From March 2018, the park, which is open all year round, will shed its winter coat and celebrate the reappearance of the sun with the reopening of flagship rides such as Python and Piraña, while the park is coated in thousands of colourful flowers and spring greens giving it a fresh summery look. In Symbolica, the Palace of Fantasy, which opened in summer 2017, all visitors can be granted an audience with King Pardulfus in style.

Highlights of the 2018 spring season in Efteling include:

The reopening of Python
On 31 March 2018, visitors will once again be able to relive their childhood memories with the reopening of Python – Efteling’s iconic roller coaster built in 1981 –after undergoing three months of maintenance. During its closure, the course was broken down and then rebuilt. The experience will remain the same, reflecting the double corkscrew, the helix and all the loops in the new design.

Reopening of water rides
The return of the warm weather means that visitors can once again risk getting wet on the park’s exciting water rides, which close during Winter Efteling. These include the Piraña river rapids – a 350 metre long wild water river ride, and the De Vliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman) – a spectacular water coaster that starts as an indoor roller coaster before plunging into a lake in the centre of the park.

Outdoor entertainment
In spring, visitors will also be able to enjoy the diversity of outdoor entertainment available in the park, including Raveleijn – an open air show featuring stunt riders, ravens and a fire breathing dragon. Kids love to sing along with little red Riding Hood at the Fairytale Tree show in the Fairytale Forest, and meeting Pardoes, or Princess Pardjin who stroll through the park daily.

Renovations at the Efteling Hotel
The Hansel and Gretel suite located in the Efteling Hotel has recently been renovated with a fresh look. The five-person suite, which is reminiscent of the gingerbread house in the fairytale, features coloured windows, two double beds and a single bed, and is also home to the infamous witch and her cat. A one night stay in the room is priced from €545.50.

Nine days of Efteling Summer Festival
On the nine Saturdays of 5, 12, 19 and 26 July and 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 August the park stays open until midnight. Visitors can explore nine squares throughout the park and be treated to live performances from various artists, acrobats, musicians and performers, while enjoying a bite to eat and a drink.

Summer at Efteling
Summer at Efteling lasts from 1 July until 31 August. The park is open daily until 20.00 hours. Plenty of time to enjoy the Fairytale Forest, the spruced up Piraña, Dreamflight and The Flying Dutchman. Various performances of the Raveleijn park show are staged each day, depicting the battle between five riders and the cruel ruler of the magical city of Raveleijn. This spectacular show is even more exciting at dusk, when special lighting enhances the action.

Refurbished Piraña
The popular Piraña white water ride underwent a thorough refurbishment earlier this year with renewed focus on its theme of the Inca culture. Various impressive additions have been made, such as the large Inca gate at the entrance with two water-spurting ‘idols’ for spectators to spray people riding on the Piraña. But every now and then it backfires on them!

Aquanura, The Second Efteling Symphony
A wonderful day out is rounded off with a visit to the new Aquanura water show: The Second Efteling Symphony. This 12-minute long musical spectacle on the Vonderplas Lake depicts attractions such as Fata Morgana, Monsieur Cannibale and George and the Dragon through powerful fountains, Efteling music and special effects.

Opening hours
Efteling is open daily. Current opening hours can be found at efteling.co.uk/EN/openinghours.

Summer at Efteling runs from 1 July until 31 August with daily opening hours from 10.00 to 20.00 hours. On all Saturdays during this period Efteling stays open until midnight. Winter Efteling runs from 6 November 2014 until 1 February 2015, with daily opening hours from 11.00 to 18.00 hours (20.00 hours during the Christmas holidays).

Accommodation
The Efteling Hotel and Efteling Village Bosrijk holiday park are both just a short stroll from the theme park. The hotel, with its 98 comfort rooms for the whole family and 22 fairytale-themed suites, is eminently suitable for an overnight stay. Efteling Village Bosrijk, located to the rear of the park, offers space and accommodation for short getaways of two or three nights. All accommodation arrangements include unlimited access to Efteling Park.