was highlight of their childhood for me. Its endless and each one is different, some are interactive, some still like Tom thumbs giant but he snores and Tom runs up and down.. Some you watch in scenes...
Each one is different and beautifully done.

In terms of what to do instead of rides, apart from the the wood which can take all day if you want it too... There's a large square full of old rides, about 3 carousels, swing chair rides... There are far more decent and large play areas. We felt v frustrated by lack of proper spacious large play areas at Disney.
You can drink in park unlike Disney. I enjoyed sitting in white horse plein (Square with old rides) glass of prosecco and dc could run off and I could see them...

Land of the laffs is great fun with loads of houses to run in and out of, rope bridges... Rides.... Stepping stones and pond.
Dream flight (drumvulcht) is gorgeous. Similar in style to Peter pan but better... Longer and with more going on.

The food is much nicer and more variety.

The accommodation is so much nicer. At Disney the 'lake' is huge man made surrounded by concrete and nothing in or around it! Very corporate.

At efteling in my favourite accmd area... The lake is large enough but natural with ducks, reeds, trees around it and in the middle... The sand man's castle.
It has very cosy feel and lots of play areas. All themed really cosily.

I def prefer Bosrijk. It oozes charm and cosyness and magic. (as oppose to looshcne land and the main hotel which is in totally diff area of park unless staying in themed suite)
Unfortunately I can't think of a ride I like as much as btm. Possibly George and dragon...

I have not been for a while and we all miss it. We are going to try winter efteling this year and a new show everyone is raving about called caro based on carousel.

Otherwise my favourite time in on summer nights in July /August as they lay on extra entertainment and park open later.

Septembersunrays · 17/09/2019 17:23

PS your dc ages are pretty much same as mine when first took them they adored it!! My 5 year old loved running around the wood in her Cape

KellyMarieTunstall2 · 17/09/2019 17:27

Just marking my place as Efteling sounds genuinely magical.

Septembersunrays · 17/09/2019 17:32

Kelly it is.
I only ever heard of it on mumsnet years ago when someone was saying they couldn't afford dlp.
I started to research it and it's possibly best tip I've ever had from mm Grin so I like to pass it on.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 17/09/2019 17:35

We did winter Efteling last Dec and it was so beautiful I almost cried! Snow and icicles and lights and just general gorgeousness. We went skating, cross country skiing, tubing - all in the park.

If you are intending to do that @Septembersunrays (or indeed OP!) then try and go before the Dutch schools get out. We were there the day before schools broke up and we basically had the place to ourselves - 5 minute queues on everything. Come the next day and we were jostling for position with hulking teens to go and see the elves Grin

Septembersunrays · 17/09/2019 18:20

Oh thanks penguin Im so excited!
We are already booked in for new year's eve. I believe new years eve is v quiet as everyone is saving themselves for the pm.
I can't wait to see it. I'm bracing for crowds on the other days though.
We did dlp last Xmas and it was good, the snow on mainstreet was good but I wasn't asw
Wowed as I thought I would be... I have high hopes for efteling

2catsand2kids · 17/09/2019 20:24

We’ve been to both and hands down Efteling is better, much nicer atmosphere, less crowded, loved the rides and the fairytale woods. I’d love to go back to Efteling again.

DefConOne · 17/09/2019 22:09

Been to both and my kids declared it better than DLP (and they loved DLP).

Grandadwasthatyou · 17/09/2019 22:19

Is it as easy to get to Efteling as it is for DLP? Ie flight to Paris and then coach/ private transfer? What would it entail for Efteling?

christmasinus · 17/09/2019 22:28

Efteling for me everytime.

A lot of my DC's favourite places there weren't even really the attractions themselves, they just do everything so so beautifully. Like we had lunch in the cafe with the aquarium, it is gobsmacking inside. My little boy went down the polar bear slide about ten times.

Similarly the bins that suck paper out of your hands and then burp, or the donkey that poos gold coins. Its just a very unusual place

If you fly to Amsterdam Schiphol its an easy, very regular train ride (think every 30 mins) to nearish efteling where there are coach transfers to get you to the park.

We spent last xmas at WDW in florida, as well as being to WD paris, and Efteling beats them both for us in terms of family memories and enjoyment

christmasinus · 17/09/2019 22:30

last time we went we just did dover to calais and drove to efteling, if thats an option. It was bloody cheap, we took half the house with us and the actual drive from ferry to efteling was basically one straight motorway that changed its name when it went from france- belgium-holland but we didn't actually leave the road if that makes sense

Junobug · 17/09/2019 22:38

I've never heard of Efteling but it looks amazing. I'd love some more information.
Is winter the best time to go? Is it cheapest to book on their website? Has anyone taken.a baby? Thank you

ChibiTotoro · 17/09/2019 22:45

Having had an indulgent year, we've been lucky enough to do both DLP and Efteling this year. Efteling wins hands down.
It sounds like such a cliche but we felt really happy there. The park is clean, compact yet with lots to do but somehow doesn't feel as busy as DLP. The food is really nice and well priced. The DC probably would have been happy to spend a couple of hours playing in the Octopus restaurant, nevermind the rest of the park. Even the staff seem happy to be there!
DLP felt very tired in comparison and there were a number of attractions that were closed whilst we were there. I know the closures are required for renovations and improvements, but they're frustrating nonetheless.

HairyFloppins · 18/09/2019 09:09

Loved reading this thread, really looking forward to going to Efteling next month now!!

Have been to DLP and it was ok but so incredibly crowded and we all got norovirus.

Thecapturefan · 18/09/2019 09:14

Where is Efteling?

I just booked DLP last night and am now wondering if we should have gone there. Is it just for younger kids?

usernotfound0000 · 19/09/2019 15:32

Thanks everyone, it seems like Efteling for the win! thecapturefan it is in Holland, nearest airport is Eindhoven however no direct flights nearby for us.
Main thing putting me off is getting there. DLP is so easy with lots of direct flights. Definitely don't fancy the drive there!
How long would you say is an ideal length of time? For DLP we were going to do 4 nights/5 days but would as long be needed in Efteling?

OP posts:
ginyogarepeat · 19/09/2019 18:19

User - flying to Amsterdam and then public transport to the park is apparently very doable. There's a Facebook group 'Efteling for brits' that's full of helpful advice!

ginyogarepeat · 19/09/2019 18:19

And I've heard 3 nights is plenty!

Septembersunrays · 19/09/2019 19:08

We usually go for 3 nights. 4 is probably right though.
It's same distance from calais as dlp. Half hour less if you take ferry to Dunkirk.

Many who travel long distance in UK, stay at Premier Inn near Dover or folkestone. Or stay somewhere on the other side like novotel bruges or ghent... Or

Stay near efteling in kaatsheval the town that efteling is in. Hotel de kroon. And go next day. Or fly to Amsterdam Airport. Its an hour away and do able by train and bus.

DefConOne · 19/09/2019 22:11

We did it as a day trip from
Duinrell near The Hague where we were camping. Got the Harwich ferry. Going next year and staying fit two nights which will be enough I think. Will add it in to a week at Duinrell again,

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