Three-day magical theme park visit rivals Disneyland
Most Brits have a love-hate relationship with theme parks, often finding themselves grumbling about the long queues, exorbitant prices, and less-than-stellar food. We've all been there, shelling out a small fortune for a day of standing in line, only to enjoy a few fleeting moments of rollercoaster excitement, while simultaneously trying to keep pesky wasps away from our overpriced fast food.
But fear not, there's an alternative. If you're up for a bit of a journey, you can find yourself at Efteling, located near Tilburg in the Netherlands, in just three and a half hours from Calais.
You might be thinking, is it really worth the extra effort and cost?
Well, an increasing number of Brits certainly think so - including Nottinghamshire Live executive editor Sam Dimmer.
Sam recently embarked on a trip to the park to see if it lived up to its growing reputation, reports the Express.
He shared: "My family and I spent three nights at Efteling, travelling from the East Midlands. Our hotel room included park passes for four days. It cost £1,200 in total, but considering park tickets cost around £180 a day for a family of four, I think that represents good value."
Sam had previously visited the park but only stayed one night, which he felt wasn't enough. Plus, the park had recently unveiled a new ride he was eager to try.
He added: "We felt that three nights was just about enough this time around, but still very nearly missed an entire section of the park because it wasn't where all of the main rides were."
Initially, Sam planned to keep track of how many rides we went on, but that idea was quickly abandoned.
He said: "The theme park is open from 10am until 10pm and the queues rarely go above 30 minutes, so you're going to be quite busy, particularly late in the evening.
"Also the virtual queuing on two rides, and the app advising you how long queues are, mean you can plan your day to spend as little time as possible queueing.
"When you've got younger kids, or kids with additional needs, that's a lifesaver."
Efteling is a family-friendly theme park and last year Sam's eight year old was able to go on all the rides, including the Baron, a vertical drop coaster similar to Oblivion at Alton Towers but with superior theming.
This means that around 7pm, many visitors start heading for the exit and the queues for the bigger thrill rides and the darker new ride, Danse Macabre, only take 10 to 15 minutes.
Those rides? They're absolutely brilliant.
Sam said: "Yes, it's a family park, with brilliant playgrounds, a fantasy forest, incredible theming and based around fantastic stories. But my oh my, the rides are good. The aforementioned Baron, wooden race coasters Joris and the Dragon and water coaster the Flying Dutchman are tremendous fun, but the best ride is the newest - Danse Macabre."
Danse Macabre was Sam's favourite - in fact, he and his family rode it seven times. He said: "Yes, it broke down on the last day and the queues were long, but this is a special ride. Guests sit in rows of church pews, before the whole room goes dark. Then you're spun around the room, like you're dancing, watching an orchestra of ghosts and ghouls perform.We went on it seven times and each time we saw something new. Every time people applauded when the ride ended. It's that good. It's beautifully put together, exceptionally clever, and so fun."
The food is delicious
Typically during Sam's theme park adventures he packs his own lunch to dodge the pricey and often disappointing food - but at Efteling there were no complaints about the cuisine.
He said: "The park is famous for many things, and the food is definitely one of them. The chimney cakes, pastry cones filled with an assortment of fruit, cream, chocolate, candy floss etc etc are a delight, although I wouldn't recommend eating one before hitting a big ride, and you can also sample Dutch treats like poffertjes (little pancakes) and kibbeling (deep fried spiced fish with a delicious dip).
"If anything the food is better than last year. Pinnokio's pizza and pasta restaurant was a hit with my family, as was the meal at Het Eethuys, a hotel on site.
"My favourite though was Polles Keuken, a pancake restaurant that served huge sweet or savoury pancakes against a brilliant backdrop."
Nevertheless, it's crucial to reserve these restaurants beforehand as they can become extremely packed.
Allow yourself plenty of time to wander Efteling isn't a massive park but you'll definitely miss something if you're not paying attention.
Sam said: "We only spotted the huge playground because I saw a post on the incredibly helpful Efteling Fans UK Group and decided to go on the monorail at 9.30pm.
"We also spotted the Efteling museum and a great self-serve restaurant in the area that we returned to the next day. This was on day three of four in the park, and we weren't planning on doing as much on our final day, but decided to stick around because we kept spotting new things to do."
For visitors who fancy a gentler experience or youngsters not quite prepared for breakneck thrills, the Fairytale Forest provides a charming escape.
This magical zone boasts a collection of breathtaking exhibits, some motionless and others moving, presenting guests with an array of peculiar personalities, including Long Neck, a chap with an remarkably stretched neck.
Efteling is enchanting
Sam was thoroughly taken with the attraction, explaining: "The thing about Efteling is it doesn't feel like a place designed to suck money out of you. It feels like they genuinely care about you having a great time. The staff, for example, are unbelievable. I clumsily asked one in Dutch if he spoke English and he looked at me and told me he spoke five languages and was learning a sixth.
"It's clean, the music is wonderful and it smells so good they actually sell Efteling scents in the gift shop. My wife's salon now smells very much like Efteling. I love Alton Towers, but I don't think I'd particularly want to bottle the smell of a day out in Staffordshire."
Anton Pieck, an artist and illustrator, was one of the founders of Efteling and his work continues to inspire the park today. His influence is still felt, making visitors feel as though they are truly walking through a fairytale.
It's worth considering an overnight stay.
Not many theme parks necessitate an overnight stay, as usually a day is sufficient. Alton Towers in the UK might be an exception, but at Efteling, three nights didn't seem excessive.
Sam's hotel was a picturesque ten-minute stroll from the park entrance, passing lakes, playgrounds and a fairytale castle. He said the rooms were "ideal", offering ample space for a family of four, with comfortable beds, a large bath and a powerful shower.
There's even a swimming pool, perfect for younger kids.
Be prepared for a good deal of walking
This won't come as a surprise to seasoned theme-park visitors, but you will certainly clock up the steps.
Sam said: "There's a beautiful little steam train that takes you around the park, but we didn't use it as the park itself isn't huge.
"It's a decision I regretted at the end of day four as we prepared to drive to Calais, although a decent pair of trainers helped me just about get through. We were averaging between 25,000-30,000 steps a day, which is a good old shift, but we were going from 10am to 10pm.
"We're a family who enjoys being active, but for those who find walking challenging, this might not be as enjoyable. However, there are measures you can take to make it easier, and we do enjoy a good walk."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
19 minutes ago
- The Sun
Holiday expert reveals exact time to book your tickets for August bank holiday flights & how you can save hundreds
HOLIDAY experts have revealed the exact time and date Brits should book their tickets ahead of the August bank holiday to save hundreds of pounds. It's not too late to book last-minute flight tickets for holiday trips over the August bank holiday weekend. Brits can still find ways to get out of the country that won't blow the budget for the weekend of August 25. This includes trips to classic European escapes and hotspots like Disneyland Paris. Ticket experts have analysed pricing data and industry travel trends. CEO of AttractionTickets, Oliver Brendon, explained: 'It's easy to assume the early bird always gets the deal. "In reality, travel companies adjust fares repeatedly based on demand, and we see opportunities appear even in the final days before departure. "There's still time to save on last-minute August bank holiday travel if you know when to book.' Brendon reveals the trick to finding value no matter how late the purchase is made. Through review of historic pricing, as well as industry reports, Sundays have been found to regularly deliver the lowest average booking prices. This is because airlines adjust seat availability and prices over the weekend. Therefore, holidaymakers who plan to book on Sundays can more often find a better deal and pay significantly less than those who book on other days. 3 tips to help you get the cheapest flights when booking holidays Furthermore, Fridays have been found to be time to avoid as it is the time when prices tend to spike due to increasing demand. A clear morning advantage has also been found through analyses. Around 6am is when the fresh fares tend to show up, so it is good to get in early before search traffic ramps up into the day. So those looking to book a getaway from the bank holiday this month should set their alarms for Sunday morning. Oliver adds 6am on Sunday, August 17 "both sit within the sweet spot before the long weekend and will give you a chance at potentially unlocking better pricing.' This timing tip comes from expert insights and data-driven research from travel and ticketing platforms. It also focused on last-minute booking trends by travellers in the UK. The advise follows suggestions from CEO of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, who said flights could also be booked cheaper in the first two months of the year. Winter months are believed to be the best time of the year to find cheap air fares, as well as just before the peak of school holidays. Another study looked in to the best time to book flights for certain destinations. For Faro in Portugal, the cheapest flights for the summer holidays were found to be just five weeks before travelling. And for long-haul flights like to New York, the best time was found to be June to book for an August vacation. Other tips for saving money on flights Here are some of the best ways you can save money on flights Mistake Fares A mistake fare is essentially an error that occurs when airlines or travel agents accidentally list the wrong price for a flight. It might happen when airline staff accidentally leave out a zero — or two — while listing the cost of a ticket online. While the odds of airlines making these mistakes are fairly low, such incidents do occur from time to time — and travellers can save hundreds of pounds by just keeping an eye out. However, they will have to be quick as airlines will remove these prices as soon as they spot the mistake. Being flexible Being fussy about where you go on holiday can reduce your options for saving money. Going on Google Flights and clicking on the map instead of searching for a specific destination will show you the cheapest rates to a number of cities. That way you can make sure you head to the most affordable destination, or at least choose somewhere with cheap flights. Avoid pricey luggage additions Most airlines now charge extra for passengers to check luggage in during their flights and it's much more affordable to fly with just carry-on. So practice packing before you fly and make sure you can squash everything into a case or bag that will fit in the airline's hand luggage rules — it could save you a fair amount.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Infamous party resort that outlawed 18-30s trips begs rowdy Brits to return after lifting ban on cheap package holidays
IT'S the infamous party resort that tried to ban so-called 't*ts and tequila' tourists after decades of rowdy Brits behaving badly in the sun. But we can reveal that almost a decade on from Malia in Crete outlawing the 18-30s holiday, hotel bosses have staged a dramatic U-turn. 8 A group of young holidaymakers square up outside the club in Malia Credit: Ian Whittaker 8 Lads inhaling 'hippy crack' from balloons Credit: Ian Whittaker 8 In 2017, some 95 per cent of the town's 137 hotels banned package deals for holidaymakers aged 18 to 30 Credit: Getty Following an estimated 30 per cent reduction in visitors since last summer, business owners on the Greek island are more desperate than ever to have our holidaymakers back. Marie Pajolou is the manager of the Happy Train tour company on the main drag, Dimokratias Street, where the worst of the debauchery takes place. Marie, 50, said: 'Young people want to drink alcohol and have sex and that's normal. No one should have a problem with that. 'Yes, they get drunk and they do silly things. I don't like to see young, half-naked girls passed out on the street at 8am — it's not safe for them. 'There are fights, but it's only because they are drunk. No one really wants to have a fight when they are on holiday. 'The big issue we are facing is not 18-30s holidaymakers, but the fact that tourism is 30 per cent down on last summer as everything is more expensive now. 'Mafia selling cocaine' 'People used to come here because it was cheap and you could have a fun holiday without worrying about money, but the price of everything keeps going up.' Marie revealed the island has suffered a big slump in recent decades, adding: 'When I first started working on Crete 20 years ago, it was much better than it is now. 'The resort was packed during the summer. 'A 30 per cent fall is a big problem for us and the ones that are visiting don't have the same budget and they are complaining about the prices. BRUTAL PUNCH-UP Shocking moment female Brit tourists brawl 'over a MAN' in party resort Malia as stunned crowd watches on 'We need more young people coming here, not less.' In 2017, around 95 per cent of the town's 137 hotels banned package deals for holidaymakers aged 18 to 30, resulting in 10,000 Britons losing out. The draconian action came as an 18-year-old girl went into a coma after inhaling nitrous oxide gas, also known as hippy crack, and 189 people, including foreigners, were arrested for possessing the substance. Locals were worried that Malia's already notorious reputation had spiralled following the release of the hit 2011 Inbetweeners movie. In it, actors Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley and Blake Harrison played four lads celebrating the end of their A-levels there. Blake's character Neil is shown performing a lewd sex act on a much older 'cougar' in a nightclub, while James' character Jay gets so drunk, he falls asleep in an ants' nest. Efthymios Moutrakis, Malia's deputy mayor, said in 2017: 'Malia isn't about sex, drugs and everything goes. 'It's the prime tourist destination in Crete, bringing in millions of euros to the island.' The resort's reputation suffered another blow last year when Emily Earle, 19, a medical student at King's College, London, claimed she 'almost died' after her drink was spiked during a holiday in Malia. But the plan to replace out-of-control British tourists with more civilised European families was quietly abandoned as visitor numbers plummeted, we can reveal. 8 Pole dancers performing for revellers Credit: Ian Whittaker 8 Locals were worried that Malia's already notorious reputation had spiralled following the release of the hit 2011 Inbetweeners movie Credit: Alamy By June this year, British tourists were posting eerie TikTok videos of the main strip empty of revellers. When we visited last week, the bars and clubs were almost deserted up until midnight, suggesting that — as locals fear — youngsters are saving money by pre-loading with supermarket booze in their hotels and apartments before heading out. By the early hours of the morning, however, Dimokratias Street was heaving with 20-somethings and teenagers, and long queues began to form outside the half-dozen nightclubs. In one bar, punters were being urged inside by a middle-aged man with a mullet offering two laughing gas balloons and eight free shots with the first drink, which he said would cost just six euros. Potentially deadly nitrous oxide balloons were openly on sale at the same bar — suggesting the previous crackdown has been abandoned, along with the bid to ban 't*ts and tequila' tourists, as they were dubbed at the time. At another venue, a scantily-clad dancer gyrated on a stage as teenage lads gawped. Our reporter and photographer saw huge numbers of youngsters riding quad bikes — which cost ten euros a day to rent — without helmets, which is against Greek law. One bar worker even claimed the Albanian mafia has taken root in Malia and started selling cocaine for between 60 and 100 euros a bag, although none of the tourists we spoke to said they had been offered drugs. The only annoyance is that men will punch and tap your back to get your attention at the clubs and you have to tell them to stop Kayla At 2am, a huge crowd gathered to watch a gang of topless men high on adrenaline confront a group of rivals, determined to settle with their fists whatever dispute had arisen. Thankfully, nightclub bouncers stepped in before the situation escalated. Student Kayla White, 18, was on a £600 package holiday with pals Rachel McPhillips, Jessica Gales and Maya Millar, all also 18, and says the British are flocking back to Malia now the ban has been lifted. Kayla, from Glasgow, revealed: 'This is our second holiday here and we love it. 'The nightlife is great and it seems busier than last summer. 'Anything can happen' 'We've been out until 6am most nights and, while we keep an eye on our drinks to make sure we don't get spiked, we haven't had any problems. 'The only annoyance is that men will punch and tap your back to get your attention at the clubs and you have to tell them to stop.' 8 Marie Pajolou is the manager of the Happy Train tour company on the main drag, said: 'Young people want to drink alcohol and have sex and that's normal. No-one should have a problem with that' Credit: Ian Whittaker 8 Kayla, Rachel, Jessica and Maya on hols Credit: Ian Whittaker 8 Malia's main party street during the day Credit: Ian Whittaker Warehouse worker Pieter de Vries, 19, was on a lads' holiday in Malia with three friends. Pieter, from Burdaard in the Netherlands, said: 'It's definitely a crazy party place and it gets wild most nights. 'You have to have an open mind when you come here because anything can happen. 'We were in the strip club last night and my friends bought me a lapdance for 50 euros, which was fantastic. 'I'm surprised they tried to turn this into a resort for older tourists because it's definitely all young people now. You hardly see anyone over the age of 30.' British national Angela Wysocki works behind the bar at Ilios Malia resort, where the critically acclaimed 2023 movie How To Have Sex, about a boozy, post-exams girls' trip that takes a dark turn, was filmed. Director Molly Manning Walker chose the hotel after spotting that its swimming pool is shaped like a penis — a design mishap the owners insist they spotted too late. We were in the strip club last night and my friends bought me a lapdance for 50 euros, which was fantastic Pieter de Vries Angela, 50, who moved to Crete 28 years ago, said: 'Malia was much busier when I first came here. The season was longer and the nightlife crazier. 'It's calmed down a lot since then, and a number of businesses have closed down, which is sad to see. 'There is one road that used to be packed with tourists, but it is now completely dead and lined with boarded-up bars and nightclubs, reflecting just how much visitor numbers are down. 'July was decent this year, but August has been quiet and the party season ends in September. 'I don't know much about the 2017 policy, but if the plan was to bring in more tourists, it clearly hasn't worked.' MALIA RELIES ON US By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel YOU should never bite the hand that feeds you. While the excesses of young British tourists partying were a problem, taking a sledgehammer to solve it was never going to work. Malia has learned the hard way that trying to change its tourism model overnight was doomed to failure. Businesses that relied on partying tourists – restaurants, bars and nightclubs – were hardly going to be able to attract families or empty nesters. And the hotels that housed those stag and hen parties discovered older travellers were not willing to put up with the kind of low-budget accommodation the youngsters enjoyed. Changing a destination requires investment – and serious amounts of it. And with a cost-of-living crisis and the lingering impacts of the pandemic shutdowns, that cash just isn't there. Towns like Malia are critically dependent on tourism. And right now, they can't afford to turn their backs on those who do want to visit. But not everyone is welcoming our holidaymakers back with open arms. Pregnant shopkeeper Maria, 38, who declined to give her last name, is among those mourning the return of the 18-30 clubbers. She said: 'Now I am expecting a baby, I worry that it's not safe to live in Malia. Young people walk right up to my building and urinate on the front door. 'I've seen quad bike accidents and half-naked girls vomiting in the street, so I am certain this would be a much nicer place if we had better tourists. 'But everyone thinks of us as a party resort where you can do anything you want. 'Most business owners don't want to change because they are profiting so much from the youngsters.'
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
High risk wildfire warning for anyone travelling to Spain
If you're travelling to Spain, you'll need to check the advice, which is kept up to date, to make sure it is safe to travel. What to do before travelling to Spain amid 'high risk' wildfire warning For those travelling to Spain via France, the government advises checking the travel advice for France here. If you'll be reaching Spain after going through Gibraltar, you'll need to check the travel advice for Gibraltar here. While travel advice is updated by the government, it reminded Brits that 'no travel can be guaranteed safe.' Where are wildfires happening in Europe right now? At the time of writing, fire crews in Greece, Spain and Portugal are racing to contain wildfires, taking advantage of calmer winds that slowed the blazes' advance. Much of southern Europe, however, remains at high risk under hot, dry conditions today (August 14). EU to send wildfire help to Spain as death toll rises — BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 14, 2025 A drop in wind speeds allowed firefighting aircraft in the three hard-hit countries to step up water drops, concentrating on existing fire zones rather than chasing fast-moving fronts. Authorities warned that extreme temperatures are likely to persist. Spanish authorities reported the death of a 37-year-old volunteer firefighter who sustained severe burns in an area north of Madrid this week. It was the third reported death in Spain because of the recent fires. Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes in the region and still cannot return. Fires also burned in France's Aude wine region this week, along Bulgaria's southern borders, near Montenegro's capital and coast, and in Turkey's north west and Hungary recorded record-breaking weekend temperatures. From my hikes... This morning, wildfires in the "Picos de Europa" National Park. Temperatures rise, as well as wildfires risk. Just one of climate change's effects. Be aware of this. Have a good day! Spain - 2025#hiking #hikingadventures #nature #NatureLovers — Manuela Casasoli (@manuelacasasoli) August 13, 2025 Are wildfires common in Spain? The UK government said: 'Wildfires happen often in Spain, including on the islands, during the summer months.' It advised people to 'be aware of your environment when visiting or driving through woodland areas.' If you're unsure what to do if a wildfire occurs when you are in Spain, visit the Civil Protection site (the website is in Spanish, but you can choose to translate it to English). The government adds: 'Immediately report any fire you see to the emergency services on 112. In the case of wildfires, the situation can change quickly, so you should stay up to date with official advice.' Recommended reading: Be careful not to cause wildfires, the government warns: 'Causing a wildfire is a criminal offence in Spain, even if unintentional. 'Make sure cigarette ends are properly extinguished, do not light barbecues and do not leave empty bottles behind. 'You can be heavily fined for not following the rules against lighting outdoor barbecues in forest areas. Make sure you know the rules if considering a barbeque [sic].'
