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

Eftling best time to visit

16 replies

Ash19 · 16/06/2023 20:24

Thinking of booking Eftling for the first time. Thinking of going for the winter season around November or is there a better time to go. It looks so magical. I have a 7 year old daughter. Where is best to stay and is it easy ho get from Amsterdam airport to there. Any info would me much appreciated.

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RelentlessForwardProgress · 16/06/2023 21:16

We loved Efteling, mine were 7 and 5 when we went. We went to Disney Florida a few months afterwards and we had a far, far better time at Efteling. Less queues by far, better food and lovely staff.

(We drove from the ferry at Calais so can't help you with Amsterdam airport.)

I watched a lot of YouTube videos about it before we went so I had a good idea of what was there and what the DC's would like so that I could plan the trip. I'd really recommend doing that. I also looked up the height restrictions on rides.

A lot of what they remember isn't the big 'rides' but all the little unique quirky stuff, like the donkey that poo's gold coins, or the wolf hiding in the bed in the red riding hood house, or the edible straws that came in their drinks at the pancake houses,

Food is absolutely amazing for a theme park. We had lunch in Fabula and we had salmon fillets with new pots and veg.....we were fairly flabbergasted you could get 'proper' food and not nuggets and chips.

We had dinner in Polles Keuken and let the DC's have sweet pancakes as a main, they were massive so there was no way if they'd eaten a savory one first they would have managed. But the theming of it with the moving ceiling stuff was wonderful.

The water/music show at night was surprisingly good, and a nice way to end the day.

Favourite rides for us were Symbolica, which was charming and gentle and very efteling! And Froomvlucht which was completely eccentric but lovely. Plus the fairytale forest which is so out of the ordinary for a theme park, the DC's would run ahead to see whatever house was next and who was in it, and also the carousel park which sounds odd, (lots of different old musical carousels together, but in person its lovely).

(Everyone hated the Cursed house. The whole 'story' part of it is in Dutch so we didn't have a clue what was going on, and when we got onto the ride part the DC's were quite freaked out when the walls started moving, so I'd think carefully about that one or at least warn them its actually a moving ride disguised as a story time)

I think our tickets were about 20% cheaper because one of us had a birthday in the month we went, dont know if this is still a thing but when we went, if you sign up to the newsletter they ask you the birthday dates of your family and then send you a discount for each person's month.

We stayed in the Hotel de Kroon in Kaatshuvel, which was about a 7 min walk with little legs(!) and everyone in the hotel ate breakfast and then walked on mass into the park.....was a nice place that had a family playroom bit so all the kids played together. (When we went you had to book a minimum of 3 nights to stay in the park itself and we couldn't stay that long so we stayed outside.)

Oh, last thing, they have these little wooden carts near the entrance that you pull along, think it was about a 5euro deposit, ours were too big to need one but they are so useful to lug everyones bags around in, worth getting one!

FlyingFlamingo · 16/06/2023 21:37

We’ve been 3 times, we love Efteling!
We have been for May half term twice and in January for Winter Efteling. Both quite different experiences but I prefer it in the summer when all the rides are open and you get longer days in the park. The ice rink was nice in the winter but there was no restrictions on numbers and it got very busy. Queue times when we’ve been have never been more than 40 minutes. Dutch school holidays are often different to ours which helps. We stay in Bosrijk which is about 10 minutes walk from the park and very good quality with lovely little touches, like all of the park really. You’ll need at least 2 days to see it properly.
We have driven via the tunnel and flown via Amsterdam and hired a car. Driving is easy, it’s about 3 hours from Calais.
Our favourite rides are Droomflucht, Max and Moritz and Pirana. We also love Villa Volta although the story does drag on before the ride itself (we googled a translation). Food options are great, Polles Keuken is a fantastic experience and there are so many food stalls selling lots of different Dutch treats.
Once you go you’ll be hooked, I don’t think any other theme park can compare, it’s such a special place.

Ash19 · 17/06/2023 06:58

Thanks for detailed replies. It does sound so amazing. Was thinking he nice in November with Xmas vibe around but now thinking maybe around 27th may. Longer park hours would be bonus and weather should be alright too. Maybe 3 nights or I can do more if I need to. I had read there's. Safari park nearby so could do both and make a week's holiday out of it or do Eftling for few days and dunreill a few days.

Is it better to stay in Eftling hotel or bosnjk for kids facilities etc. Will def stay onsite. Like to be able walk to park.

Food sounds lovely which is great.

Was looking up private transfer from Amsterdam airport quite expensive. There is another airport nearer I think so will look that up too or maybe option of hiring a car. Is it straight forward to drive from Amsterdam airport to Eftling

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Doingthework · 17/06/2023 07:32

Efteling is amazing. I think the previous ops replies sum that up nicely. Just thought I’d add the we stayed in the Park in Bosrijk in an appartment as a family and in the larger villas with extended family. Both were fantastic we had pizza delivered to our room on a push bike and breakfast delivered on morning in a Efteling bag for life you get to keep. It’s the little touches that you just don’t get at other parks. I’ve been may and November both are for me equally as good the winter bonfires in the squares possibly edge winter. We noth based so we drove from Rotterdam on the hill overnight ferry. Best of luck you will love it 👍

FlyingFlamingo · 17/06/2023 17:53

Driving from Amsterdam is straightforward.
I can’t comment on the hotel but Bosrijk is perfect for families, there is also a pool onsite and a restaurant. And the breakfast delivery is a must!
We went this May half term - Monday is also a BH in the Netherlands and the Tuesday was also busy but wed/thur/Fri were quieter.

MissAmbrosia · 17/06/2023 20:22

We used to go on 27th September as a school holiday in Belgium but not Netherlands - no queues apart from the big scary rides. Nice weather.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 18/06/2023 05:57

Eindhoven airport is closer but there are less flights from the uk so depends on where you are traveling from. You can take a train from Amsterdam airport to closer by to make it cheaper.

Giraffesanddance · 19/06/2023 07:03

I went with my two via public transport from Amsterdam - really easy train from airport and then we did a bus, but you could then get a taxi from the train I guess.

Ash19 · 19/06/2023 10:31

Train good idea. Where to I get it to from Amsterdam airport

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Giraffesanddance · 19/06/2023 12:42

I recall it’s actually in the airport. I was on my own with a 4 and 7 year old and remember it was very easy! But slightly more complicated finding the right stand but train super easy

Giraffesanddance · 19/06/2023 12:43

So I got it to the bus point - but guess you could get it to somewhere with lots of taxis ( can’t recall if bus place had taxis or not - sorry!)

Giraffesanddance · 19/06/2023 12:45

I guess Efteling may be able to help with a taxi. Pretty sure we went to den Bosch

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 19/06/2023 12:54

Amsterdam airport has a train station inside. Taxis in the Netherlands are pretty expensive so bus is probably the better option. If you take a train from the airport to Den Bosch you can then take a train from there directly to the Efteling.

FrontEnd · 19/06/2023 13:17

Efteling is wonderful and one of my favourite places on earth 😁. Some stuff closes over winter season so check the website for dates. Also cross check when you can go versus Dutch school holidays (which can vary by area). Avoiding these if possible can significantly reduce your wait times for popular rides. There's also an app you need which has site map showing ride waiting times and you can use it to pre-book ride time slots, plan your route etc. With a 7yo if you're staying on site there's a thing you can ask for where the Sandman will come visit in your room for a little chat before bedtime. You can also get pizza delivered in room for dinner if you don't want the trouble/expense of restaurant. The Pancake House is an absolute must for lunch and is an attraction in itself. Staying on site gives you early entrance...I last went just after Symbolica opened (so my info may be a little out of date) and this came in very handy for that.

Ash19 · 19/06/2023 19:58

Thanks everyone so much good advice. Can't wait to visit

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