Wednesday 7 May 2014

De Efteling - A Dutch Theme Park

Continuing from my tales about my newly found retirement home last week, this week I'm sharing photos from de Efteling, which we visited just before Easter. 

The iconic Efteling Lange Nek
We've recently decided to get out and about a bit more and visit a few sights within the Netherlands. We had the vouchers from the Albert Heijn, hadn't been for a few years, and decided that all three boys are now old enough to get something out of a visit - so we packed up the car and headed off to the Efteling. It's the biggest theme park in the Netherlands, and one of the oldest in the world.
There's something for everyone, for all age ranges. There are roller coasters and gently moving boats,  a haunted house and fairy tale forest, shows and a maze, carousels and old timers. 

We went on a day that was 'rustig', although half of Belgium seemed to be in the park. The queues were all relatively short (no more than 20 minutes though some did creep up longer than this and we avoided those attractions). With small children standing for an hour in a line is just not fun but there is a handy app which shows just how long the wait time is for the rides, plans the route for you for preferred rides etc - well worth downloading before you go and there is free WIFI in the park. 

We had a great day, the kids came home tired but happy and to be honest we had the feeling like we had barely covered half the park in a day. 

A panoramic boat ride in the Efteling
My British portion for the day
Scenic view over the park
The sprookjesbos

4 comments:

  1. Went once in the summer and once in the winter, and surprisingly enjoyed it more in the winter! They had all of the usual attractions plus "Winter Efteling"... ice skating... bon fires... etc. The atmosphere was just more 'gezellig"!
    :) Danica

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  2. Great tip - thought about it last year and good to hear it would be worth it! The Spoorweg museum also has a winter attraction around Christmas - also very gezellig!!

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  3. Hey found you through NL women bloggers. Great blog, following it now!
    I do mommy/parenting blogging in Amsterdam at http://amayzmom.com

    Shivangi

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  4. Wow what gorgeous photos - look like you all had a great time x

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