Efteling Review – September 25th, 2024

As a year pass holder, I frequent the Efteling quite often. My last visit was at the end of August, during the summer season. This time, my trip on Wednesday, September 25th, offered a different, quieter Efteling experience, though it still had a few surprises. Lets take a look at my Efteling review!

Arrival & First Impressions

I arrived at 11:20, parking in Dragon 5 of P1. The park was already fairly busy, with a steady stream of cars entering. Several school groups with younger children, likely around 8-10 years old, were already exploring the park. A positive sign that the park continues to be a popular destination for families and school outings.

The ongoing work in the parking area is finally starting to show progress. Though no asphalt has been laid yet, the curb forms are visible, hinting at a more complete structure soon.

One of the more striking changes was at the entrance lake, where the nightly Aquanura show takes place. The lake had been completely drained, revealing a complex system of equipment and workers actively maintaining it. It was a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what makes the magic happen.

As I made my way toward the park, I also noticed workers painting the lamp posts near the lake, and the iconic Efteling Hotel was now almost entirely surrounded by walls for its refurbishment.

The Park Experience

Some of the attractions that were down during the summer had come back to life. The dragon in the Fairy Tale Forest (De Draak) was back in action, and De Zes Zwanen (The Six Swans) were gliding again as well. On the downside, peeking between the walls around Hansel and Gretel didn’t reveal anything new.

One change that stood out was the removal of the summer Efteling tables and the fairy swing in front of Droomvlucht, signaling the end of the seasonal festivities. However, the refurbishment in the Volk Van Laaf area was complete, offering a refreshed experience for visitors.

One unexpected discovery was in Vogel Rok, where a fog and laser effect at the end of the coaster seemed new. Whether it’s something that had been out of service or just an unnoticed detail from my previous visits, it added a cool touch to the ride.

Rides & Attractions

As always, I made time to enjoy a few rides, starting with a peaceful spin on the Gondoletta. Floating alone in my private boat, I had the perfect opportunity to people-watch and enjoy the natural beauty around the lake.

Symbolica also delivered a pleasant surprise. The whale animatronic, which hadn’t been operational in my last few visits, was back. It moved seamlessly, descending into view before the glass aquarium “breaks,” and retreating afterward. Other animatronics throughout the ride were also back to their animated best, making for a more immersive experience.

One of the highlights of the day was Pirana. I got absolutely soaked when my raft stalled under the first waterfall for about 15 seconds. It was refreshing but definitely unexpected!

Lastly, I couldn’t resist peeking through the fencing at Danse Macabre, where I spotted a single-rider line for the queue. It’s exciting to see progress on this new attraction. I can’t wait for the end of October!

Food & Farewell

Unfortunately, my food experience wasn’t the best. I stopped by In den Swarte Kat to try a cheese pretzel, but it was dry and definitely not worth the almost €5 price tag. Next time, I’ll stick to the park’s other snack options.

The day ended abruptly when the weather turned. As my boat on the Flying Dutchman hit the lake, the skies opened up with steady rain. By the time I reached the exit at 17:00 (5 PM), my bag and hair were thoroughly soaked. To make matters worse, I got stuck behind a group of people who struggled to scan their parking tickets, delaying my departure onto the motorway.

Final Thoughts

Overall, it was an enjoyable day out at the Efteling. Though it wasn’t particularly busy, with the longest line I waited in being 20 minutes for Droomvlucht, the park still had plenty of life. The longest queue on the app was for Baron 1898, peaking at 35 minutes around 13:00.

For a midweek autumn day, the park’s ongoing renovations, working animatronics, and even a good soaking made for a memorable visit. I’ll be back soon to see how these changes continue to unfold!

0

0