Efteling Theme Park, our review of the most whimsical theme park in the world.

Kari and Jim review and tour Efteling Theme Park in Holland. One of the most enchanting, whimsical and sweet theme parks in the world. Hear our review, plus extended on-ride videos of popular roller coasters and dark rides like Symbolica and Droomvluct (Dream Flight).

[@gladtobeangry]

Efteling is just a very important part of Dutch culture. Entire generations grew up on rides like Spookslot, Python, Fata Morgana, and Piranha. We were all once scared of the Dragon in the Fairytale forrest, we all pushed our faces to the glass to see the big bad wolf lying in grandma's bed while listening to the story of little red riding hood, we all danced along with the Indian Waterlilies, we were all pulled along half-dozing at the end of a long day in one of those little strollers. And when we get older, we all go back with our own kids to pass that same experience on to them. Best experience in the park ever: during one of their late night openings in the middle of summer, we wandered into the fairytale forrest around ten at night in the dark with all the little lights on, and got to sprookjesboom, where literally dozens of toddlers were listening and drifting off to sleep on their parents shoulders, in buggies and strollers. There is just something magical about the place. I'm happy to see people from outside of the Netherlands who enjoy it as much as we do.

[@jurgenolivieira1878]

Everybody here is "blessed" with knowing the Carnaval Festival music tune... which gets stuck in your head forever. XD

[@kolaas2006]

And as teens we smoked weed in the forest and puked because we had too much.

[@nick78698]

It's actually translated as the Indonesian water lilies ;)

[@gladtobeangry]

@@nick78698 Absolutely right, I knew that, but it somehow must have slipped my mind while I was typing that comment. Indonesian Water Lilies, I stand corrected.

[@FanFictionneer]

Oh, here in Belgium too, we also grow up with Efteling ;)

[@mennograafmans1595]

As you probably noticed, we Dutch are very proud of the Efteling, and want to inform people as much as possible. And I would like to tell you about the story behind Villa Volta. It is based on the buckriders, gangs of bandits that were active between 1740 and 1798 in the south-east of the Netherlands and the north-east of Belgium. Because it were multiple gangs that struck in a wide, sparsely populated area, the wildest tales about them came into existence. It was said that they had made a deal with the devil and rode on flying bucks through the night. Eventualy, the gangs were hunted down in ways not unlike the English witch-trails and 500 people were found guilty after confessions as a result from torture. Over 90% was executed. This was the last time these kind of excessive trails were held in Europe. The story about the house is from Hugo from the Loonse dunes (van den Loonsche duynen), the leader of a group of buckriders. One night, they arrived at the abbey of Postel. A lady stood on top of the abbey and told Hugo to leave the abbey alone. However, Hugo and his men plundered the abbey. Back at his house, Hugo saw the lady again, on top of his roof. She told him that, because of what he did, he will never find rest in his house until someone as pure as a newborn would enter it. And Hugo is still waiting in his cursed home.

[@nen4147]

Deze man schrijft heel verslag😂😂😂

[@4t0m5k]

I lived near the Lievehereboom, said to be one of the meeting points of the Bokkerijders. It was struck by lightning and torn in two some years ago. Definitely a great bit of old Europen lore! It's still disputed if they were in fact some occult gang, or some Robin Hood'eque type of gang.

[@utrechtcentraalstation443]

@Necramonium And both were inspired by the Grim brothers tales.

[@mennograafmans1595]

@@4t0m5k They were probably just a few different gangs that used the infamy to their advantage. Because no farmer or villager would try to defend against demonic riders, but normal bandits could face an angry peasant with an axe or rifle from time to time. They just went with the story, because it made things easier. But then the witchhunts began and hundreds of people were killed, ending the bandits.

[@4t0m5k]

​@@mennograafmans1595 This is probably true, but the 1774 trials at Wellen record a very cruel and bloody prosecution of a gang that were the Bokkerijders. In order to join, you had to denounce god, accept the devil and some local folklore say that the oath was sworn on a severed hand. The trials, however, tortured and killed people who were Bokkerijders. You would not want to be accused to be a heretic in those days. They were also probably responsible for theft, robbery, arson, kidnapping and murder. Limburg, specifically the area of Loon or Haspengouw was the last pocket of witch hunts that persisted up to the 18th century. Then again, nothing can be said for sure, because recordkeeping at that time was often colored by the person who wrote them. Not necessarily correct and even conflicting. I visited my old street, a time ago, and that very, very old (1200 years) Lievehereboom oak recorded to be their meeting place, was finally destroyed by lightning and a thunderstorm. A fitting way to go, I think. Sorry to rant, but it is an interesting topic to me :D

[@annemiekcortjens2424]

Dear Jim ans Kari. Thank you for your lovely podcast. You have done a lot of research and really made the most out of your days in the Efteling. The story about the water lilies is written by Queen Fabiola of Belgium. It is about a witch who is jealous about the stars and their beauty, who come to dance on the water every night. But the witch can sing and uses this to ensnare the stars, so she can steal their beauty. Some of the stars are caught, but their mother, the moon, takes pitty in them and turns them into water lilies who can dance every night, but are safe from the witch. That is just a short summary, but it gives you a little idea about the story. It is absolutely lovely how much you appreciate the Efteling. I grew up near the Efteling as a child and went frequently and still do now as an adult. The detailing makes it so romantic and reminds you of a time long ago. I just can't stop loving it. Very happy you enjoyed it. Much love, Annemiek

[@JimValley]

You made our whole day. Thank you for your lovely comments and information.

[@Imaculata]

Glad you enjoyed it, but small correction: Fata Morgana has zero animatronics. They are all puppets driven by an amazingly complex system of wires, pulleys and gears. It is basically a giant musicbox; a system that Efteling has a patent on. Knowing how it works makes it even more amazing, and I know that there are some videos on KZbin showing how it works.

[@JimValley]

Brilliant. Thank you for the correction. We love the knowledge and passion you and others have for Efteling.

[@merren2306]

They do fall under the category of animatronics, even though they use so-called nokkenschijfen, which is indeed a technique akin to what a music box uses.

[@Wig4]

Do not juggle with words, Imaculata. Animatronic is the general word for "animated puppet". There are and have been over a dozen different techniques to perform the movements. (Even with Disney, choices are made based on visual requirements + budget level) ... SO... Fata Morgana has 137 animatronics, and a couple more still characters. You probably completely misunderstand the English tech terminology.. :-)

[@veen9667]

Spoiler Alert ! Ramon and Hassan are actually Animatronics.

[@prutteltje1300]

One of the many behind the scene kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXvGk4mdp6d_eJI

[@rook69420]

Python isn't new at all. It opened in 1981, it just got retracked recently. But I get why you would say it's new

[@MetaphorMadness]

Retracking betekend uiteraard "Nieuw" :P

[@prutteltje1300]

Only after the first drop till the helix is retrack, brake run, station and lifthil are from 81 with the necessary repair.

[@yousnoerd]

5:22 Only an american can say: "Look at this beautiful lack of development", when looking at a bunch of trees.Thats amazing :)

[@thaDjMauz]

As though the forests would be like this without heavy maintainance. All "nature" in the netherlands is heavily managed, so it's not really a "lack of development" in that sense either lmao

[@thomastoadie9006]

Made me chuckle for sure, yousnoerd. :D

[@windvlaag4404]

Lol, Then consider that more than a century ago all forests/trees in the Netherlands where almost extinct due to centuries of deforestation.

[@JimValley]

It wasn't meant as a comment on The Netherlands. It was more of a commentary on the development in tourism areas in the U.S. like Anaheim and Orlando.

[@SlechterWolff]

@@JimValley Just seeing this review today and I totally understand the comment about lack of development. It is a good thing, it makes the efteling even more fairytale like.

[@MaxMineur]

After 10 minutes I realized I already watched this like half a year ago.. but I still watched the whole thing again, such a sweet(!) video!

[@JimValley]

This is the best compliment ever. Thank you.

[@Nitzpitz]

Same here😂

[@keesanker4241]

"just 90 minutes away" "we hopped on the freeway and were there at no time at all" just crazy to think that americans find driving through the half of this country 'not far at all'

[@pixility5612]

I had to wait 2 hours to get there i think thats alot xd

[@Tsjestity]

true, they take the plaine to go visite the family. My mother complains couse i live 12 km away and that is to far.

[@Wig4]

@Gappie Al Kebabi No need to be mean. It's the content which is important, not the container box around it...

[@spacecate70]

CookPiggy the Netherlands is a small country you can drive from north to south in like 3 hours

[@Wig4]

@@spacecate70 That means you were illegally speeding, enough to loose your drivers licence for 3 years .... lol

[@daphne1065]

We from the Netherlands ADORE the EFTELING

[@Smallpotato1965]

the trashcans started with one: Holle Bolle Gijs ('Hollow Bulging Gus'), a character from an old nursery rhyme which goes like this (in as best a translation as I can make of it): Did you ever hear of the hollow-bulging wagon Which carried hollow-bulging Gus around? He could gobble! The mind would boggle! A cow and a calf, a whole horse and a half An ox and a steer and seven barrels of beer A ship of turnips, a church of sheep And still, poor Gus, for hunger couldn't sleep!

[@marks.6480]

And the original Holle Bolle Gijs is one of the oldest "attractions" (it really is!) in the Efteling. I remember him from 50 years ago

[@mountainsong73]

Very nice translation!

[@erickfromtheblock6104]

We just can't get over the fact that you guys got the total essence of the park... I mean you're spot on with the whole feel of the park... Efteling is so different.. But not awkward difrent.. When you go home, that's when you realize.. 'what did i experienced today' for some reason it just works 👍😃

[@bla5102]

The doughnut like balls are called oliebollen. Also doughnuts are based on them. Dutch colonists brought them along and they somehow turned into doughnuts. They are traditionally eaten during new years.

[@lolsmurf5283]

Great that you mention the waterlillies! :-)

[@gladtobeangry]

There's only one hotel, that's true, but they have two Efteling themed bungalowparks as well, Bosrijk and Loonsche Land, and both of them have hotel rooms as well. I suppose as a couple, the hotel is probably more economical, but if you're going with a larger group, I recommend going to Bosrijk, which has really nice theming, a pool, a grocery store, a restaurant, play equipment and activities for little kids, and just a really great atmosphere.

[@denisevervuren1313]

I really liked your podcast! The Efteling is my homepark. I live around a 30 minute drive away from the park and I visit it at least 3 times a year. If you ever go back I recommend going around winter time. The park is even more whimsical at that time of year. They build an indoor palace with a indoor ice skating rink and you can do other winter activities. Everywhere are bonfires and special entertainment! Btw: Ezeltje Strekje is part of the fairytale 'The magic table, the gold-ass and the cudgel in the sack' from the brothers Grimm. You can find the table and the gudgel behind Ezeltje Strekje in the building, but maybe you already figured that out hahaha. Also the jester/mascot of the park is called Pardoes (Par-doos) and the girl is his bestfriend/the princess called Pardijn (Par-dein). Oliebollen are actually a traditional Dutch food we eat with new years eve, but people love them, so I guess Efteling decided to put an all year round stand with them in the park. I hope my information was a little bit useful! Glad you enjoyed the park!

[@JimValley]

Thank you for watching! We really appreciate your insight and advice. We will definitely be coming back. Winter sounds wonderful.

[@Sjiesjam]

The open area at indische waterlilies used to be a waiting area. I remember it filled with people waiting for the next show. Same with spookslot. Now other rides are more popular. The newest are the busiest.

[@Daeramyth]

Also : The Indian Water Lilies is a fairy tale that takes place in India. It was written by the Belgian queen Fabiola and can be found in the book 'The Twelve Wonderful Fairytales'. The fairy tale : At the end of a beautiful night, despite a call from the Moon Goddess to return to heaven, some stars continued to dance on the water. As a punishment for their disobedience, a witch ( the singing figuren) turned them into water lilies.

[@estherdebie6836]

Daerasmith it’s Indische waterlelies not Indiase waterlelies. It takes place in Indonesia, a former Dutch colony.

[@Daeramyth]

Oh, yes that is a spelling error. Sorry, I meant to write Indische waterlelies but it seems to have changed when I was using Google translate.

[@Hrn250]

Thank you for your very interesting story about the Efteling. very nice to hear how you experienced it.🙏

[@dejonckheere100]

I went back to the Efteling last weekend. ..last time was more than 30 years ago. The park tripled in size since, but the best part is that everything added stays in the same "Anton Pieck" style( a Dutch artist that illustrated the Grimm stories for a book my mom had an incredible copy from); The park is juste soooo perfectly themed and green and spread out. a lovely stroll through my childhood memories, and it's lovely to see it got even better and more sophisticated after all these years. No wonder Disney imagineers are so fond of their Dutch Efteling colleagues.

[@JimValley]

I love these thoughts. While I don't have your 30 years of memories, I agree with you 100%.

[@Broekmans51]

Congratulations on a well balanced report on "my Park". I was born in Kaatsheuvel one year before the Park opened and have been countless times despite the fact that I now live in New Zealand (mentioned by you!). I have been to all kinds of theme parks around the world which I have been able to do through work and agree that is unique. It is a shame that some elements were not experienced by you as it should be. Some other comments have already touched on this. From one of my relatives who has worked in the park for 40 years mentioned that Disney and De Efteling exchange ideas and learn from each other. I am very pleased that you had a great time in our park.

[@JimValley]

Efteling is one of our favorite places on earth.

[@Wig4]

@@JimValley Hello Jim, I can recommend you a few other totally unique parks in Europe, to visit as well. Real theme parks, not into thrill (coasters) but into storytelling or other experiences "for the mind" :-) ... One of those was not far out of your travel area. It is "Pairi Daiza", about 80 km south of Brussels. It's an animal theme park! Think about Disney Animal Kingdom, but without coasters :-) (However, also steam train). The theming at moments exceeds by far that of DAK ! :-)

[@jdjjdgdhdjc7097]

Love your video. Although the older animatronics are made inhouse, the latest robots in the new ride Symbolica are American made. Oh and that waterlelies one from 1966 is actually driven with a punch tape computer. Yes its over 50 years old... Its a fairy tale written by queen Fabiola from Belgium.

[@theexplodingchicken8340]

Actually the waterlilies have been computer controlled since the nineties. You can tell by the fluid and controlled movement of the witch animatronic. In this archive footage from the 60's you can see that the movements are a lot joltier because they couldn't control the amount of air in the pneumatic valves with the punch card system kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIXZn6WElsqXprM

[@margap9622]

i do miss that funny shocking way of moving of the elves a bit, we as kids used to mimic that at the schoolyard, hands in the air, not going around completely, and we all knew what we meant.

[@beschuitfluiter]

Pretty sure Efteling does business with PPProjects.com, which are Dutch ;)

[@erickfromtheblock6104]

We're watching this VLOGcast for the 7th time.. We just love it 😃 a beer in one hand.. The remote in the other.. 😃👍

[@fjbekkering]

I'm Dutch and this is a theme park I've been going to since my earliest days. Later, I worked for Disneyland in Paris, but this is still my favorite one. Thank you for promoting it around the world.

[@Gisela_aka_gies]

I am always so proud to see people enjoy "my park". I live 10 min away and it is my childhood park ( i am 43 now). I always tell people to go to the Efteling when you love storytelling and want to be in a happy place all day. When you only love rollercoasters then do not go, you probably will be disappointed . And you describe this park very very well. Did you know that the house where Frau Holle (she makes it snow in fairytale forrest) lives was a real house in 1945. The log cabin was original build for scouts in that time. But when WW2 happend the Klijn family lost there home due to the bombings and where forced to live in that cabin. They lived there for three years and there has even been a child born in that house. At one time 6 people lived in that tiny house. In 1948 they had to move because the park was expanding. Of course Anton Pieck (designer of most of the fairytale forrest) made (1952) the house looks like it is today so it would fit (theme wise) in the park. It has been used in the beginning as a souvenirshop. Sorry but i love telling that story. Again great vlog/podcast, i loved it so thank you.

[@Nloveru]

Thank you for making this video! I love hearing the experiences of first time visitors to the Efteling. About the attraction in Fairy Tale Forest with the dancing fairies: It's called "De Indische Waterlelies" or "The Indian Water Lilies" and is based on a fairy tale written by former queen Fabiola of Belgium. - The tale, in short: “Far away in the Indian jungle, there lies a small and mysterious lake. When the moon rises, big and yellow, to the sky, the moon goddess and hundreds of stars come down to dance on the lake. They dance, all night long, to the chants of a witch who is standing beside the waterfall. With dawn, the moon goddess claps her hands and all of them must return to the skies. But one night, seven stars continued to dance. They suffered heavily for their disobedience: the witch had them in her power and changed them into fairies, forcing them to dance on the water-lilies forever.”

[@whyanita7187]

Hahaha you meant a oliebol. I like your review on this park. Great that you guys had so much fun.

[@EyeballsStudio]

I live about 1 hour from this park, and we visit it about once every month. This park really has something for everybody. True, it doesn't have the most spectacular roller coasters (although they plan to expand a lot the next years), but it is the ideal park for families.

[@gittetabbert4631]

Great video. So nice to hear the opinion of someone who visits Efteling for the first time. I am from Belgium and visit Efteling at least once a year, ever since I was a child. And although I am a big Disney fan and I love Disneyland Paris, it can't compare to the beautiful, authentic and detailed surroundings of Efteling. Your video gave me a renewed appreciation for all those things that I take for granted in that park. Thanks for that. If you ever go back, definitely try the Winter Efteling. And although it is a bit more expensive, I definitely recommend taking a special theme suite at the Hotel, you will not be disappointed!

[@Paul_C]

Maybe the Dutch, like most of Europe, do not like printed t-shirts. I for one wouldn't be caught dead wearing one...

[@JimValley]

That's a great point. Thanks for the insight.

[@Paul_C]

Jim Valley, were you to look at dress code in Europe versus the USA you will a lot of videos how not to dress, look at Wolters World, Rick Steves and the like.

[@Laroling]

I would though lol. But in my opinion the style of the Efteling doesn't always translate well to their merchandise. It just feels too medieval and historical looking for modern stuff. (edit: I do believe there's a way, but I haven't really seen their most stunning merch yet)

[@beschuitfluiter]

@@Laroling Their designs where drawn by Anton Pieck, who died in 1987. They tried to modernise the design slightly, but the distinct style of Anton Pieck is so well known and loved, that they sticked with it. The park started as a a carnival with the fairytale forrest after all ;)

[@Wig4]

@@JimValley The first present I got from an American friend, was indeed a printed T-shirt ! ... :-) :-) :-) (With print / text from the home town of that friend) I'm Belgian. I live at 80 minutes driving time from Efteling park, and I ALSO think that's close .. :-) ... (I'm there +- 40 times /year :-) )

[@utrechtcentraalstation443]

Awesome video, you guys give a really detailed and yet natural review of the park. Didn't think i would listen to a review this long but i did. Thank you

[@JimValley]

You're very kind. Thank you for taking the time to leave such a nice comment.

[@PatrickAllenNL]

I discovered this video by accident. Great smooth voices. I used to live in Tilburg which is 20 minutes from Efteling. Spend a lof of wednesdays there.

[@ageoflove1980]

The really have the family formula perfected. I used to go there with my parents as a little boy, and now many years later we take our own son there and we all enjoy it just as much. You also see alot of young adults without children enjoying the more exciting rides like the roller coasters (dont expect Cedar Point though, they are all more about the theming and the overal experience like Disney coasters). While you are correct that the "Efteling Hotel" is the only accomodation with the park name mentioned, but there alot more on-site options available that are also operated by the park itself like "Bosrijk" and "Loonsche Land". Here you can also choose to stay in bungalows and villa's with more space, kitchen areas and so on. Luckily the park just opened again after all the corona troubles the last months, but its with some conditions. Obviously when you book accomodation entrance to the park is guaranteed. The park is indeed quite large so, depending on how busy it is, you need at least 2 days to see everything without rushing it.

[@greedokenobi3855]

About the waterlelies, it’s a woman, it’s a witch actually. It used to make a huge impression when I was a kid about 40 years ago so really cool to hear it was your favorite attraction! Guess it really proves to be timeless. I think the music is just as much part of the experience as the visuals. And I love how they’ve never changed the music for almost half a century. It’s just a perfect fit.

[@ageoflove1980]

Oh about the (lack of) marketing. Here is some information from their website : "The Efteling Nature Park Foundation forms the basis for Efteling, which opened the Fairytale Forest in 1952. In 1985, Efteling became a private company with the Foundation as its sole shareholder. And it still is today. The aim of the Foundation is: to provide and maintain recreational and leisure facilities and to promote tourism. The Foundation acts as a keeper of fairytales and guardian of the heritage." So its actually a non-profit organization. They do make a profit and they sure dont mind the money, but everything they make is invested back into the park in new rides , maintenance and so forth. So yeah the pricing of the entrance tickets, food , accomodation etc. certainly reflect that.

[@remconet]

I just LOVE this video. You guys really seem to get what the Efteling is all about. Glad you enjoyed your stay and mostly: you got further than just Amsterdam ;)

[@Wig4]

Hello Jim. Always very interesting to see and hear reviews coming from different parts in the world ! THANKS I almost grew up with the park. First time there I was in my pram, 2 yo :-) ... That's 60 years ago. So... :-) I'm year pass holder and also partly involved with theme park industry. Keep up the good job of making reviews with tender feelings ! :-)

[@nimpheuno]

the playground next to villa volta is the original efteling where it all started

[@FeatureByte]

I'm Dutch and I haven't been to the Efteling fo years (I'm 42 now) I have always loved it when I was a kid and now that I've seen this video I'm so eager to go again! Thank you so much for this delightful review!

[@JimValley]

This is the best comment. Thank you so much. I hope it have a wonderful time.

[@FeatureByte]

@@JimValley thank you.

[@Klikoderat]

The story of the donkey was one of my favourites as a child. It goes like this: Three brothers inherit magical items and set out into the world. The first brother had a table that would fill itself with luxurious food if you say: "table, set yourself." The second brother had a magical donkey that would shit gold if you said "Donkey stretch yourself", and the third brother had a bag with a club in it that would beat your enemies if you said "club out of the bag". The first two brothers get scammed out of their magic items by an innkeeper, and the third brother retrieves the item by using the club out of the bag on the innkeeper. And they lived happily ever after.

[@Nobbletops]

You guys are so lovely! I'm so happy you had a good time at the Efteling.

[@palantir135]

Nice to hear you like it very much. Most villages, cities are very green with trees and parks everywhere. Almost everyone uses bicycles for all sorts of thing. They are the fastest and cheapest way to visit the centre of a city. Everything in Efteling is themed. New rides are coming next years. The music from the lillies is African Beat from Bert Kaempfert.

[@bramjeurissen4047]

Nice podcast. Nice to hear you had a nice time in my homepark! Fata Morgana has no explicit story with purpose . It's just; you are in the middle of the jungle and then you find Fata Morgana, 'the forbidden city'. Is it real or 'a Fata Morgana'? At the end you are 'eaten' by a spider (with the lasers). Then you are back in the jungle. Was it real and are you dead at the end? Did you escape. Or was it just a dream? For kids it is a very dark and grimm ride cause of the atmosphere. It took me years before i wasn't scared anymore. That is the difference with Disney and also maybe a culture difference. The designers find it more important that visitors use their own imagination. More philosophical. No need for explicit storytelling designer Ton van de Ven said; that will bore people. It is the same designer as dreamflight, which has the same vision; use your own imagination.

[@JimValley]

Brilliant! Thank you for your insight. We appreciate that and for watching the video.

[@toverkleet]

Well its inspired by a 1000 arabian nights i think ;)

[@91leonetammie]

Additional: In fata morgana there is a wizard that guides you through the "dream"

[@evie8143]

nice that you have enjoyed yourself. I am also glad that they maintain the old fairy tales. when I am there with my children. I go back to my childhood.

[@JimValley]

What a beautiful thing to share. We love Efteling as well.

[@margotpino8730]

Love the Efteling more than Disney!,

[@sherickoos]

I just found your channel! I learned so much! Thank you for all your insight. I cannot wait to watch more videos!

[@JimValley]

Thank you so much! We really appreciate your kind words.

[@Hensepens64]

What a nice postcast to listen to and watch. As much is already said no more from me. Haha. Although.. the way you both described and experienced the park was i.m.h.o. bullseye for how the park is set up. It's story telling, the thematics.. you picked the correct atmosphere of the parc, despite the language difference. Compliments. You had a happy time. That counts. The former designer who helped designing the parc in the early days, Mr. Anton Pieck, could not be more proud I think.

[@originalvoser5362]

Hi, I just discovered your channel and I really love this video. I have been to the efteling over 25 times in my life, yet I have never heard someone describe it with so much love and attention for it. Listening to your review made me feel like I was back at my grandparents house for a nice chat over coffee and the passion you carry over your voices really made me feel at home and made it wonderful to listen to. This new refreshing take that you portrayed on my home theme park made me appreciate it even more. Thanks for your wonderful video and have a blessed day!

[@mikeymike7431]

Lovely podcast. You two are obviously very smart and observant. Thanks for making this had a great time.

[@wolfsangeleyes]

What an amazing and lovely review you two have given of my favourite theme park. I've been going there ever since I was a little girl, later with my two children and now even with my granddaughter and it never grows old. Ever. I am sorry you didn't understand everything because of the language barrier but if you ever get to return, just ask someone to translate for you. Most Dutch people speak English and they don't mind. (just on a side note, you both have very pleasant voices to listen to)

[@mariskanolsen]

I was very impressed by your positive and Nice comments!!! I ‘m Being a Efteling fan since i was A littlegirl from a year of 6 ! And know i’m almost 35!!! And a really really like iT the Efteling!!! I’m going Every year 1time, sometimes 2 or 3 times. And i was in Disneyland paris for once ,but i don’t like iT! This is my themepark ! And i really like your good and Nice talk About iT, greets Maris

[@kimvanmourik8078]

I’m shocked hardly anybody ever mentions Anton Pieck! The father of the Anton Pieck park that later became the Efteling. Please google him, watch his amazing drawings and then go back to the Efteling😉 (btw. That tip somebody gave you to also go in the winter ...you should! especially if its snowing😍)

[@lauwke123]

Fantastic podcast. I couldn't help but listen and watch it in one setting. I'm so glad you found and enjoyed our biggest secret, The Efteling! Still loved for it's authenticity towards source material ( Grimm brothers for example ), it's wunderfully gritty design ( Anton Pieck for example) the incredibly detailed theming and of course the organic and green layout.

[@Strepentijger]

Efteling won award for best theme park in the world!

[@JimValley]

We agree with that award.

[@Strepentijger]

Jim Valley Symbolica won TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) award in the USA this year!

[@Wig4]

@Gappie Al Kebabi YOU are a human rip-off ... STOP TROLLING

[@Strepentijger]

@Gappie Al Kebabi I have to say you are right maybe Mystic Manor is also more impressive?!

[@jannekevanmoorsel5091]

@Gappie Al Kebabi i personally think symbolica is better... i feel like mystic manor is mostly a drive trough cinema because of all the screens and the backgrounds are quite simple where in symbolica every single place in a room is decorated and symbolica has some interaction!

[@Stoney_Eagle]

There is only one thing I regret after I've been in the Efteling.... I can't get that damn song out of my head for days.

[@EyeballsStudio]

Wich one? The song from Carnaval Festival I assume? Yep, that one has a tendency to linger in your mind for a looooong time

[@KajiRider1997]

Carnaval Festifal is evil lol

[@edgarvanoostrum8450]

Great video ... loved it! One thing ... Python isn't new --- it was in fact built in 1981, and was at that time the largest steel coaster in Europe. In 2017, the track was rebuilt because the quality of the steel was deteriorating.

[@klopmanwinkel8950]

it gone over a rebuilt in 2017 ps please try the smoked eal

[@DanielHs04]

I'm so glad you enjoyed Efteling and especially Symbolica! It's my home park and Symbolica is my favourite (dark)ride!

[@robertdegroot8302]

What's wrong with the people who give this a dislike? I'm glad you enjoyed your trip so much.

[@hetgenie]

Nice podcast! I loved listening to it. Very nice to mix in some background noises from the park, I really felt I was at the Efteling. I'd like to point out a couple of details, though. The Python is not new, it's from 1981. It was the first coaster in the Efteling. It is recently refurbished. De Baron is not an inverted coaster, it's a dive coaster. Edit: the song at the water lily's is by the German composer Bert Kaempfert. It's called African Beat. Kaempfert is sort of a German Herb Albert :-)

[@darkracer1252]

on a side note. it's not just a fairytale forest. it's the pre disney fairy tales. the real fairy tales

[@darkracer1252]

@Stefan Dingenouts ehh yeah i know. that's what i was talking about. are you trying to claim that's not what the efteling is based on? because it is.

[@The_Joestar]

Happy 3rd anniversary of this video! haha!! We're in the middle of planning our trip for our own anniversary and we'll be staying at the hotel! (We live close by, never went to the hotel because of that). This is the third time of me watching this and my excitement always increases when I hear the enthusiasm of you guys

[@JimValley]

Thank you so much. We love, love, love Efteling. I'm sure you will, too.

[@kemismits6158]

Well actually the push chairs are for rent. The cost 4 euros for the day and there is a big problem with people taking them from other people, because people think they are for grabs (but believe me, most people know they dont and just steal them). It actually really sucks that people just take them without considering that they are actually rented or in use and some kids are gonna get dissapointed out of there ride. If you take one, it's actually just theft. and people dont lock them down, because not everyone has a lock with them and there arent enough places to lock them on if everyone would. People just shouldnt take them.

[@MeTheMayo]

The fairytale behind the Indian Waterlillies was written by Queen Fabiola of Belgium. Its about some moonfairies that did not want to listen and stayed dancing on the water at night when the moongodess (the white witch) asked them to return to the sky. So as a punishment the godess turned them into waterlillies and when the night comes they have to dance again for all eternity.

[@darkracer1252]

old fairy tales never seem to have a happy ending (they were made to scare kids straight after all)

[@gammaraider]

Droomvlucht is my favourite as well. It's just magical.

[@martijnvenhuizen2155]

Your wife sounds like Roseanne Barr :) Anyhow, great to see you had a good time

[@greedokenobi3855]

Go ahead and call it magical, because it is. The fairy tale park is the heart of the Efteling.

[@macmartin86]

@38:08: They do have gift shops at the end of all dark rides, when you step out of 'Droomvlucht' you are in a shop, when you step out of 'Fata Morgana' you have to walk through the 'Bazaar' in order to exit, and when you step out of the cart of 'Symbolica' where you can get your photo, you can also buy Symbolica related items. The thing they did do well was have the Efteling gift shop right next to the entrance / exit, you're not forced to go through it, but most people do to get like a memory from the park, which I find really nice. For instance: I'm a grown man 34 years old, and I bought myself the 'Pardoes' jester shoes as slippers with the little bells on it for in my house so I got nice warm feet.

[@Qwerty2OG]

Python is actually the oldest rollercoaster in the park (1981) it has recently been resurfaced

[@Albiertine]

i love love love the Efteling sooo much! I live in The Hague, (awesome place, you should go there sometime!), and i go 1s a year to my dreampark. Sinds i was 13 years old! And now im 36... Ones, i went to the park 4 times in 1 year! haha! That was amazing. You know, if i step into the park, i feel like im into a total differend world, like, youre walking on clouwds if you know what i mean. time stand stil in the Efteling. I have my lunch Always in the Gondoletta's, the white slow, romantic boats. And i have my diner at Witte Paard. Amazing restaurant. Good and tasty food. My favorite attraction is Villa Volta. And Spookslot, Fata Morgana, Monsieur Cannibale, Halve Maen(the ship), Vogelrok... Dit you know, if you tipe the words: Vogelrok met lichten aan in KZbin, you can find this attraction with lights on! And, you can see the attraction and how the ride goes.

[@laziojohnny79]

‘‘the Scandinavian Dutch names’’??? Ouch!

[@Whistler4u]

He said "Scandinavian and Dutch names"

[@Lotjeloveslaika]

@@Whistler4u But still, what scandinavian names?

[@JeroenK94]

Lotte ‘vogel rok’ for one

[@vincevdijk7430]

@@JeroenK94 Vogel Rok is Scandinavian? Vogel is the Dutch word for bird and Rok come from it's persian name Roc.

[@captainchaos3667]

I took it as referring to the fact that some of the fairy tales are from Hans Christian Andersen.

[@andrevanschaijk885]

Small correction, the gondola are floating boats and not on rails, they are pulled by a cable system, not a big thing though

[@JimValley]

Thanks for the details.

[@AnnekeOosterink]

Re: selling more T-shirts or souvenirs and stuff in general, I think many people would be a bit turned off. I think at Efteling they know how to make more money but are reluctant to change the relaxed atmosphere. :)

[@thedutchman01]

They tried it for a time at Droomvlucht, the fairytale dark ride. But they got a lot of complaints about it. And shut it down as a way to try and make more money. Which means they listen to their customers and value their opinions, which is always a good thing.

[@EyeballsStudio]

@Stefan Dingenouts What? Slot machines near the Python? Where exactly are they?

[@veretigchelaar7239]

The story behind the Indian waterlillies is one of my favorite. It's about the star faries who dance on a lake with the moonfairy when it's night. The woman in the beginning is a witch who wants to steel the beauty from the faries. So she tricks a few of them to stay on the lake when the moonfairy leaves and she locks them into the lillies to steel there beauty (I thought that is why she did it😅) And every night they dance for her when she is singing and the frogs and swans are making music. (sorry for my bad English, I'm Dutch😅)

[@DEKIKK]

Secret, efteling is made for left handed children. Go left everywhere. I really loved this review, I hope you come back, you deserve and belong in efteling! You sound like lovely sweet people.

[@martijndekok]

Great video. I'm glad you had such a good time. As someone who grew up with Efteling almost in his back yard (15 minute bike ride) it's always cool to see people discover it for the first time. As you can see by the comments it's pretty popular here. I was about to contribute some fun facts, but I see others have already done so. If some of the helpful information, opinions and corrections feel a bit forward or even confrontational, you're experiencing 'Dutch honesty'. A cultural trait that I have heard described, mainly by (American) expats living here, that can be a culture shock to some. We can have the tendency to give our opinion straight and to the point.

[@JimValley]

Thank you so much.

[@michelpijnen1276]

Jim Valley I loved your video report as well and wanted to post a reply below it, but than I was reading all the reactions of my fellow Dutch and already started to feel sorry for you as an American having to read through these direct and blunt messages and corrections of them. But I can only tell you as well that it is a cultural thing here; you are supposed to critique even your boss in this country...! So expect more direct corrections down here from other Dutch Themepark fans as your video will grasp more attention. And as you can see in the Efteling, the Dutch take “Themepark” very seriously.

[@jurgenolivieira1878]

Thank you, De Efteling is the 3rd most visited park in Europe and a Dutch staple. We have to visit it every few every years it doesn't get old (it also keeps adding). It focuses on max experience over max-profit-above-all, which I guess is a typical Dutch thing. That also (partly) explains the authenticity, detailed features/art, minute (some would say pointless) details all over the park, the positive "lack of development" (well said), free carts, bring your own food, etc. I actually found out through a vlog that you can buy the Symbolica wand (which on the front of the cart and is the wand of Pardoes) at one of the gift shops. Afterwards you can actually use it on special pedestals all over the park to unlock hidden features of the displays. One is the ATM chest which has a surprise when you connect the wand to the pedestal (no spoilers ;-)). I guess it's something that came with Symbolica which was added in 2016-2017. I haven't been back to the bark since at least 2008 (guess it's about time again) and I don't believe the wand was around back then.

[@efjeK]

Oh and it took me a couple of years to figure out the fairy tale forest. It is hard not to get lost, but I think that is how a fairy tale forest is supposed to be!

[@OP-1000]

Droomvlucht smells great also!

[@Wig4]

@Ad Lockhorst There exist many people with defective noses ... :-) ... I often ask friends to smell the fragrance of this or that flower, then they ask me: "Ahhh, do you smell something?" ... lol

[@tirathipurralot6948]

Lovely review :) It is great to hear how you two enjoyed the Efteling! Did you know that it first started out as just the fairytale forest (very much smaller then) and was designed by the the dutch illustrator Anton Pieck? If you would like to tune in to the Efteling atmosphere while not there, search up some of his illustrations :D O and the reason that are similar to doughnuts would be, because they are the ancestors or the doughnuts. The first settlers in New York, then still New Amsterdam, invented them with oliebollen as inspiration :)

[@MetaphorMadness]

Such a great review. Droomvlucht is always a wonderful treat. Visit again I would say ^^

[@Luukjuh13]

This was just so much fun to listen to! And it even helped me discover some places I had never seen (in detail) before, even though I've been to Efteling dozens of times. My next visit will be in January and watching this video got me so hyped again 😁

[@bartvandijk668]

the Carnaval Festival was actually gifted to the Efteling. That's why it doesn't really fit with the overall Efteling fibe

[@xSCHEF]

I can’t find a source on that but maybe my Google-Fu is failing me. Can you link me? Heb je een bron voor me? The official Efteling description of the ride is that it’s most definitely sourced from the Efteling board and at the time the ride was in-line with the company’s vision of the future of the park.

[@bartvandijk668]

@@xSCHEF I think I should apologize for putting wrong facts into the world. I was most certain I heared this fact on the television on a program about the Efteling. But since I cannot verify this fact to be true, I think I misunderstood. I'm very sorry. 😅 However, I do think Carnival Festival is very similar to Small world of Disney Paris. Maybe they wanted something similar? This is just an assumption.

[@Sahi_PK]

You’ve probably seen the documentary on Joop Geesink and his Dollywood Studio’s that was shown on NPO a few years ago. His studio was specialised in puppet animations, with Loeki de Leeuw as one of his most famous creations. The Carnaval Festival was created by him too.

[@bartvandijk668]

@@Sahi_PK Ah, that sounds plausible.

[@uberbach]

Dear Kari and Jim, what a nice review! If you liked the Efteling, you should visit Europa Park (Rust, Gemany) too. Several designers who used to work for the Efteling are now working for Europa park. It's in the south of Germany. The rollercoasters are longer! You can combine it with a visit to "Neuschwannstein" castle in Füssen, wich was also an inspiration to Walt Disney.

[@JimValley]

Thank you for the advice. We will definitely go.

[@Pattyspaghetti]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the park! I have an anual subscription to it, and visit the park about once or twice a month :D

[@thoregries6899]

The thing with efteling is that it was designed by artists, people who could draw like, one of the founding members of the fairytale forest, Anton Pieck. His artworks are stunning to look at and to see them translated into attraction is so beautiful. That also why most attraction don't get taken down, because they are seen as artworks. Alot of people even say that efteling has some of the best imagineers in the world, next to disney. That's what makes the park so unique, because most of the things in the park are produced in house.

[@16wesleyr]

I am Dutch and the Efteling is one of my favorites

[@SuperDutchjohn]

The music at minute 35.53 is from Bert Kaempfert and called Afrikaan Beat.......Bert Kaempfert was a German composer who lived in the USA, his most famous work was A Swinging Safari :-))

[@martinvill8604]

Good review ✌

[@annaruyer4681]

yeah we are nuts about the Efteling, even when we rebuild the place aswell, its now a small part of the dutch history.

[@APOLOnl]

It is so so sad to see that you guys did not show the GREAT ENTRANCE. It is stunningly beautiful and grand. look it up on google. But realy you do have to go through it in real life.

[@Wig4]

As we can hear in the naration, that's because they used the side entrance from the Efteling hotel :-)

[@APOLOnl]

@@Wig4 I know why it is not in there, i just say its sad that it isnt.

[@Wig4]

@@APOLOnl There is a lot more the Vlog does not show ! :-) ... But that's not important, in my opinion. The important thing about this vlog is the sweet positive appreciation they bring about the park. "The message" ! :-)

[@thedutchman01]

Here's a fun little fact about the waterlillies it's based on a fairy tale that was written by the then queen of Belgium especially for the purpose of creating that attraction. (Even funnier if you remember the Efteling itself is in the Netherlands, and if you wanna be exact, in Brabant, which is not in Holland. ;) )

[@nimpheuno]

the kid strollers are for rent ^^. at the regular entrance (close to aquanura)you can get them next to the toilets (i think you missed some stuff coming in true the hotel entrance.) please don't just pick up a stroller anywhere you find one. people pay for those. they have a number on them and when they visit a ride they leave them outside to pick them up afterward. (we have had some strollers "stolen" after returning from a ride, this is no fun when visiting with small kids) so please, please, please leave the strollers where they are and go get one at the entrance (there not that expensive)

[@A320Pilots]

Btw if you want to know the song that they played at the water lilies at 35:30 it’s “Afrikaan Beat” by the German composer Bert Kaempfert. You can find it here on KZbin too :)

[@cryptopian507]

We went last year, we stayed at the Efteling Hotel. It was really nice.

[@cryptopian507]

In my opinion everything in the park was very affordable, compared to Disney.

[@tiaxanderson9725]

I happen to have recently looked up some information about that steam carrousel and that one (Stoomcarrousel) is over 125 years old (counting from the first owner's purchase date). It first was put in use in 1895! Finally purchased by Efteling in 1955 and it started in 1956 in the newly build Carrouselpaleis (Carrousel Palace).

[@pokeballz5315]

as someone who has been closely to 16 yimes already i love seeing other people enjoying the park

[@You-mr3lo]

Fata Morgana isn't in Dutch. Most characters dont speak any specific language. Some characters speak english, german, french and dutch..those are the arabic sailors and traders. Some attractions are multilingual ..@ symbolica you can even choose to experience the attraction in Dutch, French, German or English. Also some nice facts ...Villa Volta was the first madhouse in the world. Because of the success of the attraction they have surfaced in amusement parks all over the world. The fairytale with the waterlilies is called 'The Indian Waterlilies' ... Do you still think it's a Thai theme? .. I do not want to generalize ... but this confirms how most people see American people. Souvenirs are sold to children and adults ... but the market for children's souvenirs is much bigger ... because most Dutch adults do not wear these clothes ... as the Dutch saying says 'act normal..thats crazy enough' . Adults wearing clothes with Disney or children's figures is generally regarded as vulgar, immature or unyielding. The carousels in the Efteling are indeed original. The Netherlands is known for its musical instrument 'the organ'. so obviously an organ is used in the carousel and no cassette (cassettes were also a Dutch invention) At the Raveleijn Restaurant everything is freshly made. In other parks (kugh--Disney), ready-to-eat snacks are often heated up. The park is very green, because it started as a nature park with some playing fields and the fairytale forest. only 11% of the park is cultivated, the rest remains nature. Because the 11% has almost been reached, the park will soon be extended by 8 hectares.

[@martijndekok]

Great that you are contributing some fun new information and corrections, but be careful correcting somebody without enough information. Yes, the attraction is called 'The Indian water lilies' in English, but the outside temple is more Thai. The giant guard statues and the lion faces are certainly Thai inspired. The music inside is called 'Afrikaan Beat', is sung by a Peruvian soprano (Yma Sumac) and is her interpretation of an Incan hymn or chant. If anything, it's a sign that the people who created it mixed up those cultures in the way you accuse Americans of doing. Also, the Dutch title is 'Indische waterlelies', not 'Indiaase waterlelies' so technically it's more like 'the Dutch Indies (or Indonesian) water lilies'

[@Wrecker3D]

If I'm not mistaking, Fata Morgana was Eftelings interpretation of 1001 Arabian Nights, and the Lillies was based on a story the Belgian Queen Fabiola had written, the fairytales are a combination of Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen and some Dutch folklore -not sure if i'm 100% correct PS the Python was the first Rollercoaster they built, it was refurbished/rebuilt Just before the main season in 2018 -Anton Piek (main designer of the park back in 1981 when it was built) was against the Rollercoaster as it didn't fit his view of storytelling this is why it has little to no themeing and parked at the back of the park later when they changed that area to Ruigrijk (Roughrealm) they started to put more coasters in that areagetting better and better in themeing those attractions in the atmosphere the park has at it's Core DNA thanks to the fairytaleforest

[@sagov9]

Uhm actually, 'Indische' refers to a large region of south-east asia that includes Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (Look up 'Oost-Indie'). It does not refer to India. But thanks for incorrecting.

[@merren2306]

@@martijndekok Indisch or Indian can also be used to refer to the region of South/Southeast Asia as a whole (which is how the term was originally used, with the Dutch indies being referred to as Dutch Indies by the Brits and simply as Indië by the Dutch, and vice versa the region around India, Pakistan, Sri lanka, etc was referred to as Brits-Indië by the Dutch and simply India by the Brits.

[@Wig4]

@@martijndekok You mix up 2 different pieces of music from the attraction. Yma Sumac's song (actually from the cult film "Secret of the Incas" (1954) ) is used by the white witch. The "Afrikaan Beat" (intrumental) is when the nimphs are dancing. "Indisch" = from India. It has nothing to do with Indonesia. I also happened to read the story in it's original Spanish version ("Los nenúferas de la India" , from the book: Los doce cuentos maravillosos, 1955. The original title makes it very clear: it's about the country 'India'.) The actual shape of the witch in the attraction is very close to the original drawing in the book, by Spanish illustrator "Tayina", with the only difference that Tayina gave the witch a brown cloak, and actually in Efteling she is dressed in white. :-)

[@Whitehousebeetle]

Hate to bust your bubble but the Steam carrousel has not been powered by steam since the 70's. I'm sure the conversion back to steam would be possible but in a daily working theme park not practical. The carrousel actually dates even back more. Build in 1909, and one of only four exciting worldwide!

[@roykliffen9674]

"The Indian Water Lilies" is one of the oldest attractions at the "Efteling". It was built in 1966 and was based on a fairy tale written in 1955 by Fabiola, the the future Queen of Belgium. The main music is "African Beat" written in 1962 by the German orchestra leader Bert Kaempfert, famous for writing e.g. "Strangers in the Night". In this excellent overview I did however miss the haunted castle with its dancing tombstones on the sounds of "Dance Macabre" by Saint-Saens; another older attraction built in 1976.

[@PanTastique]

"You will need a map"... Not if you've visited about ten times. I know the Efteling like the back of my hand!

[@marittas1609]

same haha ben er vorige week nog geweest

[@margap9622]

I guess all the dutch do from the age of 4....

[@GaryKertopermono]

Okay, so, I still don't know the entire deal with Fata Morgana, but I did read at some point a sort of synopsis about it. Basically it goes like, you travel to a faraway and mysterious land, and at some point you get sent to the dungeon, so by the end you barely escape, and when you look back to the village it magically disappears? I still don't know, man, I doubt any Dutch person here can tell you what the entire deal is, and stories change constantly. Case in point, Spookslot, the Haunted Castle. I believe the most recent story is that some dude wanted to collect all fairy tales, but at some point a witch did something, and before the witch got killed or after, she cursed the daughter of the guy owning the castle so that she'd be lost forever or something, so each night between midnight and the witch's hour I believe, you can see the guy chasing after his daughter. Also there's more to the story, so I don't know, but I do know it went through several iterations, even after the attraction already opened.

[@NathanHydra]

44:05 fun fact: the outdoor carousel is “le petite rouge” (French for little red) which is the oldest carousel in the world.