Belgian/Dutch people. Have you been to Efterling?

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

DD is generally pretty much in her own little world. Yesterday we went to Delhaize and she picked up a leaflet about it and was keen to go. This morning I went back and bought the three items necessary to get reduced entry.
I am thinking I may take her there when DH is away scuba diving.
Is it worth it or will it be too babyish for her. She is ten and I was put off by the magic wand sprinkling pixie dust on the website.
Opinions please.

Looks like it electra .

Hello, sorry to resurrect an old thread but I wasn't sure where to post my questions and was hoping you could help me!
I'm planning a trip to de Efteling next week with my 5yo and 3yo. I remember it fondly as I used to go as a child (lived in Holland then but don't now) but I know it has changed loads since then.
Anyway, I'm just trying to plan the day - do you think that with the ages of my children we would be happy enough in the fairy tale section of the park?Presumably they would be too young for the adventure bit? I'm trying to find info from the de Efteling website but can't really work it all out! Is there anything other than the 'Dreamflight' that we really shouldn't miss. All I remember is the woodland setting, with little fairytale cottages, the 'papier hier' bins and the man with the long neck!
Also, is there any advantage to buying tickets in advance, it doesn't seem to be any cheaper?
I just want it to be a really nice day out with as little pointless traipsing as possible!
Thank you!

Sorry, I have just realised that the map on the website is interactive and gives detail on each section - that helps a bit, the whole place looks vast though.

We've just been with slightly younger girls then yours: we aimed for "het sprookjesbos" and considered anything extra a bonus; our day was something like below. We arrived at about 10.30 and stayed till 7

• Head across the park first to catch droomvlucht; 2 year old hated dreamflight (too dark), 4 year old loved it - well worth it and waits are not too bad first thing
• the steamtrain is good at those ages: do a full circuit at the start and it gives you a good feel for the park
• they both loved holle bolle gijs and the musical toadstools; bit scared both of some of the fairy tales
• het land van laef is OK - the trip in the carriages not really worth the wait, you see more by actually going in the houses below
• 4 year old (tall one, nearly 5) loved the bobsleigh ride and also went in St Joris & the draak (the wooden rollercoaster): she gets carsick, but turned out to be a bit of speedaholic in these. 2 year old easily entertained herself during the wait watching the chaos around her
• we had a go at the little cycle trains (very good; they're practically antique!)
• finished off in the carnaval festival: good for those ages and also good as hardly ever have to wait
• o, and a final go in the draaimolens in the old part

I would have liked a go in the pagoda, but ran out of time; decided to skip Fata morgana (I love it, but after dreamflight being a bit of a downer decided to skip it)

You can often get cheaper tickets in advance through supermarkets & other shops who offer discounts (check AH; there may be others); it saves waiting at the tills, but tbh the crush to get in was trying to get through the gates beyond

Would also recommend bringing a buggy or renting a little cart; also bring a picnic as prices are pretty steep

Have fun- we had a fab day and lots was just like I remembered. The only thing different was that to me the whole park actually seemed smaller - even though many more things have been crammed in since I was last there

Oricella, that's all so helpful, thank you for taking the time to reply! The tip about the steamtrain is great, that's something I've not seen mentioned on the website yet. Really looking forward to it now!

Longtime is taking me next month! I am most excited. You could PM her for more details if you need them....

my dd was terrified by practically everything at Efteling when she was 5, especially the talking litter bins. She still remembers it 10 years later. She was a notorious wimp though!

Oh dear Seeker, that has been a worry of mine. I do have the fear that the children will be scared, and have warned them about the talking litter bins! They're both really into fairy tales at the moment so I'm hoping the 'magic' of it all will carry them through...otherwise it'll be a phenomenal waste of money!
Thanks Portofino, I may do.

She goes every year I think!

sorreeeee- warning- digging up an old thread

we've been to Efteling twice this year, and to Chessington once. One is like the mouth of hell unless you're aged roughly 7-19, the other is just pure niceness

have to say that we're really not Theme Park People. Or fairy tale sparkly dust people, either- it's just lovely and I can't wait to go back next year

oh, and anyone who goes- go and see Raveleijn (sp?)- it's bonkers and brilliant. All in Dutch, mind, but you get the jist (well, some do. one of my 8 yo twins watched with her mouth wide open, while the other kept hissing whaaaatdidhesay and whaaaaatsshedoing etc etc

have to say also that I'd previously thought of fairy tales as something a bit poncey- since visiting the first time the dds and I (and sometimes ds, who's 14) are ploughing through an unexpurgated Grimms- they love it, the gory little sods