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Efteling: General Discussion

Bookings for the Efteling Grand Hotel are now live for those that signed up for the pre-sale. The new hotel opens on 1 August. General sale bookings open from March 17th.

At first glance - picking a random, off-peak date in November - prices seem comparable to the other options in the park.

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My first thought is that the rooms don't seem particularly themed - even the suites - although it's a bit hard to tell from concept artwork.

Externally, the hotel is looking impressive with only a small amount of scaffolding remaining. The signature 'Magic Pendule' clock was put in place this morning:

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Foto's: bijzondere klok geplaatst in gevel van Efteling Grand Hotel

Bij het nieuwe Efteling Grand Hotel is vanochtend een bijzonder decorelement gearriveerd: een gigantische klok. Het immense gevaarte - de zogeheten...
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After having browse on the Grand Hotel page now a few more pics have appeared I still have to say I'm really not a fan of the bedrooms. I'll hold out until they're really pics and not concepts but I'm slightly gutted they're not in any way themed to Efteling / at all.
 
The rooms in the older hotel are a bit similar. Very nice don't get me wrong but seem to be veering towards up-market hotel chain room rather than magical one.
 
It looks nice enough but we will definitely be sticking with the village, has much more of the Efteling vibe and only a ten minute walk.

I think this would only be tempting in the winter with the added proximity and indoor pool.

It’s difficult with hotel rooms as when you theme them heavily they often become garish or childish. The village works well as the styling is organic for a forest and the theming is external.
 
It would be interesting to see how other parks would implement this system. Though unlikely any would be as good as Danse Macabre, even with the few flaws it has.
 
Dave said:
Intamin have uploaded a video for Dance Macabre that shows the rides mechanism, interesting for any tech geeks.


From: https://youtu.be/pBgwKKINlwY?si=HAvsnSk4BZfL46z9
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For all the reliability and safety issues that Intamin Rides have had over the years, what they do with hydraulics is really incredible, from the launches on their rocket coasters, to the freefall section on Thirteen, to the sideways shunt on Chiapas, to this. In this case it's not the speed of it that's impressive, but the sheer weight that those hydraulic cylinders must be moving up and down. There must be an immense amount of power in that system.
 
Just popping in to mention Efteling have made a cute annual bulletin reflecting on their 2024 season (with English captions!). It's a pleasant, bite sized stroopwafel piece in comparison to the overwhelming density of the Black Forest gateau known as the Europa-Park Novelties. They also have a new (?) logo look towards the end.

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For anyone still avoiding Danse Macabre spoilers, skip 0:50 - 1:45.



And for all the gift shop gluttons (like me), the renovated Efteldingen shop has re-opened. I genuinely like the new design. (but hate that the park have conspired to get even more money out of me after the last time I visited, do you know how hard it is to stuff a Wasgij into a cabin suitcase already packed with merch?? )

 
Some interesting additional information on those visitor numbers mentioned in the video:

In 2024, Efteling just stayed within the limits of the current nature permit. Announcing visitor numbers is an exciting affair these days, because the amusement park has a nature permit for a maximum of five million visitors.

A distinction is made between the total number of visits and the number of travel movements to the park. Anyone who stays in a hotel or holiday home for several days makes several visits to the Efteling without having to drive back and forth. This is beneficial for nitrogen emissions.

In 2024, Efteling recorded a record number of 5.6 million visits, by 4.9 million individual visitors. So they are on the edge of the permit. Last year, there was also talk of 4.9 million visitors , with a total of 5.56 visits.

If Efteling welcomes more than five million individual visitors, a fine of 20 euros per person must be paid. A new nature permit was requested years ago for a maximum of six million visitors, but it has still not been received.

Efteling director Fons Jurgens hopes that the more extensive permit will still be issued this year. The management has already announced that the gates will not be closed if the limit is reached.

In a press release, Efteling speaks of the "third successful year in a row" , with a net turnover of more than 300 million euros and an operating result of 36.8 million euros. More than 105 million euros were invested in the park last year.

"We achieve sufficient results to innovate, but also to maintain and invest in nature," says Jurgens. Employees are assessed better: in 2024 they received a grade of 8.93. A year earlier, that was 8.89.



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Efteling blijft nét binnen de perken van vergunning: 4,9 miljoen bezoekers in 2024, met 5,6 miljoen bezoeken

De Efteling bleef in 2024 nét binnen de grenzen van de huidige natuurvergunning. Het bekendmaken van de bezoekersaantallen is tegenwoordig een...
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Ah so 3 Poppy Towers. Not the most exciting addition, but I am sure they will look beautiful.

I got to return to Efteling last week and was reminded of what a gorgeous theme park it is. In terms of top quality dark rides there really is not much better in Europe. Danse Macabre is a great addition to the park; I knew the premise of the ride but had avoided POVs etc. Managed to ride it twice and it was a theatrical delight. So very Efteling!
 
The thing I’m really noticing at the European parks is the attitude seems to be let’s see how we can improve existing things and occasionally add a major attraction.

I think it’s a cultural difference as the UK is very much of the “what’s the next big thing” attitude, from theme parks to music and so on.
 
Bowser said:
The park have ordered THREE family drop towers to be located next to Baron:

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Efteling wil geen twee vrijevaltorens bouwen, maar drie

Het plan voor nieuwe vrijevaltorens in de Efteling is een stuk concreter geworden. Looopings kon begin dit jaar al melden dat het de bedoeling is om...
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That sounds good from a capacity perspective. I'm sure that they will be appreciated by their target audience.
 
Zeock said:
That sounds good from a capacity perspective. I'm sure that they will be appreciated by their target audience.
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I dunno what the target market is, but I find these rides actually really fun, love the ones at Phantasialand the most. Having 3 together with the theming structure in the middle should be great. And love how it’s fitting so well into the area and Baron.
 
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