Back to Efteling: Fairytales, Phantoms and a Touch of the Macabre

When I first visited Efteling in 2024, I stayed in Bosrijk, the park’s beautiful woodland accommodation. It’s the perfect halfway point between fairytale and reality: self-catering cottages tucked among whispering trees, close enough to hear the distant hum of the park yet peaceful enough for quiet evenings by the lake, watching the water shift and reflect the last light of day. That first trip was wonderful but all too brief. I saw enough to fall under Efteling’s spell but not enough to truly explore everything it had to offer.

The lake at Bosrijk

So this summer I went back, staying once again at Bosrijk, but this time for longer and with intent. I had my Efteling bucket list ready: a carefully planned route of rides, shows and corners of the park I’d missed or wanted to revisit properly.

My Top Five Attractions

Danse Macabre, the park’s latest and most talked-about addition, was new since my last visit, proof that Efteling never stands still, always evolving while staying true to its storybook soul. Equal parts ride and ritual, it’s an eerie, elegant dance with the dark, a gothic masterpiece filled with atmosphere, detail and a sense of the supernatural that’s rare even in themed entertainment. It manages to be theatrical, haunting and oddly moving, a beautiful tribute to the tradition of ghost stories told with a wink. And yes, I couldn’t resist picking up a few great gothic gifts from the ride’s shop on the way out.

The haunted organ at Danse Macabre

Symbolica was another must. I loved it so much that I went back three times during the trip. It’s pure imagination: a journey through a palace of illusions guided by a mischievous court jester and a sense of playful wonder. With three routes to choose from, each ride reveals new details, a hidden flourish or a moment of magic you might not notice the first time. It’s charming, cinematic and endlessly enchanting, the perfect embodiment of Efteling’s spirit.

Symbolica

The Stoomcarrousel remains one of the park’s quiet treasures, a beautifully restored steam-powered carousel that creaks, hums and glows with nostalgia. The scent of warm oil and steam hangs in the air, mingling with the sound of its organ and the soft whirl of its lights. It’s a reminder that magic doesn’t always need technology to work its spell.

The carousel's steam engine

And Droomvlucht… pure dream. Floating through softly lit forests and starlit castles, surrounded by fairies, trolls and glowing night creatures, it’s otherworldly in the best sense, like drifting through someone else’s imagination.

Droomvlucht

Finally, Villa Volta, another first for me this year, a cursed house of folklore and illusion that blurs the line between myth and mechanics. It’s an old favourite of Efteling fans for good reason: wonderfully strange, gently unnerving and packed with atmosphere.

Beyond the Rides

Beyond the rides I made time for the shows, and I’m glad I did. Raveleijn, with its blend of pyrotechnics, horsemanship and medieval pageantry, was as thrilling as ever. Knowing it will close at the end of 2026 for redevelopment made this performance feel especially poignant, a final bow for one of Efteling’s great spectacles. And of course, the evening Aquanura water show was as dazzling as ever, a perfect farewell each night with its fountains, flames and music reflected in the lake.

Even with the extra time this trip I still didn’t see it all, but that’s part of Efteling’s magic. It rewards repeat visits, slow wandering and a willingness to be surprised. There’s something about its mix of fairytale nostalgia, European folklore and a dash of the macabre that makes it unlike anywhere else, a place where stories, shadows and imagination intertwine.

You can get great views of the park and surrounding area from the 'Thai Temple with Panoramic Views', pictured above the entrance to the Stoomcarrousel.

Top Tips for the Park

1. Single rider queues – If you're on your own or don’t mind not sitting with your companions, the single rider queues can save a huge amount of time on the most popular rides.

2. Shows and water show – Check the schedule for Raveleijn and Aquanura and other shows; plan to catch them during a lull in rides to balance walking and waiting.

3. Queue waiting time – Use the app to see estimated waiting times for rides, they are remarkable accuarate. You can sort the rides by queue length or location.

Top Tips if you're staying in Bosrijk

1. Food delivery – You can have meals delivered straight to your self-catering accommodation, which is perfect if you arrive late or want a relaxed evening.

2. Swimming pool locker – You’ll need a euro (refundable) for a locker at the swimming pool. Leave your swimming stuff in the locker on your way to the park so you can swim on the way back without extra baggage.

3. Early access – Guests staying on site can enter the park half an hour early. Plan rides with longer queues for the start of the day to make the most of this perk.