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Efteling – Symbolica
Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Themepark Freak
In the heart of the Efteling lays the Palace of Fantasy, Symbolica where you will go to get an audience with King Pardulfus. However, once you enter the palace, things aren’t quite what they seem. Especially after you meet the court jester Pardoes who also can do a little magic.
Join Themepark Freak on a magical journey to learn everything there is about Symbolica!
All About Symbolica
Symbolica is a trackless dark ride located at the end of the Pardoes Promenade in the center of the Efteling.
A Brief History of Symbolica
In 2010 the Efteling announced that it was going to open a new dark ride for the park’s 60th anniversary. The project was going to be picked up by Vekoma, but was scrapped in the design phase. This was due to problems with the transport system.
The idea of Symbolica was picked up again in 2015 with a public announcement in 2016 that the Efteling was working on the dark ride. The old designs and transportation system were scrapped and something new was created by the Dutch ride company EFT Ride Systems. However, the carts were actually designed by the Efteling team.
The dark ride would be “trackless” in appearance. However, under the flooring there was cabling that lead the battery powered cart through the rooms of the attraction. The battery packs on the carts have enough energy to last about 14 hour, which would allow each cart to run 120 times through the day.
The building of Symbolica started in January 2016 and opened to the public in July 2017.
The Queue System of Symbolica
The queues of Symbolica are as follows:
- Standby
- Single rider
- Wheelchair access
When entering either the single rider or standby queue, you will be able to access the wait times of the attraction on digital boards at the entrance. There is often a staff member waiting a the front of the line and will stop groups who go into single rider to make sure they’re really OK with not riding together.
The standby queue can be lengthened and shortened as needed by the staff members. If the queue is lengthened, there is a portion that is covered so guests can get relief from the elements.
If the guests are using the wheelchair entrance, they will go left of the standby and single rider and find a gate with a buzzer to call an attendant.
Pre-Show of Symbolica
Once guests make it to the palace entrance, they’re let into the a room called the Vestibule. Here they face a large, wide staircase with OJ Punctuel at the bottom welcoming everyone and reading off the rules. This is one of the only pre-shows in the Efteling where the spoken part of the show switches languages. Much like Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris.
Once all the guests have entered the room, the two large double doors will close and the pre-show will start. OJ Punctuel starts with a briefing about meeting the king, but then the court jester Pardoes interrupts. With a magic spell, he makes the stairs split. This is much to OJ’s displeasure. Guests are then prompted to take the stairs down towards the loading area of the ride.
Choices to be Made
Before getting to the loading area, guests will need to make a decision on which of the 3 tours they’re going to choose.
- Music (green): the guests that choose this tour will eventually be taken to the music room and the first row of the cart can press the two buttons to make the musical instruments play.
- Hero (red): this tour will take the guests to the armory where the first row can make the suits of armor fight one another.
- Treasure (blue): guests will be taken to the treasure room, which is a large mirrored room with a giant diamond in the wall. Via the buttons, guests can turn the diamond different colors.
When guests reach the bottom of the staircase, they’ll enter a room with 3 banners flying overhead with the colors of the tour. Guests tend to follow red, which is the far right. If you get close and want to do the Music or Treasure tour, make sure to leave the line and enter those lines.
Practical Ride Information
In this section, find all of the practical information about Symbolica. You’ll find the restraint type, ride time and other useful information!
Are There Restraints on the Ride?
This slow going dark ride has a lap bar that sits above the lap.
How Many Can Ride at Once?
There are 2 rows of seats per ride vehicle that can sit 3 thin adults or 2 children and 2 adults.
Are There Height Restrictions?
In order to ride Symbolica, children must be 120cm (3ft 11in) to ride.
One other restriction for children to ride is at least one individual in their party must be 16 years or older.
How Long Does the Ride Last?
The ride time of Symbolica is roughly 7 minutes long. This includes brief pauses at locations to take in the magical scenery.
Can Guests Bring Bags on Board?
Yes, guests can bring their bags and backpacks into the cart. Riders are instructed to place their bags at their feet for the duration of the ride.
Is There a Single Rider Line?
Yes, Symbolica has a single rider line. However, if park attendance is low for the day, the single rider line is likely to be closed and single riders instructed to join the standby line.
A few things to note about the Symbolica single rider line.
First, the single rider line is much more narrow than standby. There are also some steps to navigate, just like standby. Once the worker at the entrance of the castle lets everyone in from standby, they will then allow the single riders into the castle in their own area.
After the pre-show, standby is allowed down into the castle while single riders must wait. Then the workers will open a gate and direct the single riders through the door opposite of standby which leads them down to the front of the line.
From there, it's luck which Symbolica experience the single rider will get. However, the single rider line tends to move very quickly.
Is There Baby Switch on Symbolica?
Yes, this attraction has baby switch available.
Symbolica Accessibility Information
This section provides detailed accessibility information for this trackless dark ride. You’ll find out about mobility challenges, wheel chair access and if your guide dog can partake in the fun.
Is the Dark Ride Wheelchair Friendly?
Not only is Symbolica wheel chair friendly, this attraction has an area for wheel chair users to wait for their cart and load separate from the normal queue.
The wheel chair user does have to transfer into the cart, however the armrest of the row folds out into a transfer board.
With the cart being in it's own room, the rider(s) have plenty of time to board the cart at their own pace.
Are There Other Mobility Challenges?
The top row does require a rider to climb into and out of the cart with a small step.
Is the Ride Service Dog Friendly?
Yes, service dogs are permitted into the cart of the attraction to ride with their human.
What Sensory Stimulations Can Be Expected?
Guests can expect the following sensory stimulations on Symbolica:
- loud music
- dim lighting
- water dripping from the ceiling
- air being blown on face
Is This Ride Size Friendly?
Yes, Symbolica is size friendly. The rows are generous in seating size and the lap bar can lock at a comfortable height.
Evacuation Off of Symbolica
If the ride breaks down, guests on Symbolica may have to be evacuated off of the ride.
If an evacuation is going to take place, it will be announced on the loud speakers in both Dutch and English. Guests will be told that staff members will be around to help them off the ride.
When the evacuation takes place, guests must step off the ride without stepping on the plastic skirt. This may be hard from the second row, as the step down is much higher. Ask for assistance if needed.
Staff will evacuate several carts at one time then lead the guests to the exit of the ride. A VIP pass for a “fast track” entry may be handed out for the inconvenience.
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