he fairy tale of theme parks in Europe. Efteling starts in The famous Dutch illustra­ 1933 when two chap­ tor Anton Pieck was brought lains set up a "sports on board to design various complex" consisting fairy tale scenes that were tof a couple of fields for games brought to life technically by and a playground for the local Peter Reijnders. With the children. Sixteen years later, scenes complete, The Efteling coinciding with the economic Fairy Tale Forest opened its boom after World War II, the gates on May 31, 1952, and mayor of the municipalities of more than 240,000 visitors Kaatsheuvel and Loon op came in that first year. Zand saw potential for the Today Efteling receives area in the fields ofleisure and three million guests a year. In entertainment. Within 12 addition to the Fairy Tale months the Efteling Nature Forest it houses 15 major rides, Park Foundation was estab­ including some elab orately lished in what is today one of themed dark rides. Efteling is the most highly regarded regarded as a trendsetter by Park Profile The public relations building fits well in the theme of the park. many in the industry, with many we are not going to have a record­ the name changes: "The new names rides making their first appearances breaking roller coaster anytime soon, open the path to further develop the at the Dutch themer. For its visitors because of the fairytale-ish character individual character of the different Efteling is more than a just a theme of Efteling and because there is no areas leading not only to new or park. way something like that will fit in." remodeled attractions but also to The history of Efteling emanates One of the other key factors of places to shop, eat, and drink, as well with every step through the park. Efteling is that it is truly a park: Less as a more specific entertainment pro­ Ronald van der Zijl, CEO of the park, than 10 percent of the park's 72 gram for each of the four Realms." acknowledges that the park manage­ hectares (180 acres) is occupied with Efteling is home to 33 fairy tales ment strives to keep the fairy tale buildings. The remaining 90 percent including Sleeping Beauty, Long atmosphere, noting the "Pieckesque" is occupied by three large lakes, and Neck, Snow White, The Troll King, environment and "Dutch living room landscaped gardens and forests. Hansel and Gretel, and the Flying values" to be key factors of the park. The park is divided into four sepa­ Fakir. The durability and attraction One of the trends Van der Zijl sees rate "Rijken" (Realms), the Travel of Pieck's Fairy Tale Forest is reestab­ around him is the quest for higher, Realm, Wild Realm, Fairy Realm, and lished every year when the park steeper, faster thrill rides. "This is Alternative Realm. Until last season opens. This has been the case for an area we do not want to be in; it the park areas were simply called more than 47 years, and the park doesn't fit into our product's setting North, East, South, and West. continues to grow with more fairy and it is surely not something that Communications manager Henk tales and other rides and attractions should be dominating the park. Surely Groenen explains the vision behind to delight young and old. 22 No ve mber 1 999 1 ./\ l\I" ,\ Park Prolile The fairy tale setting is expressed in virtually every aspect of Efteling, all the way down to an original way of keeping the park free of trash con­ ceived in 1958: Holle Bolle Gijs (Big Mouth, the Paper Gobbler). This crea­ ture disposes of large quantities of paper, plastic containers, and other waste, day in and day out in an envi­ ronmentally friendly manner. Children particularly enjoy putting their pieces of waste between his mighty chops and hearing him say "thank you." On March 30, 1972, Efteling again received international recognition by receiving the Pomme d'Or, Europe's Children immediately take to the fairy tale characters at Eftellng. park attendance jumped to two million. In 1986, 35 years of Efteling were celebrated with yet another new premier award for tourism and recre­ For older guests there is the attraction: Fata Morgana, The ation. The award was given for the Gondoletta, 40 nine-seat boats that Forbidden City. During their 8-minute original way Efteling has succeeded glide peacefully past ducks, swans, exploration of this mysterious orien­ in providing a continually increasing and landscaped gardens. Other suc­ tal castle, guests pass 140 anima­ number of visitors with affordable cessful additions include the giant tronic figures, not to mention snakes, recreation of a constant quality. swinging galleon, De Halve Maen, and tigers, camels, and crocodiles. This In 1978, Efteling introduced the the Piranha, an Incan-themed river amazing attraction took five years imposing Haunted Castle. The $2 mil­ rapids ride built in 1983. and $10 million to build. lion castle was to be the first in a In 1984, as part of the investment As in previous years, Efteling also series of additions that were part of a plan, the Steam Train track was had a number of new attractions multiyear plan to provide guests with extended and three new attractions ready for the 1987 season. Like every more than the fairy tales alone, and were introduced. The largest was year, the park was turned into a per­ also more than could be seen in a sin­ Carnival Festival, a ride similar to It's manent sea of colorful flowers. Three gle day. In 1981, after strong local a Small World found at the Disney hundred thousand bulbs and thou­ opposition, the Python opened as parks. Smaller, but equally popular sands of summer blooms, including Europe's then largest steel coaster were the Polka Marina, a cockleboat petunias, begonias, and lobelias, were with four inversions. This Vekoma­ carousel, and an Old Timer track with planted on a total area of about 12 built double-Ioop-corkscrew ride still Model T Fords. In 1985, De Bob (The acres throughout the park. And to proves to be particularly popular Bobsleigh), an Intamin-built lightning provide guests with even more vistas amongst the young visitors. bobsled run, opened and annual the Pagode made its debut. The FUN WORLD Novembe r 1999 23 Park Protile whimsical Thai Flying Temple most popular attraction. enabled visitors to see Efteling and A record-breaking the surrounding area from a com­ 2,717,000 people visited pletely new perspective. the park in 1993. For In 1988 the Troll King arrived at 1994, a new playground the park to predict the future from his was built for the younger throne in the Fairy Tale Forest. The children. Troll King is a remarkably complex In 1995 the expansive animatronic figure with moving hips, Efteling Golf Park and wrists, arms, and back. The figure has The House of Five Senses, a total of 26 functions, 9 in his head the first phase of the new alone. He sits in a hollow 21-foot tree, entertainment center, which is surrounded by water so he can was opened. Once com­ daydream without being disturbed. pleted, the entertainment The arrival of the Laafs marked center will be an experi­ 1990 in exceptional fashion. Under ence in itself and will con­ the leadership oftheir Earthmother, tain several attractions Lot, the Laaf people decided to including shows, amuse­ make their home at Efteling after ments, street theater, centuries of roaming underground. cafes, bars, and restau- In the village that the Laafs built, rants. The Troll King features 26 separate guests can admire their fantastic The new attraction for animatronlc functions. buildings and become acquainted 1996 was Villa Volta, a with their lifestyle. huge mansion located next to attraction. In addition to Vogel Rok, In 1991 the park added Pegasus, a Droomvlucht. The $6 million attrac­ Efteling added two new fairy tales: wooden coaster designed by the late tion was built in collaboration with The Giant and Tom Thumb, and Curtis Summers. This year also saw Dutch ride manufacturer Vekoma Rumpelstilskin. the beginning of construction on the and is a reincarnation of a popular In the final year ofthe 20th century Efteling Hotel, part of a larger turn-of-the-century fairground ride the park again gives a central position growth plan that called for an enter­ known as the revolving house. The to the Fairy Tale Forest where a new tainment center, a holiday village, attraction tells the story of Hugo, the fairy tale, The Chinese Nightingale, is and 9- and 18-hole golf courses. leader of a gang named "e added and two existing fairy tales are Efteling celebrated the 40th Bokkenrijders" who made the sur­ expanded: Next to the cave where anniversary of the opening of the Fairy rounding neighborhoods of the park Snow White sleeps, a small castle Tale Forest in 1992. A new one-of-a­ unsafe during the 1760s. After he robs arose showcasing an impressive, kind dark ride Droomvlucht a local monastery, a curse is put on somewhat frightening version of (Dreamflight) was due to open this him by mysterious women whom he "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall." Next to season. Unfortunately problems arose finds floating above his mansion the castle Eersteling Inn opened its with its prototype transportation sys­ (Villa Volta) when he returns home. doors, being home to the two remain­ tem and the opening of the ride was Inside his mansion Hugo invites ing scenes of the fairytale of The postponed for a season.