Efteling VLOG | May 2024

Come and join us for a day at Efteling in The Netherlands! In this vlog we experience many of the signature rides at the park and take you along with on ride POV's. This includes Baron 1898, Symbolica, Python and many more of the famous attractions at Efteling.
© Your Experience Guide / Pleasure Beach Experience. All rights reserved. No part of this video can be reproduced or redistributed without permission from Scott Bickerton, the owner and creator of this Your Experience Guide & Pleasure Beach Experience. For permission requests, email [e-mail]. Use without consent with or without credit is in direct violation of copyright law.

[@BoyRoy18]

8:26 RENE!!!! my best mate! When i work with him, its always a party. Its nice to hear that we eat people with python. if ower que is full its only a 25 min. waiting, so we never have al long waiting time

[@yourexperienceguide]

Excellent ride attendant and an excellent team 😊

[@user-px3ys4pl9t]

Watching this video just made me appreciate how differently people experience theme parks. I was blown away by Efteling when we visited last year, and experienced the fairytale forest and dark rides with my 5 year old son was magical. Symbolica… what I wouldn’t give to have a dark ride that good in the UK. And not with a dark theme! And what you said about the staff uniforms, I’m glad you noticed that as it adds to what makes Efteling so good. I can certainly appreciate how true coaster enthusiasts would not favour Efteling but for me personally, I go to theme parks to be transported to a different world and that is exactly what Efteling does. Give me a theme park with average coasters but amazing theming and a well maintained experienced over an amusement park with 10 thrill coasters over car parks every single day of the week

[@yourexperienceguide]

I think that goes back to the point towards the end, a roller coaster enthusiast is different than a theme park enthusiast. I want a coaster to be thrilling before it has some fancy rock work 😅

[@user-px3ys4pl9t]

@@yourexperienceguide I’d rather have immersive rock work than nothing 😂 ‘experience’ covers more than just coasters I would think? All jokes aside, love your vlogs and always value your opinions, just happen to disagree with you guys on this one - keep up the good content 👍🏻

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@user-px3ys4pl9tThank you 🙏

[@paulbroomhead2214]

Great comment. 👍🏻

[@11mjt91]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and your opinions are very valid as you have explained that your a coaster/thrill enthusiast. I class myself as more of a Theme Park enthusiast, but also love thrilling coasters. Ive not been to Efteling, but definitely want to go. Great content 👌

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thank you 🙏 It’s definitely somewhere we should all experience but I can’t agree with the “most magical place on earth” tag line it gets

[@davidjones9448]

Nice park Efteling. I remember going up Pythons lift hill thinking christ I'm gonna need another shave by the time we get to the top 😂. Another good vlog 👍🏻

[@yourexperienceguide]

Haha takes forever 😂

[@paulbroomhead2214]

Great set of vlogs as always Scott and Stephen. All a great watch. Now then, I too am a thrill seeker who loves big thrill coasters first and foremost, but when visiting Efteling you have to put yourself into child mode. I LOVED this park. It's absolutely magical!! The best selection of darks rides in any European park. I cannot wait to get back there as I didn't manage to get everything done. Ps. Congrats on getting to 500 creds Scott. 🎢👍🏻👍🏻💚

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thanks Paul. It’s just not for me mate, coasters are mid and dark rides just don’t do it for me. Europa Park has better dark rides 👀

[@ballbag]

Efteling was never appealing to Thrill Seekers, they are all about families. Its a classic family theme park in a beautiful setting. Its good to see you a bit more positive about things there, I remember you and Mark having a right moan about Baron etc back in the day

[@yourexperienceguide]

If that's the case, why build a looping coaster, a duelling wooden coaster and a dive machine? Lol, they're clearly targeting families with their dark rides/water rides etc, and thrill seekers with the bigger attractions.

[@Nitzpitz]

@@yourexperienceguidePython was built to attack a younger audience back in the day. The thrill rides are very family friendly . You can go on everything if you are 120 cm and on baron from 132 cm. It is for families to enjoy together.

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@Nitzpitz They’re not what I’d called family coasters, not unless they’re aimed for older children.

[@th01m3nn]

@@yourexperienceguide I've seen 8-10 year olds on Joris, as well as Baron

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@th01m3nn Not every person that meets a height restriction will be ready to go on the ride. They’re not typical family coasters.

[@Rabbitzz]

I see theres been some criticism in the comments towards you what I will say is I love how defensive the Dutch and any locals have always been over efteling, its a great park and ive always noticed its got a very passionate fan base which isn't a bad thing though.

[@yourexperienceguide]

Honestly, I respect it 😊

[@ScaredyCatRidesRides]

As someone who is a theme park person more than a coaster/thrill person, I really appreciate Efteling for what it is. It is absolutely magical if youre somebody who can get lost in stories and almost child like wonder. But its definitely *not* a thrill park and I actually think its a good thing because there's some nice entry level/intermediate thrills for younger audiences ready to experience it.

[@yourexperienceguide]

I've never really understood why Efteling is considered to be a magical place, this recent visit was my third time there and most likely to be the last. I wouldn't really class Baron, Joris or Python as family coasters, I've got a 6 year old and he wouldn't do any of those even though he's tall enough for 2 of them.

[@ScaredyCatRidesRides]

@yourexperienceguide oh no I wouldn't class them as family coasters either, but I think they're a good level for those dipping their toes into thrills. Like if you have a family with some kids who just want to eat ice creams and watch shows and some kids who've been waiting to try going upside down and are excited for it, then it's all bases covered. They're probably not for most 6 year olds but I'm sure there are more than a few with parents dreading the thought of having to go on a big ride with them 😂 at least then they aren't too big. It's really hard to describe why I find it so magical but as a child I LOVED fairytales, like had a big book of classic ones an could just devour them. Now as an adult I get to skip off in that world and forget my responsibilities. I love disappearing into the realm of the fairies or seeing Pardoes get into mischief - literally when the stairs part in Symbolica I feel like a five year old, it's magical each time. But I think you're either someone who can get lost in that or you're not and it's all valid! Ps at the secret weapon event on Saturday- SO looking forward to it

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@ScaredyCatRidesRides See you there 😁

[@hacwoolls5467]

Alot of enthusiasm about this place lads😅

[@yourexperienceguide]

We were more enthusiastic at the start than the end lol

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@yourexperienceguide Too much dark ride exposure 👀

[@danivaneekelen5403]

I heard you guys like a lot of colours. 🤣 Isn't the migraine place called disney something?

[@heather1980]

I love this park so much! Watching your video just made me want to plan a return trip to Efteling! However, the best parts of most of Efteling’s rides are the queues and their theming and you’ve left those out of the POVs.

[@yourexperienceguide]

Love the theming on Vliegende Hollander, pre-show on Symbolica was alright but the rest of the park is quite dull and just not for me. Much prefer the rides and the theming in other theme parks.

[@martinhopwood7845]

how to insult an efteling fan in a single vlog

[@yourexperienceguide]

😮😮 Thought we were very positive about the coasters lol

[@B-b-bot1]

fr lol

[@B-b-bot1]

@@yourexperienceguide "this was mid, that was mid, wouldn't come again for this" ..............

[@ballbag]

@@B-b-bot1 He's a very simple person who has simple tastes, big rides. very closed minded!

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@ballbagYou have “ball bag” as your username, simple minded and not funny. Anyway, Gotham City Escape isn’t a “big tall coaster” but ranks in my top 10, likewise Velocicoaster because I enjoy the full experience of it. Kingda Ka isn’t a top coaster for me but is the tallest in the world. Don’t speak on my behalf again 👍

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Efteling has clearly built its reputation on dream sequence dark rides. So plenty for the whole family here 👍

[@yourexperienceguide]

Depends on what your family is into 😅

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@yourexperienceguide The fact that they were very busy during your visit indicates the park has found a niche. As you say more theme park rather than a high octane coaster park.

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@andrewbrazier9664 It was a weekend visit, first time I’d seen it busy

[@th01m3nn]

@@yourexperienceguide Efteling is always busy, especially during spring and summer

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@th01m3nn I don’t always visit, I’ve been 3 times in my life (I’m 35). Last week was the first time I’d seen it busy.

[@user-px3ys4pl9t]

And I can understand the carnival festival hate but Dreamflight?! That ride is simply magical

[@yourexperienceguide]

It wasn’t hate, both were very odd. Dream flight is just boring 😐

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Refreshingly different 🌊 Park conveying a great atmosphere 👍

[@yourexperienceguide]

It’s an interesting park, one for theme park enthusiasts not thrill seekers

[@traceym1425]

Scott you need to go back with your son and see it through his eyes. We went with my sons and there’s so much to explore and they loved it which meant we loved it. The park is obviously aimed at families so youre not going to enjoy it going as a roller coaster enthusiasts but try it with the family and give yourselves more time and I think you will have a very different experience.

[@yourexperienceguide]

I think as a family we're looking at Disney Paris and possibly Parque Warner next, honestly don't think Charlie would enjoy any of the dark rides at Efteling they're all a bit too weird.

[@traceym1425]

@@yourexperienceguide I think its the weirdness my 7 year old enjoyed especially the troll / fairy ride. Their favourite bit was exploring the fairytale forest there is so much to discover. We are doing Europa park in may and disney in august. Just getting out there and discovering new things is amazing now weve done BPB and the merlin parks so much 😀

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@traceym1425 It’s ace getting to new parks 😄

[@jameslewis7479]

Wowza 500 coasters. Congrats. I made a list yesterday and think I will hit 100 from visit to Europa park in may

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thank you 🙏

[@AdamHickman78]

I've not been to Efteling for a few years and won't return until something gets built that appeals to me. There's plenty of other parks in europe we return to, sometimes each year purely because of the coasters. Efteling, for me, needs a proper thrill coaster to get me thinking about returning, and then maybe repeat returns. Same reason I haven't been to DLP for 12 years, nothing thrilling enough. Parks like Efteling and DLP do have magic, and are great for young families, but not for me or my older family.

[@FeedYourGreed]

It’s one of those parks I’d absolutely love to experience, but I agree, it’s not exactly a thrill seekers paradise. Appreciate the candidness and honest review.

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thank you 🙏

[@andrewbrazier9664]

That looks to be a really good Vekoma retrack. Enjoyed the POV 👍

[@yourexperienceguide]

CSM did an excellent job with it

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@yourexperienceguide Could they retrack Infusion Please ? 👍

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@andrewbrazier9664 It’ll make no difference

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@yourexperienceguide Oh 🤔

[@manchester1972]

I know I sometimes criticise, but wow. Them povs are the best I have ever watched. It was like I was actually on the ride.. Is that a new camera?.. As again it was brilliant.. Suppose a well done is in order.. Great vlog aswell by the way..

[@manchester1972]

And that last dark ride, looked just brilliant.. I'm deffo going to this park. 😊😊😊

[@yourexperienceguide]

Same GoPro but thank you, much appreciated 😅

[@keiranhyre750]

Brilliant vlog

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thank you 🙏

[@Thrillingexplorer]

Schools have holiday these weeks so thats why it was busy. Although looking at the wait times (you went sunday if i am correct) the queue times were still allright. Like in previous years it had been busier there.

[@yourexperienceguide]

It was acceptable queuing times in all honesty

[@milesban12]

We went PortAventura last week, first trip, loved it but the Que times , especially on the Thursday and Friday was insane, getting the express passes was 100% worth it

[@yourexperienceguide]

I always get fast pass there as a backup 😆

[@Yochemm]

2 men who didn't understand the Efteling at all, but your analysis was correct. Indeed, when you seek Thrill's, don't come to The Efteling. The Efteling is a Themepark, stories packed in an attraction. When you are a Rocker, don't go to a houseparty!! 🙂 The Efteling as park is the best in the world, when you can enjoy the nature, the ambiance, the Efteling style, the staff indeed and that kind of things and no stress ofcourse, that will ruined your day!!

[@yourexperienceguide]

I've travelled to theme parks all over the world, and Efteling in my opinion isn't very good. I respect your opinion and accept we are in the minority. Why build coasters like Python, Baron and Joris if they don't wish to have thrill seekers visiting? :)

[@Yochemm]

@@yourexperienceguide Becaause the Efteling is a foundation, they have rules like, not building above the treetops and they may build only 11% of the park, the rest must be nature. They wanna give a day out for all ages, so they did build Python. They will never build an rollercoaster like Taron or Force 1, it doesn't fit in The Efteling. There is only 1 Efteling in the world and a park like Blackpool are everywere, like Walibi in the Benelux, they are attractionparks, The Efteling is a up and top Themepark.

[@yourexperienceguide]

​@@Yochemm I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what Blackpool has to do with Efteling other than pass holders can gain entry? I wasn't commenting about the trees, plants, lakes or nature side of it, my main feeling about the park is why build coaster concepts appropriate for thrill seekers in a park that isn't for thrill seekers? Height limits do not automatically mean kids will want to ride something like Python or Baron, those coasters are typically for thrillseekers not for young families. No amount of defensive for the park will change my opinions on it, I've been three times and each time come away disappointed.

[@Nitzpitz]

Efteling is a family park, I guess you are just not the target audience. If you ever have a chance ti go with kids, this is a great park to explore. The magic through kids eyes is something else

[@yourexperienceguide]

I’ve got a 6 year old who loves theme parks, he’s got absolutely no interest in visiting this park after the videos he’s seen. It’s lacking in the magic other family parks have IMO.

[@th01m3nn]

@@yourexperienceguide What does it lack in your opinion?

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@th01m3nn It just doesn't live up to the hype, not for me anyway. Lacks in atmosphere, coasters are mid, dark rides don't do it for me and the park feels quite dull in places. It's always baffled me why it gets so much hype.

[@th01m3nn]

@@yourexperienceguide In my opinion, Efteling does atmosphere better than anywhere else. Especially during summer the atmosphere is at it's peak for me. Forget the rides, but just take a look around. All the trees, flowers and wild life such as ducks and geese that live here. Especially when you go on the boat ride close to Vogelrok when you take a break to eat and drink, it's just good. And then all of the theming and storytelling. Disney sugercoated a lot of fairytales, they are originally much darker, and is known to use cheap materials and paint them just the right way to make it look good, whilst Efteling uses the more expensive material. And the dark rides, for example Dreamflight and Fata Morgana. You say that Dreamflight is weird. And I think you say that is because you don't understand a story. But there isn't a story, the ride just shows a dream world. And this isn't a place with bright colors like you said. Falls back to the fairytale sugercoating Disney does. And the entrance alone leaves quite an impression to say the least

[@barbarabornholdt2854]

Scott... did you see your hat in the camera or something? I swear i read your hat and then you said Europa Park! Lol Nice vlog... sad no rapids!

[@elizabethhellier3814]

Scott, this is blasphemy. Efteling is heaven, and I'll fight you on that 👊 😂 😘

[@yourexperienceguide]

I don't think it'll ever be for me, kinda hoping they don't build anything that appeals to me so there's no need to go back 🤣

[@elizabethhellier3814]

@@yourexperienceguide Unfortunately for you there's rumours of a 'major coaster' being their next project after Danse Macabre. 🎢

[@jordanmorley7571]

Hi, I don’t know if you can help, I bought Blackpool pleasure beach tickets earlier but forgot to add speedy passes for this Saturday, is it possible to buy them separately as it doesn’t seem to let me before the day

[@yourexperienceguide]

You can get them on the day but I wouldn’t rush into it, BPB hasn’t been busy at all in 2024.

[@jordanmorley7571]

@@yourexperienceguidethank you, even on a Saturday? I’m taking my daughter for her first time and don’t fancy waiting more than 30 mins a ride

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@jordanmorley7571 One of our recent BPB vlogs was filmed on a Saturday, check it out to see how quiet it was kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIHKdZugocZkjdksi=q6xzcqKU82g49Br8

[@marccampbell8957]

Interested to know if you think your wee boy would like this park more? My wife would like us to take our son who is just a little younger. Enjoyed the vlog as always 👍

[@yourexperienceguide]

Thank you 🙏 I don’t think so, he’d find the dark rides pretty disturbing as they’re very weird in places. He’s got his mind set on Disney Paris next.

[@jameslewis7479]

Amazing the difference between parks. Eftelling take your bag on a looping coaster. Energylandia security scanners so you can’t even have something in your pocket on Hyperion

[@yourexperienceguide]

It’s very strange

[@th01m3nn]

You can take the bags on Python because the forces in the loopings will keep the bags on the train, they explain this somewhere in the queue

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@th01m3nn Shouldn’t really be having to take bags on rides in 2024

[@jameslewis7479]

@@th01m3nnthat might be the case. But when someone drops a phone or bag at some point on the ride and causes an injury or derailment then they might reconsider the policy. It’s not a risk I’d be taking if I owned the park

[@th01m3nn]

@@jameslewis7479 Holding phones isn't allowed, only GoPro with the vest. And the bags shouldn't cause any injuries if you just keep them between your legs

[@jameslewis7479]

I would be interested to know your (including Steven’s) recommended best European parks for a thrill seeker. As need to think where to visit later this year / next year with my daughter. Have visited Phantasialand/portaventura/Energylandia and soon Europa park

[@yourexperienceguide]

Check out our recent Walibi Holland vlog 🤩

[@kylem8811]

Parc Asterix?

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@kylem8811Good call

[@kylem8811]

@@yourexperienceguide I'm at asterix on Saturday. I hope you lads enjoy walibi Belgium 👌

[@AdamHickman78]

Possibly Liseberg. Good coasters and flat rides. Very easy to get to from the airport and a city to explore if you want that as well.

[@TransportNut89]

Steven let's go 👀🤣

[@yourexperienceguide]

🎢🎢

[@Fanriffic2020]

I think you summed up the park very well. It's not for me or the hard core rollercoaster thrill seekers although the woodie is probably the highlight.

[@yourexperienceguide]

It’s definitely not a place for thrill seekers but probably worth a visit at least once to fully experience it

[@kylem8811]

I'd visit if I was in the area. It looks a wonderful park for themimg ect but it's not high on my list of parks to visit purely because I'm a thrillseeker

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@kylem8811It’s definitely not a thrillseeker place

[@user-us3sn4sr6c]

As trhill seekers you must go to walbi holland

[@yourexperienceguide]

We did, check out our vlog 😄

[@Kimmermaid]

Bright colors in de efteling 😂😂 look up anton pieck

[@yourexperienceguide]

My opinion isn’t likely to change after 3 visits 👀

[@Kimmermaid]

@yourexperienceguide yes then don't come its oke

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@Kimmermaid Plenty of other parks to visit 🎢

[@MrMaverich]

34:47 My Cheese, My Cheese!

[@yourexperienceguide]

🧀

[@Vote.ReformUK]

I think dive coasters have to be one of the worst models B&M ever made beyond the gimmick of Oblivion. The major problem with them is because the trains are so wide, the track has to be huge and they're just so inefficient in space and kinect energy as they catch the wind like a sail. I look at other models that use way less room and they just get a lot more force out of them. I would prefer if they just treated them like flat rides, where people stood around to watch Ripsaw, it was more for spectators than anything. That is what Oblivion was, just a spectator ride that sadly Merlin have allowed to decay so the area is more depressing that anything now. Instead all B&M have done is made them gigantic to try and get around their flaws.... When really they would be better just being a drop everyone can stand around and watch, they could have it using way less space that they use for a better roller coaster model. I mean look at the area the Smiler and Oblivion are in, that would be the space most other dive coasters use on their own lol. Although Sadly The Smiler needs painting, it needs new trains already and that whole area is so poor now that it completely ruins my point lol.

[@martindoyle4552]

I may get some stick here but if Efteling is not the most overhyped park in the the world, I dont know what is!! On my last two visits, I was treated to broken effects galore across most of the dark rides there. Given its the dark rides that its fans sell it on, that is a pretty darn big thumbs down. Especially the sheer amount of comparisons that are made to Disney. I ALSO found myself evacuated from Ravejin and had aquanura break down on me midway through it followed by it being just cancelled. In terms of coasters, the parks line up is absolutely no better Towers,Thorpe or BPB. So its a hard sell to go abroad to a park with weaker coasters than I can get without the need to go abroad. Also I could just go to BPB if I want dark rides with inconsistent broken effects!! Best description I can give of this park?? All style and no substance. Unless they put in a thrill machine coaster, I'd far rather visit walibi and tover whilst in the Netherlands.

[@yourexperienceguide]

It’s extremely overhyped, I’ve visited 3 times and come away with the same underwhelming feeling each time. The park is pretty “dull” to look at even with its heavy theming. Coasters are average, dark rides are weird. I doubt there’ll be another vlog from there on here because it’ll be a long time before I go back again.