Highlights of Winter Efteling Theme Park

Winter Efteling is a fairy-tale wonderland decorated with thousands of lights, heart-warming bonfires and special attractions add magic to this popular theme park. The winter sceneis subtly implemented throughout the park. It really is winter around the bonfires with snow-covered Christmas trees, atmospheric lights and stalls. Much attention is paid to details: Longneck wearing a scarf, statues with skis in hand and a wooly hat, fairy lights everywhere. It is a lot of work to completely transform such a huge park into a winter atmosphere and Efteling succeeds in a very stylish way.

Winter Efteling takes place from early November to the end of January (go to Efteling website for the exact dates). Make sure you order skip-the-line tickets for Winter Efteling online. This allows you to walk directly to the entrance.

Winter Efteling

If you go to Efteling in winter, keep in mind that not all attractions may be open. If it freezes, snows or rains heavily, there is a chance that the roller coasters may be closed. Not a problem in itself, but good to know, especially if that’s exactly what you’re going to Efteling for. This time of year the Efteling is much less crowded than the rest of the year.

Skating on the ice rink

A winter fairy tale is not complete without a real ice rink. The Efteling skating rink is in the Ice Palace and is partially covered. You can bring your own skates, or rent a pair, which is more practical as otherwise you’ll be lugging around your skates all day. The Ice Palace also has a sliding slope where children aged 4 years and over with a length of at least 1 meter have fun.

Winter Entertainment

Every day, the Snow Princess and Fire Prince will pay a musical visit to the bonfires in their sleigh. Then they will return to their Ice Palace, where there’s a real snow slide. Wintery snacks, Belgian waffles, soups and hot chocolate can be bought at booths all around the park.

Twilight in the Fairy-tale Forest

The fairy-tale Forest is attractive in summer but even more so in winter. Go there at the end of the day when dusk sets in. The lighting creates a mystical atmosphere and the fairy tales perhaps come even more to life than during the day. The lights in the Castle of the Sleeping Beauty and in the house of Hansel and Gretel twinkle and shine.

In the evening Villa Volta changes into a giant optical illusion. Raveleijn, a park show with horses and ravens, becomes extra exciting with spectacular fires and lights. Around 200 fountains, scattered around the grounds, will bring attractions to life with music, fire and light effects.

Comfort Food and Drinks in the Winter Efteling

One of the highlights of the Winter Efteling is mulled wine by the bonfire, a warm waffle, hot chocolate with whipped cream and cookies. The park is bursting with inviting booths where you can get all kinds of goodies. Nothing compares to warming up with a hot drink in the open air.

Efteling Hotel

There are several options for overnight stays in Efteling. If you would like to sleep in a hotel, then the Efteling Hotel is the best choice for you. Both themed rooms and standard rooms can be booked here. With your overnight stay you get 2 days of free access to the park as standard. You can enter the park direct from your hotel by a private entrance half an hour before opening time.
Another option are the self-catering holiday homes in Bosrijk (Wooded). Bosrijk is located in the middle of woods, next to the Efteling.

Location

The Efteling is in the village of Kaatsheuvel, close to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) and Tilburg.

Public transport: Trains from Amsterdam Central Station to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (time 1 hour) and then bus 300, 301, 136 or 800 to Efteling bus stop (45 minutes).

By car: The Efteling is 110 km south of Amsterdam. By car 1hour 45 minutes via the A2 and A27.

Address: Efteling, Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10.00-20.00 Sunday and Monday until 19.00

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Photos: Wiki Commons