Milestone Faster and more furious

More and more attractions

Throughout the end of the 1970s and into the early 1980s, the Efteling started looking to expand its attractions to appeal to new target groups. Many new thrilling attractions were added at this time, including the Python. This roller coaster was introduced in 1981 along with the tamer Gondoletta ride. Herman Ten Bruggencate, managing director at the time, was a staunch supporter of the Python, recognising that young visitors wanted more than just to be enchanted by fairy tales – they wanted thrills and excitement. With the introduction of the Halve Maen swinging ship ride in 1982, Efteling becaome an official sponsor of Football Association Sparta Rotterdam.

In 1983, Efteling unleashed its white-water ride ‘Piraña’. In 1984 four new attractions were introduced including Carnaval Festival, the pirates' carousel ‘Polka Marina’, the old timer track ‘D’Oude Tuffer’, and the steam train ‘Stoomtrein’. That season alone the park attracted 2 million visitors.

In 1982 the bobsleigh run ‘Bobbaan’ was introduced and on 21st May 1982, Princess Juliana threw the first coin in the new wishing well. The wishing well was an initiative she introduced as honorary chairman of the Stichting Nederlandse Kinderhulp Plan (children’s aid foundation), which ceased activity in 1988. Since then the proceeds from the wishing well go to the Save the Children Foundation (in the Netherlands).