The base for the park as it is now was created in 1950. Efteling is a theme park and leisure complex in kaatsheuvel, north brabant, the netherlands. With a cost of 35 million, it is the most expensive attraction ever built at efteling. Interactive dark rides feature a component that allows riders to be involved in the attractions story. The efteling is the most visited themepark in the netherlands. The famous dutch tulips take over the park and some rides reopen after winter closure. Divided into five parts, or realms as they are called, the park has different kinds of rides in each realm, interspersed by water bodies, green spaces and fountains. In 1971 the efteling park was the first ever theme park to be conferred the pomme dor award, the highest award in the european tourist industry. Efteling, near tilburg in the south of the netherlands, isnt on the radar of most brits, even though its just over an hours drive from amsterdam. The largest theme park in holland, efteling boasts a large array of classic attractions along with a sprinkling of modern thrill rides.
Three dark rides debuted at the opening of disneylandmr. Symbolica amazing trackless dark ride efteling theme park. Most of the park cost you an arm and a leg to eat or drink. The best thing about efteling besides the rides is how reasonable it is to eat in the park. If you plan to spend the night at efteling you can book your stay in one of their hotel rooms, holiday homes or apartments. Ive trawled lots of mn threads whilst planning the trip but i thought it would be good to get all of the insider knowledge on one thread. It is still owned by the efteling nature park foundation. Visiting theme park efteling, how to get there and what to do. The trackless dark ride symbolica opens on july 1, 2017. Efteling is not only the largest theme park in the netherlands, but it also happens to be one of the oldest theme parks in the world. Nov 23, 2017 symbolica draws upon the parks tradition of creating worldclass practical dark rides, including what might be one of the worlds darkest dark rides, fata morgana.
The best themed rides in the world june 29, 2015, 8. Efteling will charm toddlers to primary aged children, though there are thrilling rides for coaster fans, too. Symbolica draws upon the parks tradition of creating worldclass practical dark rides, including what might be one of the worlds darkest dark rides. My 101 guide is an introduction to the theme park, the different rides and practical tips on how to get there and where to stay. Aug 23, 2016 i think theyve been more successful than any other park i know of, other than disney, of developing their own ip, their own rides ive gone there many times, and ive learned a lot. If youre still looking for an exciting ride at the efteling, but want to mellow down a bit, there is still plenty to do. Its an enchanting palace where nothing is what it seems book your efteling tickets now. Efteling has a great and long history of dark rides. Symbolica is a trackless dark ride at efteling theme park in the netherlands, which opened july 1, 2017. I really enjoyed it there, and i want to tell you all about it. Efteling has 44 books on goodreads with 324 ratings. Your dream flight starts through a dark cave and takenoff to a majestic castle, between the lowlying mists, rocks, and waterfalls. Discounted park tickets orlando attractions walt disney world resort.
And when night falls, cities are float endlessly through the darkness. We went with the schattentoer, the treasure tour, the only reason being that the queue was the shortest. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Oct 27, 2017 theres lots to explore here for every age. The tales are in dutch but each fairy tale has a book provided nearby in dutch, english, german and french and.
The new attraction is located in the centre of the park, at the end of pardoes promenade. In australia, a dark ride is named the ghost train at luna park, melbourne, and a similarlynamed ride was destroyed by fire in 1979 at luna park sydney. With great excitement, weve booked a short break in efteling for may half term. Dark rides project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Symbolica was built in the tradition of our dark rides it is a palace, and the interiors and characters were designed by our own staff, based on our own park tradition. Whilst summer is the busiest period, opening hours are extended. Book an overnight stay at the efteling hotel or efteling village bosrijk and. Pirates are a staple of animatronicsheavy adventurebased dark rides in most parks.
With a quiet music and lots of harp and wind instrument effects, youll feel that youre transported to a distant dream world, for sure. Efteling made their name with charming attractions and dark rides based. Netherlands theme park ride takes royal subjects on a secret tour of. To visit efteling is a magical experience because the park is themed on a fairy tale world full of wondrous tales, delightful dreams and adventures at high speed. We have just two scenes in symbolica where there is some kind of interactivity. Other parks can do shooting rides, but its not efteling. Set among natural surroundings, drawing more than 4 million visitors annually, efteling captures the magic of the seasons and welcomes you all year. Once upon a time in efteling theme park, the netherlands. Efteling symbolica dark ride fuels growth of dutch theme park.
Toads wild ride, snow whites scary adventures, and peter pans flightall in fantasyland. Namely the gondoletta boat ride, vogelrok, an indoor dark rollercoaster and the pirana river rapids. Efteling kaatsheuvel updated april 2020 top tips before. Aside from the themed park itself, efteling also has a themed hotel on the premises, twoholiday parks, a golf park and a theater too. From amsterdam to efteling theme park guide dutch wannabe. The most visited attraction is the charming dreamflight, a gentle dark ride into the world of fairies and elves. Situated in the town of kaatsheuvel in loon op zand, the park has seen more than 100 million visitors throughout its lifetime. Ultimate dare devil guide to the efteling roller coasters. My 101 guide is an introduction to the theme park, the different rides and practical tips.
Located in tilburg, just 1 and a half hour south of amsterdam, efteling is the largest theme park in the whole of the netherlands and is a unique theme park that should not be missed when you have an extra day in amsterdam or even rotterdam. During your visit you can consult their app if you need help finding one of the attractions, rides or for uptodate information. Its one of the oldest amusement parks in operation in the world and one of the largest in europe. How does symbolica build and expand on that history. Palace of fantasy trackless dark ride will be the most expensive attraction ever built in the 65year history of efteling, located. Efteling has none, featuring publicdomain themes and its own characters, storytelling and merchandise instead and most of the latter is concentrated in one big shop at the entrance the hauntedcastle is a show of animatronics, sound and light instead of a dark ride pirates are a staple of animatronicsheavy adventurebased. Leave your email address and receive the latest news and special offers once or twice a month. When the sun comes up, the enchanting forest awakens in this indoor dark ride. The efteling theme park is the perfect day trip in the netherlands. Most rides are even produced by the parks company so you wont find them anywhere else in the world. Efteling is wellknown for its dark rides including droomvlucht, fata morgana and carnaval festival, and now symbolica.
How did the opening of disneyland in 1955 affect dark rides. Symbolica continues the tradition set by muchloved efteling dark rides as droomvlucht, fata morgana and carnaval festival. Thanksgiving greetings from efteling, the worlds best theme park. Efteling is the largest theme park in the netherlands and one of the oldest theme parks in the world they opened in 1952. Efteling park, amsterdam tickets, timings, rides holidify. Escape the busy city and plan your enchanting efteling visit now. Efteling kaatsheuvel all you need to know before you go. Book online or call 800 6801272 for reservations assistance. Dark rides have a number of variations that are not necessarily mutually exclusive. If you plan on seeing more of the netherlands while staying in amsterdam then consider taking an exciting trip to efteling. This name is usually reserved for mobile funfair type dark rides. Book an overnight stay at the efteling hotel or efteling village bosrijk and enjoy the park for another day. Read my introduction guide on the most enchanted european amusement park the efteling and what to see and do.
Oct 19, 2015 25 best theme park dark rides in the world. Symbolica is a richlythemed adventure with not a screen or. The dreamflight dark ride at the efteling theme park in the netherlands takes visitors on a flight through the dream worlds of fairies, trolls and. Efteling theme park entry tickets book sightseeing bus. The heart of the park remains sprookjesbos the fairytale forest, and it features a number of enchanting, storydriven dark rides that will appeal to young children. Its themed around fairy tales, myths, legends, fables and folklore. Even with the plethora of things to do in amsterdam, some may just want to get out of the city and explore the outskirts. The palace of fantasy, which comprises eight towers of up to 20m in height, has a footprint of 61.
Transportation to and from the efteling is not included. Were taking 3 yo dd and staying in an apartment in bosrijk. Dont miss the spectacular views of the park from 45m on the pagode ride, and after sunset, europes biggest water show, aquanura. Guests can rotate their own ride vehicle, which is really nice. Efteling reveals ride vehicles for its symbolica dark ride adventure. Also, you can buy tickets online at a reduced price. Efteling theme park 101 introduction guide to europes best. Ive ridden other dark rides where there is too much focus on the shooting, and you dont see the decoration. Symbolica dark ride at efteling launch date july 1st blooloop. Full ridethru of fata morgana, a dark ride at efteling theme park in the netherlands that appears to be. Efteling is a theme park in southcentral netherlands, with a fairytale atmosphere and a range of enchanting attractions ideal for the whole family. The efteling theme park resort now offers the original theme park, two hotels, a theatre, a golf course, and two holiday villages. Its a fantasythemed park with attractions based on elements from ancient myths, legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore.
The best thing about efteling besides the rides is how reasonable it is to eat in. The teacups of the teacups ride are pots in which a cannibalistic giant cooks the guests instead of actual teacups. The first ride to use the name ghost train was that of blackpool pleasure beach. Visit efteling in winter so a couple of rides were closed. With four million visitors annually, its in the top of european theme parks right after the disney parks in france and europa park in germany. The ornate stairway we were standing in front off suddenly split in two and we were invited through to choose one of three adventures.