Those eager to see what the area will look like will not have to wait another three months. Alongside the opening date, Efteling is also revealing four sketches of the revamped themed area today, together with a teaser video offering a glimpse of the atmosphere and the story of the new show.

Since its opening in 2011, Raveleijn has grown into one of Efteling’s best-known stories: the story of five ordinary children who pass through a secret gate, transform into brave riders and must defend the city against evil. More than fifteen years after its opening, Raveleijn is awakening once again.

€20 million investment
Director of Product, Marketing & Image Koen Sanders: “The sets have been extensively revamped and Raveleijn is getting a brand-new show packed with spectacular stunts, created in collaboration with the French theme park Puy du Fou. At the heart of the story: when evil arises, the heroes of Raveleijn join forces. The total investment in the renewal of Raveleijn amounts to €20 million: €10 million for the new show, €5 million for the area’s renovation, and €5 million for the new Ravenring attraction.”

The story of the new show
Raveleijn - Battle for the City. Ten years after the victory over the dragon Draconicon and villain Olaf Grafhart, peace reigns in Raveleijn. On the day of Thomas and Samira’s wedding, a dark force awakens and disrupts the celebrations. As the statue of Countess Halina, protector of Raveleijn, watches over the square, the battle for the city erupts. Who will emerge victoriously? Visitors will find out from 1 December.

New attraction: Ravenring
Outside the city walls lies the encampment with the new attraction Ravenring. To protect the future of the city of Raveleijn, new heroes are always needed. In this whirling flight ritual, their courage is put to the test. This is how guests discover which of the five magical elements suits them best. Visitors take their seats in one of the 18 winged vehicles, inspired by the Raveleijn ravens. Each flight accommodates 36 visitors. It is a completely new attraction, developed by the Dutch ride manufacturer Vekoma.

Revamped food and beverage offering: De Verslaeghen Draek Inn
Where Heroes and Travellers come together
Located on the square, De Verslaeghen Draek Inn serves breakfast, lunch and delicious dinners throughout the day. The menu is inspired by recipes and ingredients brought back by travellers from around the world. Visitors can even order a slice of Thomas and Samira’s wedding cake.

New shop: In den Ravenkorf
In the new shop In den Ravenkorf, visitors will find dressing-up costumes, toys and other Raveleijn products. At the heart of the shop is a large raven’s nest, with many more ravens hidden among the wooden beams. Visitors can also have their photo taken with the heroes of Raveleijn.

From All Corners of the World

Designer Jeroen Verheij explains: “In The Fairytale Library, visitors will soon discover all the books filled with stories that the Fairytale Collector has gathered during his travels. They will also meet seven hard-working gnomes, who have accompanied the Fairytale Gatherer from all corners of the world over the years. The gnomes keep the library organised, welcoming and as complete as possible, because the Fairytale Collector himself is often away on his travels."

Meet the silence gnome

Like all the gnomes in the library, the silence gnome is passionate and dedicated to caring for the library. One of the best-known characteristics of a library is the quiet, allowing everyone to read and explore without being disturbed. This gnome makes sure that this peaceful atmosphere is maintained.

Expanding the thrill ride offering

“Missie Luminar will be a fantastic addition to our collection of thrill rides. This type of roller coaster is new to Efteling. The top speed reaches 80 km/h, but it may feel even faster,” says Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling. “All of this creates excitement from start to finish. It will be a truly unique and distinctive experience, even more so because of its location. Missie Luminar completes the Island of the five Senses themed area. Visitors will see the vehicles racing past as soon as they enter Efteling, setting the tone for their day at the park. We still have a little while to wait, but we’re looking forward to seeing our visitors’ first reactions.”

New addition to the themed area

Together with the House of the Five Senses, the Efteling Grand Hotel, the Efteling Theatre and water show Aquanura, Missie Luminar forms the Island of the five Senses, located near the park’s main entrance. This themed area is a vibrant place of travel, arrivals and departures, where every visitor will find something to discover.

For 25 years, Rapunzel has let down her long braid from her tall tower so that the sorceress can visit her. In 2001, when the new fairytale was introduced, Efteling set out to find the longest braid in Europe. This year, guests were invited to donate a braid of at least 30 cm to the Dutch Hair Foundation. Since the campaign launched on 8 June, almost a hundred guests registered, explaining why they wanted to donate their hair. The 25 guests whose braids were cut in the Fairytale Forest today are making a difference in someone else's life through their donation.

Annelot Gent, a Dutch national living in Antwerp, donated a braid measuring 30 cm: “Just like Rapunzel, I turn 25 at the beginning of July, and I think it would be wonderful to donate my blonde hair to the Dutch Hair Foundation the day after my birthday. As a little girl, I was fascinated by the fairy tale and used to tell my hairdresser that I wanted ‘Rapunzel hair’. I think this is a beautiful initiative, and I hope my donation will bring happiness to someone who has lost their hair. It feels like everything has come full circle.”

Lou Gottenkieny, aged almost nine, from Enter in the Twente region of the Netherlands, donated her beautiful, thick hair to charity: “With my donation, I want to help other children and people who have lost their hair because of illness. A beautiful wig can help them feel confident again and bring back a smile to their faces. Being able to have my hair cut in Efteling’s Fairytale Forest makes this special moment even more magical. I’m happy that my hair can make a difference for someone else.”

Seven: A Fairytale Number

Every year, Efteling celebrates Fairy Tale Day on the seventh day of the seventh month, as the number seven is a fairytale number. Who does not know the seven little goats who outsmart the wolf, or the seven dwarfs who take Snow White into their home? Or think of the seven voyages of Sinbad the Sailor, or the seven-league boots that help Tom Thumb escape from the giant.

About the Dutch Hair Foundation

The Dutch Hair Foundation supports anyone affected by hair problems or hair disorders. The foundation provides wigs free of charge to financially disadvantaged people who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment or hair disorders. It offers professional information, serves as a platform for peer support, and collects hair donations that are used to create wigs.

This summer, Efteling launches its brand-new Summer Festival at the Speelweide which is open during July and August with various entertainment running throughout the day. Guests will be able to sing and dance along to the famous songs played by DJ Donkey and the iconic Red Noses Boogie Boys will return for fun filled concerts designed to provide joy for all. Other highlights include a comical dance battle, live performances from the Big Bad Wolf Band and meet and greets with princess Pardijn.

Attraction wise and with the launch of free-fall experience Hooghmoed in May, the Klickers will continue to share the latest news from Baron Gustave Hooghmoed’s mining area. At the Fata Morganaplein, the guards will perform spectacular stunts in the company of the giant Genie. Fan favourites will also return with Pardoes the magic Jester greeting guests in the morning at the entrance to Symbolica and over at Droomvlucht, the fairies will be swinging in their fairy throne. There will also be face painting in the area for guests, young and old alike.

Longer opening hours this summer

From Friday 3 July up to and including Sunday 30 August, Efteling is open from 10:00am until 9:00pm / 10:00pm, depending on the day. As a result, guests will have more time to visit all the fairytales, rollercoasters, family attractions or cool down with a refreshing splash on the Piraña river rapids ride. For more information opening times and crowd forecasts, please visit HERE.

Summer flavours

Guests may also enjoy trying some of Efteling’s summer food and drink specials such as colourful floats: an ice-cold drink with soft-serve ice cream. Matcha & ube is available at the Efteling Summer Festival on Speelweide, where visitors can find other delicious goodies such as dumplings and ramen. On Fata Morganaplein there’s something for everyone too from refreshing lemonade to fresh fruit dipped in chocolate.

Fairytale overnight stays

Those who want to immerse themselves in the world of Efteling for more than one day can enjoy a stay at one of the many accommodations on offer. These include Efteling Wonder Hotel, holiday parks Efteling Bosrijk, and Efteling Loonsche Land, or the Efteling Grand Hotel.

Park Shows
The Efteling website shows the exact opening hours and park show timings during Summer at Efteling.

For more information on Summer at Efteling and to book a stay, please see HERE

The full episode breakdown is as follows with the first episode available on 10^th June:

1. The History of the Fairytale Forest – featuring a designer and the great-granddaughter of Efteling founding father Anton Pieck
2. Nature in the Fairytale Forest – featuring a greenkeeper and a renowned Dutch forester
3. Fairytales in the Fairytale Forest – featuring a set dresser and a children’s author
4. Music in the Fairytale Forest – featuring a composer and an opera singer
5. Memories in the Fairytale Forest – featuring a designer and a neuropsychologist
6. Wandering Through the Fairytale Forest – featuring a landscape architect and a behavioural psychologist specialising in wayfinding
7. The Future of the Fairytale Forest – featuring Koen Sanders and a futures expert

74 years of Efteling
The origins of Efteling date back to 1950, when the Efteling Nature Park Foundation was established by Mayor Van der Heijden, who saw opportunities to develop tourism in the region. He asked technician Peter Reijnders to help think about ideas, and soon the concept for a Fairytale Forest was born. Designer Anton Pieck was brought in to create 10 fairytales. Pieck’s drawings were brought to life by Reijnders using innovative technology, lighting, sound and movement. On 31 May 1952, the Fairytale Forest opened in the heart of nature with 10 fairytales. At the time, visitors paid an average entrance fee of 80 cents (€0.36). Today, Efteling is home to 31 fairytales, 90 species of birds, 5,000 different varieties of trees and around 200 species of mushrooms, including the famous musical mushroom.

Kaatsheuvel, 26 May 2026 - Efteling reveals the name and design of the new attraction in the renewed Raveleijn themed world: Ravenring. It will be an exciting flight ritual in which visitors soar through the air in winged vehicles inspired by ravens, the mysterious black birds that are deeply connected to the world of Raveleijn. From this winter onwards, heroes can put their courage to the test in Ravenring.

Ravenring is being built just outside the city walls of the magical city of Raveleijn. Visitors take their seats in one of the 18 winged vehicles and use a lever to decide how steeply their vehicle tilts. The many smooth movements and tilts create intensity and excitement. Here, flying skills and endurance are truly put to the test. Who is brave enough to protect the magical city of Raveleijn?

The attraction accommodates 36 visitors at a time and has a minimum height requirement of one metre. At the centre of the ring stands the Raven medallion. The attraction is decorated with banners and the five magical elements that are characteristic of Raveleijn. At the end of the ride, visitors discover which of the five magical elements suits them best: water (blue), fire (red), wood (green), earth (brown) or metal (purple).

Renewed themed area
In August 2025, Efteling announced that the themed area would undergo a complete transformation. The park show is being fully renewed with a new storyline and impressive special effects, in collaboration with the French theme park Puy du Fou. The new show will also open this winter. More details about the new Raveleijn show and the exact opening date of the renewed area, including Ravenring, will be announced later this year

Ravenring coming soon – see here for a sneak peak

Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling: “By adding Hooghmoed to the area around Baron 1898, we are continuing to bring our vision to life: creating themed worlds where guests can truly step into another reality. Hooghmoed also contributes to a broader range of attractions for younger thrill-seekers in this area of Efteling.”

The story
Baron 1898 tells the story of Baron Gustave Hooghmoed, who wants to extract as much gold as possible from the mines. To do so, he needs the help of mine workers: the Efteling visitors. In the story of the new attraction Hooghmoed, visitors take on the role of the Baron’s ‘chimney sweeps’.

About the attraction
Hooghmoed consists of the so-called gold smeltery with a 14.5-metre-high chimney and three drop towers, each 12 metres tall. Each tower has a capacity of 10 people, allowing 30 guests per ride. The three towers each feature their own ride sequence of approximately 1.5 minutes. The maximum drop height is six metres. The attraction hosts a number of exciting effects including sound, mist and smoke creating an immersive experience.

Hooghmoed is the first thrilling attraction at Efteling for children 90 centimetres tall and above. They must be accompanied by someone at least 130 centimetres tall and aged 16 or older. The expected capacity is 600 guests per hour.

Link to on ride POV here: Efteling Onride - Hooghmoed - YouTube

Song ‘No One Can Bring Us Down’

To mark the opening of Hooghmoed, Efteling has produced a new song performed by Fenna Ramos. During the press opening, she performed ‘No One Can Bring Us Down’ for the first time. The song is about courage, bravery and daring to be yourself, even when something feels very exciting. Listen to the song here.

Retrospective 
“Reaching 80 days with a 9+ visitor rating for the first time last year makes me very proud of all our employees, who work every day to enchant our guests,” says Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling. “With Efteling Grand Hotel, we have created a fantastic addition to our multi-day stay offerings for both the national and international market in 2025. Although Efteling is subject to a nature permit that limits us to a maximum of five million unique visitors per year, we have stayed within that limit. Of course, we hope to welcome as many visitors as possible to the World of Efteling again in 2026, while respecting the regulations. Above all, we hope that a new permit will be granted.”

Efteling Grand Hotel
On 1 August, the Efteling Grand Hotel was officially opened, marking the first hotel located within the Efteling park grounds. The hotel features 140 rooms and suites, two restaurants, shops, and a swimming pool with spa facilities. The festive opening was celebrated with a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest bow.

Heritage care and sustainability projects
Behind the scenes, extensive work has been done to maintain and improve the quality of the attractions. Dive coaster Baron 1898 underwent thorough maintenance, and a renewed scene was added to water coaster De Vliegende Hollander. In May, Efteling’s first electric steam train made its inaugural run with visitors. Shortly afterwards, the Vermolen Carrousel at the Anton Pieckplein was made accessible so that wheelchair users do not have to transfer.

Nicole Scheffers, Director Park & Resorts: “This dreamlike illusion show allows our guests to experience wonder in an entirely new way at Efteling. With this, we are enriching our entertainment offering and maximising the use of the Efteling Theatre in the coming months. Magicaluna is full of surreal illusions that will amaze our guests and conveys an important life lesson: you are never too old to dream.”

About Magicaluna

In this brand-new park show filled with surreal, dreamlike illusions, Efteling visitors travel alongside a teenage girl, Luna, through dizzying dreams and wondrous creatures. The show will run until Sunday 8 November and will performed three times a day at 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30 (seats cannot be reserved). Magicaluna is a family show with a recommended minimum age of six years. The show does not affect the performance schedule of the theatre show CARO.

The story

On the evening before her birthday, Luna decides to leave her childhood behind. She tidies her room and stores away all her old toys, including Jokie, the doll she received from her grandmother. That night, something unexpected happens. While Luna sleeps, dream builders appear and, with enchanting tricks, transform her room into a grand dream spectacle.

Luna awakens and is amazed again and again. Toys that move as if alive, shadows that guide her, and illusions that take her into a world full of imagination. During this magical journey, Luna rediscovers a feeling she had almost lost: her sense of wonder.

The creators

For Magicaluna, Efteling collaborates with renowned producer Magus Utopia. With more than 25 years of experience and performances in over 40 countries, they are known for their originality, artistic craftsmanship and fantasy illusionism, with storytelling at its core. Together with Efteling, Magus Utopia is producing a dreamlike illusion show for the first time with a distinctive Efteling signature.

The story

Baron Gustave Hooghmoed’s smeltery stands next to his gold mine, Baron 1898. The tall chimney of the gold smeltery must be cleaned regularly. To reach the chimney, the young chimney sweeps (the attraction visitors) the lift tower up. Spinning at a height of 9.5 metres, the view is spectacular. But then the Witte Wieven (the Wailing Women) appear and sabotage the ride. A steel cable snaps and the lift plunges several metres down into mist and smoke…

About the attraction

The drop tower attraction Hooghmoed consists of the so-called gold smeltery with a 14.5-metre-high chimney and three drop towers, each 12 metres tall. Each tower has a capacity of 10 people, allowing 30 guests per ride. The three towers each feature their own ride sequence of approximately 1.5 minutes. The maximum drop height is six metres. Effects such as sound, mist and smoke create an immersive experience.

Each lift tower includes a seat that has been made extra accessible for guests with disabilities. Guests must be able to transfer independently from a wheelchair or mobility scooter to the seat.

Background

Hooghmoed is suitable for visitors who find Baron 1898 too intense or who fall under the height requirement of 132 centimetres. In line with Efteling’s vision, the area surrounding Baron 1898 is being expanded with an attraction that matches the dive coaster in atmosphere and theme. The attraction is smaller in scale and therefore contributes to capacity and broadens the offering for a wider target audience. The expected capacity is 600 guests per hour.

IAAPA announced today that Efteling has been awarded a Brass Ring Excellence Award for Best Sustainability Programme. The jury —made up of experienced professionals from the global attractions industry— praised the way sustainability is fully embedded across all Efteling’s activities: “Selected for a comprehensive, culturally rooted sustainability programme fully integrated into the parks DNA. High-quality, emotionally engaging materials highlighted a strong ESG performance, earning the highest overall score.” The award, which recognises leading and innovative initiatives, is being presented for the second time this year. Other nominees were Disney and Mexico-based Grupo Xcaret. The official award ceremony will take place in May during IAAPA’s annual gathering.

Continuing to promote sustainability within Efteling

“We are incredibly proud of this international recognition,” says Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling. “Efteling is making substantial investments in sustainability across a wide range of areas. It is our responsibility to pass on Efteling in a better state to future generations. This is only possible if the park remains relevant and takes good care of its natural surroundings. Becoming climate neutral by 2030 and achieving Net Zero by 2050 are among the goals, alongside taking social and governance responsibility. This international award is a recognition of that work and confirms that Efteling is on the right track with its ESG policy.”

Natural surroundings made more accessible

The sole shareholder, Efteling Nature Park Foundation, founded in 1950, continues to pursue its original mission of improving and enriching the living environment. In recent years, the theme park has made several major sustainability investments to reduce its footprint and make the park more accessible. More than 25,500 solar panels and a large-scale energy storage system have been installed. In addition, the first steam train was converted to electric operation last year, and buildings in the Anderrijk area are now heated without gas through an expanded heat-cold storage (HCS). The inclusive Nest! Playforest opened in 2021. As of this year, nearly all stories in the park have been subtitled in four languages through the Efteling app. Through effective water management and nature conservation aimed at stimulating biodiversity, the park is further strengthening its nature-rich surroundings.

IAAPA

IAAPA (the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) is the leading global association for the attractions industry. Its members include theme parks, zoos and aquariums, museums and science centres, family entertainment centres, water parks, as well as manufacturers and suppliers to the industry.

Research informed by experts through lived experience

Efteling worked together with organisations dedicated to accessibility, including the Dutch company Bartiméus, as well as groups of people with lived experience. Jolanda de Boer from Vlaardingen, who is hard of hearing, advised on aspects such as design and user-friendliness of potential solutions. As a result, she was one of the first to test the subtitles. “I took part in the research because I think it is important that everyone can visit a place and enjoy it just as much as anyone else,” Jolanda explains. “With subtitles, I can follow so much more of the stories. For example, I didn’t really know the story of Longneck – the Efteling’s iconic figure – until I used subtitles. And at an attraction like Danse Macabre, the experience is completely different if you miss the narration. Now that is possible, and that truly makes a world of difference.”

Audio description in development

Later this year, audio description will gradually be introduced to the Fairytale Forest and at selected attractions. Audio description describes what can be seen, allowing visitors with a visual impairment to experience the stories in a more complete way. Femke van Es, Community, Communication & Environment manager , explains: “Efteling is a place for everyone, and we want all visitors to be able to understand our stories as fully as possible. Subtitles are the first step, followed by audio description. Within our industry, this is innovative and quite a challenge, as it requires different technologies to work seamlessly together. Together with our sole shareholder, Efteling Nature Park Foundation, we are allocating the necessary time and resources. With these measures, we are once again removing barriers and making the park more accessible.”

About Efteling Nature Park Foundation

Efteling Nature Park Foundation is responsible for preserving and protecting Efteling’s heritage. Since its establishment in 1950, the foundation has been dedicated to creating and maintaining facilities in the field of recreation and leisure. As guardian of the fairytale, the foundation aims to keep the stories and enchantment of Efteling accessible to everyone. It supports developments that safeguard the park’s sustainable relevance and continuity, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy its unique world.

Link to video

Expansion of the Themed Area
“In line with our vision of full immersion, we are looking at the entire area surrounding the park show in this development. The story of Raveleijn lends itself perfectly to this.” says Koen Sanders, Director of Product, Market & Image. “By placing the new attraction outside the open-air arena, we are enlarging the themed area. The park show will undergo a complete transformation, meaning that it will be performed more often than ever before: several times a day and almost year-round. We are also choosing more environmentally friendly fire effects, which combined with the improvements to the show, will create an even more spectacular experience for guests.  

Attraction with Thrill Experience
The new and exciting attraction will be built just outside the city walls. It will be a rotating flying experience, allowing visitors to soar as if on the wings of ravens. The many flowing movements and tilting motions create a strong sense of intensity and excitement, making it a truly thrilling experience.

To celebrate the opening of the Efteling Grand Hotel, Efteling has attached a gigantic decorative bow to the hotel’s façade. “We’ve looked forward to opening Efteling Grand Hotel for a long time,” says Fons Jurgens, CEO of Efteling. “With this, we’re adding the largest hotel ever to our accommodation offering, combining a remarkable level of refinement and luxury. And for the first time, guests can now stay within the park boundaries of Efteling. That deserves a grand celebration—and the Guinness World Record reinforces that perfectly.”

About the Efteling Grand Hotel

The Efteling Grand Hotel is a grand residence at the heart of Efteling, where guests of all ages can experience the enchanting atmosphere of a true grand hotel. It is the largest hotel in the World of Efteling, featuring 7 floors, a width of 106 meters, and 140 rooms and suites with a total of 644 beds. Guests can relax in the swimming pool and spa, and enjoy two unique restaurants, a cozy coffee bar, and Arcadeau, a large souvenir shop. The Efteling Grand Hotel is officially open as of today.

Interior

Efteling Grand Hotel is a grand residence in the heart of the park. Efteling stories are subtly interwoven throughout the interior design and ambiance. Past and present come together in an elegant setting with refined design elements. The hotel rooms and suites are available in four colour themes, with views of the Fairytale Forest (Sprookjesbos), Aquanura, the House of the Five Senses (main entrance), or the Pardoes Promenade.

In the lobby, guests are welcomed by the hotel’s charming team: the doorman, concierge, elevator attendants, or even fairy-tale princesses Anura (from The Frog King) and Adinda (from The Princess and the Pea).

The elegant rooms and suites offer unique views over the green landscape of Efteling, such as the Fairytale Forest, Aquanura fountain show, House of the Five Senses, or Pardoes Promenade.

Brasserie 7 serves classics enhanced with seven magical ingredients – from dragon’s breath to fairy dust and features a spacious conservatory and terrace.

The hotel also features a swimming pool with spa facilities and Café Biscuit, a stylish coffee bar.

A drone video provides a deeper look at the interior and exterior of the hotel 

A World Record at the Festive Opening

To celebrate the opening on 1^st August, Efteling will attach giant ribbon bow to 106-metre-wide façade of the Grand Hotel – an attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the Largest ribbon bow.

About the Efteling Grand Hotel

At Efteling Grand Hotel, guests of all ages can experience the enchanting atmosphere of a true grand hotel. With 7 floors, a width of 106 metres, and 140 rooms and suites (644 beds total), it is the largest hotel in the World of Efteling. Guests can relax in the pool and spa area. Two restaurants, a coffee bar, and Arcadeau – a large souvenir shop – are accessible to both hotel and park guests.

World Record Attempt

To mark the opening of Efteling Grand Hotel, Efteling will attach a gigantic decorative bow to the hotel’s façade. The bow is made from gift-wrap-style ribbon, and the exact measurements — including the total ribbon length as well as the height and width of the bow — will be announced at a later time. The record bow is 3.5 meters wide and 1.5 meters high. Efteling is therefore going to attempt the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for “Largest ribbon bow” for which the record attempt has been officially submitted. Guinness World Records is a globally recognised organisation that records remarkable, extraordinary, and exceptional achievements in both human feats and nature. A release will follow following the hotel opening including imagery and confirmation of the World Record.

About Efteling Grand Hotel

Efteling Grand Hotel will be a grand residence in the heart of Efteling, where guests of all ages can immerse themselves in the enchanting atmosphere of a luxurious grand hotel. It will be the largest hotel in the World of Efteling, spanning 106 meters in width over 7 floors, and will feature 140 rooms and suites with a total of 644 beds. Guests can unwind in the swimming pool and spa facilities. Two unique restaurants, a cozy coffee bar, and Arcadeau — a large souvenir shop — will be accessible to both hotel guests and park visitors. The Efteling Grand Hotel opens on 1 August 2025.

Summer welcomes a new Sprookjesboom show and Evening with Ezel bring extra ambiance to the park

14^th July 2025 – Open to visitors of all ages from across the world Efteling provides guests with an enchanting escape that combines classic fairytales, immersive attractions and natural surroundings. During the summer months, the Dutch amusement park will offer extra entertainment and longer opening hours for visitors. In the open-air theatre in the Fairytale Forest, a brand-new Sprookjesboom show will play, full of Fairytale Forest residents who all melt from the heat.

This summer, a new park show will commence in the Fairytale Forest: Evening with Ezel, a new musical combined with the hilarious One Ezel Show. Efteling will once again have longer opening hours this summer until 31^st August, during which guests will be able to enjoy the park until 10pm. During this period, evening tickets are also available at a lower rate, granting access to the park from 5pm until closing time.

In addition to new shows, beloved park figures will also make an appearance. The fairies from Droomvlucht will swing on the square in front of the attraction, and the gigantic Djinn from Fata Morgana will also find his way out of the attraction. Live music will also be played, and the Efteling Summer Beach will return. Located in the centre of the park, The Summer Beach will provide guests with a relaxed experience where they can marvel at the huge sandcastle and enjoy delicious snacks and drinks whilst also being entertained by The Red Noses Boogie Boys.

Fairytale overnight stays

Those who want to immerse themselves in the world of Efteling for more than one day can enjoy a stay at one of the many accommodations on offer. These include Efteling Wonder Hotel, holiday parks Efteling Bosrijk, and Efteling Loonsche Land, or the Efteling Grand Hotel, which opens its doors on 1^st August. Efteling Grand Hotel will be one-of-a-kind within the wonderful world of Efteling. Providing a unique and premium experience for guests and drawing inspiration from iconic fairytales, visitors can expect an elevated accommodation offering unlike anything seen before at the park.

Park Shows
The Efteling website shows the exact opening hours and park show timings during Summer at Efteling.

For more information on Summer Efteling and to book a stay, please visit  https://www.efteling.com/en/park/seasons/summer. 
 

Check in and Arrival

Efteling Grand Hotel will be a residence of grandeur, where guests of all ages can experience the wonderful atmosphere of a traditional grand dame hotel. From the moment they arrive, guests will be welcomed into the world of this extraordinary hotel where Efteling and its stories are woven into the design and atmosphere.

Upon arrival, guests will find themselves in a world of grandeur, starting with a seamless and fully digital check in. Valet parking will ensure cars are taken care of and the bellhop team will assist with luggage handling to provide guests with a worry-free check in experience. Despite the digital check in, a reception desk will sit in the lobby to ensure that guests always feel looked after.

Once a bellhop and Efteling’s two princesses have greeted guests in the lobby, they will be able to marvel at the elegant interiors and sophisticated design elements, from the grand piano playing melodic music to the mesmerising ceiling covered in countless magical keys. The air will also be infused with the hotel’s signature fragrance, providing a comforting and familiar scent upon return to the hotel.

Bringing back some of the traditional elements of a grand dame hotel, the lift has its very own lift piccolo to ensure guests reach their room with ease.

Rooms and Suites

Comprising seven floors offering 140 rooms and suites, Efteling Grand Hotel will house a total of 644 beds. Rooms will vary in size and can cater for a maximum of six persons – from a Premium Deluxe Room to The Excellence Tower Suite, the hotel’s most luxurious suite.

Room and suite categories include:

·       Three, Four, Five and Six-Person Deluxe Room

·       Three Person Premium Deluxe Room with Balcony

·       Three Person Tower Room

·       Three and Five Person Tower Room with Accessible Sanitary Facilities

·       Three Person Suite and Three Person Suite with Balcony

·       Five Person Suite with Separate Bedroom and Five Person Suite with Balcony and One Separate Bedroom

·       Six Person Suite with Balcony and Six Person Tower Suite with Separate Living Room and Two Separate Bedrooms

·       Six Person Excellence Tower Suite

The hotel rooms and suites overlook the park, providing differing views of the Aquanura water show, the House of the Five Senses entrance, the Fairytale Forest or the Pardoes Promenade Lane. All room bookings include breakfast at Brasserie 7 and half an hour of early access to the park prior to public opening.

Details have not been forgotten at Efteling Grand Hotel, with each room containing several carefully considered amenities and items, including an Efteling Grand Hotel fairy tale book.

Gastronomy

Both hotel guests and park visitors will be able to enjoy the hotel’s two restaurants. Brasserie 7 located on the ground floor, will serve a range of classic dishes, which include seven ‘magical’ ingredients such as princess tears and snow from Mother Holle. At Brasserie 7, hotel guests can enjoy a relaxed breakfast ahead of the day in the park. There are plenty of options for lunch and dinner too, with the menu consisting of seven starters, seven main courses and seven desserts. There is a special menu for children alongside plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The presence of the number seven throughout the restaurant is a homage to familiar fairytales such as the seven dwarfs from Snow White and the seven young goats who escape the formidable wolf in Brothers Grimm.

Located on the first floor, with views over the park’s spectacular Aquanura water show, Restaurant-Bar Mystique will offer an elevated and wondrous premium dining experience with sophisticated dishes and a range of surprises throughout. The tables will be covered in edible decorations and guests can enjoy these whilst creating a magical flavour formula which will then be incorporated into signature dishes. The restaurant will be open to the public, as well as park and hotel guests, by reservation only. Mystique will also be home to the hotel-lounge bar, where both hotel and park guests can enjoy signature cocktails and delicious light bites.

The hotel will also house the lovely Café Biscuit, where baristas will serve tasty coffee and the signature Grand Hotel biscuit to both hotel and park guests.

Amenities and Facilities

The lower ground floor of the hotel will be home to an exclusive swimming pool, available only to hotel guests, with spa facilities including a steam room, sauna and massage room, a relaxing way to end a day of exploring the fun filled park. Other facilities include a multifunctional serenity room where guests can take a moment to unwind, pray or meditate.

Those looking to make the most of their stay can enjoy exploring Arcadeau boutique’s wide range of souvenirs, costume clothes and accessories from beloved Efteling characters. At Hotel Boutique Sens, guests can spoil themselves with luxury items such as fragrances, bathroom products and cosmetics that capture the essence of the park. This boutique is reserved for hotel guests and remains accessible after opening hours through a direct link to the hotel lobby. 

Poetic song

‘The choice of this fairy tale, in which a sleeping princess plays the leading role, was obvious due to the pavilion’s location at the foot of the Efteling Grand Hotel,’ says Koen Sanders, director Product, Marketing & Image. ‘The pavilion forms a true fairytale scene in the tradition of the Fairytale Forest but this time replacing the spoken narration with a poetic song. This makes the moral of The Princess and the Pea even more apparent: real beauty is inside. It is clear that the princess's sensitivity turns out to be her strength. And so, Efteling connects through the power of stories, also with its 31st fairy tale.’

The story

Once upon a time, there was a prince who wanted to marry a real princess. On a stormy evening in the pouring rain, a princess from a distant land knocked on the palace's door. The queen, intrigued by the girl, welcomed the ‘princess’ into her home and gave her a pea test to decipher whether she was a true princess fit for her son. Before the princess went to bed, the queen hid a pea under twenty mattresses and twenty down blankets. After all, only a real princess would be sensitive enough to feel the pea and, therefore, be unable to sleep.

Ready for the future

‘This adaptation is necessary to meet our climate target, but we also wanted to secure the nostalgic look and driving experience of the steam train for the future,’ Chief Executive Officer Fons Jurgens explains:  ‘Furthermore, we preserved all parts for the sake of the historical value of the train. Since Aagje's steam boiler had to be replaced, this locomotive was the first to be given another tender that pushes the locomotive and pulls the train. She is still operated with the original levers and the mechanical maintenance, such as lubrication and polishing, remains the same. To maintain the nostalgic experience, show effects such as steam and the sound of the steam whistle have been added. Aagje, who retired in 1969 from a brick factory and has been riding in Efteling ever since, is now starting a new chapter in her story, and is ready for the future.’

About the Efteling Steam Train Company

The Efteling Steam Train Company is founded in 1969. This company covers all steam locomotives, stations, platforms and routes in the Efteling theme park. The steam locomotive Aagje, from the Arnhem brickworks IJsseloord, with a 60cm gauge track is embellished with extra brass work and the carriages are built by Efteling itself, to Anton Pieck's designs. He also drew the (two) stations. From 1984, the track is a circular ride of three and a half kilometres. Four locomotives have transported visitors through Efteling: Aagje (1911), Moortje (1907), Neefje (1914 – retired and a photo object since 2001) and Trijntje (1991). 

From 14 May, Efteling's Fairytale Forest in Kaatsheuvel will have a new fairy tale. From that date, The Princess and the Pea will try to fall asleep on a huge pile of mattresses. Whether this succeeds, visitors will see and hear, because as is often the case in the Fairytale Forest, the story will be told at this fairytale scene. This time it is a sung tale by Flemish singer Geike Arnaert, to a melody by house composer René Merkelbach. The Fairytale Forest residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new princess. Her royal pavilion stands between the Troll King and Mother Holle’s well, with the imposing Efteling Grand Hotel in the background.

Sung narration

For the first time, a sung narration will be heard in Efteling's Fairytale Forest. Many guests are familiar with Wieteke van Dort's unforgettable voice, for Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and The Six Swans. The theme park in the South of Holland asked Flemish singer Geike Arnaert to sing a poetic song, set to a subdued composition by René Merkelbach and lyrics by Merkelbach and Karel Willemen. On 16 May, Efteling will release a three-song EP, including the sung narration to the fairy tale, on among others Spotify.

Private entrance

Head designer Sander de Bruijn designed the romantic pavilion with the same style elements and design language as the large Efteling Grand Hotel, which serves as a grand backdrop. Hotel guests will even get their own private entrance to the Fairytale Forest from this summer. The gate leads straight to Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale, which tells the tale of a princess who just can't get to sleep. Efteling’s Fairytale Forest thus gets a third entrance.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/xWbRhaw9fTA  

The story

Once upon a time, there was a prince who wanted to marry a real princess. On a stormy evening, in the pouring rain, a princess from a distant land knocked on the palace's door. The queen, intrigued by the girl, welcomed the ‘princess’ into her home and gave her a pea test to decipher whether she was a true princess fit for her son. Before the princess went to bed, the queen hid a pea under twenty mattresses and twenty down blankets. After all, only a real princess would be sensitive enough to feel the pea and, therefore, be unable to sleep.

Almost 33 years ago, Efteling opened its very first accommodation location: the Efteling Hotel. For many Efteling visitors, their day at Efteling starts with the first glimpse of the iconic four-towered hotel that opened in 1992. The hotel underwent a major renovation in recent months and has now reopened under a new name: Efteling Wonder Hotel.

A new entrance

With a new more accessible lobby entrance, which enters the hotel from the front, this floating castle of fairytales stimulates the imagination of guests and allows them to travel through the clouds and past the stars where the stories of Efteling continue. The hotel lobby is also lined with suitcases from the park’s beloved characters. In keeping with the dream-like theme, the walls of the lobby are painted a deep midnight blue.

Restaurant Saga

As guests 'float’ past the lobby, they will continue to encounter a dream-like world enveloped in midnight blue as they meet the hotel’s new restaurant. Inspired by the fairytales of the park, Efteling Wonder Hotel’s Saga will present both hotel and park guests as well as passers by with a range of dishes that provide them with a taste for every tale and transport them to another world full of wonderment. Those looking to elevate their experience, can choose to dine at the Captain’s Table where they can indulge in a delicious feast. The restaurant will also be equipped with an interactive 'dream navigator’ play area, where children can enjoy navigating the enchanting world of dreams and getting lost in the wondrous world surrounding them.

Interior and creative concept

The ground floor of the hotel, the parterre, is the ‘engine room’ from which the floating castle is controlled. In the engine room, guests find commotion, in the castle, the hotel rooms and suites.. Throughout the hotel, guests will find graphics that hint at journeys within the floating castle’s, clouds, stars and meridians.

There is new entertainment in the form of Jules Verreweg, a wonder navigator. Every evening, he and the children fill his dream globes with dreams. With these, they create Dream Steam, with which will they can make the hotel take of.

Jokie & Jet themed suite

A new themed suite has also been created as part of the renovation. The Circus Suite has been converted into the Jokie & Jet Suite. The colourful suite, based on attraction Carnival Festival, measures 53m2, accommodates five people and is full of recognisable elements from the popular attraction.

The renovations accompany the overhaul of the existing bedrooms which took place in 2021 and a renovation to the exterior in 2023.  The Efteling Wonder Hotel comprises 124 hotel rooms and suites with a total of 495 beds.

Kaatsheuvel, 17 April – Those who have been eagerly awaiting the latest attraction news from Efteling will be able to experience a new free fall attraction next to the popular Efteling dive coaster from summer 2026. The new free fall ride will have the same theming as Baron 1898 and construction for the ride will start after the summer.

Koen Sanders, Director Product, Market & Image: “This new family attraction seamlessly complements the area around Baron 1898. It is deliberately smaller in scale and as a result, adds to the capacity and attraction offer for a wider audience. Matching our area vision, the atmosphere and theme is similar to Baron 1898 to fully immerse our guests in the story of the Baron and the Wailing Women.”

In the story of the new attraction, which is designed by Karel Willemen, Efteling visitors are the ‘chimney sweepers’ from the baron. The family attraction has a capacity of 600 guests per hour and is expected to open summer 2026.

15^th April 2025: 2024 marked another successful year for Efteling theme park in the south of Holland. With an increased number of 5.6 million visits made by 4.9 million individuals. 

A net turnover of more than € 300 million was also achieved, with a net operating profit of € 36.8 million. Over € 105 million was invested last year, for example in the newest attraction Danse Macabre, the soon-to-open Efteling Grand Hotel, care for cultural heritage, sustainability projects and IT systems. In 2024, more visitors again came from abroad for a day or a weekend, in line with the 2030 Efteling-vision that focuses on continuity and independence. Last year's Guest Satisfaction Survey showed an increase in staff ratings: in 2023 Efteling received an average of 8.89 and in 2024 an average of 8.93.

Highlight opening of Danse Macabre

CEO Fons Jurgen says: ‘We can look back on a fantastic year, culminating in the opening of Danse Macabre.’ ‘The response to this unique attraction, which is unlike any other in the world, has been wildly enthusiastic. It is an absolute enrichment for our theme park. The fact that we were able to welcome more international visitors for the second year in a row strengthens our confidence in the future. We are achieving sufficient results to not only improve Efteling but also maintain our heritage and invest in nature. I am most proud of our employees, who give their best for our guests every day and who are rated well for this by our guests.’ 

Cultural Heritage and sustainability projects

Over the past year, a lot of work has been focused on the cultural heritage of the park. Sleeping Beauty's castle and Hansel and Gretel's candy cottage were completely renovated during the year. Two large batteries for energy storage and energy management were also commissioned to make the theme park less dependent and more self-sufficient. Meanwhile, two major maintenance projects on the Joris en de Draak double track roller coaster and the Piraña river rapids ride were also completed. In the autumn, the soon-to-be-opened pavilion of The Princess and the Pea slowly but surely appeared in the Fairytale Forest.

Link to video