Efteling connects people through the power of stories. In the Fairy Tale Forest, but also in its attractions. But what if you cannot (properly) hear these stories? From now on, Efteling offers subtitles for almost all narrations in the park via the free Efteling app.

This includes the attractions Baron 1898, Danse Macabre and Villa Volta. The fairy tales with spoken narration are: Cinderella, The Nightingale, The Indian Water Lilies, The Magic Clock, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Princess and the Pea, The Red Shoes, The Six Servants, The Six Swans, Table, Set Yourself, Donkey, Stretch Yourself, Cudgel Out of the Sack, The Little Match Girl, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Mother Holle.

Download the Efteling app:
 

In the Efteling app, you can see where subtitles are available and enable them whenever needed. To do so, tap the three dots ‘More’ at the bottom right of the screen and then select ‘Subtitles’. Tap ‘Start subtitles’; the system will recognise the narration so that the text on your screen automatically stays in sync with the voices you hear on site. This allows deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors to follow the story and experience it as fully as possible. Subtitles are also available in German, French and English — and are even offered directly in the correct language. Later this year, audio description will also be gradually added in the Fairy Tale Forest and at selected attractions for visitors with a visual impairment.

Efteling worked together with organisations committed to accessibility, such as Bartiméus, as well as groups of people with lived experience. Jolanda de Boer from Vlaardingen, who is hard of hearing, provided advice on aspects such as design and user-friendliness of possible solutions. She was therefore one of the first to test the subtitles.

“I took part in the research because I believe it is important that everyone can visit a place and enjoy it just as much as anyone else,” says Jolanda. “With subtitles, I can follow the stories so much better. For example, I didn’t even know the story of Long Neck — the very icon of Efteling — until I used subtitles. And at an attraction like Danse Macabre, the experience is completely different if you miss the narration. Now I don’t, and that’s really wonderful!”

Later this year, audio description will gradually be introduced in the Fairy Tale Forest and at selected attractions. Audio description explains what can be seen, allowing people with a visual impairment to enjoy a more complete experience.

Femke van Es, Manager MCO (Society, Communication & Environment), explains: “Efteling is a place for everyone, and we want all our visitors to understand our stories as fully as possible. Subtitles are the first step; audio description will follow. This is innovative within our industry and quite a challenge, as it requires different technologies to communicate with one another. Together with our sole shareholder, Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling, we are allocating the necessary time and resources. With these steps, we are once again removing barriers and making our park more accessible.”

Stichting Natuurpark de Efteling is responsible for preserving and protecting Efteling’s heritage. Since its founding in 1950, the foundation has been committed to creating and maintaining facilities in the field of recreation and leisure. As guardian of the fairy tale, the foundation aims to keep Efteling’s stories and enchantment accessible to everyone. It supports developments that safeguard the sustainable relevance and continuity of Efteling, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its unique world.