The SURREAL History of Efteling's Dreamflight/Droomvlucht

Join us on a brand new Expedition Efteling as we look at the history of Droomvlucht or Dreamflight. This beautiful dream like ride takes you into the world of imagination as you visit one of the most beautiful and surreal dark rides ever made.
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[@ExpeditionThemePark]

what is the most beautiful dark ride you have been on?

[@DanielHs04]

Symbolica! 😍

[@LadyNieske]

Droomvlucht! I really need to visit the Efteling again...

[@GloriousDutchPancakes]

Dreamflight

[@Bobieduck123]

Droomvlucht

[@IndonesischeBapao]

Droomvlucht of course

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

However, this is why I admire Eftling so much; this park is PROOF that sometimes, artists and communities really DO care more about the craft and vision than profits and publicity. =)

[@YokiDokiPanic]

The one thing that is hard to describe about this ride is how BIG the sets are. The flower garden especially seems like it goes on for miles despite being contained in a less than finite space.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yeah it’s hard to show in a video

[@swaffelkonijn5166]

You wouldn't know it by looking at me (big, loud, tattooed, metal Dutch guy) but this is actually my favorite ride in Efteling. It never fails to take me back to the moment when I was a little boy, riding this for the first time, holding my mother's hand and staring in awe and wonder at all the details.

[@TTHBLOX_]

I love watching non dutch youtubers visiting this attraction in vlogs. And being absolutely bewildered.

[@longtreecityltc9325]

Those days 30 years ago it was definitely the best dark ride of the world. In those 30 years as a Dutchman i went many times on the ride. I think after all those years it's still one of the most beautiful dark rides of the world. Fata Morgana is older and is also still great and one of the best dark rides i think.

[@TychoVan]

love both of them! though, the last few times I went, the fata morgana was kinda dissapointing. for some reason most effects, like all the lasers, were turned off

[@ThomasWilting-kv2xy]

I love both also i am also Dutch

[@ZulaVendetta.]

Don't forget vogelrock, also a cool dark ride

[@Never2old.]

I was there back in September and was pleasantly surprised by how well the ride and the park was maintained. Definitely worth the trip and it's a park that I recommend to my friends in the UK to visit.

[@chumon1992]

I hope to visit one day

[@WhileAwake]

I'm a huge Efteling fan (referred to as an 'Efteling Wappie' in Dutch), and I just wanted to express how fantastic this video was. You truly captured the magic of the attraction, something I often take for granted. It's refreshing to be reminded of the true greatness of this attraction. For me, the music is the most crucial aspect of the experience; Ruud Bos has created some truly beautiful melodies. For those considering a visit to the Efteling, I highly recommend it. However, if I may offer some advice, I suggest waiting until the new hotel at the entrance is completed. The park is currently undergoing significant construction, which somewhat diminishes the magical atmosphere. So, if you can afford to wait a year or two, I encourage you to do so. Plus, by waiting, you'll also have the opportunity to experience a fantastic new attraction.

[@160589005]

Very good advice! Danse Macabre will probably be another fantastic darkride and worth the wait.

[@amyloriley]

As a self-described Efteling Wappie you might be the perfect person to help me with a thing. It's weird for me to ask help in a KZbin comment, but here we are. So, a friend of mine has asked me to go to the Efteling with her. Thing is, I already went last year, and I did all the things I wanted to do that time. So what can one do in the Efteling if they already did all the normal stuff they wanted to do? Are there hidden things or activities not on the Efteling map? Is there anything more for the returning Efteling guest?

[@WhileAwake]

@@amyloriley I find your question a bit challenging to answer, so my response might be a bit lengthy, and I apologize for that. The Efteling doesn’t offer many hidden activities that aren’t already listed on the park map. There are a couple of shows within the park itself, but they might not be as enjoyable without understanding Dutch. The main park show, "Ravelijn," is worth watching at least once. One aspect often overlooked by foreigners is the variety of food options available. If you're in the park and haven't tried Dutch pancakes yet, I highly recommend visiting "Polles Keuken." It has a lively atmosphere and serves fantastic Dutch-style pancakes. Other restaurants worth trying for foreigners include "'t Poffertje," which offers freshly baked 'poffertjes' (small pancakes), and "Bäckerei Krümel," where you can find various treats straight from the oven. For those willing to splurge on a great dinner experience, "Het Wapen van Raveleijn" offers Burgundian-style dining with a show, but reservations are required in advance. If you haven't already, make sure to visit the "sprookjesbos," the fairy tale forest that's the heart of the Efteling. It's a charming, vintage-style walk through several fairy tales that takes about an hour. Aside from that, revisit every attraction in the park. It's fun to experience them multiple times, especially the dark rides like "Droomvlucht," "Fata Morgana," and "Symbolica." As mentioned in the video, you can ride "Droomvlucht" ten times and still notice something new each time. However, it's worth noting that there's currently a lot of maintenance happening in the park. It's so extensive that I've even decided to cancel my subscription for the next year or two. I'll be eagerly awaiting the opening of the new attraction, "Dans Macabre," and the new hotel. Despite the ongoing maintenance, the Efteling remains a truly enjoyable park to visit.

[@amyloriley]

@@WhileAwake I'm used to Reddit posts, so to me your answer was fairly short. ;) If you wish, we can continue this conversation in Dutch-maar we weten allebei dat bij het minste accent we terug overschakelen naar Engels. :D And besides, it's not nice for the other commenters who read our comments. Either way, I'll check out Het Wapen van Ravelijn, I think I missed that last time I went. Thanks for the reply!

[@TychoVan]

As a dutch person, the efteling is and has always been my favourite themepark. even after going to many other parks that are bigger and or more famous, It has a certain magic/charm. I think comes from the amount of nature and how beautiful the decorations are Apart from some newer plastic-y attractions everything looks hand crafted with love from materials such as wood and stone

[@BoneCrackerQueen]

As a german how lifes close to the dutch border this is my favorite park in the world. I was last year in disney paris and it was such a letdown. Efteling is bigger, greener, it feels more alive. I just love this park so mutch. 🥰

[@user-jy6ur8gb1c]

Hey i agree, i'm from Brabant (the province where the Efteling is located) and i have been to numerous parks, including warner brothers world in Germany, but not a single park i ever saw was as sick as the Efteling, please tell me you rode the Python rollercoaster?

[@Peajay007]

The storyline is so simple. You’re in a dream. And that’s all you need. The visuals do the rest

[@infjelphabasupporter8416]

I would say it is the most beautiful dark ride ever made. I've been to Disney and Universal and nothing even gets *close* to the music, detail, and art of the Efteling rides. This one is my favorite. It's peak inmersiveness.

[@xd136]

Efteling sells fragrance sticks in the exact same scent as the scent they use on droomvlucht(also symbolica and Fata Morgana), so every time I come home it smells like droomvlucht and I have never been more happy in life!

[@philrabe910]

This is so sad about Disney: They invented the idea of riding the movies, their movies, but they also always had unique attractions like the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, or Pirates of the Caribbean. Now everything they build has to be tied to a movie or cartoon...

[@metalvideos1961]

To be honest pirates of the Caribbean is not really unique. some people compare it to the Flying Dutchman in De Efteling. fun fact is is that the Flying Dutchman is older then Pirates of the Carribean. so no its not really a Unique concept of Disney

[@kaytalk9448]

What a gift to get to see something I have never heard of and will most likely not get a chance to see in real life. Really appreciate what you do for us. 💙

[@prutteltje1300]

I'm so sorry to hear that you never be able to see Efteling in real life. Still I hope you will some day because Efteling really is a World of Wonders.

[@user-jy6ur8gb1c]

Easy, just fly out here (Eindhoven airport is very close by) and then just go there, entry fees for the park is also very low given the quality of the park. You don't need any more than median wage for this. P.s. this park has super sick rides all over the place. They always go 100% on making new rides. Come to NL, we also all speak English, so no worries about a potential language barrier. We're sick over here. Greetings from NL

[@MaxxVelo]

Sam and Kevin posting on the same day is always a treat❤

[@David-R-Hall]

Thanks Sam, Droomvlucht is a great ride and a masterpiece of the dark ride genre. I remember my first ever ride of what I thought would be quite the unassuming experience. The scenes were gorgeous and the finale descent through the trees to the bottom was such a wonderful surprise and indeed more thrilling than the 11 mile an hour speed suggests. Love Efteling, it’s a wonderful theme park.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Agreed!

[@160589005]

This is a very special ride for me. I remember when it opened as a little 4-year old boy, probably one of my earliest memories. The epic soundtrack of this darkride still gives me goosebumps to this day.

[@lauravturner]

This ride is gorgeous. I may have to go to the Netherlands. It's been almost a decade since I skipped over the pond.

[@StefaniekeP]

As a Belgian living close to the border of the Netherlands we annually visited Efteling in the summer. Droomvlucht has always been my favourite ride since I was a kid. The music is so nostalgic and the smell brings back a lot of memories. So thank you for covering one of my childhood memories ❤

[@allthingslostonearthoracle4055]

I still love this park, I am 50 years old and I’ve been there like 10 times, it is the best experience I’ve had in all European parks I’ve been because it is so original and so Dutch. If you can go, definitely don’t miss it.

[@TychoVan]

Those people who got to walk trough the ride were really lucky! thats an amazing experience to have had friend of mine worked there and was able to walk trough it a few times too

[@Cuteyhoney57]

Ahhhh I have the chance to ride Droomvlucht!!! I live just 3 hours to Efteling as I am French. Clearly Efteling is the most dreamy, calm (Yes a theme park calm!!!) enchanting park I seen !!! Droomvlucht is incredible!! When it spinning around the enchanting forest it’s fun and enchanting!! The ride is totally smooth in comparison of Peter Pan flight in Disneyland Paris! Now Efteling had another incredible ride like Droomvlucht but with the same system like Ratatouille but wayyyy better : Symbolica!!! I highly recommend to visit Efteling, staying 2 or 3 days in their beautiful hotel or Borsjik village and enjoy staying long in this absolutely stunning theme park!!!

[@GarryWilliams555]

This is literally my favourite ride in the world. Its such an immersive, magical and beautiful experience.

[@StephenGoethals]

The last thing I am doing on my last day is ride Droomvlucht. I was at the opening of the attraction in 1993 at 7 years old and the queue was massive. But to this day I still remember the feeling of awe and peace. I got an Efteling year pass a couple of years ago and I ride this attraction once a month. Seen it over 70+ times and still fascinated and not bored by it.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Can’t wait to ride it again in a couple months!

[@StephenGoethals]

@@ExpeditionThemePark enjoy 😀

[@captainchaos3667]

One of the Efteling's strengths is that it is not based on "IP". It's all original, or public domain. It means it's timeless on the one hand (movies come and go, and some movie based rides already feel old when they open), and doesn't feel so commercial on the other hand.

[@captainchaos3667]

Droomvlucht is one of my favourite attractions. I had no idea it was this old. It has _really_ stood the test of time.

[@Limburg92]

Every time I go into the dreamflight, I am still mesmerized. I just let my fantasy go, it's not an story but your story. Like you said about the dreamflight. For me it's there since childhood and my child adors it aswell. It is the ride you must do every time you go.

[@BlazeHeartPanther]

So glad you're talking more about Efteling theme park. Such a massive and immersive theme park that deserves the recognition its been getting over the past 10+ years. Also glad that you're bringing up Ruud Bos too. His music can really bring you into the experience. Not just with his gorgeous track for Dreamflight, but also for the mysterious Fata Morgana, the fun and bouncy Carnival Festival (with Toon Hermans) and the haunting but epic Villa Volta.

[@Abbysfavouritecolor]

I sure miss those early days when you were really floating above the scenery. Unfortunately nowadays they have built big platforms beneath the track, for emergency purposes. But I really miss that element of being higher in the air and flying above animals and elves.

[@lillekenatnek195]

Yet another wonderful product from the 90's.

[@motleykingdom9394]

So glad I got to visit this park.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

A true classic

[@Jademalo]

8:45 "It is not" Hahahaha, absolutely putting that to bed. Honestly though, it's surprisingly intense when you're just expecting something akin to Peter Pan at Disney. It caught me off guard when I rode it, and it's honestly more intense than some powered coasters like Arthur at Europa Park.

[@joeyhouben3270]

As an Efteling season ticket holder, this is the must-do activity for our family. Our daughter, who was then 3, had selected characters for the whole family. She was a “swinging elf” (schommel elfje) her little brother swayer(zwiere zwaai) (just before the drop etc. Now that she is six her face still shines when she sees her favorite characters, just like the first time, and as a father it breaks my heart. My little girl is growing up, but her her love for this attraction is so deeply felt. it’s not like rose of the resistance. but a family experience that is making memories every time we go there.

[@rainbowkara]

I remember when I was a kid in the 90's we would run to this ride first, because the wait times would still be ok in the mornings. The first years the wait times would be crazy. But after all these years it's still one of my fav themapark rides.

[@daveotuwa5596]

Too many fairies in Droomvlucht! They're what makes the dark ride super beautiful to transport guests into fantasy! When I'm at Efteling, I should do it. I'll love better than Symbolica, the park's flagship attraction.🧚🏻‍♀

[@dwitefry4157]

One of my favourite rides ever. Actually, sod that, one of my favourite PLACES ever.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Me too!

[@user-jy6ur8gb1c]

Funny that a Brit made this deepdive of one the most cherished rides in the Efteling, especially given that a British firm played a crucial role to create this ride. The British and the Dutch have been best friends since hundreds of years haha. Greets from the Netherlands mate :)

[@ThemeParkDetailsAndStories]

Certainly one of the best darkrides there is!

[@EeveelutionStorm]

I bet Dreamcore people would LOVE this ride.

[@TheShamois]

Efteling is my most favourite themepark!! Thank you for covering it some more. Droomvlucht truly is an experience and brought out such childlike wonder in me that I hadn't felt in such a long time

[@edvaira6891]

Thank you very much, Sam, for introducing rides like this one to those of us who are sadly unaware of many of the wonderful exotic rides in European parks that somehow are not as publicized in America as they should be! This sounds like it would be exactly the kind of ride I would adore if I ever got a chance to visit Efteling!

[@FrugalFamilyFliesAgain]

New life goal!! Must experience this!!!

[@SienAppelsien]

I really love the droomvlucht. When i returned to efteling for the first time in over a decade, I had the choice to try out the baron for the first time or go on the droomvlucht. I, a roller coaster fanatic, chose the droomvlucht. To experience everything again. Such an incredible ride

[@zorratje]

I remember when this ride opened. I was 4 years old. It always is one we need to so when ever we are in the efteling.

[@muppetsretrofan8873]

This ride is BEAUTIFUL! I wish more dark rides could be like Dreamflight.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Yes!

[@IAAPAHQ]

It is amazing to know IAAPA Expo had a place in history with this attraction in Efteling. Thank you for this insightful video essay tribute.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

So many things happened from IAAPA. Legendary My next video talks about it also!

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

One of the legends of the Efteling: Tom van der Ven. ❤ He was a true master of his craft.

[@DavidWRyan]

Keeping the characters simple and less technical was a wise choice. It looks beautiful. I hope to visit someday.

[@Zocker1998]

Droomvlucht is such a beautiful attraction. Since I rode the Darkride as a child, I was completely thrilled and have always included Droomvlucht in my drawn parks :D

[@jellebaas6475]

I've been on this attraction yesterday, and it's just simply the best. As an annual pass holder I'm in the park quite often but I don't ride this attraction every visit. Mostly because there is always a long wait for it and understandably so! When lucky enough and the wait is 15 minutes or less, which rarely happens, I always happily ride it.

[@jamesrobinson3264]

I love Efteling content. My favourite park in the world.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you

[@Pelencheification]

Another amazing video! This park is on my bucket list even harder now

[@ConcreteAdventures]

We literally went on this last week and it is quite honestly the most beautiful dark ride we have ever been on…we went on it four times! ❤ I’m uploading a POV next week. Brilliant video as usual Sam ❤

[@vickyger254]

As a Canadian that will never see Dreamflight in person, it breaks my heart that I will never experience it. It's truly a work of art and its a damn shame that we don't really have something like this on my side of the world.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

Canadians are most welcome in the Netherlands. We share a history together, and every Canadian should feel proud of it. We owe our freedom to the Canadians. We will never take that for granted.

[@bingbong6066]

I also feel like dreamflight fills a void in the themepark world that is often overlooked. Escapism. Most rides bring you to other worlds but the aim to just feel, be and letting things go is pretty much gone in most pieces of entertainment. You don't know the story, it's nature and fantasy. Keep it simple and keep it nice. Dearmflight brings it as basic as can be and builds from there.

[@filleis6374]

Its a fantastic darkride but I find it pretty funny how the part where you start the slope is effectively a jumpscare for people who dont know about it.

[@blissieee]

I noticed this video had less views than many of your other recent ones, and just wanted to encourage you and let you know that this was the one that got me hooked to your channel. It was so captivating, well researched, and fun to listen to. Thank you for all of your hard work and time!!

[@jennifercolligan3085]

I hope you and Jackie can get to Efteling! That would be wonderful! Great video Sam, thanks!!

[@HeatherSummerRaine]

Horizons! I’m an 80’s kid. Sam you continually put out some of the best content on KZbin!

[@itsQueenPurple]

Oh wow this is so beautiful! Never was drawn into an attraction Video like that.

[@TheRealColonel]

Love the Efteling videos! Can't wait for the next one. Thanks!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thanks so much

[@princesskristan]

This ride looks pretty! I remember the first time I went on Peter Pan's Flight at Disneyland, and I almost cried because as a kid, that was one of my comfort movies, and I always wanted to be Tinkerbell

[@TheTotallyRealXiJinping]

*Lance Burton jumps out of the way of spiraling dreamflight gondola*

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

I would pay to see it

[@POOPSmith-i1u]

With Lance looking at the cameras and saying, "Dat was stom."

[@alexbosch8289]

it was my favourite ride as a kid and till this day it’s still one of my favourites

[@jeremybenton458]

This was a great video as usual- I was excited yesterday when you said a new video was coming today in Jackie’s vlog! Thank you for your hard work!

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

Thank you!

[@jeremybenton458]

@@ExpeditionThemePark you’re most welcome!

[@tox7416]

This looks so beautiful, hopefully I can make it there one day!

[@rossjones6932]

Keep em coming matey. I’ve missed you.

[@TheFlush1980]

Last year Droomvlucht was indeed touched up, not only did they improve the lighting of the scenes, they also gave some of the elves darker skin tones and now they are such a diverse bunch with more character. Lovely update.

[@AngelofGrace96]

Wow, that sounds and looks absolutely gorgeous!

[@SaturnCanuck]

Well that was absolutely beautiful. Some of the detail on those scenes is amazing. Quite a dream and a ride I'd love to experience.

[@vectorwolf]

Such a wise decision to keep the mechanics simple. With so many figures and so many of them in proximity to water, this would be an absolute maintenance nightmare if they'd tried to go with complex animatronics. It certainly wouldn't have lasted this long. It's not even necessary; there's so much to look at as it is, complex actions would just be wasted because viewers wouldn't have time to process them anyway. I wish there were more rides like this in the world.

[@SalivatingSteve]

1:20 BRC Imagination Arts also helped produce the Mystery Lodge show at Knott’s. Maybe you could cover Mystery Lodge on a future expedition? :)

[@POOPSmith-i1u]

Man, I miss the Mystery Lodge! I still don't know how they achieved some of those visuals.

[@MeTheMayo]

In those 30 years I have been on this ride a LOT but still I discover new things. Like little fairy hands and legs sticking trough leaves at the fairy garden that are super well hidden!

[@DisneyMarkUK]

Thanks for this Sam. As the parks newest fan this video is so special to me. We only visited Efteling for the first time last year but already love the park.

[@jennrodriguezdaluz]

bucket list item!

[@bradleyh7582]

What a fun and original concept. Loveit !

[@FTChomp9980]

As a American I love the theming in Effling I really ought to go one day! Just for the really Themed Rides which I love a lot.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

That's what they do best. It's very different from Disney. It's darker and closer to the original fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Life and death are very commonly used themes. Because not every fairytale end well, but always beautiful. Like "the girl with the matchsticks". It's a heartbreaking beautiful story and that's how you will find it in the Efteling. Americans are often a bit shocked about the dark story telling. But it's stunningly beautiful!

[@Wilipeidia]

It's nice to see non-US/UK and non-Disney parks discussed, Europe feels weirdly ignored. Since moving to Germany I've realised how many amazing parks and rides just aren't talked about. Or you get Americans criticising them because they're not Coaster Parks 🤨

[@bingbong6066]

As someone who is able to go to the eftwling multiple times a year. Dreamflight is such a nice nostalgic place to comeback to. Really a core memory machine :')

[@hamtarotimefan]

Omg your back! And with a efteling video. I always hoped you would continue this series. Such an amazing park. I would love to go one day.

[@joprides]

Dreamflight is one of the best darkrides ever built. I think the scenes do tell a story in a very subtle manner. Somthing you don't see very often in dakrides built today. I think that's the strength of most of the rides that Ton van de Ven designed. Another darkride that does this really well is Fata Morgana. This ride has a more of a sinister undertone but does follow the same philosophy of not having a (complex) storyline.

[@ExpeditionThemePark]

It is!

[@austinlord9934]

Great video! What a cool ride! This would be amazing in person 😍

[@twistedimagev2]

Another great video Sam! As a California native I've been to Disneyland quite a few times when I was younger and it's my favorite place on earth. But ever since i first heard about Efteling maybe a decade ago it has been a dream to make it out there one day even tho that's probably all it ever will be. A dream.

[@ethanwintersenjoyer]

i got to go on this ride it is absolutely surreal

[@PoffHistory]

Was just looking if u made an extra Expedition Efteling. Just gotta say this is a treat.

[@crytocc]

It's hard to overstate how significant this ride still is for the Efteling, honestly - even today it still frequently sees long queues.

[@sarbah77]

It was thanks to your other video on Efteling that I learned about it and we were able to go back in September when we were already in Tilburg. It was time and money well spent, so thank you! We didn't get to Dreamflight because we were running out of energy (jetlag/warm temps).

[@katherinealvarez9216]

This is one of those rides I would love to check out.

[@aurawilming6047]

I mean, I heard some pretty convincing arguments from people who care about such things that Droomvlucht should be considered at least half a rollercoaster credit :) Efteling seems to be on a long term mission to blur the line between coaster and dark ride, and I'm here for it

[@BuckarooBanzai84]

SO BEAUTIFUL!! I love atmospheric dark rides like this. They're perfect for people like me who can't tolerate thrill rides very well. But sadly, there are fewer and fewer like this one every year... =(

[@suzannelatham7771]

I wish I could go on this ride it looks so pretty

[@DarkFuryyy]

Remains my favorite attraction of the Efteling 🥰

[@outaspaceman]

Err.. I ❤ this idea.. An experience revealing itself, that allows the viewer to use their own imagination rather than a confusing bombardment of the senses…👍 However… My mind does wonder what a David Lynch inspired Dream Ride might be like…?

[@ErikWestcot]

Great video! I always thought there was more of a connection to EPCOT's Horizons, especially with the never used "speed track" section thet Horizons was supposed to have. I've always been intrigued by this ride so thank you!

[@PeppermintPJ90025]

That looks like fun.

[@GameTimeUK]

one thing i would like to add is that you said at 8:18 that its heavenly castles well if you translate hemelburchten as the soundtrack knows it as it translates in to heavenly fortresses which i suppose you could call them heavenly castles whidh i always knew the scene as sky castles, its one of my favourite pieces of music from the entire dreamflight ride and is one of my favourite rides along with the now removed spookslot to which thats getting remade into danse mcabre which cant wait to get back there and actually ride that attraction

[@coyoteartist]

Wow, just wow

[@ghost.mp5]

was just thinking we haven't had an expedition efteling in a while! fantastic video!! i'm hoping to visit next october, can't wait to be annoying and tell my mum all these facts

[@richardjames6947]

Thank you.

[@askjeevescosby2928]

This ride deserves a update. Imagine what they could do using projection mapping. On certain trees and characters.

[@schagerbaantje]

Nahh, it is good as it is...