The theme park mums say is the ‘best in Europe’ reveals brand new fairytale attraction opening next year
A THEME park in Europe which is often compared to Disneyland has revealed plans for a brand new attraction next year.
Efteling, which first opened in 1952, is a fairytale theme park in the Netherlands.
The 180-acre theme park is often dubbed the Dutch Disneyland, while some mums even say it is the best theme park in Europe.
The up-coming attraction will see a new “royal gazebo” found between the Troll King and Mother Holle’s well.
The Princess and the Pea will be the 31st fairytale to be featured in the Fairytale Forest.
Works will start this autumn, with plans to open by spring 2025.
Head designer and manager of the Design & Experience department, Sander de Bruijn, said: “The impressive hotel forms a perfect backdrop for the gazebo, which is actually a royal annex of the Efteling Grand Hotel.
“With the same style elements and design, that connection is immediately made, and the link with overnight stays becomes extra applicable.”
Earlier this year, a new fairytale suite opened at the theme park’s hotel.
Sleeping up to five people, the Droomvlucht Suite has a “secret” sleeping are as well as a huge four poster bed.
The new fairytale suite is the first new themed suite in eight years, with stays from £111pp which includes two-day passes for the park.
Other themed rooms including Cinderella and Hansel and Gretel, while the standard rooms start from just £65pp.
There are lots of other exciting rides at the theme park too.
Some of the scariest rides at the park include Baron 1898, which has a 120ft free-fall drop into a mineshaft that travels at 55mph, while Python features a double loop and corkscrew.
And double-track rollercoaster Joris en de Draak lets passengers speed past a 39ft fire-breathing dragon.
The theme park is also home to the world’s largest swinging ship, a monorail, and an 100-year-old steam carousel.
Day tickets for Efteling for anyone over the age of four range from €38 to €51 depending on the day of visit.
Kids under three go free, with discounts for school trips and larger groups.
To get to the park, Brits can hop on the Eurostar at London St Pancras, and then drive an hour from Amsterdam.
Otherwise flights to Eindhoven are around £14 with Ryanair, with the park around 30 minutes by car.
Other theme parks in Europe are often overlooked by Brits too.
We’ve found an affordable theme park which you can get to by train from the UK, which recently revealed it’s new dinosaur themed ride.
And here’s the tiny theme park in the middle of a city which was said to have inspired Disneyland.
What is it like to visit Efteling
The Sun’s Catherine Bennion-Pedley visited last year – here’s what she thought of it.
One of our fave rides was Symbolica.
Each carriage can choose the theme of their adventure – music, hero or treasures, with interactive challenges to match – but you all join the magical banquet hall at the end, where flamboyantly dressed characters waltz around you.
Meanwhile, over at the ornate 100-year-old Stoomcarrousel, you can hop on a pig instead of a horse if you fancy.
Later, slide down a polar bear in Fabula – another perfect rainy-afternoon hideout.
Days at Efteling come to a close with the music, light and fire show around the lake.
From there it’s a 15-minute wander to the Loonsche Land Hotel.
Here, kids can borrow an owl teddy for a sleepover and write in its diary.
Come morning, breakfast is a cute spread with ceramic flowerpots to fill up with granola and yoghurt, plus a wooden toy corner.