I’ve been enjoying researching different destinations in Europe to spend with my daughter before our cruise to Norway next year. After considering London, Bergen and Amsterdam, we’ve decided to spend a few pre-cruise days in the Netherlands. But, we won’t be in Amsterdam the whole time. A different destination has piqued my interest: Efteling!
What is Efteling?
Efteling is a theme park in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands. It pre-dates Disneyland and evolved from a sports park to a fairytale forest to a full-blown theme park.
I discovered Efteling while I was researching fun things to do near Amsterdam with my daughter. Of course, I want to visit the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. But I want to balance that visit with something a little more light-hearted. Once I started looking into Efteling, I was hooked!
Efteling still has its original fairytale forest which now features scenes from 30 fairytales. There is even a donkey that poops gold coins!
It has several roller coasters, including a water coaster:
One of the park’s newest rides, Symbolica, is a dark ride:
In 2024, the park will debut some new ride technology with the Danse Macabre attraction. I hope this is open before we visit!
Efteling even has whimsical trash cans. Check out this video of some of the suckiest rubbish bins in the park.
Logistics of Visiting Efteling
Unfortunately, Efteling is not super convenient to visit for non-locals. It’s not just an easy train ride from Amsterdam. To get there with public transportation, you need to take a train to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (about 1 hour). Then, you need to hop on a local bus for a 35 to 40 minute ride. Driving from Amsterdam may be faster, depending on traffic. But I, for one, do not want to drive in Amsterdam.
On the weekends, you can take Flixbus from Amsterdam to Efteling. The website says it’s 1 hour and 50 minutes to get there. That may be the most convenient way, but I’m planning to visit on a weekday when it’s not as crowded. Plus, the almost-4-hour roundtrip to and from the park in one day would be a lot.
Efteling also has on-site hotels that include park tickets. Next year, the park will open another new hotel that will be the first hotel inside the gates. Prices and opening date are not yet available.
For now, my plan is to stay overnight in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (also known as Den Bosch, because apparently nobody can pronounce ‘s-Hertogenbosch). We will fly into Amsterdam and take the 1-hour train to a hotel in Den Bosch. Then, in the morning, we just have to take one direct bus to the park.
Final Thoughts
I’ve visited Disney parks in France and Japan, and I love to see the different cultural influences and ride technologies used at parks in different countries. My daughter and I are excited to visit Efteling to get a taste of a Dutch theme park.
Have you heard of Efteling? Do you enjoy visiting theme parks in different countries?
Yes I have been wanting to visit for some time now. It’s just the logistics of getting there.
@Travis I definitely wish it was a bit easier to get to Efteling!