Efteling - sensitive kids who don't like big rollercoasters?

[pettingzoo]

I'm dithering about tagging on a couple of nights at Efteling at the end of our trip to the Netherlands later this month (August/ early Sept). I've already got a week booked at a Landal park near Gouda, where we'll do day trips to Amsterdam and the beach, etc.

My kids are 12 and 9. The older one is ASD and ADHD, but normally copes ok with these sorts of things, and the younger one gets quite anxious about busy places. Neither particularly like rollercoasters/ fast rides (although we haven't tried for years). I'm worried they'll find it creepy (the characters look a bit creepy on the website!) or that there won't be enough to do if they don't want to go on the faster rides? The last time we went to a theme park was about 5 years ago (Legoland), which they both enjoyed. We also went to Puy du Fou in France last year, which they LOVED.

I know there are shows at Efteling, but most of them don't seem to be on the days we can go (early Sept), a couple of the rides are closed (including the train and the gondolas - i.e. two things I know they'd go on!), the park is also only open until 6pm and the evening show (Caro) isn't on. It's expensive (we'd probably stay at the park as there isn't much accommodation available nearby for the dates we'd go). Everyone gives it such positive reviews and I don't want to miss it out if it's going to be great, but I also can't work out if it will work for my kids. Help!

I suppose you won't know until you get there. I went in Feb, with a 3 and 6 year old. they loved it. There lots of things to do especially for the 3 year old who couldn't go on lots of rides. The characters are a bit creepy in the photos but my kids were ok. What I loved about it was how clean it was, from the toilets to the cafes etc. the food wasn't as expensive as I thought and was good quality unlike Legoland Windsor which was awful. I would definitely go back.

hi, I know the Landal site near Gouda, stayed there 2 years ago, we loved it. Also went to Efteling, kids were 8 and 10 at the time and we're going back at the end of August when they will be 10 and 12.

We loved Efteling last time, stayed 2 nights on site (after a week at Landal). We went in early June so off peak season and it closed at 6 but we had some of the first and third day too. But anyway we loved it. My older son likes scarier stuff but there is loads of gentle stuff and "dark rides" - stuff that is indoors and goes slowly, WAY better than the equivalents you get at Disney etc. Droomvlucht is my personal favourite. My younger son loved the Max and Moritz rollercoaster which is pretty tame but great fun, - basically two separate rollercoasters that "dance" together. Can't comment on the Caro show as didn't see that. Didnt find the characters creepy. Certainly in early June it wasn't too busy, we didnt queue for more than 15 minutes anywhere. Food was great. We ate dinner in a pancake restaurant (after the rides had closed) and there are some great all you can eat buffet places - they aren't cheap but the food is really good quality (unlike buffets at Disneyland which were really rubbish value in comparison).
Happy to answer questions about Efteling - I'm a total convert and not a theme park person at all. We went to Disneyland Paris last year and Efteling was so much better.

what I meant to say is I'd be very surprised indeed if your kids didn't enjoy .what is more likely is that one day isn't enough. It wasn't for us first time we went, but it will be for our return visit .

We went for a day a couple of years ago and going back soon. Lots of things for people (like me!) who dont do big rollercoasters and eg quiet areas - there’s a woodland area you can walk around and see lots of scenes from fairy tales, for example.

If they don’t like rollercoasters or characters then Eftling is not going to be the place for you .

the dark rides are slower and fun but are full of characters as is the fairytale forest . There’s some smaller traditional fairground rides like the swings

disagree, we like neither and still loved it
I didn't really notice the characters at all, not that I was particularly looking out for them

Efteling is a fantastic holiday even with SEN. We have been a few times over the years with kids of all ages and its always been a hit. We never go on the bigger coasters but love things like piranha and droomvlucht :)

we live near Efteling and visit very often. It is a lovely park with rides for everyone. The sprookjesbos is a lovely walk for all ages. There are loads of vlogs online about all the rides. You can watch them with your child and see if they would like it. Check Droomvlucht, Max&Moritz, Piranha, Carnaval festival.

Ok, thanks all. I'm wary about showing them the website or videos as I'm almost certain they'll veto it based on the characters looking creepy in the photos. They're both prone to making snap judgements based on very little information and then stubbornly refusing to change their minds. It's a constant challenge to get them to try new things (of any description), but they almost always like it when we do (because we only try to get them to do things we're pretty sure they'll like!).

I shall try to find some vlogs though - as that will hopefully give me a better idea of if they're likely to like it.