siralgenon
TS Member
Does anybody know if Efteling normally do any soft openings for their new attractions? It's just happened that I'm visiting the week before Danse Macabre opens and wondered if there's a chance it could be open?
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Efteling: General Discussion
- Thread starter Corinec
- Start date
John_P
TS Member
I've seen it mentioned they'll be having previews for pass holders. So it may be doing soft openings as well, suppose you can always just ask and lay on the sadness of missing out by a few days.
The Big Mack
TS Member
From IAAPA Europe today. A Blue Sky concept from Efteling and Vekoma for a 'Sustainable Rollercoaster'. Looks like a Super Boomerang.
Source:
From: https://x.com/_ultros/status/1838557963411239377
Source:
From: https://x.com/_ultros/status/1838557963411239377
Attachments
Sam
TS Member
This article in Looopings is kinda funny: Efteling wants to tackle waiting times: a maximum wait of twenty minutes in 2030
Cannot possibly imagine how they're going to achieve that, unless what they're talking about is basically an accounting scam (i.e. force everyone to use a virtual queueing system which you then don't count as a queue).
Also, have they considered, err, building some more rides?
Went to Efteling two weeks ago. It's actually one of the non-UK parks I've been going to longest – I think I first went in 2010 (a year before I first went to EP!) and have gone back every couple of years since then.
The Tuesday we went was probably the best day at Efteling I've ever had. Queues were pretty short all day, yet the operations (which used to be poor) were the best I've ever seen them. They were hammering the trains out on Joris, despite it only having a five minute wait. I remember the bad old days when they used to only run one train per side on Joris if it was quiet, leading to 30 minutes queues for no reason.
Ironically enough, the best day I've ever had there really caused me to see the flaws in the place that I'd not noticed before. I've never had a day there before where I've basically been able to re-ride everything, which brought into sharp focus one of the long-running complaints about the park: there simply aren't enough rides.
When you look at their guest figures compared to the rest of the European top ten, and then look at the line-up, it really feels like there are two or three major coasters, a family coaster or two, and a couple of dark rides (one blockbuster, a few smaller) that have somehow gone missing-in-action. With the number of guests they get, and the length of time they've been a 'proper theme park' (Python was built 13 years before DLP opened), there really should be more by this point.
Aside from that, I think there are two unique flaws that this park has that I can't think any other major theme park possesses
It's all the same
The Anton Pieck stuff is great. It's a visual language that manages to create an immersive, fairytale world that is somehow completely distinct from Disney (very few other parks manage this). The upside is the consistency across the park, from Fairytale Forest stuff built in 1952 to a new ride opened last year. It creates a complete, self-contained world to explore. But it's so samey. Every part of the park feels like every other part of the park (in no other park are the supposed 'areas' less noticeable). Every ride has the same tone and mood as every other ride, even if they're ostensibly different themes. There's never that refreshing change in atmosphere that you for, for example, when you go from Portugal to Iceland at EP. By the end of the day it becomes a little dreary and you're desperate to see something new. It's also the main factor why I can't picture ever going for more than one day. It feels like eating the same meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There's nothing exciting
The other, very odd characteristic about Efteling is that there's almost no moments of actual excitement in the park. The rides are beautiful, and enjoyable, and fun, and very occasionally thrilling (in a physical sense). But they're rarely exciting. Bizarrely, none of the dark rides have any moments of peril, so they're just a (very enjoyable) tour through idyllic worlds where everyone is OK. Symbolica being a case in point – there's no story arc, and no moment as would happen on a Disney dark ride where something goes wrong. You just tour through a series of beautiful rooms. The only moment I can think of in the whole park where they really combine a ride system and show effects to rachet up the excitement levels are Baron's lift and drop (maybe DVH too at a push). Come on Efteling, give us a bit of grit! A bit of peril!
Cannot possibly imagine how they're going to achieve that, unless what they're talking about is basically an accounting scam (i.e. force everyone to use a virtual queueing system which you then don't count as a queue).
Also, have they considered, err, building some more rides?
Went to Efteling two weeks ago. It's actually one of the non-UK parks I've been going to longest – I think I first went in 2010 (a year before I first went to EP!) and have gone back every couple of years since then.
The Tuesday we went was probably the best day at Efteling I've ever had. Queues were pretty short all day, yet the operations (which used to be poor) were the best I've ever seen them. They were hammering the trains out on Joris, despite it only having a five minute wait. I remember the bad old days when they used to only run one train per side on Joris if it was quiet, leading to 30 minutes queues for no reason.
Ironically enough, the best day I've ever had there really caused me to see the flaws in the place that I'd not noticed before. I've never had a day there before where I've basically been able to re-ride everything, which brought into sharp focus one of the long-running complaints about the park: there simply aren't enough rides.
When you look at their guest figures compared to the rest of the European top ten, and then look at the line-up, it really feels like there are two or three major coasters, a family coaster or two, and a couple of dark rides (one blockbuster, a few smaller) that have somehow gone missing-in-action. With the number of guests they get, and the length of time they've been a 'proper theme park' (Python was built 13 years before DLP opened), there really should be more by this point.
Aside from that, I think there are two unique flaws that this park has that I can't think any other major theme park possesses
It's all the same
The Anton Pieck stuff is great. It's a visual language that manages to create an immersive, fairytale world that is somehow completely distinct from Disney (very few other parks manage this). The upside is the consistency across the park, from Fairytale Forest stuff built in 1952 to a new ride opened last year. It creates a complete, self-contained world to explore. But it's so samey. Every part of the park feels like every other part of the park (in no other park are the supposed 'areas' less noticeable). Every ride has the same tone and mood as every other ride, even if they're ostensibly different themes. There's never that refreshing change in atmosphere that you for, for example, when you go from Portugal to Iceland at EP. By the end of the day it becomes a little dreary and you're desperate to see something new. It's also the main factor why I can't picture ever going for more than one day. It feels like eating the same meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There's nothing exciting
The other, very odd characteristic about Efteling is that there's almost no moments of actual excitement in the park. The rides are beautiful, and enjoyable, and fun, and very occasionally thrilling (in a physical sense). But they're rarely exciting. Bizarrely, none of the dark rides have any moments of peril, so they're just a (very enjoyable) tour through idyllic worlds where everyone is OK. Symbolica being a case in point – there's no story arc, and no moment as would happen on a Disney dark ride where something goes wrong. You just tour through a series of beautiful rooms. The only moment I can think of in the whole park where they really combine a ride system and show effects to rachet up the excitement levels are Baron's lift and drop (maybe DVH too at a push). Come on Efteling, give us a bit of grit! A bit of peril!
The Big Mack
TS Member
I have a very simple answer to that: Max and Moritz opened during the pandemic, Danse Macabre is opening in November. During IAAPA Europe, Efteling shared a blue sky concept for a Vekoma Super Boomerang.
I think the Deutsch public beg to differ about the park looking the same from one area to the next given that it's their most widely visited park, it's held in high esteem as something akin to a cultural institution.
Burbs
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Aside from the coaster that’s just been announced, your other 2 examples simply replaced other attractions. Max and Moritz replaced Bob (although in fairness increased the capacity hugely) and Danse Macabre is replacing Spookslot.I have a very simple answer to that: Max and Moritz opened during the pandemic, Danse Macabre is opening in November. During IAAPA Europe, Efteling shared a blue sky concept for a Vekoma Super Boomerang.
I think the Deutsch public beg to differ about the park looking the same from one area to the next given that it's their most widely visited park, it's held in high esteem as something akin to a cultural institution.
Plastic Person
TS Member
Both Max & Moritz and Danse Macabre are replacements for existing, classic attractions, though. Improvements in quality and capacity (although M&M is a missed opportunity as a family coaster), but the are not really adding capacity or range. As for the coaster concept, as you say, it's 'blue sky'.
I don't think the Dutch public would necessarily beg to differ as to Efteling's consistent aesthetic. In fact, it may well be why they like it, although @Sam offers some legitimate criticism there. Efteling's brand is fantastic, but the park is undoubtedly repetitive, except that the Fairytale Forest feels completely divided from the area around Joris, Dutchman and the like.
I still think that the park rebuilding Python, like for like, including zero theming, was completely inexplicable, and an example of their inherent nostalgia getting the better of progressive decisions. Imagine the fantastic modern Vekoma looper we could have received, as well as the associated storytelling.
I don't think the Dutch public would necessarily beg to differ as to Efteling's consistent aesthetic. In fact, it may well be why they like it, although @Sam offers some legitimate criticism there. Efteling's brand is fantastic, but the park is undoubtedly repetitive, except that the Fairytale Forest feels completely divided from the area around Joris, Dutchman and the like.
I still think that the park rebuilding Python, like for like, including zero theming, was completely inexplicable, and an example of their inherent nostalgia getting the better of progressive decisions. Imagine the fantastic modern Vekoma looper we could have received, as well as the associated storytelling.
owenstreet7
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Taron
Sam
TS Member
That 'Twinkle Coaster' isn't actually being built – it's just a proof of concept. They've actually just cancelled the big family thrill coaster that was supposed to go on a site behind Vogel Rok!
Not good enough I'm afraid! Two new rides in five years, and as other people have pointed out, they're replacements. EP add something new, or at least drastically upgrade something, every year – including during the pandemic.
It's also not just about maintaining a rate of additions for its own sake. It's about having enough rides relative to the number of guests you get – that's why EP went on an extraordinary building streak from 1993 to 2002, before taking their foot off the gas a little bit (same with Thorpe adding Colossus and Inferno in consecutive years). Efteling should be building more rides for the number of guests they get.
Look, I'm a fan of the place. I know it's a cultural institution, and that people love it. I love it. I don't think though that many people would disagree that the park looks the same throughout – even the management of the park would tell you that. It's a conscious decision, it's not happened by accident.
Completely agree with this. I don't think there's any other park – even Disney – that are so hamstrung by nostalgia.
Benzin
TS Member
They tried to build a massive expansion past the Python area but very little has been heard about that for a while. I'd imagine it's still in the pipeline but is in process of dealing with locals.
As such leaves them with fewer options. I wouldn't want them to fill the park with rides around every corner, and they're clearly limited as to where they can put larger rides given they're all congregated on one side.
Weird to complain about their nostalgia given they binned Spookslot for something new (granted very similar), if they were purely on nostalgia was nothing stopping them keeping the original. I think they probably would've kept Bob if it wasn't financially dead mind.
Python retrack could've been the only option rather than an actual new attraction. No idea.
Tough choices sometimes to expand or remove classics. Perhaps some smaller themed flats would be ideal just to pad things out a wee bit. But would it be worth the effort? Much like Disney parks the rides are a second thought to the park as an overall experience.
As such leaves them with fewer options. I wouldn't want them to fill the park with rides around every corner, and they're clearly limited as to where they can put larger rides given they're all congregated on one side.
Weird to complain about their nostalgia given they binned Spookslot for something new (granted very similar), if they were purely on nostalgia was nothing stopping them keeping the original. I think they probably would've kept Bob if it wasn't financially dead mind.
Python retrack could've been the only option rather than an actual new attraction. No idea.
Tough choices sometimes to expand or remove classics. Perhaps some smaller themed flats would be ideal just to pad things out a wee bit. But would it be worth the effort? Much like Disney parks the rides are a second thought to the park as an overall experience.
Bowser
TS Member
I know opinions are subjective and you've evidently been way more times that me (a single visit albeit over 3 days) but this viewpoint of Efteling feels so alien to me!
Perhaps i've been beaten down by the mediocrity of Merlin across the UK but Efteling was easily the most wonderful theme park i've ever been to. You only need to see my signature for proof of that!
Excellent theming, excellent rides, short queues, good operations, good ride availability, good food, wonderful accommodation, long park hours. It was the perfect family theme park from our experience. In terms of your specific criticisms though...
Not enough rides? We didn't get on everything across 3 days and it wasn't due to queue times as we never waited more than 20 minutes for anything (and generally much less). It's such a large and lovely park so we took our time with it all. Not having enough to go on never crossed my mind as a potential complaint but i suppose ultimately depends on what you enjoy. If you're just going for rollercoasters then it's perhaps not the best theme park (though what they have is still excellent imo). I think if you go to any theme park and have a walk on day with re-rides you might come out with a similar perspective, especially one you have frequented many times before? Efteling also feels more than any other theme park ive been to that it's about more than the rides.
It's all the same? I get this. Personally it didn't bother me, i think because none of it was IP based it gave the park a unique and charming character of its own but do agree there's room to branch out a bit thematically.
Nothing exciting? Again very subjective. Not knowing what The Flying Dutchman entailed was one of my all time favourite moments in a theme park. Equally i found Baron and Vogel Rok exciting and my son in particular loved the latter. I've also mentioned before how good some of the queues are in comparison to a lot of UK parks and that adds to the suspense element for me.
We're going to Disneyland Paris next year for the first time so it will be interesting to see how some of these aspects compare. I appreciate your criticism is very constructive as opposed to slating Efteling but it did tug at my heartstrings to read it all the same.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
It needs an out and out intense thrill machine. Something with a huge capacity and some forces. On my visit Joris was meant to be that but isn't. Something like Lech would be nice. Even build a Lech clone for money reasons but slightly longer trains.
I think they'd also be ideal candidates for a Vekoma flyer. Like DVH have a dark ride section at the start or something.
Easy way to crush queues is lower the park capacity and shorten queue lines so people aren't enticed to queue. Even have entrance hosts who say the queue is closed when full.
I think they'd also be ideal candidates for a Vekoma flyer. Like DVH have a dark ride section at the start or something.
Easy way to crush queues is lower the park capacity and shorten queue lines so people aren't enticed to queue. Even have entrance hosts who say the queue is closed when full.
John
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
I don't think they're particularly short on rides it's just that they don't have loads of filler rides that are there just for the sake of it - none of their coasters are extreme (or even particularly long) but OTOH they don't have anything like Octonauts. Similarly every dark ride in the park is a big ticket ride - there's no stinkers like Gangsta Granny. With Polka Marina going a couple of years ago I guess they could add a couple more mid-level flat rides but I just don't think most people visiting the place really care enough about that sort of thing.
I think for the most part they cope fairly well with the crowds they get despite ride ops not being all that great on most of my visits. I think the park demographics plays a huge part in that - there's a lot of young families who are going to spend a lot of time in Sprookjesbos and on other non-ride attractions. The park's development budget is skewed more towards this demographic nowadays, after a ~10 year period between DvH and Baron when the focus was on bigger coasters. More recently they've added Pinocchio, Max and Moritz and the water play area Archipel.
I think the Disney comparison is a good one - a large portion of guests don't go to Efteling to do as many rides as possible. You'll often see a lot of people relaxing in the various squares and gardens rather than rushing around trying to RIDE ALL THE THINGS. That said, with Symbolica in the middle of the park and the number of coasters now in Ruigrijk I'd argue the park feels a lot less sparse than it did when I first visited.
I think for the most part they cope fairly well with the crowds they get despite ride ops not being all that great on most of my visits. I think the park demographics plays a huge part in that - there's a lot of young families who are going to spend a lot of time in Sprookjesbos and on other non-ride attractions. The park's development budget is skewed more towards this demographic nowadays, after a ~10 year period between DvH and Baron when the focus was on bigger coasters. More recently they've added Pinocchio, Max and Moritz and the water play area Archipel.
I think the Disney comparison is a good one - a large portion of guests don't go to Efteling to do as many rides as possible. You'll often see a lot of people relaxing in the various squares and gardens rather than rushing around trying to RIDE ALL THE THINGS. That said, with Symbolica in the middle of the park and the number of coasters now in Ruigrijk I'd argue the park feels a lot less sparse than it did when I first visited.
Ian
TS Team
- Favourite Ride
- Dizz, Bobby’s Yarn Land
Efteling is an anomaly. It doesn’t really seem to follow the “rules” that other parks do, and yet, somehow, it generally just works.
A few years ago I’d have happily skipped visiting and lambasted the place for its lack of hardware, but over time I’ve come to appreciate it a lot more, and do really enjoy my visits. The first visit was certainly a shock. When you hear nothing but near-constant praise for the place, rocking up there for the first time I was very let down by the quantity and quality (thrill-wise at any rate) of its lineup. By contrast, when I look at the place now, I find myself thinking “Would I actually want a massive new coaster there?” and in all honestly, I’m not sure I do… It’s not Efteling.
Maybe it’s simply the sum of its parts that make it what it is. It’s probably one of the most unique parks out there.
- Is it a beautiful park? Absolutely.
- Has it got a pleasant atmosphere and is a nice place to be? Undeniably.
- Does it deserve its status as a cultural icon? I’d say so.
- Do I enjoy visiting? Yes!
- But is it perfect? No.
A few years ago I’d have happily skipped visiting and lambasted the place for its lack of hardware, but over time I’ve come to appreciate it a lot more, and do really enjoy my visits. The first visit was certainly a shock. When you hear nothing but near-constant praise for the place, rocking up there for the first time I was very let down by the quantity and quality (thrill-wise at any rate) of its lineup. By contrast, when I look at the place now, I find myself thinking “Would I actually want a massive new coaster there?” and in all honestly, I’m not sure I do… It’s not Efteling.
Maybe it’s simply the sum of its parts that make it what it is. It’s probably one of the most unique parks out there.
Benzin
TS Member
Even when Baron was first announced it was a real surprise. Almost like an April Fool or something.
How are Efteling going to fit a B&M Dive Machine without ruining the general atmosphere and feel of the park was a genuine concern at the time. But they pulled it off, even if the layout isn't particularly great, it's absolute theme park theatre.
How are Efteling going to fit a B&M Dive Machine without ruining the general atmosphere and feel of the park was a genuine concern at the time. But they pulled it off, even if the layout isn't particularly great, it's absolute theme park theatre.
siralgenon
TS Member
I think Efteling is different to any other theme park which is what gives it its charm, for the simple fact they don't market it as a theme park. The whole essence of Efteling is it's another world, unique to itself and as one.
It has it's realms which are more like areas of a town as opposed to different lands. The whole park shares one theme with different areas of fantasy, thrills and stories but with one overarching theme of a magical kingdom. I think it's because of the above it gets so much love and commitment from locals and people who visit.
Yes I don't think anyone would say no to a few more rides but it's also not lacking any either. It has a fair mix of all ride types especially for it's target market. Another large coaster wouldn't go a miss but would need to be has heavily themed as the others.
It was never high up on my to do list due to the lack a of 'big' rides however due to being in the area I visited for the first time and fell in love with it and I'll be visiting again next month and can't wait.
It has it's realms which are more like areas of a town as opposed to different lands. The whole park shares one theme with different areas of fantasy, thrills and stories but with one overarching theme of a magical kingdom. I think it's because of the above it gets so much love and commitment from locals and people who visit.
Yes I don't think anyone would say no to a few more rides but it's also not lacking any either. It has a fair mix of all ride types especially for it's target market. Another large coaster wouldn't go a miss but would need to be has heavily themed as the others.
It was never high up on my to do list due to the lack a of 'big' rides however due to being in the area I visited for the first time and fell in love with it and I'll be visiting again next month and can't wait.