Media kit Danse Macabre - Efteling
BACKGROUND
The Spookslot Haunted House fulfilled a unique position in the World of Efteling. It was the only place where visitors could be frightened the Efteling way. Unfortunately, the Spookslot Haunted House was in poor condition, both inside and outside. After careful consideration, the choice was made to create a completely new area at this location to guarantee the continuity of the park. Inspired by the iconic building constructed in 1978, the new themed area Huyverwoud is the creepiest part of Efteling and features the new attraction Danse Macabre.
Danse Macabre: a haunted spectacle full of dark twists
Efteling attraction Danse Macabre allows visitors to dance to the piece of music of the same name. On a large, 18-metre-diameter turntable with six smaller turntables on top, there will be six choir stalls in which a total of 108 visitors can be seated. The large turntable will rise, tilt and fall, spinning like a coin before falling flat.
Danse Macabre: never built anywhere in the world
Danse Macabre's ride system is unique and has never been built anywhere in the world. This spectacular type of attraction is a combination of a so-called thrill ride and immersive show technology. In close cooperation with Efteling, supplier Intamin developed the attraction.
Charlatan family
According to legend, conductor Joseph Charlatan travelled the world with his orchestra. However, since his participation in a famous music competition on Friday 13 October 1876, he and his orchestra have disappeared without a trace... The mysterious disappearance has gripped the Charlatan family for generations. The great loss of the beloved conductor has made the family suspicious and anxious. Since then, they have been doing everything to ward off misfortune. And all the while, the Charlatans have been trying to figure out what may have happened to their distant ancestor. The barrel organ Esmeralda led them past all the cities where Joseph Charlatan once performed. Their search eventually brought them to Huyverwoud, where Esmeralda seems to refuse to let them leave. As Virginie and Otto Charlatan get closer to the chapel, the organ sounds like it is possessed.... Is it their distant ancestor Joseph Charlatan who lured them here? And what is the connection with the dance of death that echoes everywhere?
Experience
Here, among the ominously rustling foliage of ancient trees, a haunted place lies hidden. It is an overgrown ruin of what was once a majestic medieval abbey. We wander among the remains and monastery gardens, waiting for what is to come. A sweet and playful black kitten lies purring contently on the remains of a stone gate ahead. A curious, entrepreneurial family has settled here to trade in anything that can protect us from impending doom. There is a mysterious atmosphere in Abbey Square. Everywhere we hear the eerie sound of macabre music that seems to paralyse the inhabitants with fear. Where does this fear come from? Before we make our way to the entrance of Danse Macabre, just to be on the safe side, we buy lucky charms from the Charlatan family to protect us from what lies ahead.
Themed area and DANSE MACABRE
The abbey square gives a view of the chapel from 1379, catering facilities with terraces, shop and toilets. Through the ancient gate, guests enter the partly covered cloister where their ‘waiting route’ begins. The herb garden, where monks used to grow their herbs leads to the cemetery. Here brave mortals will see special graves in memory of the musicians who disappeared in 1876 along with their conductor, Joseph Charlatan. Along the forest path with old tombstones here and there, guests make their way in groups of about 100 to the entrance bridge leading to the chapel entrance, the Danse Macabre attraction. They are then directed towards the catacombs by staff members. Visitors with disabilities take their seats in the chapel or move to a room for an alternative experience. Inside the chapel is the show space of the attraction Danse Macabre, where guests take their seats on a choir bench. Then follows an inimitable dance to Camille Saint-Saëns' iconic piece of music: Danse Macabre....
Retail:
Dr. Charlatans Kwalycke Zaken shop
Here the Charlatan Family sells all kinds of sinister and creepy souvenirs
Hospitality:
In den Swarte Kat
Just outside the abbey walls lie the remains of the tavern In den Swarte Kat, which is occupied by the Charlatan family as a grocery shop
- all kinds of refreshments and heart enhancers for passing travellers and adventurers
- new formula within the World of Efteling, with self-service checkouts
- thematic products, such as Kettle cake steamed pudding, abbey-style bread and Blood juice
’t Koetshuys
The old carriage house, a former shed for agricultural implements and tools, is now a kitchen and outlet for souvenirs, popcorn, ice cream and heart enhancers for extra courage
Toilet building De Laetste Hoop with family toilet rooms
Containing a regular toilet bowl and a children's toilet bowl (lower), plus a changing table (changing table is suitable for adults/GMB)
ACCESSIBILITY & SUSTAINABILITY
Based on the 1952 sustainability philosophy of Efteling Nature Park Foundation, a number of principles have been formulated for Danse Macabre. The challenge was to make it completely suitable for the different target groups. Using our own experience and acquired knowledge, as well as collaborating with partners and experts, we explored the most effective ways to achieve this. When it comes to accessing the themed area and Danse Macabre, Efteling aims to ensure that all visitors can enjoy the entire area together as much as possible, including the thrilling attraction of Danse Macabre. To achieve this, the waiting route has been designed to be as physically accessible as possible.
Visitors with disabilities
Visitors with disabilities experience the ‘waiting route’, only being separated just before the entrance of the chapel, if necessary. The attraction has wheelchair access with transfer
- Visitors with disabilities should be able to walk independently for a minimum of 13 metres and must be self-reliant in case of evacuation
- When applying for the facilities card in the Efteling app, visitors with disabilities can see whether the main attraction or the unique alternative experience is suitable
- alternative experience: guests are taken to a special room where they can experience the attraction with images, sounds and various show effects
- the attraction experience and alternative show take place simultaneously so that all can share their experiences together afterwards
Cooperation partners
To make Danse Macabre and the themed area as accessible as possible, Efteling sought advice from regular cooperation partners such as Stichting de Zonnebloem (guests in wheelchairs), Stichting Bartiméus and GGMD (visual and hearing impairment) and the Dutch autism society. Experts are also involved in evaluating cultural and philosophical backgrounds and assessing the level of fright experienced by children.
The Cabinet of the Missing
In the Cabinet of the Missing, guests will find more information about the orchestra that disappeared without a trace on Friday 13 October 1876 during a music competition that took place here every two years. Guests with disabilities, in particular, can find in-depth, tailor-made information here, using sign language, Braille and sound effects.
Employee clothing made of recycled materials
The clothing of all employees working in the themed area and the Danse Macabre attraction will align with the creepy theme. The clothing has been partly made from discarded Efteling uniforms that have been reworked and reused. This created a motley, worn-out look embellished with creepy details, tailor-made for the curious entrepreneurial Charlatan family. The idea to use thematic clothing in a sustainable way came from the Efteling's Clothing Workshop.
Heat-Cold Storage (HCS)
Danse Macabre will be connected to the Project Sustainable Energy System Anderrijk - the heat and cold installation (HCS). This installation will heat the attraction without gas.
A special feature of the system means that heat released when Danse Macabre is running will be returned to the HCS and used, for example, to prevent the Aquanura pond from freezing in winter.
FACTS & FIGURES:
Attraction: unique in the leisure industry, not yet built anywhere in the world
Shape attraction: 18-metre-diameter turntable
- six smaller turntables
- on each disc 1 choir seat (with 3 rows) for 18 persons = 108 persons in total
Operation attraction: the large turntable rises and falls horizontally or diagonally, with sometimes a high - low movement - about 3.5 metres height difference = like a coin spinning around before it falls flat
Weight of attraction system: 65,000 kilos (without guests)
Duration show experience: 3.5 minute, excluding walk-in and walk-out
Lighting fixtures: more than 600 (show, outdoor and set lighting)
Surround sound system: 64 speakers, 53 top speakers, 10 subwoofers and 1 ultra-subwoofer
Theoretical capacity: 1,253 persons per hour
Accessible for: every brave mortal from 1.20 m (recommended age from 8 years)
- Visitors with disability: accessible for wheelchair users who can walk independently when transferring to the ride with a so-called transfer (min. 13 metres)
- Alternative experience is available if transfer from wheelchair to ride is not possible
Single rider lane: yes
Danse Macabre building height: approximately 20 metres
Surface themed area: from 17,000m²
Total construction time: two years
Number of employees involved in construction: approx. 500
Investment for total themed area: around 35 million Euro
Ride technology: developed and constructed in close cooperation with Efteling by Swiss manufacturer of amusement rides and attractions, Intamin
Aside from the Spookslot Haunted House inspiration comes from: several Belgian abbeys: Villers-la-Ville, Aulne and Orval
Materials from the Spookslot Haunted House:
Heritage Management Team has had some elements of the Haunted House renovated and adapted for reuse in Danse Macabre:
- exit wall at the Haunted House stands as a ruined wall in the Huyverwoud area
- creepy candle holders from the tower have been placed in the chapel hall
- large chandelier on a giant arm now hangs in Dr Charlatans Kwalycke Zaken shop
- large chandeliers from the corridors of the Haunted House now hang in the hospitality venue In den Swarte Kat
- the dancing balustrades from the Haunted House return to the chapel
- tombstones that stood in front of the Haunted House are now in the forest
- garden vases from the old main show are now in the herb garden
- hanging fire bowls from the old main show now hang in the cloister
- various characters from Danse Macabre subtly refer to the Haunted House
Music: Composer René Merkelbach created a brand new version of Camille Saint-Saëns' famous 1875 ‘Danse Macabre’ - specifically for the show experience in the attraction, but also for all areas in the Huyverwoud themed area. It was recorded with the largest orchestra in Efteling’s history, consisting of 75 musicians.
