Bowser
TS Member
Actually I just checked and it’s the same week we went this year so should be fine! The UK bank holiday falls on the weekend before again which confused me.
We went midweek and nothing was over 20 minutes.
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Efteling: General Discussion
- Thread starter Corinec
- Start date
Actually I just checked and it’s the same week we went this year so should be fine! The UK bank holiday falls on the weekend before again which confused me.
We went midweek and nothing was over 20 minutes.
Bowser
TS Member
Seems the old hotel is having a revamp to coincide with the new hotel opening:
blooloop.com
Dutch fairytale theme park Efteling is set to temporarily close the Efteling Hotel for renovations, reopening it as the Efteling Wonder Hotel next year.
From 6 January until mid-April 2025, the iconic hotel will be closed due to major renovation works, which will see the entire ground floor being revamped.
The hotel’s room were revamped in 2021, and the exterior of the building was renovated in 2023. When the ground floor is updated and reopened, the hotel will be renamed the Efteling Wonder Hotel.
“With the opening of the Efteling Grand Hotel in 2025 on the horizon, we wanted to position our very first hotel even more clearly,” said Nicole Scheffers, Efteling‘s director of park and resorts.
“The Efteling Wonder Hotel stands out from our other overnight stay locations through strong theming. The hotel, with its boundless wonder, is our very own floating castle of fairytales.”
The Efteling Hotel first opened in 1992. Construction is now underway on Efteling’s new hotel, called the Efteling Grand Hotel. The flagship hotel is located inside the theme park.
“We have worked very hard behind the scenes and I am proud that our guests can finally see how special the Efteling Grand Hotel is going to be,” Scheffers said earlier this year.
Efteling Wonder Hotel: theme park to renovate and rename original hotel
Dutch fairytale theme park Efteling is to temporarily close the Efteling Hotel for renovations, reopening it as the Efteling Wonder Hotel.
blooloop.com
Dutch fairytale theme park Efteling is set to temporarily close the Efteling Hotel for renovations, reopening it as the Efteling Wonder Hotel next year.
From 6 January until mid-April 2025, the iconic hotel will be closed due to major renovation works, which will see the entire ground floor being revamped.
The hotel’s room were revamped in 2021, and the exterior of the building was renovated in 2023. When the ground floor is updated and reopened, the hotel will be renamed the Efteling Wonder Hotel.
“With the opening of the Efteling Grand Hotel in 2025 on the horizon, we wanted to position our very first hotel even more clearly,” said Nicole Scheffers, Efteling‘s director of park and resorts.
“The Efteling Wonder Hotel stands out from our other overnight stay locations through strong theming. The hotel, with its boundless wonder, is our very own floating castle of fairytales.”
The Efteling Hotel first opened in 1992. Construction is now underway on Efteling’s new hotel, called the Efteling Grand Hotel. The flagship hotel is located inside the theme park.
“We have worked very hard behind the scenes and I am proud that our guests can finally see how special the Efteling Grand Hotel is going to be,” Scheffers said earlier this year.
venny
TS Member
The interior needs an update, especially the lobby which reminds me of a hotel in Benidorm from the 1980s. The style of the makeover is however questionable.
The new road which they’ve constructed around the hotel also means that the hotel itself is now surrounded by a particularly industrial, ugly fence. It would have been nicer if they could have themed the fence, especially the section that’s directly in front of the hotel entrance.
The new road which they’ve constructed around the hotel also means that the hotel itself is now surrounded by a particularly industrial, ugly fence. It would have been nicer if they could have themed the fence, especially the section that’s directly in front of the hotel entrance.
siralgenon
TS Member
From what I've gathered as part of this refurb they are actually moving the hotel entrance to the other side of the hotel so it's away from the road and closer to the park.
I'm with you re-the lobby. It was very dated and in need of a refurb, they've done a really good job of the restaurants and rooms so hopefully the new lobby is to the same quality.
As much as it like the original name of the hotel and the history behind it I see why they're slightly tweaking the name as having an Efteling Hotel and Efteling Grand Hotel are very similar.
Benzin
TS Member
Currently waiting in the Symbolica RAP area so have time to kill.
Such a breath of fresh air to come here. Everything is open (Gondolas have recently closed) with usual quality ops.
Danse Macabre is so good. Biggest flaw is the amount of faff with loading but the ride itself is such great fun. With some bonus airtime throughout. Longest queue in the park unfortunately but even then only 45 minutes. On Christmas Eve.
Merlin could never.
Such a breath of fresh air to come here. Everything is open (Gondolas have recently closed) with usual quality ops.
Danse Macabre is so good. Biggest flaw is the amount of faff with loading but the ride itself is such great fun. With some bonus airtime throughout. Longest queue in the park unfortunately but even then only 45 minutes. On Christmas Eve.
Merlin could never.
Bowser
TS Member
Tbf Christmas is the best time to visit a Merlin park as everything is walk on.
Of course most of the rides are closed anyway except Legoland and they close in the afternoon so not exactly the Efteling experience.
Bowser
TS Member
It's not that type of park imo. It's a bit like suggesting DLP needs a hyper coaster. They're the ultimate family parks and those major thrill rides change the demographic and atmosphere. Not in a bad way but it's a different vibe, especially when everything is so reliant on theming.
Not like there are a shortage of European parks that cater to good thrill rides!
Benzin
TS Member
When my 2 year old can pretty much go on every attraction apart from the creds then they can keep doing what they're doing. Think it's her best ride count of the year, at least in terms of rides that are of substance rather than just CBeebies Land.
New Aquanura show is alright. Missed the fire though.
Walk on night ride on Baron is wonderful. Plus got +2 so a very good day all in all. Just wish the queues for Danse Macabre weren't so long and we didn't have to faff with parent swapping.
New Aquanura show is alright. Missed the fire though.
Walk on night ride on Baron is wonderful. Plus got +2 so a very good day all in all. Just wish the queues for Danse Macabre weren't so long and we didn't have to faff with parent swapping.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
Baron was disappointing. After being spited 9.5 years ago, I was excited to ride. Sadly Oblivion is superior and Valkyria is in another league.
I'm not saying the park needs to become Six Flags, it just seems a shame they haven't gone all out and created something good with any calibre of thrill.
I'm not saying the park needs to become Six Flags, it just seems a shame they haven't gone all out and created something good with any calibre of thrill.
owenstreet7
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Taron
I'd say that Efteling already provides extreme thrills as in Python and Baron. I do get the point and know it's unlikely we'd see a massive hyper coaster there.
I could certainly imagining them building a coaster that steps up from their current line up whilst still fitting in with their nature.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
Not thinking a hyper or a record breaker, it seems sad that they make these lovely looking rides that fail to deliver the on ride experience. Says a lot when the debate is between a standard Vekoma Corkscrew and a middle of the road GCI for what is the best coaster. In a park so creative, I'm surprised there isn't even something as simple as an Intamin Multidimension with all the extras they can provide.
John_P
TS Member
They'd planned to build a circus themed Intamin coaster with some sort of tightrope element but they had all sorts of planning issues which took ages to resolve. I believe that project won't be resurrected now.
In that period since they then decided to replace Bob with Max and Moritz, Spookslot into Danse Macabre, plus the new hotel they've had issues with.
In that period since they then decided to replace Bob with Max and Moritz, Spookslot into Danse Macabre, plus the new hotel they've had issues with.
Bowser
TS Member
The things they do have are all very good though and VERY smooth.
A delightfully themed dive coaster…. Genuinely one of best full stop imo.
A silky 80s Vekoma that makes most modern coasters look like Grand National.
An excellent wooden coaster up there with the likes of WickerMan, a very fun indoor coaster, a one of a kind dark ride water coaster and a fun pair of duelling powered coasters… and all very reliable with great ops.
I don’t understand the claim of “not delivering”. I suppose if you’re an avid enthusiast comparing them to hundreds of other experiences perhaps there’s nothing topping your list and that’s something for a park to aspire to but I’d imagine the vast majority of people are more than satisfied with each ride and they’re certainly all in the upper echelons of their respective genres.
If the rides were so underwhelming I can’t imagine the park would be as popular as it is.
I think Baron, Vogel and Flying Dutchman are all better than the named two personally.
A delightfully themed dive coaster…. Genuinely one of best full stop imo.
A silky 80s Vekoma that makes most modern coasters look like Grand National.
An excellent wooden coaster up there with the likes of WickerMan, a very fun indoor coaster, a one of a kind dark ride water coaster and a fun pair of duelling powered coasters… and all very reliable with great ops.
I don’t understand the claim of “not delivering”. I suppose if you’re an avid enthusiast comparing them to hundreds of other experiences perhaps there’s nothing topping your list and that’s something for a park to aspire to but I’d imagine the vast majority of people are more than satisfied with each ride and they’re certainly all in the upper echelons of their respective genres.
If the rides were so underwhelming I can’t imagine the park would be as popular as it is.
I think Baron, Vogel and Flying Dutchman are all better than the named two personally.
Poisson
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- The Giant Squid
The rides are inoffensive now Python has been retracked (although Joris wasn't riding amazingly, but perfectly passable) but with all the theatre attached, the hardware becomes a weak link.
I wouldn't say I am particularly "well travelled" but what I have done has shown superior rides of the same/similar types the park has. Valkyria and Oblivion better than Baron, Wodan, Troy and Wicker Man better than Joris, Speed and Divertical better than DVH, Lech and Fonix better than Python, Revolution, Ice Mountain and Gletscherblitz better than Vogel Rok, Bob Express and Runaway Mine Train (AT) better than Max + Moritz.
If the park had okay themeing with okay hardware, no problem, but the fact the coasters don't deliver the quality the dark rides and general themeing the park has is a shame.
I wouldn't say I am particularly "well travelled" but what I have done has shown superior rides of the same/similar types the park has. Valkyria and Oblivion better than Baron, Wodan, Troy and Wicker Man better than Joris, Speed and Divertical better than DVH, Lech and Fonix better than Python, Revolution, Ice Mountain and Gletscherblitz better than Vogel Rok, Bob Express and Runaway Mine Train (AT) better than Max + Moritz.
If the park had okay themeing with okay hardware, no problem, but the fact the coasters don't deliver the quality the dark rides and general themeing the park has is a shame.
Benzin
TS Member
The big expansion plan that was to feature a "big" coaster has gone quiet unfortunately. Probably another Covid victim.
Baron as a "ride" isn't as good as other Dive Machines. However it is certainly the best presented of most of them. Especially with the pre-show and pre-lift sequence.
It's very much the Disney route of taking almost mundane level rides and plussing them. Apart from Python, which must be a favourite of some manager to not be binned.
Was busy last two days unsurprisingly. Danse Macabre is still fantastic though.
Baron as a "ride" isn't as good as other Dive Machines. However it is certainly the best presented of most of them. Especially with the pre-show and pre-lift sequence.
It's very much the Disney route of taking almost mundane level rides and plussing them. Apart from Python, which must be a favourite of some manager to not be binned.
Was busy last two days unsurprisingly. Danse Macabre is still fantastic though.
venny
TS Member
See, this shows how subjective a “better ride” is. Whilst I’d take Oblivion over Baron, I think DVH is the best of the three rides you mention as Speed and Dicertical are pretty devoid of any theme.
Clearly it’s personal preference, but it goes back to Efteling catering to the personal preferences of the majority of its visitors.
Bowser
TS Member
I’ve not been on Oblivion but I’m curious why people rate it higher than Baron. From the outside they’re identical except Baron has incredible theming, a pre-show and post drop ride elements.
Oblivion has a bigger drop 180ft vs Barons 123ft drop.
Not sure which I prefer, I prob prefer the drop on oblivion, overall experience it would be Baron. I would take Valkyria and Sheikra over both Baron and Oblivion as my fave two dive coasters that I have been on.