Efteling - DC ages

[blibblibs]

We can't afford a summer holiday this year but really want to do something with the DC in the holidays.
We usually always go to Alton towers but thought this year we might stretch and go to Efteling instead. I've looked at some of the other threads and I'm now wondering if the DC are maybe a bit old, they'll be 14 & 15 and love a good theme park.
Any hints on the easiest cheapest way to do it would be appreciated too.

Efteling is a great theme park. We went last year with my children DD9 and DS5.
There are some fantastic big rides; Python, Baron 1898, Joris en de Draak and the water coaster. I’d say the park is on par with Alton Towers but if you prefer really big rides like those at Thorpe Park then it may not be for you.
The food choices are excellent with a variety of options not just ‘junk’ food.
We travel by ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland as that worked out the cheapest option for us.
Public transport is very easy to use though we’re driving this time.
Accommodation is very reasonable- Loonsche Land seems to be the cheapest area to stay in.
We stay in Bosrijk as you can use the swimming pool.

Echoing the above we went last months with 10 and 8 yos and loved it. I’d say it’s great unless they are very into properly scary rides as there’s only a handful. On the other hand theres loads the whole family can enjoy together.
we also got the Harwich-Hoek ferry but via the eurotunnel will likely be cheaper and quicker.
we stayed in loonsche land- not cheap but the price is inclusive of park tickets for the entirety of your stay. There are plenty of unofficial places to stay nearby.

Duinrell with Eurocamp/Canvas?

Awesome place and suited for all ages!! Some really good rides for older kids (Python, Baron, Joris, Flying Dutchman, Pirhana etc.). Lots of food choices too as PP said - far superior to the Disney parks.

We flew to Schiphol then got the double decker train, then bus to Kaatsheuvel. A bit of a trek but an adventure (plus we're nowhere near a ferry or Eurotunnel). Public transport is cheap and easy to use. Stayed in a guest house in Kaatsheuvel within walking distance and also Loonscheland Hotel in the park.

Definitely suitable for teens. We’ve done it twice, each time gone via eurotunnel and stayed in the Loonsche land hotel and at Beekse Bergen with Eurocamp.

I absolutely love Efteling and I am sure your DC would love it but possibly have a look at Phantasia near cologne with their ages. I’ve not been personally it’s on my to do list for when mine 4&7 get bigger as for now Efteling is king. Hope you have an ace time wherever you go.

We're just back from Efteling with DS12 abd DD8. DD is very petite (121cm) and only just tall enough to go on most of the thrill rides. There were plenty of families with teens not to mention the school groups of varying ages so lots to keep older kids busy.

We take the car via ferry as we twin Efteling with Duinrell and stay in Holland at least a week but if we were doing a few days only it would probably be a flight to Eindhoven airport.

Maybe check Toverland theme park which is nearby too....or do both?
We've booked for the Netherlands next summer, Beekse Bergen and probably will book a Eurocamp site too, and I'm thinking Efteling will maybe be a day inbetween those. My kids are 12 and 10 and are only just getting into thrill rides, but I think Efteling looks great for all ages. Kind of like Disney, it's about the magic and environment not just the rides I think!

Oh, with ref to cheapest way to do it...if you book a short Eurocamp trip, minimum is 3 nights, you get a massive discount on ferry/tunnel crossings so that's why we're adding Eurocamp specifically to our trip. There is Beekse Bergen Lake Resort near Efteling which is a pricier site (but it's a safari park so plenty to do and lake beach for sunbathing, indoor pool etc, all included in price) but others within 30-60 mins too I believe.

Ps we had a three day ticket- 2 days would have been fine but 1 day would have been woefully insufficient as so much to see.

it’s is quite Disney-ish but far less commercialised. Nothing is “sponsored by…” for starters. And the food although not cheap was really good.

They do cheaper birthday tickets if you wanted to look at staying off-site. You get emailed a code valid for up to 6 people during the month of a birthday and two weeks of the following month. Worth knowing if anyone has birthdays coming up!

They also do last minute deals that can be booked around 2 weeks in advance for on site stays, they're usually at least €50 cheaper per night I think.

I enjoy it as an adult so think they will at their ages. Can you combine and do a couple of days there and then see some other things in the Netherlands - cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam or Maastricht. Or you could go to the hoge Veluwe national park and the Amsterdam open air museum near there is really good.

We went for a second time last year with 12 and 14 year olds. Did a 2 night stay and it was perfect amount of time. My kids absolutely love it, prefer it to Alton Towers and DLP. We added it to a week at Duinrell. I would add on at least a few days somewhere else in the Netherlands. It's such a nice country to visit.