Milestone Homecoming
Over the years, the Efteling has taken its fairytale world beyond the boundaries of the park. Now, with the development of its television series, radio and other entertainment activities, the Efteling has also succeeded in bringing the World of Wonders into people’s homes. The Efteling began the production of its first television series in 2004. Simply entitled ‘Fairy tales’ (Sprookjes) and narrated by Jan Decleir, the episodes take viewers on a journey through the Fairytale Forest in a timeless and authentic representation of well-known fairy tales. The following year, the Efteling started working on its first 3D animated series, The Fairytale Tree in which elements from each of the traditional fairy stories are brought together in a series of exciting fairytale adventures. The Fairytale Tree was first broadcast on Dutch and Belgian television in 2006. That same year, Efteling was forced to postpone the opening of its latest attraction, the mysterious ship ‘De Vliegende Hollander’. This was due to delays caused by the complexity of the pirate ships’ construction. In spite of this, there was still plenty of fun to be had at the Efteling as visitors flocked to see Efteling Museum’s new exhibition, ‘25 years of the rollercoaster in Efteling Park’. In addition, Efteling Hotel unveiled its Flying Dutchman suite, making it the 19th themed suite in the hotel; the Efteling Golf Park welcomed its 150,000th player. Efteling Events also enjoyed a record-breaking year, organising more corporate events than ever.
Finally then, on 1st April 2007, the Efteling unveiled its sensational new attraction, the mysterious ship ‘De Vliegende Hollander’. In 2008, the animated series ‘The Fairytale Tree’ went into another round of production and, riding on the back of its success on Dutch and Belgian TV, was picked up by the largest regional broadcaster in Europe, NRW Nordrhein-Westfalen German TV, and has been on air since the end of March 2009. In the autumn of 2008, the Efteling released a third TV series with My Dad the Magician, a live action-show based on the hit TV series from the 1970s, adjusted to modern tastes of course. Then on 21st July 2008, Efteling Radio went on air. Since then, listeners have been able to tune in to Efteling Radio within a 15 km radius of the park using 104.3FM and online at www.efteling.com. Efteling Radio has a daily programme designed especially for kids.
On Wednesday, 1 April 2009, Cinderella arrives at her home in the Fairytale Forest and Big Mouth celebrates his 50th birthday with a temporary exhibition in the Efteling Museum. When a wicked witch makes seven objects disappear from the Fairytale Forest, vigilant Dutch people spring into action and make sure everything is returned to its rightful place. In the summer, Efteling Theatre Productions takes pride in presenting Fairytale Tree the Musical in the Efteling Theatre. This uplifting, interactive, family musical features the Inhabitants of the Fairytale Forest, from the Fairytale Tree TV series. At the end of 2009, the first guests spend the night at Efteling Village Bosrijk, a holiday park with cottages and apartments surrounded by nature. With the arrival of the holiday park, Efteling becomes a short-stay destination, complete with multi-day park visits. Around the same time, the train station ‘Station de Oost’ opens in the adventure realm, ‘Ruigrijk’.
For the first time in the theme park’s 58-year history its doors remain open all year round in 2010. This milestone is marked by a permanent symbol in the form of the ‘eternally writing quill’. In March, Efteling Radio becomes the Netherlands’ only national children’s radio station, available to 90% of Dutch households in either analogue or digital form. Fairytale Tree takes up residence in the Fairytale Forest. This friendly forest giant speaks to visitors personally and tells short stories. In the summer, a new, wooden, racer rollercoaster called Joris en de Draak (George and the Dragon) opens, allowing visitors to race against each other on its double track. November sees the première of the musical Kruimeltje in the Efteling Theatre.
On 8 April 2011, Efteling presents Raveleijn, a mysterious city that forms the setting for a spectacular park show featuring live horses and ravens. The enormous open-air arena offers seating for 1200 guests and the show can also be seen from the new, themed restaurant ‘Het Wapen van Raveleijn’. Raveleijn is a multimedia experience with a TV series, a book by Paul van Loon and a dedicated online game. At the end of July, the Efteling Hotel opens its 21st themed suite, based on the age-old fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. The other suites are treated to a restyling and new outdoor lighting is fitted to the exterior of the landmark building. On 9 October the musical Dreamflight, based on the popular theme park attraction, premières in the Efteling Theatre. Winter Efteling enchants visitors with impressive illusions after sunset and New Year is celebrated with spectacular fireworks in the park for the first time.
Future
The future still has plenty in store for the Efteling. The park is working towards implementing all-year-round opening, whilst other initiatives include Efteling Village Bosrijk holiday park that is set to open in December 2009 and plans for conference centre ´de Burght´, as well as entertainment and dining complex ‘Raveleijn’.